Restaurant Review - Coco Curry

Coco Curry is one of the most popular curry restaurant chains in Korea. Cooking up Korean-infused curry dishes for an average price of $9, it is a must visit place for curry. The simplest way to order is to pick and choose from their prepared dishes, but you can also choose the ingredients that you wish to consume. Adding additional ingredients alters the price of course, but it is definitely worth it.

Unlike other curry restaurants, Coco Curry offers customers the option to choose their level of spiciness. It is perfect for those who are unsure of how spicy a dish is because you can order a level that is within your range. In addition to catering the level of spice to your tastes, Coco Curry also provides the option of rice consumption. There are three different rice amounts which include regular, more (which costs a bit more) and less (the best part is they decrease the price of the meal). I’ve never seen a restaurant take away from the set price, but is awesome to have that option.

The recommend dish is the beef curry with vegetables. The beef is extremely soft that it practically just melts in your mouth. With a blend of mixed vegetables, it is the perfect compliment of ingredients that will have your mouth watering for more. With so many locations in Seoul, this is a must visit.

Product Review - Tony Moly Intense Care Dual Effect Sleeping Pack

The Tony Moly Intense Care Dual Sleeping Pack is a gel-like mask that you pack onto your skin overnight. It is extremely gentle on the skin and works through the night to brighten the face, reduce wrinkles, and of course provide moisture to the skin. The product claims to also have "good sleep mechanism technology" which I do not understand, but I am a fan of this product because of its texture. Unlike other overnight masks, it is extremely light and a little goes a long way. There is no need to pack on a thick amount and it washes off smoothly. I hate going through the fuss of washing off a thick amount of overnight sleeping pack but I had no troubles with this product.

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Salam Bakery

Salam Mart has one of the best Turkish and Arabic goodies in town, Itaewon to be exact. The store is filled with freshly baked breads and sweet pastries. Depending on the bread and pastry that you are looking to get, the prices will vary. Salam Mart has low prices for breads which is worth it for fresh bread.

On the other hand, their Turkish desserts which include Baklava being one of their top sellers (four pieces for the equivalent of three dollars). It is one the I definitely recommend for anyone who is new to Turkish goodies with a fluffy pastry stop that is coated with a sugary glaze and extremely sweet filling. I am absolutely in love with this dessert. 

In addition to the Baklava, I also picked up a mixed nut pastry bar for the equivalent of two dollars. It is not as sweet as the Baklava, but is is made of a thick jelly textured goody. I wish I remembered the name to this dessert, but it would be great if anyone was able to help! Itaewon is definitely one of the must visit places for foreigners to get all the great eats and bring you back home, especially someone who came from New York where foreign food is a regular.

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Café Iceberry

After a hike and a long walk over transportation, I couldn’t help but to pay a visit to Café Iceberry in Gangnam. The café contains all sorts of food which include sandwiches (hot and cold), refreshing drinks, dessert, and more. Prices are fairly average, but the food is delectable. It is well worth eating back all the calories that were burned off that very same morning.

For starters, the drinks at Café Iceberry are freshly made. There is such a large selection of drinks that it may be difficult to find the right one. I definitely suggest their coffees and fresh smoothies. In addition to refreshing drinks, their dessert selection is amazing. From waffles to gelatos to soft serve ice cream to bing-su (fruit and ice dessert) to a combination of the two, there is a wide range of goodies waiting to be consumed. Everything is just so good, the calories will be packing on.

In regards to their foods, their bread ball is a freshly baked and unique ball of bread that is chewy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I recommend the cheese bread ball which is sliced open and topped with melted cheese. Their tomato and cheese tortilla is also mouth watering. Freshly baked on the premises, it is made up of a crispy tortilla shell topped with fresh tomatoes and melted cheese. It is a great compliment and too good to be true from a café.

I am a little disappointed when it came to their sandwiches. It does not measure up to everything else on the menu. Worst of all, the sandwich you receive does not compare to the one on display. There is a lot less meat, mostly vegetables but the bread is fresh and soft. Nonetheless, the café is amazing for the many goodies it whips up and I would return!

