Korean Traditional Eat - Red Bean Duk (Mochi) Balls

Koreans are known for their mochi balls that are stuffed with red bean, a popular Korean Traditional Eat. The mochi is made from rice cake, dduk, which is a go to snack for Koreans. I love the mini size mochi balls that you can just pop into your mouth. This set contained red bean paste filling mochi that is covered with regular black sesame, red bean, regular sesame, green tea, and a yellow bean powder. For just $2, it is definitely a party in your mouth!

There are also other mochi (dduk) texture goodies that can be found on the street for two dollars. You can even purchase the plain dduk that comes in a small roll. The best part of it is the chewy texture, although it is plain it taste it is a yum yum that is healthy for you! The most popular dduk is the plain white kind and green tea dduk is second in line. It is made with a strong green tea flavor so I only suggest that to those who love the green tea taste, which is most Asians. Unfortunately for me, the taste is a little too strong for me because I am not big on tea, but I know many who love it.

They all come in with different powdery exteriors and tastes. Some, like that on the right, is made with a darker mochi interior, and topped with a bean powder on the outside, but it is made of the same chewy dduk texture. For just maximum two dollars a pack, you can explore all you want for the best choice that fits your taste buds. Each individual store tends to get creative with their dduk and powders so it is always great to try new ones. 

My Current Obsession - Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

After my obsession with the Capsule Recipe Packs from the Innisfree store in Korea, I've been spending a lot more time researching and trying out their products. One of my recent beauty pickups is the Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask with scoria and green complex. This special mask contains volcanic ash from Jeju Island, a popular vacation spot in Korea as well as scoria and green complex which is rare ingredients to help the face.

The mask is known to help deep clean with the volcanic clusters and unclog pores, leaving clear skin after use. It is suggested to be used 1-2 times a week after a clean face. Just 10-15 minutes is enough for this mask which slightly hardens over time. Although washing it off is a bit of a fuss, the results leaves your face to be extremely smooth after one use. I am in love with the product and the store which means there will probably be a number of product reviews soon to come.

Korean Traditional Eats - 닭갈비

One of my favorite chains across Korea that cooks your food at the table is 유가네's 닭갈비. The concept is to share a large pan of Dak Galbi (chicken) between a group of friends. The extra things like ramen, noodles, rice, rice cakes and such can be added in for an additional price. The signature chicken is cooked with a bed of vegetables that include potatoes, scallion and cabbage. Quite frankly, the first time I had this dish I couldn't eat too much of it because it was ridiculously spicy but since then, I have been able to down a good portion of this meal. Regardless of how spicy it was, it was too delicious not to eat.

My first time at 유가네, I had the signature chicken with rice cake and ramen. Since then, I have gone back a few times and tried out a variety of other types which include a regular fried rice and a cheese fried rice which I hands down recommend. There's just something about fried rice, chicken, and cheese that is just too good to give up. There is also the sweet potato rice cake, cheese dduk that I ordered to try and it is a bit weird being that is a rice cake filled with sweet potato but I actually enjoyed it a lot. 

The best part about this meal in addition to the dish is probably the cheap alcohol that you can consume which includes beer and soju. The restaurant is a chill environment to hang out and have a few drinks with a bunch of friends. Best part about doing so is that you continue to munch on the delicious foods that is still heated within arms reach. 유가네 can be found all across Seoul, especially in tourist areas which include Myeongdong, Gangnam, Hongdae and many other locations. Because it is a chain restaurant, there is an English menu for you to order from! Then again, you can't go wrong with pointing at anything on the menu because this one of the few restaurants that I will eat anything from the menu! I have visited a number of locations across Seoul which shows how awesome this restaurant and dish is.

Bottoms Up - Bubble Tea

For anyone and everyone who knows me, you all know that I am big on bubble tea which is also known as boba tea. It is usually made with a sweet thick fruit syrup and green tea. After shaken and mixed, it is poured into a cup that is topped with tapioca bubbles made from corn starch. This chewy boba is the most addicting and delicious thing for me, especially because it is soaked in a brown sugar syrup prior to enjoyment.

