Table Tennis in Seoul (April 22, 2026)
Back in Port Washington, we have two Olympic Table Tennis champions who opened up shop next to the train station. If you’ve never seen ping pong played at that level, it’s a whole different game. Just trying to watch the ball takes deep focus and concentration … let alone making an effort to hit it.
That’s not what happened today.
Don’t look, we’re not professionals. We’re just here to have fun!
Violet and Will striking a “ping pong pose” and ready to play
I came across this game room on the 3rd floor during my walk this morning and knew I wanted to introduce it to Will and Violet. None of us are particularly “good” at ping pong, but we’re good enough to keep the ball in play for fairly long rallies. In other words, we’re good enough to have fun playing.
What intrigued me was the business model. This place is totally unmanned and yet it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you want to play, you simply pay the 7,000 Won (about $8) and the raised net comes down to regulation size so you can begin. A timer counts down the remaining time while you play. Other than that, everything is open and available.
Choose any open table. Pay 7,000 Won, and play ping pong. Simple.
If you have any trouble, you can call for help. Otherwise, it’s DIY
There’s even a fully automated solo player table: 2,000 Won per game
I was intrigued by the fully automated table. When I go back, I’m going to try it out. At 2,000 Won ($1.35) per game, I’m more curious if there is a “beginner” mode, or if you’re landing in the advanced player table having speedy ping pong ball hurled your way. The objective is clear. There are two small paddle “targets” you’re meant to return serves to. They look small and hard to hit regardless of how fast the serve comes.
After a solid half hour of play, we went downstairs to enjoy some authentic Korean food. Specifically, Bibimbap, which means “mixed rice with vegetables/meat meal.” It was delicious. None of us had the same thing and we tried each other’s for flavor and variety.
“Happiness is Soy Sauce Rice” is what this sign says in Korean
Later today, we’ll explore more of Seoul together. This part of the trip is going a bit slower as we adjust to a new pacing. I spend most of yesterday planning out my travel (and Will’s) for next month (see related blog post). While I’m not “done”, I have only 5 weeks of travel left to plan and that’s a bit surreal.
After traveling the world for a year, my family is beginning to peel off and I’ll have the final 6 weeks of travel just like I began: solo. I’m thinking about the places I still want to visit in South America before returning home. So far, I’m leaning towards Buenos Aires, Argentina and southern Peru (to see Machu Picchu) and I wouldn’t mind some time in Chile if I can swing it.
In the meantime, I discovered some beautiful architecture walking distance from our Airbnb.
And this is what I love. Wandering aimlessly, but not at all “lost.”
When I walk around the neighborhood where I’m staying, I get to discover all that surrounds us. There’s so much beauty just waiting to be explored. This time, it was a building that was built in the 1,300s. Tomorrow, if Violet and Will are up for it, it will be exploring the DMZ (demilitarized zone) on the boarder of North Korea. And Saturday, we have tickets to see a live concert with K-Pop bands. Good times!