My Current Obsession - Holika Holika Premium Sheep Milk Yogurt

One of my recent purchases from Holika Holika is the Premium Sheep Milk Yogurt in Wild Berry. I am in love with the thick berry scent that leaves my face moisturized and glowing after one use. Simply leave to soak in on a clean face for 10-15 minutes and wash off. It is a bit of a hassle to wash off this thick mask so it is recommended to use a towel or a sponge, but be careful to wipe off all of the milk yogurt. Leave some to soak in on the skin to get that extra benefit. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Waffle Bant

Feeding off my obsession with waffles, Waffle Bant is a small Korean waffle chain in Korea is known for their coffee, waffle, and ice creams. I suggest the classic waffle with their classic ice cream. I warn you that their ice cream is not like that in America. The texture of the ice cream is actually made from their yogurt milk and not the mill form we are accustomed to in America. Although the ice cream may be a bit peculiar and something you can skip out on, the waffle is a must.

It may be a bit pricey for a small piece of waffle that costs two to three dollars as compared to the street food cheap eat, but this waffle is absolutely delicious. This small bite size piece of waffle is extremely fluffy and crispy on the outside that it makes you crave for more! It can be hard to resist the crave, but that supports the reason for its deliciousness and why you should definitely give it a go.

Bottoms Up - Gong Cha

With my cravings for bubble tea (boba tea), Gong Cha is definitely a café from heaven. Gong Cha offers one of the best bubble tea selections that I have ever had. With a number of locations across Asia, Gong Cha has finally made it’s way to Hongdae. It is my favorite spot for bubble tea! They try to stray away from the traditional and classic milk teas and fruit teas by offering other blends.

In addition to the traditional take on bubble tea, Gong Cha finds ways to cater to the customers tastes by adjusting the sweetness and ice level for each customer. When placing an order, they ask for the level of sugar which is important because we all know that sweetness is a constant complaint which differs from person to person. Depending on who is making the drink, the taste varies, but Gong Cha offers a more consistent and stable taste by monitoring the sugar and ice level.

I think it is a great concept, but the one complaint is the price. The drinks are a bit on the expensive side, but I think it is definitely worth it. The one recommendation that is my all time favorite is the Caramel Milk Tea with pearl bubbles. There are a handful of different topping choices that I have yet to try, but I will constantly visit!

Todays Lunch - Lotteria

Lotteria is the Asian equivalent of a McDonald’s or Burger King. It is one of the most popular fast food joints all across Asia. Depending on which country you visit, the menu varies. In Korea, the concentration is on the Bulgogli burgers which was a must try for me. Rather than only sticking to the Bulgolgi burger, I picked up a sandwich that stacked two in one.

The Bulgolgi and Shrimp burger is a long roll that has two patties, the bulgolgi beef and a fried shrimp burger. I have to say it is quite a burger with two totally different sauces. The bulgolgi beef of course, is topped with a bulgolgi sauce, whereas the deep fried shrimp patty with actual chunks of shrimp is topped with a mayonnaise like sauce. Both are delicious in their own way and I think it should stay separate, but this burger is definitely worth splitting between two who are just trying to sample the burger. With many other options on the menu, Lotteria is a must go to in every Asian country you visit! 

Restaurant Review - Ma-Indian

One of the newest Indian restaurants that opened up in Seoul include Ma-Indian on the east side by the popular Gangbyeon station. After running a sister restaurant in Itaewon, the owner decided it was time to open another Indian restaurant and I’m glad he decided to have it over in my side of town.

Ma-Indian whips up the freshest dishes daily with the chef in the kitchen around 10. Without any Korean infused tastes, the dishes are served the way homemade Indian food would taste, but with a bit of presentation. The absolute must order dishes include the Garlic Nan which is fluffy nan bread topped with fresh garlic baked in. Another must order dish is the beef curry which is served with vegetables. The spiciness level is measurable with Korean food, I expect a bit more spice with Indian food, but it is nonetheless delicious. The beef is so soft and tender, it can be shredded apart with just a spoon. This is my absolute favorite from Ma-India.

A few other mouth watering dishes include the Chicken Tikka which is not dry at all. Topped with a bit of lemon and it will have your taste buds kicking. Lastly, I am in love with their fresh fruit and vegetable salad that is topped with a pink yogurt sauce. It is an extremely well blend of fruits and vegetables that compliments one another.