It is a bit ironic that I am finally blogging about my favorite drink now that I am in Korea. The reason for this is because I wanted to share with the world, especially Korea, my favorite refreshing drink. I have been on the search for bubble tea in Korea for quite a while now. Although they do have bubble tea at Dunkin Donuts, the drink is made from a powder which is just not the same as the fruit syrup. Aside from DD, there are random places around town that carries bubble tea, but it is usually made as a smoothie from fresh fruit juice which is just not the same. It is not as sweet as the fruit syrup mix that I drink practically everyday back at home.

Luckily for me, I finally found a spot in my favorite weekend place, Hongdae. Quickly, a bubble tea chain that is my absolute favorite back at home. Although the drink is made a bit differently here in Korea, it is still delicious. Rather using milk, the popular Korean yogurt drink is added to this mix which gives it a delicious kick. I definitely can't wait to go back and satisfy my cravings!

Restaurant Review - My Thai

My Thai, one of my favorite foreign restaurants is a short walk from the Itaewon train station in Seoul. Itaewon is the place for foreigners to go and to have food from all over the world. For starters, My Thai is a restaurant that I suggest visiting in the warmer seasons, even up to fall. The reason for that is because My Thai is an outdoor restaurant for its lack of a whole entire wall. The interior consists of a wood layout and dim lighting which is great for a date and even a girls night to conversation over wine.

In regards to food, My Thai puts their own twist on the Thai traditions. The signature Pad Thai for example uses an egg to wrap the noodles and the chili powder is set aside for you to create your desired taste. Their curry is more on the traditional side of Thai curry, but it does skip out on the variety of vegetables that many restaurants include. Although peppers are the only vegetables, the amount if meat that is given has definitely surpassed any other restaurant I have been to for the size of its bowl. Plating and presentation deserves its appraisal because it matches the restaurant's look and feel.

My only chief complaint is that the traditional Thai Iced Tea which is a must have at every and any Thai restaurant was actually sold out. It might of been because of the winter season, but I do not find that to be an excuse for a restaurant to not have a popular drink of the culture. Another complaint is that rice is not included with the curry dish and it is an additional price that is a must pay for. In my opinion, it would just make more sense to add the additional price for the bowl of rice in the price of the dish, it does make a better look for the restaurant for the additional dollar rather than charging separate when your customer was not aware of the extra fee.

If you plan on eating at My Thai, just have a heads up for the extra 10% surcharge for each item that you order which is half of the tax and tip back at home. It is understandable because Itaewon is where are the foreigners live and hang, but it can be a shocker to those who have been accustomed to the no tipping rule in Asian countries.

Exit 2 from the Itaewon station on line 6 and take a left on the first side street next to Hamilton Hotel. My Thai will be on your right.

My Current Obsession - Skin Food Black Sugar Mask Wash Off

The Skin Food Black Sugar Mask Wash Off is a hit seller at Skin Food. Many travel from all over the world just to pick up this face scrub and stack up on a bunch as well. Made from black sugar, the sugar particles melt away on your face as your scrub in circular motions. This wash off is made from great food ingredients that help to bring minerals and vitamins to the face, leaving smoothness and glow to the skin. I think it is one of the best scrubs that I have used by far. It is definitely one of the products to stock up and bring back home.

It is suggested to be used three times a week, but using it every other day will work as well. Especially with the warm season coming, the humid atmosphere will leave your face sticky. For those who are going out for a tan, this black sugar wash off will be perfect to wipe away the dead skin and leave you with the smooth underlying layer.

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Terrace Cafe

Terrace Cafe, a place that is in a hidden alley right off of the main street on Kongdae, is a small cafe that whips up a bunch of deliciousness. For an average price of $5 a drink and $5 a dessert, this is a must visit spot for anyone with a sweet tooth like me! These desserts measure up to the American standard, using the right amount of sweetness as well as real cheesecake. A lot of cheesecakes in Korea is made with a sponge flour cheese which is just not the same.

