Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Jean Paul Hevin

When visiting Hong Kong, one of the to die for macarons is from John Paul Hevin in the IFC mall of central. The most popular flavors are dark chocolate, creme brûlée, raspberry, and pistachio. It is a definite favorite on my books and worth going out of my way to pick it up the last day of my trip. 

This famous chocolate store in France has a small boutique in Hong Kong, but of course you can always make your way to France to have the real thing! Regardless of which, one sure needs to open in Korea or New York.

Story of My Life - Hong Kong Travels

Hong Kong, one of the few places that speak Cantonese is an extremely popular tourist spot for many. Life in Hong Kong is very much like Korea with everything that is available everywhere, advanced technologies and extremely good food.

Because the city is small, you can knock out all of the tourist attractions within three days if you really wanted to, but it is nearly impossible to eat all the good eats Hong Kong has to offer. My album consists mostly of landscapes and food in Hong Kong which is all you really need to know!

To keep this blog as short as possible, the must visit place in Hong Kong: Victoria's Peak, Big Buddha via a crystal 360 cable car, Lan Kwai Fong, and of course all the shopping districts and streets.

Number one rule in Hong Kong is to haggle and bargain everywhere you go, including department stores because "discounts" will be offered. Be wise about it because certain items are already on sale for a low price so haggling is just asking for someone to give you a mean face.

One thing to be aware of is that you will get rude comments and yelled at by the locals. For one, they speak a little louder than others and two, there is little patience because of the stress of making money to buy a home which is practically impossible because of sparse amount of land. For many foreigners, this is something that is unacceptable, especially in restaurants but expect it to come unless you are dining at a five star hotel for every meal.

Now for the more entertaining and better part of the blog:

Beauty Pick Me Up - Milk Calcium Nail Pack

This easy to slip on nail mask helps to pack on the calcium to your nails to promote healthy looking nails. It is perfect for those who always have nail polish on, just like me. Over time, you nails need to breathe and having a nail mask helps to reduce the yellow and hydrates your cuticles. Prepped and coated with a milk liquid, each finger slot is packed with nutrients that help to rejuvenate healthy nails. I am a big fan of this quick and efficient nail mask which is easy to use. This 15-20 minute soak on will leave your nails soft and fresh. I suggest using it before getting a manicure on a set of nail polish free hands. Be sure to pick up this convenient and cheap nail remedy next time you stop by Face Shop!

Restaurant Review - Julio

The perfect place to get your Mexican fix on is Julio's. With a  few locations around Seoul including Gangnam and Jongno, this restaurant even beats out many Spanish restaurants back at home. I am a big fan that they actually have real Coronas for their Bulldogs, it feels good to have a taste of home! 

In addition to the booze, there are a handful of great dishes at Julios which includes their tasty, fresh made quesadilla, burrito, nachos, and enchiladas. Although it is a bit pricey, it is still worth it to have a Mexican fix. Keep in mind that all foreign foods in Korea is pricey, so this is average and extremely worth it!

The best part about Julio's is the mix of foreign music. It's great to take it back a notch and enjoy food over the music that you are familiar with. The best thing about the restaurant is that there is a great mix of foreigners and local, all who enjoy Spanish food. I love the atmosphere and open seating which allows for fresh air and sunlight to penetrate through the restaurant. It takes me back to New York and enjoying food out in the open, definitely a big fan of the restaurant and I do suggest going back. The food and drinks is just too delicious to give up! It is definitely worth spending $8-12 on a dish and a drink respectively. 

Korean Traditional Eat - Sundae 순대

Sundae (순대) is an extreme traditional Korean eat, but also considered a peculiar dish for many, especially foreigners because of its strong tastes. Most commonly made from boiling or steam cow or pig intestines and filled with a variety of ingredients, this blood sausage is something that many cannot tolerate. Most Sundaes are filled with cellophane noodles (dangmyeon), pork blood, fermented soy bean paste, glutinous rice, kimchi, and or soy bean sprouts. It is a popular eat in Korea and they come in all different forms.

Depending on the area stirring up Sundae, the most common is the cow or pig sausage served whole and consumed just like that. Other areas specialize in different kinds which is made of squid (Ojingeo Sundae), Alaska pollock (Myeongtae Sundae), Brown Coacker's air bladder (Eogyo Sundae) and many others. 

For those who are trying out the dish for the first time, you can find this along the street through the street vendors. It is a good idea to share with others, just in case you are not used to the unique taste. Another suggestion is to have the 순대국 which is a soup version of the traditional eat.

My Current Obsession - Foot Peel and Foot Mask

Foot peeling is an extremely popular product in Korea. Every beauty store has their own take on the product with a different level of strength for peeling. The general concept is soaking your feet in two separate foot bags that you fill with the foot peeling solution for an hour and a half. Simply scrub off the solution and any dead skin that comes off. The magic behind the foot peeling is that you will shed dead skin for a few days, up to 10 days, depending on the strength of the product. It is the perfect solution to anyone with callus problems and just cannot find the right fix. I highly suggest it and I am in love with it, although it can be a bit nasty to watch your foot peel over the course of a few days. Tony Moly has the strongest foot peel with max effects that lasts up to 10 days.

