Hello, everyone!
Today, I’m going to share with you some must-visit spots in Seoul, particularly focusing on the best places to get a breathtaking view of the N Seoul Tower.
For fans of the Disney Plus TV series “Moving,” you’ll recognize N Seoul Tower from Episode 9 where Agent Moon San is seen enjoying some Gimbap.
In this post, we’ll explore not only the top vantage points to admire the iconic N Seoul Tower but also delve into some recommended eateries.
Specifically, we’ll talk about where to find the scrumptious kimbap that Moon San eats in the show, as well as the backstory behind the tonkatsu restaurant where Moon San and Mi-hyun have their date, which inspired the fictional setting in “Moving.”
So, let’s get started, shall we?
Introducing N Seoul Tower
The ‘N’ in N Seoul Tower stands for Namsan, a small mountain located in the heart of Seoul, South Korea.
The name Namsan itself means “South Mountain.” During the era of broadcasting through radio waves, a transmission tower was built on top of Namsan to cover the greater Seoul metropolitan area.
That very tower is what we now know as N Seoul Tower.
As you might have noticed from watching “Moving,” Namsan holds historical significance as well.
The tension between South Korea and North Korea remains to this day, but it was even more acute from the end of the Korean War until the 1990s.
During that time, Namsan was the location of the KCIA (Korean Central Intelligence Agency), where the main characters in the drama are based.
Additionally, this area holds painful memories in the context of South Korean history.
But enough of the heavy stuff for now; let’s move on to the best spots to enjoy the view of Namsan.
Best Spots to View N Seoul Tower
In the bustling business districts of Seoul, where skyscrapers dominate the skyline, catching a glimpse of N Seoul Tower isn’t always easy.
Most visitors who come to Seoul tend to explore areas around Gangnam and downtown, making the tower even more elusive to spot.
While it’s not impossible to get a view, you’ll often find yourself peering between buildings, as shown in the picture above taken from Seoul City Hall Plaza.
The plaza area itself offers several points of interest, including some great restaurants.
Close to the plaza, you’ll find Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is worth visiting.
I highly recommend trying out a Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) experience there and taking some commemorative photos.
After all, what usually lasts from your travels are memories and pictures.
However, if you’re planning to visit Itaewon, there’s a fantastic spot where you can enjoy an unobstructed view of N Seoul Tower.
After a casual dinner and maybe a drink or two in Itaewon, consider stopping by this location to take in the night view of the tower before heading elsewhere.
The spot is conveniently located near Itaewon and is called Noksapyeong Overpass.
It’s a bridge over the road that offers a famous view of the tower, as you’ll see in the image above.
This location also makes a brief appearance in the drama “Itaewon Class.”
The reason N Seoul Tower is especially visible from here is that there are no tall buildings obstructing the view, providing a clear sightline to the tower.
The overpass marks the beginning of the Itaewon area.
To get there, you can take Seoul Subway Line 6 to Noksapyeong Station and exit at Gate 1; the overpass is just a short walk away.
However, if you’re already hanging out in Itaewon, walking is likely the quickest way to get there.
So if you’re in Seoul and looking for the perfect shot of N Seoul Tower, make sure to check out these spots!
Korean Tonkatsu: A Beloved Dish
Before diving into the story of Namsan Tonkatsu, let’s take a brief moment to talk about what Tonkatsu is in the Korean context.
The word “Tonkatsu” is a combination of ‘豚,’ a Chinese character that means ‘pig,’ and ‘Katsu,’ the Japanese pronunciation for cutlet.
In Korea, it’s commonly referred to as “Donkatsu.”
Originally introduced as a Western-style dish, Tonkatsu was considered a delicacy served in upscale restaurants up until the 1990s.
Over time, it became more accessible, turning into an everyday dish by the 2000s, comparable in ubiquity to fast food.
This has led to a generation growing up eating Tonkatsu at local eateries with friends, instilling a sense of nostalgia for the dish.
It remains an immensely popular menu item among Koreans today.
As seen in the picture above, Korean Tonkatsu has a standardized format.
The pork is first tenderized with a mallet, making it thin and tender.
