Hidden Treasures - Once Upon a Milkshake

Once Upon a Milkshake, every big kid's fantasy to have a whole store devoted to milkshakes, ice cream, and all things good. Living in Korea, it is difficult to find a place that makes a good milkshake since it varies from place to place as well as person to person who makes it. Once Upon a Milkshake dedicates their everyday to making the perfect milkshake. Coming from Singapore, the first branch just opened in Seoul, bringing a menu that is just above the rest. 

They offer a handful of choices which range from fruit flavored to sweet classics and even new twists that you have never heard of before. The best part is being able to have the option of choosing the texture of your milkshake. This is one thing that is not offered anywhere. The dense taste of the milkshake is also adjustable to your personal buds by adding extra flavor if needed. 

With three sizes of mini, regular and large, milkshakes start at $4 a pop. Because there is so much to choose from, which can be difficult to make a choice, they offer a swirl of goodness by incorporating two flavors. The most popular mix at Once Upon a Milkshake which is unexpected is the cookies and cream with condensed milk mixture. If wanted, the option of mixing up to three flavor is allowed as well, but a rare case.  Using a high quality puree with 100% real fruits, no artificial flavoring, items are not that sweet but can be altered to your taste. The recommendation and most popular ones on the menu are: the classic cookies and cream, condensed milk, and tiramisu. It may be a little pricey, but if you crave for it, you'll understand the splurge.

For those who are looking for an alternative to milkshakes, there is the option of ice cream. Single scoops are just $3, doubles for $5.50 and a triple for $7.50. Plain in taste, the store is considering toppings but this is totally breaking from the Korean norms. The most popular being chocolate, cookies and cream and black currant (a sour fruit that is much like a blueberry but tartier) which is served in a regular cup.

Once Upon a Milkshake is closed on Mondays, opened Tuesday to Thursday from 10 to 10 and Friday to Sunday from 10-11pm. With free wifi and an open area, it is a relaxing environment for a chit chat and enjoying with a group of friends, even to do some work. BEST PART. Someone speaks English.

Take exit 2 from Noksapyeong station and go straight until you see a green underpass that takes you across the street on the right. Take the underpass and exit on the left when reaching the exit. Go straight past Craftworks and Once Upon a Milkshake is an eye catching purple storefront with opened windows cannot and should not be missed.

Address: Seoul, Yongsan-gu, Noksaypeyong 242
서울시 용산구 녹사평대로 242(이태원동)
Phone: 070-7435-313

Restaurant Review - Burger B

Burger B is one of the best burger places in Hongdae for an outdoor seating over amazing food, burgers to be exact. It is the one place to enjoy an outdoor view over burgers, fries, and the choice of a beer or a milkshake. Better yet, you can get the Burger B platter that serves you an amazing burger with fries and a shot of milkshake. Yes, a shot of milkshake. You can then proceed to ordering your own or going for a beer as a refreshment.

Burgers are priced at a decent $8 which makes it easy for customers to get filled without splurging too much. The one thing that is recommended is to go to Burger B with an open stomach because the food is amazing. It is also a great spot to enjoy a drink with friends before heading out for a chaotic night in Hongdae. Burger B is extremely popular among locals and foreigners because foreigners know a good burger. The meat is definitely different compared to other burger restaurants in Korea, maintaing that juicy texture.

With an open balcony area, it is the perfect place to lounge around during the day, and at night. You grasp the crisp air from outside and it's very welcoming to conversations and booze. Burger B caters to both vibes of the Hongdae community with good food and drinks, one recommended location for sure.

With three locations in town which include the popular Hongdae, Apgujeong, and Sangnam, the location visited was the one in Hongdae at 362-7 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul.

Restaurant Review - Butterfingers

For those who live in Korea, you know how impossible it is to find home comfort food, especially diner food. Most of us miss the after clubbing diners and home comfort breakfast foods in waffles, pancakes, eggs, and home fries. One of the ultimate popular spots in Korea for almost all foreigners is Butterfingers. With a few locations around Seoul which include, but are not limited to Gangnam and Bundang, it is the one place to go for the best diner foods.

Although it can be a bit pricey compared to the prices we are used to back at home, it is definitely worth a visit every once in a while to satisfy those cravings. The suggested is their waffles (we are in Korea after all), the Butterfingers shake, their pumpkin walnut pancake and their breakfast platter. The platter is a little big, recommended to be shared between two. In addition to the breakfast goods, there are a handful of other home comfort foods which include salads and burgers. I have yet to try those, but it will probably be on the menu next time!

Upon ordering breakfast goods, there is a choice for syrup which include honey or maple, and the choice of a sweet or regular butter. Korea is a bit fan of all things sweet so do not find these things peculiar, it's just the cultural differences but the sweet butter is recommended for pancakes and waffles! There's a crystallization of sugars that just melt in your mouth.