The must order dessert is their top seller Raspberry White Chocolate Cheese Brûlée, which is a definite hit on their marketing side. It is a mix of raspberry sauce, white chocolate cake mixed with cheese cake and a touch of creme brûlée mixed into the batter. Every bite just melts in your mouth and provides you with a different kick of each selective dessert. This slice is just absolutely amazing! I also suggest the Cafe Mint Mocha which is a blend of mocha frappe with a hint of mint. It is delicious and beats out the competitor's signature drinks!

In addition to being a cafe, there are alcohol beverages that are served so it is a perfect dessert place to go after dinner to grab a drink. This cozy "indoor garden" feel is a great place to take a date with the interior made of benches and pillows for a comfortable feel. It is a relaxing place to even have a bite with the girls or have a solo study session with a number outlets around. The best thing in addition to service and food being phenomenal is that they speak English, a definite plus for foreigners!

Story Of My Life - 선암사 Temple Stay

One of the must participate in events in Korea is the Temple Stay. Temple stays are extremely popular in Asian countries because of the popularity of the Buddhist religion. It is one of the most peaceful places to go after being stressed out due to city life. Many Koreans take a few days off from their stressful jobs to catch their breath during Temple Stays, but it is also a great experience for foreigners.

The program is usually a one night, two day program with meals included. These meals, of course, are vegetarian. Rooms are divided up to the number of participants in your group, which is great because it allows for co-ed. Groups can be as small as two people and as big as a family. I recommend going with others because it is an experience you want to be able to share with others and reminisce about it. It also helps to have someone there as a support system because some of the activities you engage in may be difficult to submerse yourself in. 

In addition to eating and sleeping at the temple, there are a list of activities to perform and participate in during your time at the temple. The activities differ from temple to temple as well as a variety of prices that covers certain activities which require a bit of research, but I definitely recommend the stay. The basic activities consist of a tea ceremony, bowing, and hiking.

The 선암사 (Sunamsa) mountain is so beautiful, there are a number of hikers that visit the temple daily. In addition to 선암사, there are a handful of other temples that are surrounded or in the mountain area which allows for great hike and exercise. It definitely helps to work in a hike with mother nature, especially after some meditation in the temple. 

In regards to my personal experience, I would definitely go for another Temple Stay. I have never thought of meeting a monk that I've learned to love, but I have grown close to a monk over the course of 24 hours. It was such a great experience, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the Buddhist religion, it allows for great absorption of the culture and understanding. I am grateful for the experience and it was definitely nice to get away from the city life of Seoul to a more relaxing and calm environment down south. The weather was amazing and it can only get better in the summer time!

Restaurant Review - 스시쿠니

I'm a big fan of sushi served on a conveyer belt in the restaurant so I can take my pick and eat until my stomach's content. I have yet to visit one since my favorite East Restaurant back at home, but this long weekend lead me to great discoveries. In the Star City building of Kongdae on the east side of Seoul, there is a Japanese restaurant 스시쿠니that serves freshly prepared sushi on a rolling belt. 

I finally was able to try out the restaurant. There are two ways of ordering food. One is pick up the desired plates of sushi that you wish to consume and the other is to order from their menu. Each plate is a different color which distinguishes the pricing of each dish. It can be a bit hard to limit yourself when using the conveyer belt because everything looks to be so appealing and there are so much to choose from, you my want to sample every piece of sushi there is. The good thing is that the sushi are set off in pairs so you are able to sample each piece with a  friend and move on to the next dish. It is recommended to order plates of sushi from the menu if eating a large quantity but they are usually plain pieces of sushi which are not decorated with the various sauces and presentation is not as great. 

Although the restaurant is a little on the expensive side, and the selection of sushi is limited, the pieces are phenomenal. They do not serve the cliche sushi and sashimi pieces on a rolling belt. 스시쿠니 dresses up each piece of sushi and provide you with the best complimenting sauces they have. I am a big fan and will return again.

