What is the South of Seoul Best of Pyeongtaek Poll? South of Seoul is proud to host the 5th Annual Best of Pyeongtaek Poll in celebration of our delicious and delightful community. The South of Seoul volunteer organization has supported ex-pats living outside of Seoul since 2015. The South of Seoul (SOS) volunteers and manage multiple Facebook groups, the South of Seoul Facebook page, South of Seoul blog, and South of Seoul smartphone app. In 2021 the South of Seoul volunteers also launched the SOS Public Health which researches and distributes information to support the physical and mental health of expats in Korea. Our volunteers adore this rich life we live south of Seoul and feel honored to help new arrivals discover the hidden magic it holds. Pyeongtaek is a rewarding mix of city life and country life which can make it a challenge for new arrivals. However, with a little information like the Best of Pyeongtaek Poll Winners list, Pyeongtaek-si can be a delightful place for new arrivals and long-term international residents alike. How did the South of Seoul Best of Pyeongtaek Poll change in 2021? For 2021 we added a few new categories and withdrew a few categories in order to respond to the changes caused by the global pandemic and shifts in information. Since SOS volunteers stay closely connected with the community, each year we adjust the categories to reflect what is happening right now. This means each year the poll is a little different. Specifically in 2021, South of Seoul decided to split the Best of Pyeongtaek Poll into two different polls. The Best of Pyeongtaek winter poll focuses now on food and beverage hotspots while the summer poll will focus on lifestyle and health and coordinated by the SOS Public Health Program. Who votes in the Best of Pyeongtaek Poll? The South of Seoul Best of Pyeongtaek poll is open to the public. We make every feasible effort to reach outside the South of Seoul community into the communities around us to gain an authentic insight into the preferences of English-speaking international residents in Pyeongtaek. SOS volunteers feel confirmation bias does not serve the greater good, so we seek opinions outside of our own sphere of influence. We want the Best of Pyeongtaek Poll to hold accurate information whether that information matches our belief or not. South of Seoul volunteers want to meet the authentic needs of the community and the South of Seoul Best of Pyeongtaek Poll provides us with the insight we need by reflecting on the opinions of others. That said, nothing about this poll is scientific. It is for fun and for community development. We try to level the playing field by leaving the poll open for two weeks so that community members can vote once a day and deeply support the people and businesses they love. Over 250 people participated in the poll in 2019 and over 350 individuals cast votes in 2021. What did you learn from the Best of Pyeongtaek Poll in 2021? When reviewing the responses to The Best of Pyeongtaek 2021 poll we found that English-speaking residents’ comfort zone in Pyeongtaek has expanded! This trend started in 2018 and has continued to grow when we saw more international residents voting for businesses outside of Paenseong and Sinjangdong. In 2021, a variety of businesses located far from US military bases won Best of Pyeongtaek. Each year more votes are cast for businesses that 1) aren’t English dominant or 2) located outside of the Songtan/Shinjang or Paengseong areas. That’s right! English speakers are moving about the different neighborhoods of Pyeongtaek more every year! International residents now enjoy more of the magic Pyeongtaek has to offer. This growing trend makes our South of Seoul hearts very happy. In 2021, we learned that South of Seoul continues to be a leader in information in Pyeongtaek. Our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group has been a powerhouse of information with the community that allows us all to come together to support people every single day. The hard work of each member of Pyeongtaek Food & Fun has driven the group to become one of the most influential places for ex-pats to gather information.  