Exploring Suwon in Gyeonggi Province

Exploring Suwon in Gyeonggi Province

  • 기자명 Margarita Kichukova
  • 입력 2022.01.13 10:46
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[The Public = Margarita Kichukova] Gyeonggi-do Province is part of Seoul Metropolitan area and it encompasses a total of 31 administrative units which are often referred to as "satellite cities" of Korea's capital, Seoul. Due to the country's convenient transportation system and numerous subway connections, visiting some of those cities for a day trip is rather easy which makes the province a preferred destination for many foreigners eager to explore Korea's hidden gems. Let's take a look at some of the representative sightseeing locations in the area.

 

Located south of Seoul, Suwon is the largest city of Gyeonggi-do Province. It is connected with the capital via three subway lines, namely Line 1, Suin-Bundang Line, and Sinbundang Line. The most famous attraction the city is known for is Hwaseong Fortress which stretches throughout a larger part of the city. It is a must-visit for expats fond of history as it has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage since 1997. The legendary fortress was constructed during the Joseon period (1392-1910) and it is the legacy of King Jeongjo, son of the controversial Crown Prince Sado, who initiated the massive project to clear the name of his father. Suwon is also home to a temporary palace also dating back to the Joseon dynasty. If you are interested in K-drama, you might recognize this place from the hit series "Rooftop Prince".


Suwon Nammun Market stood out by ranking 3rd in the results of a survey among foreign tourists and 4th in the results of a survey among experts out of 22 representative traditional markets selected by the Korea Tourism Organization in 2018.

In winter, the season when people crave steaming hot food, Suwon is a great place to enjoy a variety of meals without having to travel far.

For example, the city's traditional market alley restaurants such as "Hanyang Sundae" in Ji-dong Market, "Joseon Twisted Bread Sticks" in Minarigwang Market, and "Jangang Whole Chicken" at Whole Chicken Street, are suitable for a gourmet tour.

The representative food of Minarigwang Market is twisted sweet rice bread. Among the shops offering this, "Joseon Twisted Bread Sticks" with its distinct chewy taste, is located in the corner of the market.

The sundae sold in "Hanyang Sundae", located in Ji-dong Market, boasts a chewy yet savory taste as it is made with glass noodles. It can be enjoyed with pork intestines that are generously served here, making the restaurant a hot spot for sundae enthusiasts. Another popular dish in Sundae Town of Ji-dong is sundae tripe stir-fry which is sold cheap and in large portions. Its base is pepper paste, a basic Korean hot sauce, so the spicy taste of fried rice mixed with soup after the meal is excellent. Foreigners who like the taste of black pudding should try it at least once.

 

It is a long-established store in which visitors can try twisted bread sticks, a Korean-style donut the dough of which is made with a know-how accumulated over a lengthy period of time so that it doesn't taste dry. Lightly sprinkled sugar is also typically used in Korean twisted bread sticks. The moment you try this food once, a tiny voice in your head tells you to give up on dieting and suddenly, you can't stop eating!

 

When asked what some of Suwon's famous dishes are, Koreans would pick whole chicken right after king ribs. Therefore, Whole Chicken Street in Nammun Market near Namsu-gyo Bridge is a popular food spot in Suwon that is known among people of all ages, and has been receiving a lot of attention from the media for the last 4-5 years. It sells a variety of fried chicken, from whole chicken fried in a cauldron to sweet and sour chicken, fried chicken, and seasoned chicken.

 

This street in Suwon is famous as the birthplace of Korean K-chicken. Even before chicken became the representative Korean product that it is now, Suwon Whole Chicken Street has been considered the cradle of K-chicken for over 60 years.

 

Along with its three traditional market restaurants as the essentials for an unforgettable foodie trip, Suwon is a must-visit destination in Korea. The winter weather here is quite cold, but delicious food eaten outside warms the body and mind, which Koreans love. This way, you can understand the romance of winter. If you are planning a trip around Korea this winter, it is a wise choice to go to Suwon's traditional markets as you can easily visit Suwon with friends and family by subway. We hope that our recommendations for meals and desserts will help you create precious memories with your loved ones.

 

[Image by Suwon Cultural Foundation]

 

The Public / Margarita Kichukova webmaster@thepublic.kr 

더퍼블릭 / Margarita Kichukova webmaster@thepublic.kr

저작권자 © 더퍼블릭 무단전재 및 재배포 금지
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