Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Cafe Goodovening

Cafe Goodovening is a cafe that is themed around cupcakes. This was on my list for quite a while as one of the must check out cupcake shops in Seoul, what I thought would be the best cupcake in Seoul. There was just so many people raving about the cupcakes that I was dying to dry. With so many branches around Seoul, finding one wasn't too difficult especially because you can pick it up at the major shopping complexes as well. Nonetheless, I still wanted to check out an actual shop and the newest opening is the one in Myeongdong. 

On the second floor off the main shopping street in Myeondong, Cafe Goodovening is themed just like the other stores with a black and white interior. This simple but classic touch is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee break with a friend, especially after shopping. It has an awesome window view of the main strip of Myeongdong shopping and it's across from an awesome H&M that has a creative entrance. They are extremely popular with guests coming in to buy boxes for take out that they even run out of flavors.

Luckily for myself, they had an extra red velvet stacked in the back and of course, because of presentation, I had to go for the early grey tea cupcake. The only thing is the cupcake was not that amazing. For my taste, being that I am so critical with cupcakes, these were a little on the dry end. The flavors aren't as strong as the many other bakeries in Seoul, so there's not too much hype there. I will probably not return again which is a shame to say because it does remind me of Gentle Lady cupcakes.

Hidden Treasures - Kung Fu Tea

Kung Fu Tea is one of my ultimate favorite bubble tea spots back in New York. You don't understand when I say I crave for this thing so for those of you who have the advantage of drinking it, DRINK UP. For the rest of you who are living in Korea, they finally opened a small branch in the Gangnam train station. It was about time that this international brand was going to make its way to Korea because of all the other popup and crazy bubble tea joints like Gong Cha, Share Tea, Cha Time, Quickly, and the rest of the bubble tea knock offs like Bubble Pong. Moral of the story is shop til' you drop in the Gangnam station on line 2 and get some bubble tea! You'll find it right next to the Gong Cha. 

The only thing is that there's a slight difference with the taste. Unlike the New York versions that I always get, there is less of a milk flavor here. Koreans just do not believe in milk. They would prefer to have more of an actual taste of the beverage. On another note, the bubbles are a tad bit smaller and chewier, just not cooked the same way. Basically what I'm saying is do not go for the traditional milk tea because it tastes nothing like the one back at home. Go for their fruit flavors and opt for their jelly drinks, you won't regret. You will also notice that it's not filled to the top, really Korea? This is definitely not the first time it's happened to me, and this is the smaller size!

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - La Pomme

La Pomme, a dessert and furniture cafe is captivating just for the name. Because it is labeled as a furniture cafe, there are random pieces of furniture that range in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars. La Pomme was recently opened as a second branch of the Be Sweet On dessert cafe in Hongdae. Serving up practically the same dessert options that are oh so mouth watering, it is the best addition to the Garosu-gil shopping area in Sinsa.

Currently with a menu that caters to only dessert, it is more than enough to bring us in.  As mentioned before in the Mille-Feuille Chocolat Au Lait is amazing, although pricey, but worth the splurge. All desserts are pretty much worth the splurge, but if going with a group, go for the Green Tea Patbingsoo set which is easier on the wallet and offers a wide variety.

Served with an overload of shaved ice (patbingsoo), the set is paired with a green tea roll that is full of flavor. In addition to this, La Pomme includes a small pitcher of fresh green tea, mochi balls and extra green tea flavoring for the dessert. Honestly, the shaved ice tower is amazing to look at, but if you are not a fan of green tea and red bean shaved ice, do not order this. Even though it is paired with an amazing green tea roll, you are better off splurging on their other amazing desserts, trust me!

La Pomme is an interesting place, full of fun furniture that provides a great environment of bright lights and attractive colors. It is the place to go to with a group of friends and even on a date setting. With a semi-open kitchen that allows for you to see your dessert come together, it is definitely worth making a splurge on the goodies.