We want to congratulate the SOS Technology Development Volunteers for continuing to build the South of Seoul app. We never imagined a volunteer-built app could compete in Pyeongtaek with giants like Naver, Kakao, Google, and Facebook. South of Seoul 2.0 is under development and will hopefully be available in the first quarter of 2021. Enough talking, time to get down to business. *drum roll please* We are proud to announce the amazing, hard-working, talented winners of The Best of Pyeongtaek 2020. Go visit them all! PYEONGTAEK’S BEST NEIGHBORHOOD SOSABEOL Offers the Best Experience for Date Night, Hanging Out, and Families One of the most common questions we in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun group get is, “Where can we go on a date?” or “Where can I go that’s family-friendly?” So we decided to put it to a vote and the winning neighborhood is Sosabeol, Bijeondong! Every year since the Best of Pyeongtaek Poll started, Sosabeol has been the date night choice of English-speaking residents of Pyeongtaek. Past Awards: PYEONGTAEK’S BEST RESTAURANT WINNERS IN 2021 Best International Grilled Meat: BRAAI REPUBLIC Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys Army Base) Braai Republic offers heaping plates of South African comfort food including grilled lamb, ribs, chicken, and more. Braai Republic also has a location in Seoul. In addition to their BBQ, we also recommend their hearty and filling meat pies. Braai Republic’s Past Awards: Support This Business Best Pub / Sports Bar: TAILGATE TAVERN Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys Army Base) Tailgate Tavern has been a popular spot for beer and burger enthusiasts. It’s not surprising with their many TVs, large menu, and solid beer selection. With seating for 100, Tailgate is an excellent space for large groups. Plus, drum roll please, parking! Tailgate also does catering for large events in-house and off-site. This is their second year winning Best Pub or Sports Bar. Tailgate‘s Other Awards: Support This Business: Best Sandwich Shop: EPHPHATHA Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys Army Base) For the third year in a row, the sandwich shop with the impossible name-Ephphatha- has won over Pyeongtaek hearts with their hearty and delicious Philly cheese-steaks. A well-deserved win by this hardworking couple. Sandwich shops keep opening in the area, but Ephphatha has held on and kept up the great work. In 2020 they also began offering the first burger in Pyeongtaek served on a homemade pretzel bun. Ephphatha’s Past Awards: Support This Business Best American BBQ Restaurant: JP’S BBQ Neighborhoods: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong and Sinjang (Near Camp Humphreys Army Base and Osan Air Force Base) JP’s BBQ has been working hard to bring authentic USA-style smoked meat to Pyeongtaek for years and that work has paid off! He started out working the pink carts in Songtan that grew into a popular catering company. In 2018, the husband and wife team opened their own storefront in Paengseong, and in 2019 they opened a second location in Songtan/Sinjang-dong. Last year they won for Best BBQ Sandwich and best brisket. In 2020, they swept all non-Korean BBQ categories. In 2020 JP’s BBQ also went out of its way to support US troops by providing meals to soldiers and their families in quarantine. JP’s Other Awards: Support This Business Best Korean Galbi Restaurant: HWA HWA and MYEONGNYU AYCE (Tie) Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys Army Base) Hwa Hwa has been a Paengseong institution for as long as we can remember. It was recently remodeled and offers Korean BBQ and sides that lean toward the western taste. It’s the perfect spot to get used to this delicious new way of eating. Once you have tried them, keep trying as many other BBQ joints as you can. The choices are limitless. In 2020 Hwa Hwa supported US troops by providing meals to soldiers and their families in quarantine and packaging their tasty BBQ for take-out so that the local community could continue to enjoy their food at home. HWA HWA’S Other Awards: Support This Business Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys Army Base) Myeongnyu AYCE is another popular galbi restaurant