An argument for food tours
+ an update on Good Trip
First, a note from : Hi, it’s been a minute! I traveled to India last month to attend a great friend’s wedding, and traveled to Kerala and the Taj Mahal (had to). That means we weren’t able to publish in a hot minute, but I’m excited to say that we have four remaining stories, including this one, in Issue 1.
Important: I’m looking for the right person to hand the reins of Good Trip. More details on this below, after this mouthwatering photo essay.
Photos and words by: James Spitzer
Tucked deep into the streets of Seoul lies Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest street markets in South Korea. As you wind through the bustling alleys, you’ll find merchants selling everything from clothing to home goods, and of course, lots and lots of food.
If you’re a fan of Netflix’s series Street Food Asia, you may recognize the packed stall that sells dumplings and knife-cut noodles owned by Cho Yonsoon.
Otherwise you’ll most likely find yourself lost amongst the vast array of options that await you as you aimlessly stroll through, trying to decide what to eat.
One of the best ways to combat the analysis paralysis that is prevalent in situations like this is to book a food tour. On our tour of the market, we were led by a knowledgeable and outgoing guide who already knew the best places in the market and was able to take us to locations that served amazing food that we most likely wouldn’t have tried on our own.
If not for the expertise of our local guide we would not have had the experience of trying all of these amazing, traditional Korean foods.
Whole crabs, potato pancakes (Gamjajeon), spicy rice cakes (Tteokbokki), even a plate of raw beef (Yukhoe), and of course the famous knife-cut noodles (Kalguksu)!
They even taught us a number of drinking games, which made eating some of these foods a little easier to initially stomach.
As a traveler, I am often skeptical of tours. I often find them to be kitschy, take you through some of the most touristed places in any destination, and often end with a hard sell to try to get you to buy cheap souvenirs. However, when it comes to food tours, I get it now; I’m a believer.
The next chapter issue of Good Trip?
As mentioned above, I’m looking for the right person to take over Good Trip.
This has been my passion project for 3+ years, along with hard work from contributors Natalie Filkoski, Ash Pattison-Scott, and Amy Siripunyo, but based on current priorities, I cannot dedicate the time and energy I would like to continue it.
I would LOVE for the right person (or company!) to take it on as their own, including the visual identity, ethos, and this here Substack. If this is at all of interest, let’s talk!
I don’t have anything set in my mind, so I’m really open to ideas. I’d much rather someone take this and run with it than just shut it down. Feel free to reply here or email hi@goodtripmag.com.
In the meantime, there are still three great stories on the docket!