Bottoms Up - Tea Purple

With so many coffee shops in Korea, it's always nice to be able to find a tea shop. My favorite Korean tea chain is Tea Purple. With actual tea leaves and not those made of powder or bagged leaves, the fresh scent in each cup of tea leaves the mouth watering for more. For those who are looking for something more modern, there are a handful of milk tea and frappe choices as well. 

Averaging $5-6 per drink, it is a must visit for anyone who is looking to dodge a coffee shop in Korea. Going with a group of friends who are looking for coffee? No problem, they also have a selection of coffee and fruit drinks to accommodate all taste buds. One recommendation that I must make is the Milk Tea Frappe along with the Choco-chip Cheesecake. It is a twist to the traditional cheesecake and milk tea by having a blend of sweetness. 

I am definitely a big fan of Tea Purple and just can't get enough of this spot. It's grown to be a weekly visit for me with wifi and a great setting. Next time you're in town, be sure to try a specialty tea drink! With locations all across Seoul, the most popular spots are in tourist areas which include my one favorite in Gangnam from exit 11.

Beauty Pick Me Up - Face Shop Vitamin Power Essential C

Packaging is one thing that automatically catches my eyes and makes me interested in the product. This Vitamin Water resemblance toner comes in three different forms with the selection of Vitamin B, C, and E. Extremely easy to use, simply pat on clean skin to moisturize, soften and increase elasticity. Each is formulated with a concentration of different types of vitamins, depending on your skin type. For those who have troubled skin with random breakouts, go for Vitamin C. For those who have more oily skin, Vitamin E is your choice and Vitamin B for those who have dry skin. It is one product that works extremely well with my skin and I will purchase again. There is an amazing smell that I love to throw on my face everyday and I absolutely love the packaging. It is the perfect gift to give to others!

Story of My Life - Jeju Travels

Labeled as the Hawaii of Korea, this island South of Seoul is only and hour away by plane. With constant flights almost every hour of the day heading out, it is practically recommended for a weekend trip. Although a weekend in Jeju is not enough time, and it is recommended to stay a week, it is still worth the mini weekend vacation.

Jeju is known for their many beaches and awesome views. With regular sandy beaches as well as black sand beaches, the view that surrounds the beach is phenomenal. This includes the highest mountain in Korea, Hallasan. I didn't get to hike the mountain this time, but I will return again to do so.

The several famous attractions in Jeju Island include the lava caves which is great for a hot summer day. The caves are dark and cool so you will stay refreshed. The one tip is to bring and umbrella or rain coat because the caves are dripping with cold water.

Another popular tourist spot for many is Loveland, an exhibition like the Sex Museum, but with a handful more of statues and figures to see and take goofy photos of. It definitely is not a place for children, but there are children walking around there. Next door to Loveland are a few museums to explore as well.

For those traveling with family, the field maze is recommended for running around and getting lost. It is a human maze made of plants that children absolutely love running through. One last recommendation for Jeju is to eat black pork. This meat can be cooked up in a variety of ways, which includes BBQ. This pork is the famous eat, but some restaurants may still have the fur of the pork on the meat so be mentally ready!

Nonetheless, it is a must visit for anyone who is traveling to Korea, especially those on vacation. It is the ultimate honeymoon spot and a place for couples. With so much to do in Jeju Island, it is recommended to stay around for a week. I will make a few trips back to knock out a few other things that are on my list, including the highlight of the year, Jeju Olle's Walking Festival which is the peak time to visit Jeju Island.

Story of My Life - Blind Restaurant

One of the newest trends in dining is to eat at a Blind Restaurant. Yes, a blind restaurant where you eat in the dark as if you were blind. There are a few around the world which include Hong Kong, New York, San Francisco, London, and one in Korea. With one in Seoul of the Kongdae area by Konkuk University, it is a popular spot for couples to attend for a new style of dating, but it is recommended for all to experience in order to heighten their senses.

The restaurant is known for the experience to dine in the dark, but it is also known as the restaurant of tears. Why? The restaurant provides you with the opportunity to write a letter and read it before the end of your dinner. It is a great surprise to those who are dining with you. Most of the time, these letters are those of love, apologies, and expressing yourself in ways that you were not able to before. I definitely recommend doing this without letting the others know. It may be at little creepy at first if you are laughing up a storm with your friends and all of a sudden you hear this voice that starts to talk. You'll know when it's coming though because they change up the music to some slow jams so it gives you some time to give your friends a heads up that someone will speak. Unfortunately for my group of friends, we were too wrapped up in chatter that I couldn't warn them ahead of time. 

