Korea DAY 9: (Pt. 3) COEX Aquarium + Starfield Mall

Read Part 2 HERE !

A part of the reason for rushing out of the museum was our imminent plans to visit COEX Aquarium before my late afternoon appointment in Gangnam. While my browsing partner griped at the supposedly tight timelines, I was of the opinion that slowed footsteps did not necessarily equate to enhanced enjoyment. Moreover, whatever conservative time estimate I had planned for was well beyond exceeded during our excruciating stay.

The subway ride to Gangnam approximated thirty minutes. During this journey, I detailed two options: exploring COEX together quickly then parting ways, or, depending on our eventual arrival, eliminating the COEX experience for me altogether. I listed these options through gritted teeth, for COEX had been one of my POIs from the getgo. Naturally, my browsing partner had forgotten these desires (as well as handful of my other objectives) despite the constant reminders to act with consideration.

​Seoul's underground network is remarkable, with a plethora of access/egress points and even a variety of vendors to accompany one's commute. The observation of a hodo kwaja stall was a delightful surprise find within Dongak station.

Orders could be placed using a kiosk that supported both English and Korean. The language swap was enabled with the push of a button, eliminating errors and delays in communication.
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The only exception was determining the presence of allergens. Again, the responsibility to inquire somehow fell upon me. While my browsing partner took timid steps back, I was tasked with confirming the presence of peanuts. The elderly man behind the counter looked at me with widened, perplexed eyes. "It's walnut. Walnut!" He went to the back room to retrieve an unshelled walnut to show me. I nodded to show acknowledgement and turned to my browsing partner, still scornful, to relay my findings. The attitude received in response did not justify my efforts in looking crazy to the shop owner.
Conveying concerns over potential cross-contamination was a challenge. Given that no other items on display showed obvious of peanuts though, our only hope was that walnuts were the only nuts on the premises.

While the display case also featured cream buns and donuts, my sole item of desire were the walnut snacks, known as 호두과자. They were available in three flavours in orders of 5, 10, or 21 pieces:

1. Traditional Red Bean
2. Custard
3. New York Cream Cheese and Traditional Red Bean

Needless to say, I sought out the option honouring authenticity.

A 5-piece assortment was served to me in a logo-bearing paper bag. The design was whimsical, with mild references to 2010-esque abstract graphics. 

It wasn't until reaching the north entrance of Starfield COEX mall that the dimply specimens were finally revealed. Moderately crunchy on the outside and still warm on the inside, the soft, spherical snacks made for scrumptious little bites. They were notably larger than Hodo Kwaja back home, and further showcased superior textural contrast. ​Best of all, the five piece set had set me back just 3000 KRW!

In fact, they were so delicious I could barely stop myself from reaching for the next one until my browsing partner piped up, "Save some for me." But I was already on the second-last one. Should I return to COEX, I now know the destination to quench 호두과자 cravings.

​We entered into the mall shortly afterwards, with my hasty footsteps guiding the way. COEX Aquarium was conveniently located steps from the north entrance of the retail centre, with plenty of signage (in Korean, English, and Chinese) to guide tourists and locals alike.

With possession of the Korea Tour Card (obsolete as of March 31, 2025), each adult admission rang in at 23,100 KRW.

​COEX Aquarium was added to the itinerary on the basis of nostalgia. The attraction persisted in my mind as being substantial in size and one (of many) locations where altercations took place with parents. In spite of said quarrels though, the aquarium persisted as a fond memory in my teen and now adult years.

View the full album HERE !

The layout was different from my recollections, but could be confirmed much more enticing than the likes of Ripley's. Within the Garden of Korea were Hanok replicas and fountains edged with plastic fixtures intended to resemble ancient gardens.

Continuing along the corridors, visitors were guided to dimly-lit yet colourful tropical forest area. As expected, this section was warmer than the previous, as to accurately mimic rainforest climate.

​Otters could also be observed in this area, with notices about their feeding times posted nearby.

​For young visitors, there was an activity board that allowed one to determine his or her "otter name" based on birthday and birth year. My otter name was "아름답고 신중한 해달".

​COEX Aquarium was comparable to a visually stimulating hybrid of Ripley's and the Toronto Zoo, with the bonus of an in-house mini art gallery.

​Vibrant warm water fish species were a joy to behold. Clean glass and a textured brass frame elevated the viewing experience tremendously.

​The aquarium also housed a jellyfish laboratory. Besides depicting the life cycle of the marine animal with living examples, the space also enabled those interested to analyze parasites, food, and scales under microscopes. Ontarian attractions are often devoid of such interactive educational components; similarly, the emphasis for Vancouver Aquarium is conservation rather than broad-level education for the general public.

​The infamous underwater tunnel persisted.

​Underwater performances were also scheduled to take place nearby. In review of my looming appointment time though, I voted against staying.

​At the end of the attraction was a station for making penguin fur momentos. Visitors could pluck a penguin hair from one of five categories and fix the fur to a "lucky card". The five categories were: Health, Love/Romance, Wealth, Success, and Happiness.

​An attendant would thank us for visiting, gesturing towards the adjacent escalator to exit. The path led us directly into the COEX Aquarium gift shop, which was probably the most underwhelming array of knickknacks ever. Most items were cheaply made. There wasn't a single COEX-branded souvenir either!

​Having completed the aquarium trip sooner than expected, I giddily announced that we could stop by Starfield Library before making my departure.

​On the second floor was an overpriced but thoroughly air-conditioned % Arabica outlet. A second café was also situated on this level, but far too cramped and expensive to conjure sales.

​Our stay spanned no more than ten minutes in total, for the busy environment assumed one that neither of us enjoyed.

The quest to locate Starfield Library had essentially led us to the south end of the mall. My navigation abilities grew somewhat clouded upon nearing the interconnected Hyundai Duty Free Shop and Pamas Mall.

​While my browsing partner would continue solo coverage of the mall, I'd be off to find my way towards Samseong Station. Mind you - this was no simple feat. Malls in Seoul were equally enormous as they were confusing. The additional factor of an underground level connecting various subway exists further contributed to wayfinding complexity. Whatever PATH knowledge I had sustained over the years had vanished in a matter of minutes.

Read Part 4 HERE !