It is then seasoned, dipped in egg and breadcrumbs, and deep-fried.
The fried cutlet is plated and covered with a fruit-based Demi-glace sauce.
The sauce is often the restaurant’s secret recipe, and the quality of the pork and the frying technique are also significant.
The dish is commonly served with staple Korean sides like rice, soup, and kimchi.
It used to be that Koreans considered a meal complete only if it included these three components.
The set also often includes a cabbage salad tossed in mayonnaise, pickled radish (Danmuji), and an appetizer cream soup.
Depending on the restaurant, some places offer unlimited refills of Danmuji, kimchi, rice, and sometimes even cream soup.
You’ll find that Korean Tonkatsu establishments usually offer a similar set-up, as pictured above.
The Namsan Tonkatsu featured in the drama “Moving” is renowned for its enormous size, popularizing the “King(size) Tonkatsu.”
Tonkatsu is akin to a giant Schnitzel, and in Korea, you can enjoy a cutlet as big as an iPad.
As Mun San says in the drama “Moving,” it may seem like a lot at first, but you’ll find yourself finishing it all as you go along.
The dish pairs exceptionally well with a extra cold beer, making for an irresistible combination.
Although it’s often considered a Western dish in Korea, it has been localized over a long period, making it a unique culinary experience you can only have in Korea.
So, if you find yourself in Korea and want to relish a piece of local culture, make sure Tonkatsu is on your foodie list!
Namsan Tonkatsu: The Tale of the Original and the Contemporary
In Korea, the word “original” or “wonjo” often gets affixed to the name of the establishment that first popularized a particular dish.
However, in today’s culinary landscape where new restaurants are crafting modern and delicious versions of traditional favorites, the label of “original” has somewhat lost its luster.
Once upon a time, the question of who made a popular dish first was a topic of hot debate.
One such instance revolves around Namsan’s giant pork cutlet, popularized by a restaurant located at 101 Namsan.
The story goes that the restaurant was doing so well, the landlord ousted the original chef but continued to run the restaurant under the same name.
The ousted chef relocated and set up a new pork cutlet restaurant at 23 Namsan, sparking a boycott movement against the original 101 Namsan location.
You can find the location of the Namsan Tonkatsu restaurant, which the chef who moved opened at 23 Namsan, on the map above.
While the story of Namsan’s original pork cutlet is symbolically significant, it has lost some of its importance in the current landscape where exceptional pork cutlet restaurants have proliferated across South Korea.
For instance, the Hongik Pork Cutlet franchise shown in the picture, or “Wonjo Tzu Wang Pork Cutlet,” operated by a YouTuber with 8.6 million subscribers, could arguably be better choices.
As for Wonjo Tzu Wang Pork Cutlet, the owner has stated that he wanted to recreate the nostalgic flavors of his childhood.
However, the restaurant has become so popular among Koreans that diners often have to wait more than two hours to get a table.
For a more detailed location of the Wonjo Tzu wang Tonkatsu, you can find the map above.
The Undervalued Delight: Gimbap
Thistime, I’d like to talk about the Gimbap that Mun-san eats while sitting at the N Seoul Tower in the movie.
Gimbap is one of the most popular foods in Korea.
Gimbap is made by laying a large sheet of seaweed flat, spreading seasoned rice on it, and then adding a variety of ingredients.
Once everything is layered, it’s all rolled up into a cylinder shape.
The most common style of Gimbap usually contains pickled radish, pickles, fried eggs, ham, imitation crab, sautéed carrots, and sautéed spinach.
These ingredients are rolled, and then the roll is brushed with sesame oil before being sliced and served.
A full roll of this nutritionally balanced dish used to sell for a mere 1,000 won 20 years ago.
For Koreans, Gimbap is so common and popular that people might say, “Why would you pay that much for Gimbap?”
I personally think that Gimbap is one of the most undervalued foods when you consider the labor that goes into making it.
To prepare the ingredients for Gimbap, a lot of effort is required.
You have to prepare each element separately, place them carefully on the rice, and then roll it up neatly—it’s very labor-intensive.