In regards to the dinner, it consists of two different courses, a silver (chicken) and gold (beef) which differs in price. It is a four course dinner with a salad, appetizer, main course, and a dessert. The food was absolutely delicious which I did not expect since I thought we would be paying for the experience instead. Each week consists of a different theme. The one I experienced was a space theme where you are "blasted off to space" for your dinner with music in the background. There is a selection of music that plays throughout your dinner so you are not constantly listening to space music or eating in the complete silence. Nonetheless, if you go with a group of people, you will probably chat up a storm that the other tables can hear you so the music is a good call. 

So how does this happen? When entering the restaurant, you are situated in a dimly lit room before lead into the dark room where you consume your dinner. After given the basic guidelines and instructions, you are then to line up and walk in a straight line lead by a staff with night goggles. They test your sense of touch before bringing you into the dinner room, and you are then sat down with a plated salad to start the meal. It is a perfect way to bond over conversation with your friends or your other half. Over an hour and a half dinner, you are given a pen and paper to write a note in the dark. It's definitely funny to see what you wrote after! For writing in the dark, I think I did a pretty good job. 

Dining with a handful of good friends, this experience was definitely memorable. It was quite a challenge to eat in the dark without making a full mess or having to eat off of the plate, but we did a good job cleaning our plate as claimed by our waiter. The best part of the dinner is being able to share laughs and tears with my girls. I recommend it as something to do once in your life and test your dark dining skills!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Patisserie

When visiting Hong Kong, it is a must to visit the neighboring islands, especially Macau because it is the mini Las Vegas. When in Macau, I stumbled upon Patisserie-practically the best cafe in Macau, is located in the basement floor of the Macau Tower. This cafe is my all time favorite for having all of the must have desserts which include cakes, macarons, ice creams, egg tarts, breads, candies and so much more! With every type of food being on point, it is a must visit for all individuals. You will be able to find your sweet tooth satisfaction or even something to satisfy your stomach.

The must have is the Portuguese egg tart which is served hot and fresh. A few additional recommendations to make is the blueberry cheesecake which lives up to its name with a creamy cheesecake texture full of taste infused with blueberries. The red velvet is another popular dessert and it is on point with a moist red cake, but there maybe a little too much cheese cake frosting which can be overpowering for many. Furthermore, macarons and other freshly baked pastries are available as well. 

Patisserie is actually a cafe for all three or even four, five meals of the day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea time, desserts, can all be consumed here. Every meal is filling and on point, a great place to visit when in Macau.

Korean Traditional Eat - Barley Rice Cake

This soft and chewy Barley Rice Cake is a traditional Korean yum. A bit on the bland side, but it is perfect for those who like the dduk texture which is a chewy noodle. With a bit of barley flavor, this soft rice cake is made by a pouring a barley mix into a small pan. It is best when consumed fresh and warm, when each mold is still in place before sticking to one another.

With no filling, many love this cheap eat for its dough texture.  It is a perfect and cheap snack for all, especially because it is made of healthy grains, it is a low calorie snack. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Sweet Soup

This peculiar Chinese dessert to some is a soup which is usually consumed after dinner. Served both hot and cold, it is a sweet tooth satisfaction on my boat! With a variety of choices which include the most popular of mung bean, red bean, tapioca, tofu, and a handful of others, it is a must try for all. When visiting Hong Kong, I actually had sweet soup every night. 

This extremely cheap eat can be found almost everywhere in Hong Kong. The best part about it is the convenience of this sweet soup which can be found out in the streets. My absolute street food yum is the tapioca soup which is boiled in coconut milk, usually consumed cold or on the cooler side. My ultimate favorite hot sweet soup is the rice balls filled with sesame or peanut paste. The texture is like mochi balls, but it may be too strong of a taste for some because it is boiled in a ginger soup. Nonetheless, sweet soups are a different kind of dessert, but absolutely tasty!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Egg Tarts

Egg tarts are one of my favorite snacks for their flaky exterior and soft interior. A bit on the sweet side, there are a handful of different types which include the classic egg tart, bird nest egg tart, and the Portuguese egg tart which is a creamier version of the snack. 

