It’s almost sweater weather. Grab your best sweater and scarf, then enjoy the most marvelously “basic” fall day in Pyeongtaek!
About fall in Korea
Fall in Korea is everything you could want for embracing the basic beauty of the season. The skies are never bluer, the weather is perfect for a sweater, the leaves are gorgeous crunchy, and Korea loves fall pumpkin! Every year, I try to have a least one perfectly basic day where I do my favorite basic fall things! Everyone should try it at least once. Read on to see my best “basic” fall day in Pyeongtaek.
My perfect Basic Saturday starts from Sinjang-dong and stays close to home. I don’t like to drive all over on my day off. Instead, I want to pack as much magic as I can into a small area with very little driving. That means, I’m going to spend my morning in Sinjang-dong near Osan Air Force Base where they cater to the basic western tastebuds. Next, I drive about 20 minutes east into the countryside where I can find nature and delicious food.
My Perfect Basic Fall Saturday
Counting Stars Bakery Cafe
031-662-7741
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
A pocket sized cafe with the best small-batch desserts around. The selection changes regularly and the cookies are the best in Korea.
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 쇼핑로 8-1
I start with a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Pumpkin bread at Counting Stars. This is the perfect choice for the earlier person who plans to make Pumpkin Duck a lunch meal.
Cosmic Cat Sinjang
01077345248
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Hand made custom donuts. Pre-orders: Wednesday to Friday (No pre-orders on weekends) Pre-order by messaging their Instagram. You can also find their daily menu there.
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 중앙시장로25번길 11
If you like to get up later in the day, grab your Pumpkin Spice coffee (their pumpkin spice comes iced or hot) and a Pumpkin Spice donut at Cosmic Cat Donuts around 12pm. On this schedule, the pumpkin duck ends up as more of a dinner.
Jangan Hiking and Biking Trails
000-000-0000
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Not far from Buraksan (in fact, you can link these trails together) you will find entrance to an expanding area of hiking and biking trails off the backside of Gukjae University. You actually drive through the university campus and out a tiny back road to get to these trails. Drive carefully and be sure to go here. Its beautiful and worth it. There are also excellent restaurants near the trail head. Parking Heads Up: its best to park in the University parking and follow the riad back to the parking.
Hangul Address
경기도 평택시 장안동 11-2
Now that I’m hopped up on sugar and caffeine I need to go try not to die. That’s why my next step is to pretend that I’m sporty. I head for a hike through the beautiful fall leaves. A hike where I will oscillate between complaining about having to walk up hills and totally loving the fall leaves and beautiful weather.
To reach this particular hike you will actually drive across a college campus and down a one-lane, two-way road. If it seems like you are lost, you are probably in the right place. It’s actually easiest to park on the university campus and walk to the hiking and dining area. Parking at the entrance of the hike can be congested.
Pumpkin Duck Shabu Shabu
031-667-2372
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
A wide variety of side dishes, excellent fresh greens, delicious pork, and duck roasted in pumpkin make this an area favorite.
Hangul Address
경기 평택시 장안웃길 56-70
After I have worked off the morning sugar, it’s time to go eat! Thankfully, one of the BEST meals in town is right near the hike entrance! Time to eat more food than God intended in one meal at my favorite pumpkin duck shabu shabu restaurant. Remember that the side dishes can be refilled!
How to Source Additional Information About Locations
If you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330.
Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group
You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. Share your best basic day with us there so we can enjoy your adventures too!
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