Restaurant Review - 美味堂 Umaido

Let's not get confused by the Chinese name of the restaurant for what it serves. 美味堂 Umaido is an extremely small and cozy Ramen restaurant located in Kondae on the Eastern side of Seoul. This restaurant is an extremely popular and cheap spot for freshly made ramen noodles. The menu is small, mainly consisting of two different types of ramen soups and Gyoza. The rest are add ons to the soup which I recommend because their food is just that delicious!

In regards to the ramen soup, it comes with thin strips of ramen noodle that is made on the spot, bean sprouts, scallions, slices of pork, and a soy sauce egg. A fair warning to be made is that the egg is not thoroughly cooked, but it is a delicious mix to bite into the egg and mix the uncooked yolk with your soup. For just $7 a bowl, this cheap eat is extremely delicious and worth the wait.

The name behind the restaurant is Delicious Heaven, 100% backed up by the food that it serves. Located off the main street of Kondae, it is a bit of a walk from the train station. It is a bit hidden in an alley, but it is worth the time and energy to find this restaurant. The one down side is that the restaurant is closed for a few hours everyday. These hours is the downtime from 2-5pm where there are very few customers so be sure to plan your trip accordingly!

Coming from exit 2 of Konkuk University on the green line 2, follow the same street (on your left down) where the Angel-in-us Coffee is. Go straight and pass two main intersections. Umaido is in a hidden alley on your left up the stairs after the second intersection. Phone: 02-467-8788

For a more visual map, visit http://wikimapia.org/13410386/美味堂-Umaido-Hakata-Ramen

Korean Traditional Eats - 부대찌개

One of the popular dishes in Korea is this spicy pepper soup base of the general term 찌개 that is topped with a variety of different eats. This particular blog focuses on 부대찌개 which is a huge pot of deliciousness.

The selection varies from restaurant to restaurant, but it is usually mixed with a bunch of goodies such as luncheon meat (usually the Korean version of Spam), kimchi, slices of hot dog, a braised pork meat, mushrooms, pearl noodles, tofu, leafy vegetables and others. Most pick a bag of ramen to top the dish off for an extra price, usually a dollar. Many restaurant provide you with one ramen per soup, but you can order more to fill up, especially when sharing between a group of people. It is recommended to share this dish with a minimum of three people, it may be difficult to share between just two people unless you are expecting to leave with a  bloated stomach like I always do!

The best part about this dish is being able to cook your ramen to be the way you like, some like it mushy, some crunchy, and some the in-between. All you have to do is set your fire and cook away. It is one of the must have dishes in Korea. If you are not a fan of the spicy soup base, just add water to your bowl to dilute the taste. I must say though, it is just not the same without the spicy kick. Although I do not eat much spicy foods, it is definitely worth it to consume as served. With time, your taste buds, like mine will change as well. I have learned to love the 찌개 soup base and eat it almost every week now. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Peggy Pie

I randomly stumbled upon Peggy Pie when looking for a cafe to get some work done at. Peggy Pie is a small chain in Korea that serves up all kinds of pies, sweet and salty. Sweet pies, of course, are the dessert pies that are commonly consumed. In regards to salty pies, these are the meat pies that are extremely flaky and filled with a warm saucy meat filling.

Although I have not tried a meat pie, it looks to be absolutely delicious. Their fruit pies are extremely popular because of the variety they offer. The hot sellers are the strawberry and apple pie. I definitely suggest trying both, but do not expect it to be as sweet as those American pies. I do miss the extra sweet kick that I get from a bite of pie back at home, but Peggy Pie will settle my craving for the time being.

The pie is best paired with a cup of coffee, especially a sweet Caramel Mocchiato which helps to give that extra sweet kick. It is definitely worth it to sit around and enjoy a cup of coffee and dessert with a friend, but for those of you who are looking for something more filling, Peggy Pie also offers sandwiches. At the very minimum, a take out pie is needed!