This Chinese snack is an extremely popular afternoon snack, but it can be consumed at all times during the day. I definitely miss the fresh egg tarts in Hong Kong and Macau which is a lot more tastier than those in New York, but I would love to have one from NY now! It is definitely a Chinese tradition to have an egg tart for afternoon tea.

I sure wish they had this delicious snack in Korea, but the only thing that we can find in a Paris Baguette is similar, but they just don't have that same flaky crust. 

Korean Traditional Eat - Fermented Black Garlic

Fermented Garlic, black garlic, is a Korean Traditional Eat which tastes nothing like a garlic. It has a soft, mushy texture which can be hard to consume for many because of its peculiar texture and tangy kick. Similar to a vinaigrette, this fermented black garlic is a health food that is one of the best. When consumed on an empty stomach, it helps to detox and gradually facilitate in the healing of psoriasis. Because it is shown to help build a strong liver, it is suggested to have three or four cloves every morning. You can also incorporate this garlic in your everyday meals to decrease the strange taste and still absorb all the nutrients.

I have been consuming fermented black garlic for over a month now. I have been able to see a change in my psoriasis with it getting better. I definitely recommend this simple detox for anyone who is looking to clean out their system because it does help. Furthermore, it will help to regulate your daily bowel movements so it is worth downing a few cloves as if it's medication. My trick is to quickly wash it down with lemon water!

Story of My Life - Master Cleanse (Lemonade Diet)

Since I have been in Korea, my psoriasis got worse. I've made some bad decisions on not caring for my skin and there has been great regret there. After going to Hong Kong and realizing how big of an impact my skin is on my life, I decided to make a change. I needed to care for my skin, from the inside out. Psoriasis is due to a weak liver and therefore I figured detoxing would be my best bet. I would not only clean out my system, but I would be able to hop on a fresh start and be able to start a diet that is good for the skin.

Originally, I read a lot about the Master Cleanse and was hyped about the diet, but also skeptical, and even scared to. Nonetheless, I finally hopped on the diet, thanks to iHerb shipping all of the items to me in Korea within a few days (referral code FEJ438 for discounts). One recommendation for anyone going on the cleanse is to go organic and use the best ingredients possible. Do not skimp out and be stingy on the ingredients because it is not worth using low grade materials for a detox this serious. Consider the fact that you are spending at minimum a week of time on this detox, you want the max benefits so a little extra spending goes a long way. Try to make your lemonade fresh and definitely refer to this website for the best advice and help through the diet. 

My experience. I was warned that the second and third day would be the most difficult of the diet, but it was actually pretty easy for me. I think the hardest day of the diet was day six and eight when I started to really crave for all the random food, even the most tasteless ones like a plain bun. I just craved the texture and my mouth watered as I watched others eat around me. I could literally feel the food in my mouth. It was bad. By the time day ten came, it felt good! 

The negative. The side effects I faced through the first three days of the detox was crazy headaches. I got through it, but it was pretty bad at one point. I also had a few experiences with severe stomach pain. I believe that was due to the cayenne pepper. Although I took the capsule form, I don't think I flushed it down with enough water so I just felt it open through my system. The last and most serious side effect for me was the white tongue. I had this through most of my detox, but it was a great sign that my body was removing all the toxins so I knew it worked.

The positive. The weight is a guarantee. I dropped a good amount of weight, but that wasn't ultimately my goal. I was looking to clean out my system and improve my psoriasis. Luckily, enduring this detox definitely helped my skin. I feel that my skin is a lot healthier and my psoriasis improved a great amount. I stopped using topical ointment because of the side effects, but I see improvement in my skin. I feel less itchy and my skin is less irritated. There are even certain spots that gradually healed up. I am not saying that the detox will make my skin better, but this is a good start. I did notice a better sleeping pattern and actually getting a good night's sleep. I don't wake up in the middle of the night like I used to, so I'm definitely happy about that.

The future. This detox is only a temporary cleanse and I will do it again, but I am grateful for chance to reduce the crazy cravings that I have for junk food and such. I will kickstart a new diet for the sake of my skin to improve which will consist of mainly fruits and vegetables. I know I will gain the weight back, but it is a great start for me to keep the weight off and start healthy, a fresh start!