Be sure to plan for that and be mentally prepared. I don't have such a thick callus problem so I did not peel as much as my family and friends have after using this product. There is also the option of a foot mask that you can use to keep your foot soft and smooth. The foot mask is optional, just a regular mask that helps to lock in moisture to your feet, but I definitely suggest using the foot peel because it is an awesome product. I am definitely planning to stock up before returning home!

If you are interested in this or any other Korean products, feel free to email me at cunggie@gmail.com

My Current Obsession - Innisfree Eco Lasting Eyeliner

I am in love with the Innisfree brand in Korea because its an all natural brand in Korea that is adaptable to my sensitive skin. My beauty pickups that I have recently blogged about include the Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, Jeju Volcanic Steam Towel, Nail Pen Moisturizer, Capsule Recipe Pack, and the Almond Sugar Scrub.

I recently discovered the Eco Lasting Liquid eyeliner that is extremely easy to use because the brush is thin. The liquid color is the exact dark enough for me that is compatible to my previous obsession, the L'Oreal Paris Lineur Intense Brush Tip, but it brushes on so much easier. The best part is that each brush is the exact same brush, thin and easy to draw with. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Yeot (엿) Candy

This traditional Korean eat, Yeot 엿 is made in a liquid and solid form, very much like the American taffy candy. Made from steamed rice, glutinous rice, corn, and other mixed grains, this mix is boiled and cooled into a solid form. There are a handful of different types which include rice, pumpkin, sesame, and peanuts which come in the sweet form. 

Depending on the area whipping up this delicatessen, it is a sweet tooth satisfaction as well as a traditional Korean yum being made with meat and vegetables! Jeju Island specializes in this form where Dangnyeot 닭엿 is made with glutinous millet and chicken, and even Dwaejigogiyeot 돼지고기엿 which is made with pork. It is a definite must try on the list of Korean eats, whether sweet or salty. 

As a fun fact for those foreigners who are learning to speak Korean, be careful when telling someone to eat Yeot. It can be used as a slang, one of the worse curses in the English dictionary!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Tous Les Jours

Tous Les Jours is a French Asian bakery popular chain in Korea for their baked goods. Measurable to the popular Paris Baguette, many of the breads are the same type with their own twist. Because I have previously blogged about it, I wanted to solely concentrate on their other baked goodies. 

In addition to the breads, there are sandwiches, cold refreshing summer drinks, bingsu desserts, ice cream and of course cakes! I love the bakeries in Korea because they are fully equipped for any and every event. This birthday cake was well packaged with a knife, candles, matches, and even poppers for a birthday celebration. Talk about an all in one! The best part about bakeries in Korea is their absolutely gorgeous designed cakes. Everything in Korea is just so pretty that sometimes it is too pretty to eat. I had a bit of trouble cutting into the cake, but of course no one had a problem eating the cake. Unlike cakes back at home, Korean cakes are less sweet. From countless blogs before, it is evident that Koreans are not a big fan of extremely sweet pastries, the cakes alike. This chocolate mousse cake tasted more like a chocolate bread, but that is the culture here and sometimes, you just have to learn to accept that. 

Street Food Yum - Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a popular eat in Korea, particularly bonchon, but there are a few areas that you can find regular fried chicken without all of the crazy flavors and different sauces. The best part about these locations is it being in the street where service is quick, food is fresh, and price is low. 

This bucket of salted boneless fried chicken found in the streets of Hongdae was only for the price of five bucks. The best part is, the stand is open late hours for those who are craving something to eat after a night of partying. This cheap eat can be shared between a group of friends or hogged up for one. Regardless of what the intentions are, the purpose of a street food yum to fill a stomach of craving is fulfilled.

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Ann House (앤하우스)

One of the cutest doll house cafes in Korea is Ann House. There are a few locations which includes the famous Gangnam and Hongdae spots. Attracted by the name and cafe house, I paid a visit to the Gangnam Ann House where there are separate rooms for visitors to enjoy their coffee, tea, dessert, and other goodies.

It is a perfect place to have a romantic date setting for one on ones, but it is also the best place for a girl's brunch or regular catch up. This pink doll house is accompanied by a bunch of good eats which include the Ann House Special Parfait, a handful of their smoothies, and a popular Korean eat of the cereal cookie. The Ann House Special Parfait may be a bit unique for many because it consists of ice cream, whipped cream, cookies, cereal, ice, topped off with a tangy cider-like drink. It was quite the touch, nothing like a parfait, so I wouldn't quite suggest this for foreigners. 

With a wide selection of drinks to choose from, pair it up with their free waffles and breads and you will find yourself sitting there the whole day chatting away. I am a big fan of privacy so Ann's House is a must visit in my opinion. Plus, the decor will have any woman taken away from reality for a second and mesmerized to be in a doll house. Tea time has never been so fun for an adult.