No lies, that Seoul hangover had me feeling critical, I knew that I needed to get myself together quick! That seemingly straight Seoul Subway line was not achieved until the return. Incheon's Chinatown served up the best 'Jajangmyeon/자장면' outside of China without a doubt! A walk near those Korean waters allowed me to piece together my life. I really needed that bubble tea!
Getting back on the sauce really wasn't the plan, waking up from about five hours sleep I somehow managed to get myself onto Seoul's gargantuan subway system. I had done some research to find out that Incheon stood as its own city away from the Greater Seoul area. I wanted to ensure that I had done one better than my first visit to Seoul, I wanted to say that at least I had ventured outside of the Metropolitan area. Line One was supposed to take me almost directly to Incheon, located at one of the several terminus stations west of the city of Seoul. How wrong was I? I was very wrong! Thinking that I was well on my way, I looked on my maps to see where my train was heading. I jumped off at 'Geumjeong/금정역' because something didn't feel right about the direction that I was heading in. I managed to get on another Line One train after being directed to another platform by a Korean Grandma. I was appreciative for that lady's help! Finally, I was on my way heading in the correct direction towards Incheon. ICN, don't judge me!
I had done some research to find out that Incheon stood as the only official Chinatown on the Korean Peninsula. People thought I was out of my mind, I had just departed from China and wanted to see another Chinatown in Korea! Why not? I knew there was a reason for me to visit Incheon. Located not so far away from Seoul's Incheon International Airport, I wanted to challenge that Incheon had more substance than an airport. As the terminal station neared on that Seoul Subway Line One train, you already know that I felt very accomplished. Having stumbled into my hostel at 5 A.M. the same morning, I could declare that I was keeping things moving at all costs! Incheon Station/인천역' was compact, I was able to see the welcoming Chinatown gate from the stations exit. Oh, how a wave of relief washed all over me as I tapped out of Incheon Station because that journey from Seoul had been long and eventful! I wanted to find something familiar within Incheon's Chinatown but with a Korean twist. I was so starving!
Like any self-respecting Chinatown, Incheon's boasted it's own huge gate. I was impressed by the size of that gate because I knew that this Chinatown would be small in size, I wasn't complaining! Of course, this experience was all about the history because as the only official Chinatown on the Korean Peninsula, I had to check it out to see what those noodles were about! Dating back as far as 1833, Incheon Chinatown came into its own after the Port of Incheon was opened. Chinese immigrants arrived in their droves, seeking employment they settled in Incheon without thinking twice. Just a hop over the Yellow Sea, it was mad to think that the flight from China's East takes less than two hours, those first voyages were probably nothing like my Korean Air and Asiana Airlines flights from Beijing and Shanghai. Restaurants and businesses thrived, something unique stood as this Chinatown was bought back from the brink to guard its title as the only Chinatown across the two Korea's. Those noodles though? Help me!
I was choosy, it took me me a hot minute before I selected a restaurant to enjoy those noodles! Don't as me the name of the place because no memory remains, you can blame those drinks! Ordering a bowl of 'Jajangmyeon' felt like a blessing because I was in need! Known in China as 'Zhajiangmian/炸酱面', those 'Old Beijing Fried Noodles' were only minutes from being in my stomach, love in a bowl they were! Ordering some fried dumplings as a side dish was a no-brainer because my hangover couldn't do without a treat or two! That restaurant was located up the hill along the main street with many other Chinese restaurants, I was sold with my choice. Those noodles tasted out of this world delicious, no word of a lie I had been transported back to Beijing because those noodles tasted like the real thing! The dumplings were just as good, no complaints! I needed a bubble tea to round off that meal experience, one tasty one I found! My trek over to Incheon from Seoul in my hungover state had been worth it, honestly I did that so!
I already knew that the area around Incheon Port wasn't going to be the easiest to discover, it was no Liverpool with its own waterfront. I chose my battles, I left the noise within those main streets behind me to take a closer a look at the port area. Yes, the nearby theme park wasn't on my radar and my late afternoon time frame had saved me from that unknown tourist honey pot. I didn't know what to expect from the area as I crossed the road near the main Chinatown gate. Things changed rapidly, I loved the industrial feel with those loading cranes in my view. I wasn't bothered, I just wanted to see something everyday with a few boats in view. Those roads were not easy to cross, I was able to find a quiet vantage point from where I caught a glimpse of the port area. Located behind a Korean War memorial, I was able to catch that industrial port view whilst I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes. My very random day had served three defined experiences, I wasn't mad to be away from the maddening pace of Seoul. Changing it up, good!
I was spent, I had endured the train journey from the city to Incheon during which I was heading in the wrong direction. The Chinatown itself was manageable, small in size I was able to track down those noodles without having to waste time, even a much needed bubble tea was found. I didn't feel the need to visit the museum because I wanted the streets to school me instead, the impressive welcoming gate told me that this valuable Chinatown attracts visitors for those meals firstly! Taking things down to the ocean was brief but I saw what I wanted to and needed to, surely a difference! I headed back to Incheon Station as the sun started to set, I made damn sure that Line One Seoul Subway train would take me back to my intended transfer station. It was like a tonic to get away from Seoul, I wanted to make that final visit count for something. You know that I didn't hit any bars that night, I headed straight back to my hostel bunk before my Busan departure. Incheon knew that I tried my best to make that day happen!
Hangover Realness!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