Restaurant Review - Kyotofu

The dessert bar and Japanese yum is a popular restaurant back in New York for its famous desserts. Opening one by Itaewon at the Hanganjin station in Hannam, this spot has been on my list for a while now. Finally paying a visit to the restaurant, which is extremely easy to get to from the train station, it is a place I recommend for small groups, especially dates.

This restaurant is extremely small and cozy in size, but there doesn't seem to be any long lines. They offer reservations online which can be made for the more popular nights, but wait should not be a problem. They also have a takeout menu for those who are on the go or looking to have some goodies, but would prefer not to eat in a restaurant alone.

In regards to the food at Kyotofu, every dish is spot on with a modern twist on each American selection. I love the infusion of Asian and American, recommending practically every dish at Kyotofu. For starters, the recommended is their sliders which includes the prawn, crab meat, and chicken-tofu slider which is palm size. As for the main course, you can never go wrong with sushi, but it can be a bit pricey for something that is not so fresh. Then again, dinner isn't the main course here; the best part about the restaurant, of course, is the dessert.

Unable to decide what I wanted, I ordered the chefs special, Dessert Omakase Season, which practically included a sample of each dessert. It was a perfect three course dessert to share between two. The starter included a fruit jelly that is paired with a confetti sugar. Next course consisted of three desserts which included an orange chocolate creme brûlée, a blueberry cheesecake, and the match green tea ice-cream. Every dessert is blasted with flavors, not enough to go around. The last course of the dessert consisted of four mini pastries which included Japanese flavored fudge and cookies. The one part of the dessert which did not provide any hype was the mini cookies and cakes because it was a little on the dry end. I prefer cookies that are soft and chewy, but these cookies are best paired with a cup of coffee. 

Not getting enough of the desserts in the restaurant, I had two take home goodies as well. This includes the extremely popular Yuzu Tofu tart and the Miso Chocolate cupcake. I sure wanted to take home a few more goodies, but I just couldn't help it.

Exit three from Hanganjin station on line 6. Go straight and it will be on your left.

Address: Yongsan-gu, Hannam Dong 682-1
Phone: 02-749-1488

Beauty Review - Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Primer

Made of a natural minerals and mint from Jeju, this primer is extremely smooth and it glides on with no problems. Most primers that I have used are really creamy or feels to be of some gel texture. This no-sebum mineral primer is something that falls right in between. Although it is made of mint, there is no tingly burning feeling on my psoriasis cuts. It glides on perfectly and helps to even out the bumps sometimes to promote a smooth skin look. 

Life in Korea - Survival Tips

Living in Korea can be difficult in terms of getting certain items. For starters, I have constantly asked for care packages from home because there are a handful of items that I cannot find here, or the price is ridiculously overpriced for the items. This is to the point where international shipping is cheaper, unbelievable! I decided to compile a list of things that are a MUST bring if you do come to Korea, and a tip as to where you can pick up certain products.

