Story of My Life - Sokcho Travels

Sokcho is a must visit for those who are looking for a clean and clear blue water beach in Korea. Located in the northeast region from Seoul, it is a bit of a hike to get to, but definitely worth it. With buses running from two of the main stations in Seoul, the travel is roughly three hours. It is a good rest to have after a long day of tanning and body surfing.

 Although Sokcho is far from Seoul, there are a number of tourists and foreigners that visit the area. In addition to the physical appearance, you can distinguish the locals from the rest by beach habits. Koreans are usually hiding from the sun, in every way possible, so there are a number of tents scattered around. In addition, although bikinis are recommended for the beach, Koreans will jump into the water fully clothed. An alien feeling to us, but you will see some locals in bathing suits and swim wear, with minor influences from foreigners.

With all the peculiar habits of Koreans that we are not used to, there are a handful of benefits as well. This includes the drop off menus as you tan for delivery services of all kinds-fried chicken, pizza, full meals-the best is McDonald's. If you thought New York was convenient with cold drinks and icecream, McDonald's in Korea has someone walking around to take your order and deliver it, everything but cones that is. I wouldn't get too picky since I can still order an Oreo McFlurry with my full value meal!

For those looking for an authentic meal in the area, seafood is the big recommendation. Seafood includes king crab, there are a number of restaurants serving up fresh crab, as well as a variety of other seafood (fish, octopus, squid, conch, and more) that is cut up and served fresh when you order. Talk about good sashimi! There is also a bunch of other dishes which includes the Squid Sundae (squid roll), Potato Pancake, and Naengmyeon 냉면 (cold noodle).

Nonetheless, Sokcho is a must visit, being that it is one of the top beaches in Korea. It is easy to plan and have a one day getaway without knowing any English. As a heads up, there aren't as much coffee shops as there are in Seoul so be ready!

Korean Traditional Eats - Korean Pancake (Pajeon)

The Korean pancake which includes the popular seafood and kimchi pancake is a party appetizer in Korea. It is a dish shared between a group which can come before a meal or as a dish with soju. In addition to the popular seafood and kimchi pancake, there is also the option of a bulgolgi beef and vegetable pancake.

Most pancakes are usually made with a bed of vegetables which include scallions, onions and eggs. Meat and other ingredients are then added to the sautéed goods until almost cooked. A pancake mix is then added to the pan of stir fry and cooked until the pancake is golden brown with a bit of extra crispy bites.

The one thing I love about this pancake appetizer aside from the crunchy exterior and soft interior is the size of the pancake. There is a reason as to why you must share the dish between a group of friends because it is almost impossible to finish between two.