in South Korea that recently opened a new location in Paengseong. The location became a big hit with the English-speaking community in 2021 earning them their first Best of Pyeongtaek award. Support This Business Best Korean BBQ Restaurant: ARIRANG Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys Army Base) Arirang has been around for many years. The location offers delicious Korean BBQ and side dishes near gorgeous cafes. It makes it the perfect spot for families, couples, and companies. The location also offers plenty of parking huge tables and private rooms. This is Arirang’s first Best of Pyeongtaek win. They greatly deserve it since they are popular with both Korean and English speaking residents. Support This Business Best Fried Chicken: BRUXIE CHICKEN AND WAFFLES Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Sinjang-dong (Near Osan Air Force Base) Bruxie has two locations. One location is in Paengseong and the original location is in Sinjang. The brand originated in California and opened locations in Pyeongtaek recently. Their savory fusion fried chicken mixes American comfort food with a Korean twist. You can find both sandwiches and plates that will remind you of home with a Korean twist. The perfect meal for hungry days. This Bruxie Chicken and Waffles’ first Best of Pyeongtaek win. Support This Business Best Family Restaurant: THE RED ONION Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys Army Base) This is The Red Onion’s first win in the Best of Pyeongtaek Family Restaurant category. Red Onion’s recent remodel and expansive menu which offers something for everyone pushed them to the top of the list in 2021. The Big Bite’s Past Awards: Support This Business Best NOT Fried Chicken: SOUS VIDE CHICKEN PUB Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Sosabeol Sous Vide Chicken Pub has a unique and interesting menu. They even have a giant chicken dish that gets set on fire. It’s hard to compete with a restaurant that offers delicious and exciting food along with a nice assortment of beers, including some they brew themselves. Additionally, Sous Vide Chicken Pub is located in Sosabeol which has been winning awards as the Best Pyeongtaek Neighborhood for date nights, family fun and hanging out since 2017. This is Sous Vide Chicken Pub’s first Best of Pyeongtaek win. Sous Vide Chicken Pub Other Awards: Support This Business Best Italian: DEL VINO Winner 2 Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Pyeongtaek-dong (Near AK Plaza) Del Vino is one of Pyeongtaek’s longest-running Italian Restaurants. Located about a 5-minute walk from Pyeongtaek Station, Del Vino offers an open concept kitchen and a romantic atmosphere. The menu features steak, pasta, stone over pizza, and a substantial wine list.  This is Del Vino’s first Best of Pyeongtaek win. Support This Business Best South American Restaurant: CEVICHE 210 Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Sinjang-dong (Near Osan Air Force Base) When you think Pyeongtaek you probably don’t think “What an amazing place for Peruvian food!”… but you should. The best of the bunch is hands down, Ceviche 210. It’s a show-stopper. It’s hard to pick a favorite dish on their menu because it’s all friggen delicious. Their green sauce is a legend all its own. Ceviche 210 also offers stunning off-site catering for your events. They often cater events for the Peruvian embassy in Seoul. Ceviche 210’s Past Awards: Support This Business Best Filipino Restaurant: ALICE’S FILIPINO CUISINE Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys Army Base) In Pyeongtaek-so, we have been blessed with a plethora of Filipino options and Alice’s Filipino has been voted the best. It has a great location near Camp Humphreys and offers very affordable meal sets. This is the perfect cuisine for those who don’t like spicy food. Next time you need some lumpia or chicken adobo, you know where to go. Next year this category will be packed! Even more Filipino restaurants are opening each month and SOS volunteers love it! Alice’s Filipino’s Past Awards: Support This Business Best Thai Restaurant: TASTE of THAILAND Neighborhood: Pyeongtaek-si, Paengseong (Near Camp Humphreys Army...