1. Reese's. Reese's. I mean Reese's - This is a big one, there is no such thing as Reese's in Korea. You can find other chocolates like Twix, Snickers, M and Ms, as well as other candies in foreigner markets (sometimes overpriced), but at least they have it. Reese's is impossible to find here, so I always ask for a few bags of Reese's when someone comes to visit or is sending a package. 
2. Foreign Snacks - If there is something you cannot live without, do yourself a favor and pack it with you. I actually came with a bag full of snacks before departing America for Korea, it was definitely necessary!
3. Menthol Toothpaste - Most Asian countries do not have a menthol toothpaste, it's usually a weird fruity flavor or green tea flavor. Yes, Asians prefer fruity and tasteful over minty clean fresh.
4. Shoes - Women, if your shoe size is 8.5 or higher, bring your own. The highest size in Korea is 250 which is equivalent to a size 8. Men, size 11 is the biggest so be prepared!
5. Big Size Clothing - Unless you are petite or at most a size medium, you should probably bring a closet full of clothes all year around. It is impossible to find stylish clothes for those who are a medium and up at times because Korea is known for "free size," one size fits all. There are a few foreign shops where you can find clothing that will fit which includes Forever 21, H&M, Uniqlo, the regular sized clothing stores in Myeondong, Gangnam and a few other areas. Men, this is the same for you, unless you fall under the category of small, medium, and maybe large, you are better off bringing your own clothing, especially suits and slack pants.
6. Socks - This may be a bit peculiar and brushed off by many, but the socks in Korea are made of such a thin material, you will find yourself putting holes in your socks more than wearing them. It's kind of sad when you are excited to go to Costco just to pick up new socks.
7. Brand Name Items - Do not think about getting your shopping fix on in Korea or any Asian country on brand name items because they are a lot cheaper in America. Asians are very materialistic and that is why brand names are at least 20% higher in price than back at home. This includes luxury brands and regular brands like Nike and New Balance (yes, New Balance is popular in Korea, it's double the price and value than it is back at home)!
8. Deodorant - Another overpriced item in Korea just because it is not a common product here. We've confirmed that Koreans just do not sweat as much as us Americans (jk). Therefore, they do not need deodorant. 
9. Soy Protein and Supplements - Soy protein is an impossible find in Korea, there is only Whey Protein which is extremely overpriced. Yes, it is annoying to lug a four pound bottle, but sometimes it's just necessary. Luckily for me, I found iHerb.com which ships soy protein directly to me (more information below).
10. Medication - Korea does not have American brand medications, unless you are shopping at Costco, but it is still impossible to find certain kinds there so I do suggest to bring your own.
11. Fitted Sheets - There's actually no thing as fitted sheets in Korea. Either that or they are extremely overpriced so do yourself a favor and bring a few with you when moving abroad.
12. Towels - The American full body sized towels are over priced here. For something that I can pick up for just $5 back at home, I ended up paying $20 for in Korea. Definitely bring two towels to rotate when washing!
13. Cooking Ingredients - It is almost impossible to find every sauce, powder, and flavorings in Korea. Because of that, I suggest bringing your own that you are constantly using because they are overpriced in the foreign markets of Itaewon. 
14. Cotton Underwear - Women know that cotton is your best friend to prevent yeast infections. Unfortunately, it is a bit difficult to find cotton underwear in Korea, especially if you are looking for something that is plain in design and not so lacy or silky. It is smart to go to Victoria's Secret and stack up on a handful during their annual sale!
15. Cosmetics - If you are someone on the darker tone, like myself, and refuse to use BB Cream (a skin whitener), be sure to bring your own makeup because you will not find your tone in Korea. Unless you are down South in areas like Busan where there is plenty of sun, the darkest shade of makeup just might be for fair skin tones. Yes, most stores usually carry a maximum of three shades which is less than a quarter of what you would find back at home.
16. Pads & Tampons - Tampons are extremely overpriced in Korea. That and they are usually made of a less comfortable material. You can get lucky and find Tampax Pearl, but it is impossible to find Playtex so do yourself a favor and stack up! For those who use thong pads, they are also unavailable in Korea so do bring a box yourself.
17. Drugstore Brands - Do not expect to find drugstore brands for a low price in Korea. You will regret relying on drugstore brands because they are double, even triple the price here in Korea. This includes a bottle of J&J baby lotion that runs for $3 on sale in America, you are paying $8 on sale in Korea.

For many of the items above, plus more, I did find a website, iHerb.com which is an American price (sometimes cheaper) website with supplements, foods, and many other products that will ship to Korea for a low price. They do not charge a ridiculous amount of $50 for shipping so I am absolutely in love with the website. The best thing for first time users is the use of a referral code: FEJ438 for $5 off your first purchase and extremely low or free shipping internationally! Anyone abroad in any country should check out the website just to get your foreign fix on!

This website is also great for those back in the states too, not necessarily those abroad because they have low prices and constant sales. I am definitely a fan! They even have everything I needed for my Master Cleanse, all organic and shipped to me within 5 days!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Honeymoon Dessert

An extremely popular dessert chain in Hong Kong is the Honeymoon Dessert which is known for their twist on traditional Chinese desserts. This includes the sweet soup that I previously blogged about. It is a spot for the new generation and open to many younger crowds that are looking to consume the traditional eat.

The popular dessert here is the Fresh Mango with Glutinous Black Rice that is served in an iced coconut milk. It is a great dessert for the summer, but there are also a handful of other traditional twists that Honeymoon Dessert whips up. For those who are looking for something more traditional, try their duo desserts which includes a mixture of two all time traditional eats this includes sesame paste and tofu fa or even a mixture of two pastes with rice balls.

I definitely couldn't get enough of this dessert spot in Hong Kong, but I was grateful that this restaurant was almost in every tourist spot. It is a must visit for all. Catering to the more foreign tastes, there are also other kinds of desserts and drinks that you can try.