[Travel] Winter Birthday Holiday to Seoul, Korea in January 2019 (Part 3)

by - Thursday, March 28, 2019



The previous post, I have been updated the story about the Winter Birthday Holiday to Seoul, Korea in January 2019 (Part 1) within 3 days, which is from 19 – 21 January 2019; and (Part 2), which from 22 – 24 January 2019. Then, in this last part – I will continue the story from 25 – 27 January 2019. On next day [25 January 2019 (Friday)] is my birthday. I feeling that I want to celebrate my birthday at the Café 89 Mansion, who is own by Lee Jongsuk the Korean Actor. I just missing this café so much and I also love the foods in this café.




We're ordered the Salmon Salad (KRW 13,000 – RM 48.25), Seafood Tomato Pasta (KRW 23,000 – RM 85.35), Tiramisu Cake (KRW 8,500 – RM 31.55), and two of Macadamia Latte (KRW 7,500/each – RM 27.85). It is such as a wonderful day of my life when I can celebrate my birthday in Seoul, Korea and then, hang out at Café 89 Mansion on the same day. I love it.



After the meal, we just walk around there for a few hours. Since I never miss going Kyobo Bookstore while I back to Seoul so I go there looking for new Korean books for my new collection. I try my best to spend a little time over there. 





Again, we going back to Myeongdong to buying new skincare stocks like Innisfree, Moonshot and more. I went to the Moonshot Store in the Plaza Young Myeongdong but it is not open in there anymore. Then, I try to find a new store that closes by in Myeongdong. I could find the new Moonshot Store in Myeongdong. I buy some of the Moonshot products for my stock in the future. My mom told the Moonshot staff that day is my birthday after I pay the products and he gives me extra gifts. It is making me happier. Before I forget, I got the immediate tax refund in the store. We also bought some product at the Olive & Young Store and Innisfree Store, including some products that someone asking us to buy for them in Seoul. 




On next day [26 January 2019 (Saturday)], we're going to the Kings Cross 9 ¾ Harry Potter Café, Hongdae. The operation hours of this café is open on every day – Monday until Thursday is open on 11:30 am – 10:00 pm and Friday until Sunday is open on 09:30 am – 10:00 pm. 



As a big fan of Harry Potter, I never fail to get the chance to visit any places that related to Harry Potter. I also hope someday I will get the chance to travel to London, England by visiting the Harry Potter Movie Set in London. Before this, I get visit the Universal Studio Japan (USJ) – as you know inside of USJ have the themes park as Harry Potter. On this time, at the Seoul – it has the Kings Cross 9 ¾ Harry Potter Café, Hongdae. This café become trading on Instagram. Lucky this café just nearby with my hostel, where I stay while I traveling in Seoul, Korea.




I quite fast recognized this café after looking at the outside building of this café. They're really building this café by using the Harry Potter themes. The main spot to take photos is the famous luggage trolly that goes through the magical platform 9 ¾ wall as same in London. It is a really great place to get a picture of it. The second photo zone is located just by the entrance which is a faux door to a Diagon Alley style pub or tavern. So if you are passing by at this café and don't have time to go inside, you can still get a great shot for your Instagram. 






Once I getting inside the café, I saw the third spot photos; which a set of stairs with a bookshelf is behind piled up with wands. If you wish to take photos inside the café, you have to buy some drinks like tea or coffee. They also have soft drinks and a variety of cakes. The price of admission is the cost of a drink. 








The main seating for the café is located on the second and third floors. The second floor hosts lots of tables hidden in nooks and crannies, akin to the Gryffindor Common Room. While the third floor is more like the Great Hall, and we choose to seat on the second floor since its many empty seats at those moments. The lighting is quite poor, so try your best to take photos inside this café and figure out which angles work best. 