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Roaming the open grounds of a sacred temple during an afternoon offers a short respite from the chaos of everyday life. But for a more grounding, immersive experience, consider a Korean temple stay. Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to make more of our content accessible. If you would like to join our Accessibility Team apply to volunteer with South of Seoul. Please note that the pronunciation of some Korean words may be inaccurate due to AI technology’s limitations. About temple stays in South Korea Many Buddhist temples in South Korea offer these cultural programs, where participants experience the life of Buddhist monks by engaging in daily monastic activities. This includes Temple Stays where you can spend one or more nights in a Korean Buddhist temple. All temple stay programs differ slightly, but typically run for a weekend or a quick overnight, (longer if requested). You can attend solo, with a small group of friends, and, at certain times of the year, with children during family stays.  The information below is an example of how programming may look, using a recent stay at Magoksa Temple as a guide. This 1000-year-old temple is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and is situated in the Taehwasan Mountain range in Gongju, a location believed to have powerful pungsu (feng shui). Before any temple visit, it’s important to read up on basic etiquette.  What to expect during your temple stay Upon arrival at a Korean temple stay, you will be given temple clothing to wear during the duration of your stay. It is expected to wear this uniform for all activities, including meals, ceremonies while hiking on temple grounds, and additional programming. This is followed by a brief orientation explaining what is expected during your stay and the proper cultural nuances of temple life. You will then be guided to your accommodations, a simple room within the temple buildings with two blankets – one for sleeping on and one for covering – and a small pillow.   Sample programming for a weekend temple stay The daily schedule for monks begins with a wake-up at 4:00 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m.  *Note all programming is optional. You are not required to participate, but it’s highly recommended for the full experience. All meals are vegetarian and included in the temple stay pricing.  Friday:  Saturday: Sunday:  What to bring to a temple stay   What NOT to bring to a Temple Stay   Where to find a temple stay A list of temples that allow foreign visitors exists here.  Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated a community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. Molly HaydenJournalist Molly Hayden has worked in the journalism field in Germany and the United States. In 2021 she relocated to South Korea. As a volunteer Cultural Liason and Content Creator, Ms. Hayden reports on a variety of life & style topics with a focus on families living in rural South Korea.

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Looking for cool historical sights in Taean-gun? Here are some places I loved visiting with my family. About Taean-Gun Taean-gun is a beautiful coastal region located in South Korea’s Chungcheong province. The area is known for its pristine beaches, natural beauty, and delicious seafood. One of the top attractions in Taean-gun is Mallipo Beach, which boasts a long stretch of white sand and clear blue waters. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, and participate in various water sports like jet skiing and parasailing. Another popular beach is Cheollipo Beach, which is surrounded by picturesque cliffs and is known for its tranquil atmosphere. In addition to its beaches, Taean-gun is also home to the Taean Haean National Park, which is a protected natural area that includes a diverse range of landscapes like rocky cliffs, forests, and wetlands. The park is an ideal destination for nature lovers and hikers, with a variety of trails to explore. Visitors can also take a boat tour around the park’s islands, which offer stunning views of the coastline and the surrounding mountains. For those interested in cultural activities, Taean-gun is also home to the Taean Tulip Festival, which takes place every spring and features thousands of colorful tulips in full bloom. However, in addition to all the fun and beaches, Taean-gun also has some cool historical sites. If you live nearby in an area like Pyeongtaek-si, make sure to visit these Historical Sights in Taean-gun. Accessing Taean’s Historical Sights You will not find a great deal of information about Taean’s historical sites on English language sites. Since Taean does not have easy public transportation and the roads have only been improved in recent years, Taean has been off the radar for international travelers. All that started to