The owners of La Pomme is starting to branch from just the dessert option by providing a small selection of baked goods which includes sandwiches and actual small eats. Opened earlier in the day, they are hoping to bring in a larger crowd with more choices and filling options for shoppers of the Garso-gil area. Be sure to be on the look out for that!

Foreigners and tourist tips: There's someone that speaks English!


Address: 534-8 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

서울시 강남구 신사동 534-8
Directions: Straight from exit 8 of Sinsa station of the orange line 3, take a left when you reach the Tous Le Jours bakery on the corner. Take a left and a right at the following block to walk parallel to the Garosu-gil shopping street. Go straight and you will see La Pomme Furniture Cafe on your right on the second floor.
Phone :  02-545-4508

Cute Eats - Noodle Box

One of the famous Korean chain restaurants in Seoul is Noodle Box, a fast food joint that whips up Thai food. It is probably one of the cutest eats in the world because your meal is actually serve in a replica of a Noodle Box. The concept is fun and makes it that much more appealing to enjoy your food, minus the metal bar that always gets in the way. For anyone who actually follows tips from buzzfeed, you'll know the real way to eat out of a noodle box is not from the opening at the top. The concept of Noodle Box is that the box can be opened into a flat plate so you're not digging into an extremely hot base of food. 

On average, a dish at noodle box costs $7. The dishes range in spicy levels, but they do have a wider selection that is not offered in a lot of Thai restaurants. One of the popular choices of course is the traditional Pad Thai, but the Mongolian is also great for those who are able to tolerate a bit of spice. Because this is a Korean chain restaurant, you have to keep in mind that the taste will differ from location to location. Nonetheless, it is a great place to go to grab a quick bite in a cute box. It probably wouldn't be the best place to take a date, but there are a lot of couples who visit Noodle Box anyway!

Kongdae location:

Product Review - K LAC

One new line created by a handful of scientists in Korea is KLAC, a brand that focuses on inner and outer beauty with products to consume as well as to soak into the skin externally. Scientists concentrate on create products that adapts to those with sensitive skin, even recommended for those with problem skin. With three applications of products that include a peel, serum, and mask, the products are only recommended to be used once or twice a week to achieve soft and clear skin. 

For starters, the peeler is used to remove dead skin from the surface. Just 30 seconds is needed to remove a large amount of dead skin. For those with sensitive skin though, it is not recommended to be used too often and it may leave your skin a little red and sensitive after use, but it actually removes all of the dead skin imaginable. Made with natural extracts from calendula and chlorella to nurture the skin as well as with vegetable lactic acid bacteria, this product is to help keep the skin moist after use.

The LTA Multi Boosting Ampoule Effecter is equivalent to "100 bottles of yogurt" for the skin by showing immediate results of smoother skin. Made of grapeseed oil and rosemary extracts, it helps to increase brightness in the skin through its sticky consistency which is different compared to other products. This sticky texture is their selling point and known to help reduce wrinkles by keeping the skin intact.

Although it is a little sticky, the product actually works well with the skin. It absorbs rather quickly and doesn't cause any reaction at all. The only problem is probably having to use more than anticipated because it is a bit sticky. Nonetheless, the product is actually amazing and blends extremely well with the skin.

The K LAC LTA Revital Mask Effector is a product made with green tea, pomegrante, and glasswort which is nourishing for the skin, helping to retain moisture with a glossy finish. The mask is extremely thick and infused with an extremely hydrating touch that can be left on the skin for longer than the recommended time of 15 to 20 minutes. The smart thing to do is after the 15 or 20 minutes on the skin is to drape it around the neck so you can absorb more of the product onto your skin. It works extremely well with sensitive skin and leaves the skin hydrated and smooth right after use.

Candy forms of the LTA Collagen Troche Candy is full of collagen that helps to maintain elasticity and retaining moisture. Not only does it taste good (just like peaches), it is made of Vitamin and Xylitol which also helps with controlling cholesterol, managing stress, increasing in energy and of course, prevents wrinkles. A bottle has 60 tablets and the recommended dosage is 2 to 6 a day. Its extremely tasty and chewable so you don't have to worry about washing it down.