In fact, compared to dishes like Tonkatsu, which Koreans might consider more of an ‘proper meal,’ making Gimbap could possibly require even more effort.
One of the reasons Gimbap could be sold at such a low price is the abundant production of seaweed.
There are many franchises in Korea that specialize in making Gimbap, and it’s also readily available in convenience stores.
The dish is incredibly versatile, and its variety is limited only by the ingredients you choose to put inside.
It’s important to note that, since Gimbap is a fresh food item, it can spoil quickly, especially in hot weather.
Therefore, it’s best to eat it right after it’s made or store it in the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave before consuming.
Namdaemun Market and Tong Tong Gimbap
TongTong Gimbap is a Gimbap restaurant located in Namdaemun Market, one of the largest local markets in South Korea.
Seoul has three large gates connecting to the outer areas in the east, west, and south, centered around Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king once lived.
The north side is backed by a mountain, so there is only a ceremonial gate in that direction.
Naturally, markets have sprouted up near each of these large gates, and these markets continue to thrive to this day.
The gate shown in the picture above is Namdaemun. Nowadays, only the gate remains, devoid of the surrounding walls. “Nam” means south, and “Daemun” means large gate.
Next to this large gate is Namdaemun Market, popular among tourists and a retail hub offering a diverse range of goods.
However, in the past, it mainly sold wholesale goods and was a go-to place for retailers from all over South Korea.
While it may not be as bustling as before due to the rise of large supermarkets and online shops, it still offers a wide array of products.
If you have a Korean friend, it’s highly recommended to get eyeglasses from this market.
They’re really affordable, and the process, from eye examination to the finished product, takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
As a traditional market, it also offers a variety of foods to enjoy.
If you’re visiting, it’s worth a stop. The entrance to the market is accessible via Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station on Seoul Metro Line 4 (sky blue).
TongTong Gimbap’s main branch is inside the market and specializes in takeout.
It has appeared in various media and is famous for even receiving orders from the Blue House, the presidential residence.
Payment and utensils are self-service, which might be inconvenient for tourists looking for a place to eat.
You can eat it on the go like street food, but the servings are not small.
There’s one branch near the main location where you can sit and eat, although space is limited.
Its location is a one-minute walk from Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station on Seoul Metro Line 4, which can be seen on the map above.
The menu is quite diverse, and they use a generous amount of fresh ingredients every day.
In South Korea, the quality of Gimbap is judged based on the quantity of rice and fillings.
More fillings denote a premium Gimbap, while more rice suggests a cheaper option. In this restaurant, as can be seen from the pictures, there’s a thin layer of rice with mostly fillings, offering immense flavor.
I’ve eaten countless Gimbaps in my lifetime, and this one is arguably the best.
It’s also relatively healthy, given that it doesn’t have an excessive amount of carbs.
The menu is so extensive that it would be impossible to describe it all here.
If you’re having trouble figuring out the ingredients from the photos, iPhone users can take a photo and extract the text for translation.
The menu names are intuitive. Android users, especially those with Samsung Galaxy, can use Bixby Vision for instant translation.
In Korea, Gimbap has often been viewed as a less substantial meal, almost like a quick fix.
As a result, Koreans commonly ask, “Will you be okay doing (activity) after just having Gimbap?”
This perception largely stems from the Korean viewpoint that a proper meal involves a full spread, complete with multiple side dishes.
However, upon closer examination, Gimbap in itself offers a well-balanced nutritional profile.
At the branch location, they also sell dishes like Tteokbokki, so you can order them together for a delicious meal.
Closing
And so, today we’ve explored Korean foods featured in the Disney Plus TV series drama ‘Moving,’ as well as some great places to try them.
If you’re planning a trip to Korea, the best times to visit are during spring (April to May) and fall (September to October).
However, due to the recent serious impacts of climate change, both spring and fall are getting increasingly shorter.
In the fall, you can enjoy clear skies, while spring offers beautiful blossoms.
That said, spring often comes with its drawbacks like yellow dust and pollen, making the air quality less than ideal on many occasions.
Given these conditions, a trip in the fall comes highly recommended.
That’s all for today.
See you. bye~ bye~ 😀