change in 2020. Public transit remains limited, but more international tourists have taken to visiting via car or motorcycle. Taean’s historical sights are not huge or massive. Instead, Taean’s sites offer a quiet and reflective look at the past. There will not be throngs of people. You will not be swept away in the spectacle of travel bloggers and Instagram stars. However, you will be in the beautiful countryside seeing how the past and present exist in the modern reality of Korea. How Can I Find More Information About Taean’s Historical Sights? To learn more about visiting Taean’s historical sites, contact 1330 to learn more about the logistics of each individual place. You may also need a bi-lingual Korean concierge service to help book the tours for you. Additionally, joining local travel Facebook Groups like Pyeongtaek Travelers can help you find current information on others’ experiences. 8 Taean’s Historical Sights LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Grab your partner or friends and head to Goyang, Paju, and try this Saturday itinerary. Here was our itinerary. You don’t want to miss out on a day eating out and exploring this area Do you want to spend an easy day just relaxing? Goyang has a plethora of delightful options for just chilling out and having an unbelievably pleasant day with the people you want to talk to. About Goyang in Paju, South Korea Goyang is located west of Seoul just below Paju, the city quietly hosts a wide variety of activities that aren’t heavily promoted in English to the foreign resident community. For the foreign population, Goyang might feel like an invisible spot on the map. Quite frankly, for the last 10 years, I hadn’t found a reason to go. I just drove past on the way to Paju. However, recently, I found an affordable Afternoon Tea cafe on Instagram and became obsessed with visiting. Our perfect day in Goyang: Follow along with how we spent our relaxing day. This Goyang, Paju Saturday itinerary felt like a relaxing little dream. Comma9 Brunch Cafe: We always start a day of adventure off with a hearty meal. The Keto Bowl and Avocado Toast from Comma9 were an incredible surprise. I’m always looking for a non-carb brunch that fills me up and this cafe delivered. We may drive here just to each brunch here again. It was that enjoyable. They have parking out front and street parking. Come early to avoid the crowds. Cheongbal Mountain Hike: As most have learned by now, in Korea there is no difference between a mountain and a hill. Don’t be scared by seeing “mountain” in the name. This little hill/mountain hike was delightful with plenty of areas to rest, play, and run amuck. Perfect for families and friends who want to enjoy some nature and time together without putting in much effort. Sensibloom: After our hike, we had a reservation for Afternoon Tea at a tiny little cafe that makes all their items by hand. A completely delightful experience. They even speak English. The tea is one of the best prices in Korea at 24,000 won. We made the reservation on the phone and paid by bank transfer (you need a Korean bank account for this). Since this is the more affordable tea option, it doesn’t melt your brain in wonder. Sensibloom provides the perfect afternoon with friends, eating tasty morsels, sipping tea, and sharing stories. We were very, very happy with the relaxing peaceful atmosphere and the cheesecake was fire. Memories were made. Family Love Bikes: Next we hopped in our car and went to a local lake park and rented tandem bikes. Family Love Bikes had tandem options, bikes with baby trailers, kids bikes, etc. We paid 10,000 won for about 2hrs on our tandem bikes. Ilsan Lake Park: This park has everything. There is a cactus exhibit, garden center, aquarium, water park, snow park, trails, Instagram spots, a mall with tons of restaurants, a reunification museum, etc. It’s hard to imagine a better destination with so many things all in one spot. We were there just to be with friends so we rode our bikes around and goofed off. We will do a whole other blog about the things to do at the lake so look for that coming soon. Barn11O: After we rode bikes for a few hours we were hungry again. We drove back to where we had tea and ate at a nearby restaurant called Barn110. We chose the restaurant because of the great photos and the menu that confused us. Since our friends are from many parts of the world, we often choose a spot with a unique menu and then discuss where we think the influences are from. When our food arrived we realized it was Japanese fusion and super delicious. The giant shrimp linguini and taco rice were our two favorite dishes. (Taco rice is a dish from Okinawa.) If you hate food that breaks the rules don’t eat here. If you love spicy food and culinary creativity, definitely go here. After we finished dinner we all headed home. Totally exhausted from our hiking, biking, and