South Korea: Seoul Food and Shopping
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Introduction
Seoul: Food, History, and Shopping
Typing practice
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Text to type: Seoul is the capital of South Korea, a country in East Asia. You will read about a historic food market, a royal palace, and a busy shopping street. Then you will practise three real conversations: ordering food, asking about the subway, and choosing a jacket size.
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Before you begin
Before You Start
Think about these questions.
Have you ever visited a food market or a shopping street in a big city? What did you see or buy?
Need a starting line?
Helpful clue: There is no single correct answer. Think about any market or busy shopping area you know.
What do you know about South Korea or Seoul already?
Need a starting line?
Helpful clue: Any answer is fine. You might think of food, music, or sport.
Reading
Gwangjang Market and Korean Food
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Text to type: Gwangjang Market is a historic market in Seoul. It has food stalls and shops for clothing and fabric. Two foods to try are mayak gimbap and nokdujeon. Mayak gimbap are small rice rolls, and nokdujeon are savoury pancakes made from mung beans. Another important Korean food is kimchi. Families and communities make and share kimchi in a tradition called kimjang. UNESCO added kimjang to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013.
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Check your understanding
Check: Gwangjang Market
1. What are nokdujeon?
Sample answer
Nokdujeon are savoury pancakes made from mung beans, a popular street food at Gwangjang Market.
Think one step further
Would you like to try mayak gimbap or nokdujeon? Why?
Useful language
Phrases: Ordering Food and Water
- Can I have this, please?
- Ask for food or a drink politely.Can I have this, please? — pointing at the gimbap
- One of these, please.
- Ask for one item when you point.One of these, please.
- And some water, please.
- Add a request for water.Can I have this and some water, please?
- How much is it?
- Ask for the price.How much is it?
- Thank you so much.
- A warm way to say thank you.Thank you so much!
Reading
Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Subway
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Text to type: Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. It was established in 1395. Its name expresses a wish for the new dynasty to enjoy great fortune and prosperity. Important cultural work took place there, including work connected to Hunminjeongeum, the original name of the Korean alphabet. The palace was destroyed in 1592 and restored in 1867. If you travel there, check a current subway map and ask for help when you need it.
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Check your understanding
Check: Palace and Subway
1. When was Gyeongbokgung Palace established?
Sample answer
Gyeongbokgung was established in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty.
Think one step further
Would you like to visit Gyeongbokgung? What would you most want to learn there?
Useful language
Phrases: Subway and Directions
- Which line goes to ...?
- Ask which subway line to take.Which line goes to Gyeongbokgung?
- Can you show me on the map?
- Ask someone to point to the route on a current map.Can you show me on the map, please?
- Is this the right platform?
- Check that you are waiting in the correct place.Is this the right platform?
- Do I need to change trains?
- Ask if you need to move to another train.Do I need to change trains?
- Thank you, that's very helpful.
- Thank someone politely for directions.Thank you, that's very helpful!
Reading
Myeong-dong Shopping
Typing practice
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Text to type: Myeong-dong is a shopping area in central Seoul. It is known for fashion and food. The area also has Myeong-dong Cathedral and two major department stores. You can visit shops, compare clothes, and stop for something to eat. When you buy clothes, check the label because size systems can be different. If you are not sure, ask, ‘What size is this?’ or ‘Can I try this on?’
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Check: Myeong-dong Shopping
1. What is a good idea when you buy clothes while travelling?
Sample answer
Size systems can be different, so checking the label and trying the item on can help you choose.
Think one step further
Have you ever had trouble finding the right clothing size when travelling? What did you do?
Useful language
Phrases: Checking a Jacket Size
- Do you have this in a bigger size?
- Ask for a larger size of the same item.Do you have this jacket in a bigger size?
- Can I try this on?
- Ask to try on a piece of clothing.Can I try this on, please?
- Where is the fitting room?
- Ask where to try clothes.Where is the fitting room?
- This is too small / too big.
- Describe how the clothing fits.This is too small. Do you have another size?
- What size is this?
- Ask about the size on a clothing label.What size is this jacket?
Situation: At Gwangjang MarketScene
Situation: At Gwangjang Market
Typing practice
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Text to type: You are at Bakgane Bindaetteok in Gwangjang Market. A menu card lists one mung bean pancake for 5,000 won. The vendor smiles and waits for your order. Your goal is to order one pancake, ask for water, and confirm the price.
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Roleplay
Roleplay: Ordering at the Market
Vendor
Hello! What would you like?
You
Can I have one mung bean pancake, please?
Vendor
Of course. One bindaetteok. Anything else?
You
And some water, please.
Vendor
Sure. Here you are.
You
How much is the pancake?
Vendor
It is 5,000 won, as shown on the menu.
You
Here is 5,000 won. Thank you.
Vendor
Thank you. Enjoy your food!
Situation: At the Subway StationScene
Situation: At the Subway Station
Typing practice
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Text to type: You are at Anguk Station in Seoul. You want to travel one stop to Gyeongbokgung Station for Gyeongbokgung Palace. A station worker is near the Line 3 map. Your goal is to find the train direction, confirm whether you need to change, and choose the palace exit.
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Roleplay
Roleplay: Asking About the Subway
You
Excuse me. Which train should I take to Gyeongbokgung?
Worker
Take Line 3 toward Daehwa.
You
Do I need to change trains?
Worker
No. Gyeongbokgung is the next stop.
You
Which exit should I use for the palace?
Worker
Use Exit 5. The palace is about a two-minute walk.
You
Thank you. Now I know where to go.
Worker
You're welcome. Have a good trip!
Situation: At a Myeong-dong Clothing StoreScene
Situation: At a Myeong-dong Clothing Store
Typing practice
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Text to type: You are at the SPAO store in Myeong-dong. You find a hooded windbreaker you like, but its label says XL (105). A shop assistant is nearby. Your goal is to understand the Korean size number and ask to try the jacket on.
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Roleplay
Roleplay: Jacket Size in Myeong-dong
You
Excuse me. What does 105 mean on this jacket?
Assistant
For this jacket, 105 is the XL size.
You
Thank you. Can I try it on?
Assistant
Of course. Please come this way.
You
Great. Thank you for your help.
Assistant
You're welcome. I hope it fits well!
Speak
Your Turn: Talk About Seoul
Use what you have read and practised. Try to speak for one minute on each question.
You are telling a friend about Seoul. Describe one place you want to visit and what you would do there.
Need a starting line?
Start with: I want to visit ... because ...
Helpful clue: Use words from the article: market, palace, shopping, subway, food stall, fitting room.
Imagine you are at Gwangjang Market. Your friend asks what to order. What do you say?
Need a starting line?
Start with: You should try ... because ...
Helpful clue: Think about the foods from the article: mayak gimbap, nokdujeon, kimchi.
What you can do now
Final Reflection
Think back over the lesson.
Which of the three places in Seoul — Gwangjang Market, Gyeongbokgung Palace, or Myeong-dong — would you most like to visit? Why?
Need a starting line?
Helpful clue: Any answer is good. Use details from the article to explain your choice.
Which conversation felt most useful for a real trip: ordering food, asking for subway directions, or checking a clothing size? Why?
Need a starting line?
Helpful clue: Think about your own travel experiences or plans.
What is one new word or phrase from today that you want to remember?
Need a starting line?
Helpful clue: Choose any word or phrase that felt new or useful to you.
Learning cards
My cards
South Korea: Seoul Food and Shopping
0 due · 26 new · about 3 min
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Reading
Gwangjang Market and Korean Food
Reading
Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Subway
Reading
Myeong-dong Shopping
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