My Current Obsession - Innisfree Almond Sugar Scrub

I am absolutely in love with this all natural sugar scrub from Innisfree. Innisfree is one of my favorite beauty stores in Korea for their all natural products that is great for the skin. The Almond Sugar Scrub is perfect for those with sensitive skin like me. It is one of the most gentlest scrubs that I have used thus far. Made with sugar and almond, this almond paste scrub has bits of almonds that helps to rub off dead skin cells in the most gentle way possible. It is extremely soft to the skin, but the only bad thing is the not so appealing smell of the scrub. Aside from that, it is a definitely recommendation on my hands that is great for those with psoriasis and other skin conditions as well. 

Bottoms Up - Adults Capri Sun

Depending on the area of Seoul you are in, you can have an adult's version of Capri Sun for an average of $6 that is made from alcohol in a little street tiki or van vendor. The cheapest I have seen this drink get sold for is $1.80, but of course there was very little alcohol in it, it tasted a lot like a regular capri sun. I do suggest giving it a try for its cute packaging as well as its look because let me tell you, this thing is delicious. I suggest the Sexy Mild which is a blue drink made with the famous Asian yogurt drink which makes this alcoholic beverage absolutely tasty! You can find it all around town in locations like Gangnam, Hongdae, Itaewon, and probably a handful of others as well. It's definitely adult's fun to have alcohol served in a capri sun look a like.

My Current Obsession - Crispy Cacao Chip Chocolate

My current obsession is the Crispy Cacao chip candy that I recently discovered. Shaped like a Pringles chip, but made out of chocolate, this crispy cacao chip is just too good to share! It definitely brings me back to the states, satisfies those cravings that I have for American chocolate, especially the Crunch bar. It is the thin version of the chocolate Crunch bar that is impossible to find in Korea. This chocolate obsession comes in a pack of 24 pieces, not even enough for me in one sitting, especially for the late night munchies! Sometimes, I feel that this goody is just too cute to be consumed, but too bad I'm such a fatty that I will eat the whole box within ten minutes!

Restaurant Review - Saffron Restaurant

The Saffron Restaurant in Myeongdong, is one of the high end restaurants for Middle Eastern foods with prices for appetizers that are on average eight dollars and entrees for twenty. Although this restaurant is located in what looks to be a corporate building, it is one of the decent priced restaurants. The fancy interior composes of elegant throne chairs that serves as a royal setting.

A few of the must order dishes at the Saffron Restaurant include their hummus, naam bread, falafel, palak paneer, and the pot rice which includes chicken or shrimp that is mixed in with vegetables and topped with a thin bread that is ovened fresh. The dishes are so good, it may have you licking the plate. The food comes out fresh and steaming hot, I will definitely go back again for the good service and great foods.

In addition to food, the Saffron Restaurant also carries hookah sets for customers. I did not try the hookah, but it is sitting around ready to be served, especially for businessmen that eat in the restaurant.

Address: 59-5 Myeondong 1(il)-ga, Jung gu, Seoul, South Korea
Phone: 02-6361-8644
The restaurant is located on the first floor of the Ibis Hotel (SK Myeondong building) which is a straight walk from Euljiro 1-ga tration station from ine 2 exit 6. Take a left at the third block and you'll see a sign for the restaurant on your right.

Street Food Yum - Sausage Hot Dogs

I am constantly in Hongdae and almost always see a line for this hot dog vendor that took me quite a while to try. Ran by a group of guys, this street food yum puts a twist on the traditional New York hotdog. Made with a flat sausage patty squished in a bun, this sausage hot dog is topped with cabbage, mayonnaise and a BBQ sauce that is absolutely delicious. It is the finishing touch to the hot dog which makes you crave for more.

In addition to the taste, the price of the hot dog is worth every bite. For just $1.50, it is a must have for those who are looking for a quick bite or even to fill a stomach. Open until early morning, it is a must to stop by this line that moves rather quickly for this cheap eat.