eating. It was an absolutely perfect day. You can find all of these places in the South of Seoul app available Now that I’ve been to Goyang, I am absolutely going back again and again. The traffic to Goyang works in my favor because I’m coming from Pyeongtaek and going against the Saturday commute. We can easily travel back and forth from this area without getting stuck in traffic on a Saturday so it goes to the top of our list. Additionally, Goyang is super chill but has lots to do. We don’t have to fight crowds. There are lots of excellent places to eat and things to do. The food is delicious. Cute cafes everywhere. What more could we possibly want? Let us know if you tried this Goyang, Paju Saturday Itinerary! Leave your thoughts in the comments. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Welcome to Sosabeol the click on the locations to learn more about restaurants, cafes, and things to do in this relaxed and fun neighborhood. Pyeongtaek (평택) is made up of many different, unique little neighborhoods. Over the last 2 years these neighborhoods have been reorganized, a new address system created, and often – completely new names assigned. Combine this with the constantly changing English-speaking population that rotates through each year, and life becomes like a big game of “telephone” as half information turns into mythical information. That’s where South of Seoul comes in. We are on the ground and update the South of Seoul app (available for iPhone and Android) each time we are alerted to a change or inconsistency.  Always let us know if a business is closed, a new one has opened, or something isn’t working right! We make those changes and keep things running smoothly. Introducing Sosabeol (소사벌) The South of Seoul community voted Sosabeol the Best Date Night Neighborhood in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The Sosbeol neighborhood is made up of a few dongs (동), but mostly it is located in a new section of Bijeon-dong (비전동) called Bijeon2Dong (비전2동).  A few years ago this area was farms and pear orchards. Faster than you could say Pyeongtaek, developers filled in the agricultural land and developed it into what is one of the hippest, happening parts of Pyeongtaek.  Sosabeol offers food and fun in one centralized location. Where can I find this in the South of Seoul app? If you are looking for a place to go out and have fun,  this is where you want to go. Simply search “Sosabeol” in the South of Seoul app. The Sosabeol neighborhood has something for everyone in a very compact little area. Families, singles, couples, and friends can all find something brilliant to do together. Here is a quick look at what is happening in Sosabeol, Bijeon2dong, Pyeongtaek-si. Every week new things arrive so visits are always an adventure. It moves at record speed. Sosabeol’s fast development has caused plenty of issues in the area. For years no maps worked, not event Naver. It was nearly impossible to tell anyone how to find anything. That’s why there are so many WAZE pins entered there. Our volunteers walked all the streets and entered things so they could be found. It was a crazy amount of work but it paid off. Of course, that work also becomes antiquated since these pins often aren’t updated as the community changes. As the WAZE data becomes less accurate, Naver and Kakao have started working correctly so things have worked out. Google is still entirely unreliable in Sosabeol. The correct address will take you to a completely incorrect location. What kind of things are there to do in Sosabeol? If there is a fad in Korea, it’s almost guaranteed to show up in Sosabeol. It has all the key features that define a modern Korean city. In short, Sosabeol is a playground for people with disposable income.  It’s laden with brand-name restaurants, Instagram-ready cafes (which are often more about getting the shot than getting the flavor but still fun), dessert spots, and drinking establishments that will make you feel fancy. After dinner you can have a blast with things like archery, bowling, getting massages, tennis, darts, walking in the park with stunning skylines, strolling by the pond or streams, watching movies, etc. It’s a great place for everyone. Families, friends, dates, and co-workers will find something to do here.  Thursday to Saturday expect fancy cars and slow traffic. However, it’s not cheap. Everything here is new and now. If you are on a budget this might not be your spot. What’s the transportation situation? Parking: Parking in this area is terrible. There are parking garages below many of the buildings and we recommend paying for parking whenever you can. Make sure you leave plenty of time to drive around looking for a spot. There is no cheat or easy answer. Carpooling is 100% a great idea. If you are meeting someone, give yourself.  