JeonJu (전주) Living Up to the Best Bibimbap (비빔밥)

Xee and I took a nice Sunday trip down to JeonJu on Sunday December 11, 2011. We went down to JeanJu for two reasons:
A. Neither of us has gone there yet (It's definitely a place everyone should visit if they are in Korea) &

B. The Yiruma concert!

There are several ways to get to Jeonju you can take the train (KTX, Mugunghwa & Saemaul) or you can take an express bus.

On our way down we took the express bus from Seoul (Nambu Express Bus Terminal on Line 3) because the Express Bus Terminal in JeonJu was closer to the Hanok Village. On our way home we took the Mugunghwa to Cheonan Station.

Jeonju is filled with historical charm. We stayed in the Hanok Village for most of the day before we went to our concert. I love the look of Hanoks (traditional Korean homes). Even though the Koreans (like the Japanese) borrowed certain things from China they were still able to put their own cultural spin on things. Every time I look at traditional Korean roofing I am still amazed because I think it's absolutely gorgeous. Of course walking around the Hanok Village I was surrounded by such beauty.

Another thing Jeonju is know for is their bibimbap! Of course we had to try it to see if it really is the best in Korea. We went into this cute restaurant 전주 전통비빔밥 (which means Jeonju Traditional Bibimbap). For those that do now know, bibimbap is a Korean dish that has many types of vegetables prepared on top of a bed of rice. Then gojujang is added and you mix it all up. There are many variations of this, this is just my simple explanation.

Xee and I tried the raw beef bibimbap! It costs 10 000 won (which is decent, the cost is pricier due to the beef). The lady that ran the restaurant was really cute and she will come over and show you how they used to mix the bibimbap. The verdict YES this was probably one of the best bibimbaps I ever had. Their toppings were very fresh and it seems they chose only the best quality of ingredients. When you eat a good bibimbap you just know. I've never really eaten a bad bibimbap but the good ones just stand out. There is just something magical when you eat a really good one.

Of course you should go and find out for yourself!

After lunch we took in the sites. We strolled around the Hanok Village. It's very neat because it is embedded around the modern parts of the city so the Hanok village is a bit of an escape. Even your everyday coffee shops and convenience stores were built in Hanok style! I kind of wish all of Korea still did this (haha).
Within the Village there are many historical sites you can see. There are traditional stores that sell rice paper and handmade items. Jeonju is not a very large city so you definitely feel very relaxed while strolling through this city.

On our way to the concert hall to see Yiruma the taxi driver drove us by this park that is also famous in Jeonju, I was a bit sad that I did not get to see it but now I know for next time! I think I would go back one more time to visit. A day trip is probably a bit rushed so it's a perfect weekend trip!