Main courses average at a price of $18, but it is extremely worth the order. Ma-Indian also carries set menus for lunch where you can have a sample of all popular items on the menu. Because there is a limited staff, going during peak times may decrease the amount of service there is. Although it sounds to be a bit discouraging, I definitely recommend paying a visit to this restaurant on the second floor corner between the train station and bus terminal. Without any advertising, Ma-Indian receives a large number of customers so it does show the tastiness that keeps customers returning. 

Street Food Yum - Seafood Stir Fry Noodles

One of the cheap eats for just $3 is this seafood stir fry noodles found in Dong Dae Mun that is made of thin rice noodles, bean sprouts, onions, cabbage, other vegetables, and squid mixed with soy sauce, topped with a mayonnaise-like sauce. Made fresh on the stand, this street food yum helps to satisfy the stomach of shoppers.

Although this mix is more of a vegetable dish rather than a seafood dish, it is still worth it for the cheap price of $3. This same stand also serves enormous sausages on a stick and BBQ chicken, freshly grilled.

Product Review - Its Skin Prestige Creme D' Escargot

The best seller, hot seller and most commonly purchased item at It's Skin is the Prestige Creme D' Escargot line. It's Skin is one of Korea's top cosmetic lines. Known for products created by dermatologists, it is recommended for those with skin conditions which include those who suffer from psoriasis and eczema like me. I've been itching to try the Prestige Creme D' Escargot face lotion which is made of snail. Korea is known to be the country that develops products with snail which claims to help with cleaning the skin, whitening, keep the skin young, and a mixture of everything good. Many tourists who come from Japan, China, and even the United States are known to purchase a number of snail creams just to bring back as souvenirs and personal use. 

I have been using this product for two months now and I am in love with the product. It helps to control my skin and has gradually helped to whiten my skin. Having a white face is very popular for Asians. Unfortunately for me, I wish my face was not so pale. Regardless of what I want, it shows that the product works extremely well. I suggest using It's Skin's snail line if you are getting a first start with the product because many stores make a dramatic claim that is almost impossible to achieve. Although this product is on the expensive side, $60 for a container of snail cream only, it does work extremely well. The container is suggested to last over a three month period, but for those who are looking to achieve quick results, it is important to use more and not to be stingy with the lotion. You will thank yourself later!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Le Fondant

Everyone who knows me, knows that I have the biggest sweet tooth, specifically for chocolate and cake. My thing is the sweeter the better and since I have been in Korea, there has not been a cafe that satisfied this sweet tooth because the sweets are just not on point. That is, not until my recent discovery, by the Children's Grand Park in Seoul, Korea.

Le Fondant Sugar Craft, a small cafe in Gwangjin-gu, is probably the only place that will satisfy my cupcake cravings. With the right amount of sweetness to its fluffy cake and the perfect icing to top off the deliciousness, it is a recommended place for all foreigners in Korea. Cupcakes average at a price of $3.50, but they are a bit small in size. I think it is worth it for the amount of effort and flavoring they put into the cupcake. I think these cupcakes are even better than a handful I have had back at home! Each bite is filled with a blast of flavor.

The one cupcake that is a bit peculiar is the red velvet. The color just isn't red enough and the taste is a little off, but the cream cheese icing is on point. A handful of recommendations include the Oreo, Lemonberry, and Chocolate cupcake which is extremely tasty. I also recommend their Hot Chocolate Latte which is a great combination with your cupcake.

Bottoms Up - Angel in-us Coffee

Having coffee is extremely common for both New Yorkers and Koreans. The difference between New Yorkers and Koreans, though, is the ability to enjoy your coffee. Koreans enjoying grabbing a cup of coffee with a  friend and sitting back at a coffee shop chatting for hours whereas us New Yorkers, are constantly on the go. It is almost rare for us to stop at a coffee shop and chat the day away. One of the popular Korean coffee shop chains is Angel in-us Coffee. Almost every Angel in-us Coffee that I have seen in Korea consists of two floors which is plenty of seating for an afternoon of chit chat with a friend. The drink ordered on the left is the Cookie Frappe which is a blend of coffee, ice, cookies and sweetness. Absolutely delicious!