If you visit a business, most will offer some free parking in their building. You simply need to show them your vehicle’s license plate when you check out. The parking systems are linked to each business’s computer system that your parking discount is automatically applied when you leave. Subway: There is no subway station in this area. The closest one is Pyeongtaek Station. You can catch a taxi from there. We recommend this over parking or buses. Buses: There are no “fast” ways to get to Sosabeol right now. Often it’s faster to walk than take a bus. You can find bus routes on Naver and in Google. Taxi: We highly recommend taking a taxi here from Pyeontaek Station if you don’t like fighting for parking or public transportation. It’s just easier. Businesses in this area do tend to come and go. Rent and property prices are through the roof, parking is terrible, and there is no good public transportation. This makes it hard for them to do business. Sooo, if you love a place there tell ALL your friends. Let South of Seoul know all about it. Leave them reviews and post pictures. We have watched great places arrive and leave in months because they just couldn’t get people flowing fast enough. It’s cutthroat in Sosabeol so show them your support and love. Download The South of Seoul app from Google Play Download the South of Seoul app from the Apple App Store

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When winter rolls around it can be easy to just stay home and veg but that’s often not the best for your mental health. So what should you do when you are allergic to the cold? Don’t worry, you don’t need to put on a snowsuit and go play outside. Instead grab a friend and checkout some of the fun indoor activities available in your area. These fun little adventures will brighten your winter weary mood and give you something to look forward to during your down time. Here are 5 of our favorite indoor options. 1. Indoor Archery Locations: Seojeongri, Sosabol, and Pyeongtaek City. The new thing in town is indoor archery and it’s fun! The prices are affordable and they give you little lessons to get you started. This is a great way to begin your bow addiction. We have friends who tried archery for their birthday and a year later were entering competitions. It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole with this one. S.O.S. PICK: We go to Freddie’s archery in Seojeongri for a variety of reasons: 1) It’s near our house; 2) Freddie is an awesome part of the community and very involved with the foreigner community; and 3) Freddie speaks English and will make you feel comfortable. If you become instantly addicted to the sport, he also has ALL the hookups for gear and classes. 2. Fishing Cafes You don’t have to sit out in the cold to go fishing this winter. Instead, grab some friends and go to a nice warm fishing cafe where you can compete in catch-and-release fishing competitions and even win prizes. Great fun for families. To learn more check out these additional resources on the topic: Humphreys Happenings Bost Life  3. Escape Room Location: Pyeongtaek City If you are interested in testing your detective skills, the Escape Room near AK Plaza has a variety of options for English speakers. Everyone who goes says it’s great fun. They are quite welcoming to English speaking guests so no need to feel uncomfortable. They even have the rooms summarized in English on their website. It’s also very easy to find since it’s directly out front of AK Plaza next to the bus stop.  4. Roller Skating Rinks Locations: Cheonan & Pyeongtaek This year Pyeongtaek has it’s very own roller rink right near AK Plaza. Winter activities don’t get any warmer or more fun than this. The rink is small and you skate around pillars, but that just makes it more fun. This is the perfect thing for a Friday night with friends or for a family outing. Get some exercise and remember what it’s like to be a kid again. 5. Bowling Locations: Songtan, Pyeongtaek City, Sosabol Who doesn’t love a night out eating snacks and rolling some balls across the floor? Pyeongtaek has bowling alleys in almost every area of the city. We haven’t entered all of them, just the ones that we think foreigners will feel the most comfortable at. You could even start a bowling league with your friends. S.O.S. PICK: Pyeongtaek has a variety of bowling options, but one of the nicest isn’t far from AK Plaza. Super clean with plenty of activities other than bowling for those that want to tag along with your friends, but aren’t feeling like gracing the lanes. Seriously, don’t sit at home and be sad about winter.  Get out there and have all the fun. For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store.  Why we do this: We made the app to accompany the blog because it’s easier to keep update with current information. In the past we’ve tried keeping the information on the blog but it’s too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible. 