I ordered the two Hot Caramel Macchiato with the price is KRW 7,500 each (RM 27.85) and one Banana Cake with the price is KRW 7,500 (RM 27.85). For me, it's the standard price when you decide to buy some drinks at any café around South Korea. The taste of the Hot Caramel Macchiato is nice to me, but the Banana Cakes like normal cakes with nothing special to me. Overall, we had a great morning and really enjoyed the space. Some tips here, if you wish to take great photos at this café just come early in the morning because at those moments normally not pack yet. 

Address: 417 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

Direction: [Subway] Hongik University Station (Line 2), Exit 9.


Our last dinner at Seoul, I take my mom to try the Korean BBQ at the new restaurant in Gangnam, which is Shogin (쇼긴) Premium Lamb House. This restaurant is open on every day from 04:00 pm until 04:00 am (on next day) but sometimes they are open the restaurant quite late so better come after 05:00 pm. 




This restaurant is quite big and comfortable for all customers who are come to this restaurant. This restaurant also provided a prayer room for Muslim customers. It's really convenient. We have been ordered the Marinated Lamb (200g) (KRW 20,000 ~ RM 74.20), Snow Lamb Chop (200g) (KRW 13,000 ~ RM 48.30), and Warm Noodle (KRW 5,000 ~ RM 18.60). Since we're the first customer on that day, the owner of this restaurant serves us with many Korean side dishes. If you have been tried eating the Korean BBQ at the Yang Good Restaurant, this restaurant also serves the same this. But in my personal opinion, this restaurant price is quite cheap and the meal portion is quite big too for example like the worm noodle we're ordered, it's come with a big bowl and we can share together. 



The meals in this restaurant are quite good and delicious too. The owner and staffs are also nice and friendly. I like it so much and I will come again to this restaurant when I'm traveling back to Seoul, Korea again. My mom also likes all the meals we're tasted on that day, but the marinated lamb is quite spicy to us. The owner already told us about that but we want to try and at the same time, we're wondering how spicy it is. For who is can't handle well spicy, I'm not recommending to order the marinated lamb. It is will make you cry. Overall, this restaurant is great, especially to Muslim tourists. 

Address: 552, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06136, South Korea.

Direction: [Subway] Eoju Station (Line 9), Exit 6. 




It is quite sad to say goodbye to Seoul. I miss all the moments during this holiday even I not really have the chance to visit many places but I still happy. We have to pack properly before the flight back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in next morning.

On next day [27 January 2019 (Sunday)], is time to say goodbye to Seoul, Korea. Actually, last Friday I asked the guesthouse staff to make booking the airport transfer for us. The drive is quite early arrived at our guesthouse, like 15 minutes early. Then, he takes all our luggage and drives straight to the Incheon International Airport. The drive asks us, which terminal our flight. On that time, I confuse then I told him that our flight by Malaysia Airlines which is located at Terminal 1. The same airport as on my previous trip. If your flight by Korean Air, you will feel the new airport of Terminal 2. I hope someday I will get a chance to flight by Korean Air in the future. The airport transfer from the guesthouse to the airport is KRW 70,000 per way (RM 259.70). 








Since our flight is using the business class of Malaysia Airlines for the first time in my life ever. We got priority in many things like fast check-in luggage; relax at the airport lounge; first, get in the plane; and also the fast luggage arrives to collect. The plane we're riding on that day is double-decker plane and we seated at the upper floor. It everything was so nice for us from the beginning until we've arrived at the KLIA around 16:45 pm. The 6 hours journey by business class is making me feel so short. 








In this post, I just combine the three day trip to Seoul, Korea. Even it's my seventh time traveling to Seoul, Korea. I'm sure that I will back again to South Korea in the future with more new destinations to explore. I'm will continue to do the project of #CaféSeries; #UniqueStore; and #HalalRestaurant; or maybe I will do the combination of this project if I'm going to Japan or in different countries in future.

Here, the link to the continued stories about the Winter Birthday Holiday to Seoul, Korea on January 2019 – Part 1, and Part 2.

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