Morning Makeup & Breakfast
Our final full day together started with a nutritious breakfast followed by me doing my mom’s makeup. I kept it soft and natural with a pink-based look gave her a radiant and youthful glow for the day ahead. If you want a full tutorial, drop a comment and I can make one!
Taxi Options in Seoul: Venti Taxi to Apgujeong
We took a Venti taxi to Apgujeong for our next stop. For those unfamiliar, Seoul offers a variety of taxi options, each with different features:
- Regular Taxis (Ilban): These orange or silver taxis are the most common and can be hailed on the street or via apps like Kakao Taxi.
- Deluxe Taxis (Mobeom): Black luxury taxis with slightly higher fares but more comfort and professional service.
- Venti Taxi: Larger vehicles suitable for groups, providing spacious seating and comfort, available through the Venti App.
- International Taxis: English-speaking drivers catering to tourists, bookable through the International Taxi website or Kakao Taxi.
Recommended Apps for Booking Taxis:
- Kakao Taxi (most widely used, available in English)
- Tada (premium ride service)
- UT App (Uber’s service in Korea)
Lunch at Hanilkwan: A Michelin-Awarded Restaurant
We arrived at Hanilkwan, a historic Korean restaurant established in 1939 and awarded multiple Michelin recognitions. Hanilkwan is known for preserving authentic Korean flavors with traditional cooking techniques.
- Address: 204 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Website: Hanilkwan Official Website
We ordered their famous goldongban (beef and stir-fried vegetable over rice) and bulgogi (marinated beef). My student, who has been a regular visitor with her husband, recommended this place as it holds sentimental value for her. It was actually our second visit together, and she generously treated us to the meal again.
Gallery below: https://hanilkwan1939.cafe24.com/nd/product.html
Special Gifts Exchange: My mom and my student, who are close in age, exchanged thoughtful gifts. My mom gifted her a colorful scarf from Peru, while my student presented my mom with a beautifully crafted silver Korean mirror. This traditional mirror design often symbolizes purity and reflection in Korean culture.
A Café Experience with a Robot Barista!
After our meal, we visited the café on the second floor of Hanilkwan, where we were surprised to find no human staff but a robot barista making our drinks! It was a fun, modern twist to end our dining experience.
Shopping at COEX Starfield Mall & Hyundai Department Store
Next, my student graciously drove us to COEX Starfield Mall, one of Seoul’s largest underground malls, located in Gangnam.
- Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Website: COEX Official Website
My mom was fascinated by the fact that the entire mall was underground! We explored the various stores and then crossed into the connected Hyundai Department Store for more shopping. It was a wonderful experience showing my mom a place I frequently visit with friends. Especially showing my mom the Christmas tree at Coex Starfield Library!
Coffee Break at Berce Coffee
After all the shopping, we took a much-needed break at Berce Coffee inside COEX. Known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious offerings, we tried their avocado sandwich alongside our coffees. My mom especially enjoyed the sandwich and gave it high praise.
- Address: COEX Mall, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Souvenir Shopping at YP Books
Before heading home, we stopped by YP Books in COEX so my mom could pick up some souvenirs for her friends back in Peru. We chose beautiful metal bookmarks showcasing traditional Korean designs, perfect as meaningful keepsakes.
Heading Home on Line 9 Express
To get back home, we took the Line 9 Express Train, known for its speed and efficiency. My mom loved how convenient Seoul’s subway system is for getting around the city.
The Final Night
Before bed, I helped my mom pack her bags and then she sat me down for a serious but helpful talk about my finances. As a financial analyst, she is an expert and wanted to ensure I had better control over my spending habits. She had me go over my monthly expenses and guided me on areas where I could save.
It was a heartfelt moment—my mom not only caring for my health and happiness but also my financial well-being. I am really lucky to have a mom who cares so much. When we said good-night, it was bittersweet. Five days is better than none though so I am happy for the blessing that it was.
Stay Tuned for Day 5.5: The Skincare Pampering Experience!
This concluded “Day 5,” but technically, she was only here half a day on Monday, so it and her last day was also a half-day so it is still five days total– does that make sense? So, that means there’s still “Day 5.5” to share—where my mom got some luxurious skincare pampering on her very last half-day in Korea! Stay tuned for the full breakdown in the next blog post.
Seoul travel tips | Hanilkwan review | Best restaurants in Apgujeong | COEX Mall shopping | Korean beauty stores | Seoul underground malls | Venti taxi Seoul | Olive Young skincare haul | Korean cultural gifts | Berce Coffee review | Seoul cafe guide | TirTir cushion foundation | Traditional Korean mirrors
Follow me on Instagram for more travel stories: @melodyofherseoul 🌟
Melody of Her Seoul 