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During a recent bike ride around Suwon, we most likely broke many rules, despite the fact we were making our best effort to go by them. So I’m going to begin this recommendation by stating, I don’t know if we were supposed to be riding our bikes here.  We had avoided going a few places that specifically said no bikes, but the trails we used to access this park didn’t have signs that we noticed. We aren’t saying they weren’t there, we just didn’t notice them. Dogs Allowed Even though we are unsure if bikes are allowed, we are sure dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash and you pick up after them. BE SURE of those two things.  We saw quite a few owners out walking their little ankle biters so grab your fur baby and head outside. Shaded From the Sun One of the big reasons this park is perfect for you and your dog in the summer is that it is HEAVILY shaded. We were able to avoid direct sun throughout nearly the entire trek. A fact we greatly appreciated after stupidly not bringing water with us. A mistake we hope to never make again, but most likely will endlessly. There are also many napping areas along the way, so you will have plenty of chances to take a rest that are also out of the sun. Ends at a Beautiful Lake Park This particular park is great because it wanders along a ridge all the way to the lake park that we love. That means you can go jump in water features at the end of your long walk (or bike ride as was our case). That’s a lovely end to any outdoor excursion. The pin that we dropped marks the beginning of the series of parks and green spaces that run all the way to the water. There are many different entrances and exits along the way. https://naver.me/FvnJphVI

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Whenever I can be near water or in water I am. It’s always been a big part of my life. In order to get more of it, this last weekend we decided to go checkout one of Suwon’s lakes in the middle of the city. We rented old bikes from the near the palace and road them through the city, along the river, through a park, and down to the waters edge. It was quite the adventure and took about an hour since it was our first trip and we were exploring. I will go into more detail about how to do this entire trip later this week. Suwon’s 원천호수 (lake) has been developed into a stunning park area surrounded by the tall mountainous buildings of a busy vibrant city. Due to our limited time, and our love of getting wet, we chose to visit the section of park that’s covered in water features that you and your children are welcome to play in. An entire hillside and boardwalk of flowing, pooling and shooting water that will delight your inner and/or real child. This is an excellent choice for a picnic and lots of Korean families take advantage of it so you won’t be alone. There might also be live music, event tents, and more happening throughout the summer. This isn’t where you go away to get away from it all, this is where you go to join in the fun of the city and the culture. The park is much bigger than what you see in these pictures. There is a long trail system the snakes along the edge of the lake, so if exorcise is what you want, this is also a great place to get it. As an added bonus, dogs are allowed the park as long as they are leashed and you pick up after them. So grab your friends, your fur babies, or your real babies and go forth to enjoy the summer fun. CLICK HERE for the map and address in MollaKorea.com

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    Next to/Around the ever so fancy Yeonginsan Natural Forest are plenty of hiking trails and views. This one, on the edge of the park has trail access from inside the park and outside so it can either be an all day event or a 30 minute, hearty hike. Just depends on what you are looking for. The trails aren’t easily routed on Naver, but the long hike begins in the lower parking lot below Yeonginsan Natural Forest. There is a trail that follows the road and another that goes up the ridge to the peak. This is the one we recommend. Although on this day we cheated and just walked the ridge. It was still a workout. Don’t be like us. Be certain to take water with you even if you are taking the easy route. The hike is surprisingly intense right at the end and you are fully exposed at to the sun at the point. You are GOING to want water. CLICK HERE FOR MAP AND ADDRESS IN MOLLA KOREA.         Want More? Check Out the Ultimate Hiking in South Korea Guide If today’s blog has you ready to lace up your boots, don’t stop here! We’ve partnered with United on the RoK Magazine to bring you a full resource on hiking across Korea — from beginner trails and Dulle-gil walks to epic mountain climbs and seasonal tips. Check out the Hiking in South Korea Guide Whether you’re an expat, military family, or traveler, this guide will help you plan your next adventure and discover the trails that make Korea a hiker’s paradise.

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Located about 30 minutes from Pyeongtaek is a gorgeous forest and mountain hiking area that isn’t overrun by people every moment of the year (but I’m sure it happens). The name is Yeonginsan Natural Forest and it’s one of the best places South of Seoul to go and get away from it all because it’s NOT on a subway stop. This gorgeous park can be a hard day of hiking (if you park at the lower free parking lot) or an easy day out with the kids on smooth paths perfect for strollers (if you park at the top in the paid parking area & entrance fee. Worth it. Maybe 3,000 per person). If you are a family with mixed levels of activity, it’s the answer you have been looking for. You can drop your avid hikers off at the bottom of the mountain, then drive to the top to lounge about in the forest parks and rec areas while they huff it up to meet you. In addition to hiking, there is a swimming pool (open only during “swim” season starting in July), a nice zipline, obstacle course, play area, rental cabins, museum, cactus arboretum, water features, basketball court, badminton court, etc. You get the picture, plenty of stuff to do and a peaceful place to do it in. This is another place we have driven past for 5 years and never stopped until now, we regret it. This is the nicest place for hiking near Pyeongtaek by far. Incredibly well maintained and refreshing, great views at the top.

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