I always feel lucky when I come across a hidden gem of an experience. This happened to me in Seoul when I was wandering around the Gwanhun-dong region. We came across the Templestay Information Centre which was advertising free cultural experiences that lets you be crafty in Seoul.
We thought to ourselves, why not? It’s cold and it looks warm in there. After all, it’s free. Read about my experience about being culturally crafty in Seoul.
First of all, we had had a tea tasting lesson. Here, a buddhist monk showed us how to warm the green tea leaves over a candle before adding the hot water. The smell was amazing and you could feel it in the pit of your stomach.
Whilst we waited for the leaves to infuse we got to try injeolmi. This is a chewy mugwort tteok coated with soybean powder. It is made by steaming and pounding rice flour and is really chewy and sweet. Following this, we had semi-dried apple slices.
Tea ceremonies are used for important occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and also a way of meditation. You sit at a low table with the other guests on one side and the host on the other. They carry out the whole tea ceremony and even clean the teaware as part of the ceremony.
After finishing our tea we decided to try our hand at Lotus flower making, which is a form of meditation. A really kind lady called Yeonok Lee talked us through step by step on how to make this beautiful creation. She was so patient with us helping us every step of the way. She also shared some food with us as she could see we were hungry as we had previously been at the demonstration supporting the Comfort Women of Seoul.
It was a delicate process after the hard decision of choosing what colour petals we were going to use. Pinching the petals and gluing it onto the fine stems.
However, it was worth the time as our final creations were revealed!
Other activities were available such as wood block printing and colouring. Thus, anyone interested on getting crafty in Seoul would have plenty of options available. However, we felt that we should get on our way and explore more of Seoul.
And the price of all this. Absolutely free! No intense asking for donations. Just a voluntary donation pot sat quietly on the table.
At the end of the experience, we thanked Yeonok for her kindness. We were touched when she said that she felt like we were her family.
The Templestay Information Centre is great for giving details on different temples throughout Korea which allow tourists to stay in them. Their advice is free and they will help you book your stay or give you the information for free. That’s a bonus on top of the experience to get crafty in Seoul.
Upstairs, there is a Buddhist restaurant which we were taken to by a Korean friend a few nights later by chance. Here everything served is vegetarian and you can help yourself to unlimited side dishes of different types of vegetables with your vegetarian main course. The food was so good here and I came away feeling very satisfied.
The side dishes on offer
I would really recommend you visit the Templestay Information Centre. You can find it opposite Jogyesa Temple on Ujeongguk-ro Street near Jonggak Station (subway line 1) and Anguk Station (Subway line 3).
You can contact them by telephone: +82-2-2031-2000 or email: support@templestay.com. Find them on facebook HERE.
This looks like a great place to visit. I never did a tea ceremony when I was in China so it would be great to do one. I also liked the flower making, it looks like great fun, though I am not sure I would be any good at it!!
That’s what I though Clare as I am not very artistic but actually with the instructions I had, it turned out really well 🙂
During my time in Korea, I was always struck by how few of these kind of establishments there were and you’re right, stumbling across one always proves to be one of the highlights of a trip. The food, as Korean always does, look great and I still miss the galaxy of side-dishes that are part of a meal there. Some great creations too!
It certainly was not what we had planned to do that afternoon but I am so glad that I stumbled across it.
The additional unlimited side dishes is an added bonus! Especially as Korea is the vegetarian nightmare so when everything is cooked in fish, I can fill up on the veg sides 🙂
Love those unexpectant pleasant surprises when you travel. So glad your appetite was satisfied finally!
This is why it is much better, if you can, to travel without a plan. Then you have time for these unexpected finds.
Wow, these creative workshops must have been so much fun! And I’d love to visit a tea tasting like this one. That Buddhist restaurant too. Yummy veggie food!
It was a really nice find. Brought out the creative side of me which has been lacking due to the lack of an artistic gene in me 🙂
Not only did you get arts, crafts, and food. You got all that in Korea. So awesome thanks for sharing this cool experience.
You are very welcome. I really enjoyed my afternoon there.
This is really cool – I can’t believe it’s free! It’s great that you get to choose from so many activities and then head to the restaurant. Sometimes these surprises are some of the best travel experiences.
So true! I wish we had time to go back on another day and do some more activities. Perhaps next time I am in Seoul as I would love to return to Korea to experience spring here.
Wow..great food..delicious tea and creativity all together at its best 🙂 Love that flower that you made. Looks like the place is one of a kind
Thanks Neha. Unfortunately I couldn’t take it on my travels with me further as it would have got damaged but it was a lovely gift to give away.
Those lotus flowers are beautiful. I think this is such a great idea to show people the traditions of the country. I’d love to take part in a traditional tea ceremony.
It was a really nice afternoon. I think it is important to learn about the countries culture and the tea ceremony is a major part of this.