Merry Christmas to All and Happy Birthday to MEEEEE !!

I am blessed to be born on this special day, Christmas day (over in Korea, it is Christmas day already). I am blessed to be on the other side of the world, but still celebrate with a bunch of new friends here in Korea. I am blessed to have a family that face timed me a cake and my niece blow out the candles for me. I am blessed to carry my tradition of having an "ice cream cake" this year, only separated with: ice cream and cake. I am blessed to have you, a true list of supporters who read my blogs. Thank you all. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

I also decided to include a photo of my birthday makeup, very simple with bold red lips. Just for laughters, my "ice cream cake" with before and after photos :] Baskin Robbins ice cream flavor: dulce de leche and strawberry madness along with a chocolate cake from Paris Baguette.

Cheap Eats - Pomato Soup

This was perhaps one of the most cheapest eats that I have had in Korea since I've been. Pomato Soup, what seems to be a more edgy touch to the Korean traditional eats attracted me as I was exploring one of the markets over in Guui. I ordered the Pork Katsu which comes with rice and a salad. When I say salad, I mean chopped up lettuce with mayonnaise and a bbq-like sauce. Don't get me wrong, I love my little salad, but the best part of the meal was the price. It only cost me $3.50 because they were running a special promotion on the dish on the random day that I decided to try it.

Pomato Soup is also known for their cheap prices with dishes that range from $4-6. It is quite filling so it is a recommendation on my end! Try the many fried rices or the katsu. You can never go wrong with getting a fried dish imo!

Life in Korea - Junkfood Stash

I am big on food, very big on small eats and junk food. I finally decided to share with the world my "stash." Everyone knows I am big on sweets and chips and when I go shopping, the three C's (cookies, chips, and candy) are always on the top of my list. Sometimes, I spend more money on junk foods than real food. 

Nonetheless, I love Korea for its flavored goodies. I am currently addicted to the chocolate covered sunflower seeds which is equivalent to a peanut's M&M, but oh so delicious. I recently bought a 1.5 pound bag of these sunflower seeds. You won't understand until you have tried them!

In addition to the oh so delicious sunflower seeds, I have a stash of the Ganache Macadamia Chocolates that are truffle like squares filled with macadamia nuts. It is delicious! Being that I am big on truffles, with my numerous posts (La Maison Du Chocolat, Leonidas, Lily O'Briens Cafe, teuscher, neuhaus chocolate), I've been on the search here. I haven't found any chocolate truffle places, but I did find a store brand that has helped me satisfy my current cravings: Royal Milk and Dark Chocolate Truffle.

I haven't found any great cookies here, but I did find a whole bunch of chips. Korea doesn't have the many typical plain flavors that we find back in America, but there are a bunch of seafood and sweet chips. For a different craving, these chips have a blast of flavor that is usually puffy inside. I love the big fluff of Asian chips, doesn't taste anything like the flat, thin fried potato chip you find in America. My favorites include the crab shaped chips, puffy fish shaped cuttlefish chip, the sweet potato chip, and the sweet flavored chip topped with black sesame in the shape of a ring.


Lastly, rice cakes and uncooked ramen noodles are a big snack here as well. They even have baby size bags of ramen that are compressed and kid's bite sizes. I have learned to like them, just not as much as the kids do here. They even have the chips where the ramen come in size and a bag of powder for the kids to add it to. All they do is shake it up and enjoy. I know for a fact when I fly back, I will be having a suitcase full of junk food!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Dunkin Donuts

I recently went on a bubble tea crave because I have bubble tea every week back in New York. I thought I wouldn't be able to find any bubble tea in Korea, but who would have ever thought that I'd find it in Dunkin Donuts. The only upset that I have is that the bubble tea here is made of powder which makes me a bit bloated afterwards. I try to stay away but they do have the common flavors of milk tea, green tea, and taro. It definitely helps to satisfy a random craving, although the bubbles are microwaved. I just wish they would sell it to me alone! This way, I'd be able to make my own bubble tea :]

Asia is known to put a twist on American chains in order to satisfy the difference in taste requirements. I love the fact that I was able to find bubble tea in a Dunkin Donuts, along with some of the traditional drinks that they carry back in America. It does cater to the taste of the Asians as well as those American drinks as well. 

One thing that I do want to point out is the Dunkin Donuts in Korea definitely has better looking donuts than those in the states. The best part is Dunkin Donuts have cake. These cakes are way too pretty to eat which makes me a little sad. Lastly, the price difference is high. Dunkin Donuts is known to be the cheap spot for coffee, not in Korea. As seen on the right, donuts cost $1.50 and you can find some for a little cheaper, but it usually starts at over $1 per donut. 

Splurge of the Week - Missha

It is impossible to live in Korea and not pick up beauty and makeup products. It is the time of the year where businesses throws all type of sales for the holiday season, the best time for shopping and splurging on yourself. This week's beauty and makeup splurge is from Missha.

I picked up three Pure Source masks which consists of honey, pomegranate, and aloe. For just about a dollar each, it was worth a try to see how well it would work on my skin. That, and I have never seen a honey mask before and I know honey and oatmeal works wonders for the skin! I was not a big fan of the honey smell, but it was an amazing 20 minute touch.

Next, I picked up a top coat that I forgot to get bring from the states. On sale for just $4, the brush is thicker than those in the states. It allows for one quick sweep of color through the nail and tops my color with a shiny coat. It is a great soft finish for the Missha Lucid Nail Care.

Following, I picked up a Creamy Matte Lip Rouge in PK03, a pink that I have been dying to get for a while now. Today was finally the day! The matte color works extremely well with my lip, I just wish there was a bit more moisture to the lipstick. 

Near Skin Bio White, is one of the popular lines of Missha. I decided to give it a try with the Healing Eye Treatment which is certified but he KFDA that uses white peptide bio technology to minimize fine lines. For those without wrinkles, it is good to prevent and protect earlier.

Lastly, I found an extremely moisturizing Excellent Milky Body Oil for a low price. American brand products can be hard to find in Korea for a low price, but I hope this will help my dry skin due to the difference in water. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Mister Donut

I have been dying to try Mister Donut since I first arrived in Korea. The donuts are absolutely delicious, they fall between a yeast and a cake donut. I picked up the advertised glaze ring donut which was not as sweet as the American donuts. In addition to the good eat, it was a bit expensive costing $1.30 for just one donut. It is really worth it when you just have those cravings though!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Paris Baguette

A Korean bakery chain with locations across the world, Paris Baguette is an extremely well known bread and pastry store. Paris Baguette is one of the most popular coffee places in Korea. The prices are pretty much the same in all chains, including those in America. The only difference is those in Korea have a more versatile selection of bread, which is amazing!

Many breads are stuffed with a cheese and sweet jam, but there are many other options as well. A few of my favorites at Paris Baguette is the Tapioca Bread, Stewed Bread, Chocolate Croissant, Strawberry Tart, Lava Cake, Garlic bread which is topped with a bit of sugar. In fact, all breads in Korea is topped with a bit of sugar. It is a little different, something to get used to, but I admit that it is pretty good. In addition to the breads and pastries, the royal pudding in a glass bottle is amazing as well. The best part about it is having a souvenir that you can use around the house for other liquid goods. 

A simple pastry store with walk in and pick up the exact goodies you want with a paper box and tongs. When ready, all you have to do is go on line and pay (order drinks here as well) and you are well on your way to a great breakfast, and or snack. I do not recommend eating these pastries over night because it takes away from the texture and flavors, although it is still delicious! For those back in New York, hit up Ktown on 32nd street to satisfy these cravings.