Korean Cultural Experience: Kimchi Making, Hanbok Wearing and Tea Ceremony

Meet your friendly guide upon hotel pickup in Seoul and head to a cultural center for your hands-on introduction to several aspects of Korean culture. Start your morning with a tea ceremony called darye, meaning ‘etiquette for tea,’ and relax as you learn about its revival in Korean society.

Then spend 20 minutes trying on hanbok, colorful clothing from the Joseon period that today is mostly worn during festivals and celebrations. A traditional woman’s ensemble usually includes a jacket with a full, wraparound skirt, while a man’s hanbok consists of a blouse and pants. After practicing formal etiquette for greetings, get your photo taken in your costume.

Once you’ve changed back into regular clothing, start your 30-minute kimchi-making lesson with a local instructor. Served at every meal, either alone or mixed with rice or noodles, this high-fiber, low-fat dish is made with fermented cabbage or other vegetables. As you prepare and season the kimchi, you’ll discover its wide variety of uses, including in soups and pancakes and even as a topping on pizza and burgers. Afterward, you can keep what you’ve made.

The fun isn’t over yet, as your guide engages your group in yut nori. This traditional board game is played with yut sticks, usually made from wood and used like dice. After about 20 minutes, hop back in your vehicle and head to a short stop at an amethyst factory or ginseng center — two of Korea’s most famous goods.

Your 3.5-hour morning tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel.