Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Molly's Pops

Molly's Pops (몰리스팝스) is one of the most famous places for foreigners, locals, adults, and children of all ages. For what reason? For their ice pops. Molly's pops is the one place in Seoul that offers fun and amazing flavor to all guests for their refreshing ice pops. For just $3 a pop, that pretty much beats the price of any convenient store ice cream, as well as my ultimate favorite Baskin Robbins. Molly's Pops take ice pops to another level by incorporating all kinds of flavors.

The best sellers are of course the ones made with booze for a different kind of kick as well as the signature Wasabi. Yes, a wasabi ice pop. As peculiar as it may sound, this bizarre food is actually not so bad when incorporated in a popsicle stick. Refreshing and cold, there is definitely enough of a taste of wasabi at the end that surprises you. 

Although they are labeled as an ice pop, the texture of the popsicles are extremely milky to the point where they melt in your mouth. It is a smooth blend of amazing flavor, incorporating all things good from sweet to tart and tangy. It is all things good on a stick you can't go wrong with that or any choice of ice pops at Molly's pops. 

This small shop is located from exit 8 of the Hongdae station on line 2. Take a right into the first block when you walk out of the station and follow the block straight down after you pass the curved road on your left (technically walk on it). Go to the very end until you hit a dead end and make a left. Molly's Pops will be on your right within a two blocks walk.

Address: 330-20 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-Gu, Seoul
서울 마포구 서교동 330-20

Bottoms Up - Standing Coffee

Standing Coffee is a coffee shop where you literally stand in a line in the streets to order your coffee whipped up by a group of handsome barista "Standing guys" dressed in a white dress shirt, black slacks, and topped with a tie. It is the cutest concept with a quick way to brew up your coffee from a small menu. It's said that they only hire "handsome guys" which is definitely an eye candy for all guests, guys included.

Coffee of course, is the number one choice from Standing Coffee, but they are also known for their blue lemonade. Made with fresh lemons and blue caracao, this spiked lemonade is the perfect drink for any hot summer day. Don't worry about getting a "buzz" from the drink because it is extremely sweet in taste and made from a low percentage of alcohol. Drinks are priced at most $5 and they even have shots of alcohol for sale, another plus for many.

The original Standing Coffee is located straight from the Noksapyeong exit number 2 of line 6. It will be across the street from you on the right side so before reaching the light, take the underpass that will facilitate crossing the street. From Standing Coffee Two in the Hongdae area, the easiest way to get there is a straight walk from Sangsu station exit 1. Within a two minute walk, it'll be on your right (a bigger location than the original).

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Fell + Cole

Fell + Cole originated in San Francisco, but you can find this Gastronomic Ice Cream shop in a small cozy story hidden in one of the Hongdae alleys in Seoul. Just opened in July, the shop offers a handful of vegan, alcoholic and many other delicious flavored ice creams, sorbets, and sherbets. You can find many differently paired flavors that you cannot find elsewhere. That, and there are alcoholic goodies which are the favorites of many. There are of course, the classic wine and even the more traditional flavors like Makgeolli. For just $5 a scoop, it is a must visit on any hot day, but of course I am not one to hold back from eating ice cream in the cold winter days!

Address: 408-1 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul 
Phone: 070 4411 1434
For the easiest way to Fell + Cole in Hongdae, take the Sangsu station on line 6. Take exit 1 from the station and turn back to the main intersection. Make a left when you reach the light without crossing and go straight until you reach the seven eleven on the corner. Take a left at that very street and go straight for three blocks. Fell + Cole will be on your left.

Restaurant Review - Tomatillo

Tomatillos, the Korean equivalent of the American comfort food of Chipotle, literally. With branches all over Korea, you can get your Chipotle fix in Korea at any time that you want. Although it is not exactly the same as Chipotle, it is the closest you can get with a few exceptions. Nonetheless, it is an all time favorite place of foreigners, locals as well. 

With choices of quesadillas, burritos, tacos, tostadas, sides, desserts, and drinks (this includes alcoholic beverages), the choices may even top Chipotle. There are not many fast food joints in America that serve alcoholic beverages, smoothies, and desserts with your order, but Tomatillos is definitely on it. The popular eats at Tomatillos is the quesadillas and burritos, especially the California burrito. This special burrito is stuffed with french fries in place of rice. Not the traditional burrito, but it doesn't take away from the deliciousness of a burrito. You definitely can't find that at Chipotle! 

A meal at Tomatillos can set you back about ten bucks, but hey, you can't complain for the comfort food in a Korean Chain! For those who are looking for something more filling, you can order your meal as a set where you will be offered a side of rice, beans, nachos with salsa and a drink. 

Bottoms Up - Flavored Magkeolli

The Korean traditional yum, Magkeolli (막걸리) is a rice wine that is usually made fresh by many. When made fresh, it usually comes in a form of white rice wine, but I have yet to see a restaurant whip up its own Coffee Magkeolli. This twist is definitely something worth trying but be careful when consuming too much because it is a mix of coffee and alcohol although it is on the weaker side.

I have seen other forms of magkeolli which comes in a variety of fruit flavors and it is served as a bottle. I am a big fan of those sweet yummies and I do suggest trying it out if you are not a fan of the traditional rice wine. The flavor adds a hint of sweetness which helps to overcome the plain taste.

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. 

Bottoms Up - Self Bars

Self bars are a great place for foreigners in Korea because they are the one place that has a wide selection of beer and other cocktail drinks that many other bars do not have. They even have the beer glasses for each brand which helps to enhance the taste when consuming each type of beer. The best part is being able to get your booze whenever you want, without having to wait around for service (we all know how frustrating that can be at times). Simply walk up to the refrigerator, grab your drink and enjoy. For those who are lazy, there is also a bucket with ice that you can fill up with drinks to minimize the number of walks to the fridge. It's probably one of the best ideas ever and extremely efficient! 

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.