09 Jan
The Place To Be
Jeonju is an idyllic city known for its traditional architecture, culture, and cuisine. It is a popular tourist destination, even among Koreans. And, for good reason! If you decide to teach English in Korea, make sure to strongly consider spending a year in this amazing city. Here are the best things to do in Jeonju.
Eat More Bibimbap
In Korean, “bibim” means mixing, and “bap” means cooked rice. This traditional dish often features egg, various vegetables, and sometimes cooked or raw meat! Jeonju is famous for its bibimbap, so don’t pass up the opportunity to try it. While you eat, go ahead and order Jeonju’s variation of makgeolli, a traditional rice wine! I had it when I visited Jeonju, and it was absolutely delicious.
Rent Hanboks
Hanboks are the traditional style of dress in Korea, but they’ve become more popular in recent years. Even though social media often shows only women wearing them, there are hanboks for men, women, and children! It’s super common in Seoul as well as other cities to see people wearing them for special occasions and around hanok villages and palaces. In Jeonju, we payed about ₩17,000 to wear our hanboks all day. Wearing a hanbok while exploring Jeonju is one of the coolest (and most fashionable!) cultural experiences I’ve had in Korea!
Visit A Traditional Hanok Village
Now that you’ve got your hanbok, there’s no better place to go than Jeonju’s Hanok Village. A hanok is a traditional Korean building that features a wooden framework and often intricate, beautiful designs on the walls. This is the perfect place to soak up Korea’s rich history and feel like you’ve been transported back in time!
Visit Jeondong Cathedral
Right across the street from Jeonju Hanok Village is Jeondong Cathedral! This beautiful religious building was built in 1908 and is a must see when visiting Jeonju.
Indulge In Street Food
Korea has some of the best street food in the world, and there’s a little something for anything. What’s one you absolutely have to try in Jeonju? Korean coin bread. Imagine a waffle and a grilled cheese on a stick. That’s coin bread. Shaped like a coin, this street food is a perfect sweet and savory snack to end your day in the beautiful Korean city of Jeonju.
Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.