Incheon International Airport sits on a massive piece of landfill across a bay from the city of Incheon itself, about 75 km from central Seoul. The city of Incheon is not too far away from the airport and home to several seafood restaurants of good repute and a large statue of US Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who, not long after a humiliating evacuation of Busan, orchestrated the massive "landing at Incheon" sneak attack on communist forces that led to the liberation of Seoul. At the time you'll be there, I doubt much in the way of restaurants will be open.

The real hassle you'll face in terms of getting your passport stamped is getting back airside before 6:30 am. I came in from Hong Kong on a painfully short "redeye" flight that arrived around 4:30 am and was departing on the 10:30 flight to Dulles. So, I figured, plenty of time for a passport stamp and some down time in the beautiful Prestige Class lounge. Worked famously getting the admission stamp; the lines, though crowded, moved relatively swiftly. Through the gleaming baggage-claim area and upstairs to find the departures level TOTALLY DESERTED. Not a single desk for any airline was open. None of the four checkpoints leading to passport control and the bustling departure concourses were open. There was nothing to do but sit and watch the clock. The first KE desks opened at 6:00 am. The first passport checkpoint finally opened shortly after 6:30 am. So much for a 24-hour operation at the "Hub of Asia."