Overall, the products work well with sensitive skin, but it will take a while to see the effects of the LTA Collagen Troche Candy. I can say, though, that they are extremely tasty and I can't get enough of it. Controlling myself to not consume the whole bottle at once is the one thing that I have to do. It definitely helps that I am tasting something yummy with extra benefits. Although there may not be some direct correlation, my psoriasis has been getting a little better though.

For those who are looking for an actual sales job with this line, they are in search for the top gun sales people. Selling this product internationally, they are looking for representatives all over, but the company is based in Korea. For those interested, contact Michael McCarthy, the immediate supervisor at  MichaelMC13@gmail.com and mention this blog for a free product to sample yourself!

Restaurant Review - Shy Bana

Shy Bana is the one restaurant in Seoul that's been around since 1997 offering Southern Comfort food that is actually pretty amazing. Their motto is "Eat Today Diet Tomorrow!" which is probably the story of my life as well! Shy Bana is probably the the closest you get to Soul Food with the traditional eats of biscuits and gravy, fried steak, Jambalaya, steak tips soaked in applesauce, grilled pork chops, and amazing vegetables. With so much to choose on the menu, finding the right option might be a little difficult.

For starters, two pieces of biscuits and gravy costs almost five bucks, but the biscuit is baked up fresh. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it actually melts in your mouth. The golden texture allows for the biscuit to break apart which you can drown in the gravy sauce that some actually love and dunk practically everything in, but I am personally not a big fan of only because I was never a fan of white sauces to begin with. The gravy is extremely creamy, a little too milky for my tastes but it is a great dipping sauce, just not too much.

On the flip side, their entrees are something that must be raved about. They have speciality dishes depending on what's fresh. The grilled pork steak served with a side of mashed potatoes and coleslaw is one of the must raves about. Marinated to perfection and grilled where it is cooked evenly, the pork steaks are served with an amazing mouth watering mashed potatoes. With chunks inside and melted cheese, it is something to die for, a must order.

Another dish that is worth visiting Shy Bana for is the pork chop steak that is topped with applesauce. Yeah, applesauce. Chunks of pork are sliced and topped with a sauce that compliments the meat extremely well. This sweet tangy drizzle is dripped over steak that is cooked to perfection and served on a hot sizzling pan which keeps the meat tender and warm. Paired with a side of crispy vegetables, it is the ultimate reminder of American home cooked meal that hits the spot.

In addition to the chopped steak, a famous Souther comfort food is country fried steak, also known as fried chicken steak for the reason that it is deep fried batter. This country fried steak is topped with the same gravy served with their biscuits, but also with a side of tomato sauced rice. This is definitely the staple of Southern comfort food. The very last thing on the menu that brings me back is the Jambalaya. This seafood mix is served in a hot sizzling pan and topped with chunks of hot dog as well. Although this doesn't quite taste like the traditional Jambalaya, it is something that satisfies the cravings for the time being. 

Dishes at Shy Bana may be a little small in size in regards to Southern Comfort food, but it is filling for the Korean taste buds. Dishes range from $15 to $20 which is a little pricey for a home cooked meal. Nonetheless, it is a temporary satisfaction and I will revisit for the different steaks they have. With six branches in town, finding good food is not too far away. Ordering is made easy with an English menu that is broken down into different options.

Address to Garosu-gil Branch: 525-23 Gangnam-gu, Sinsa-Dong, Seoul

서울시 강남구 신사동 525-23

Phone Number: 02-545-4281

서래마을, 강남역, 광화문, 청주, 판교

Charlie Brown Cafe

Previously blogging about the themed cafes of Korea, the Hello Kitty Cafe is one popular one in Korea, but the Charlie Brown Cafe is also a worldwide chain that originated in Hong Kong. It of course, focuses on all things Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the other characters with their well-recognized cakes and desserts made of character heads. The desserts at Charlie Brown Cafe are just too pretty to eat as well. 

Like every other cafe and coffee shop, the Charlie Brown Cafe offers a handful of other menu choices as well as beverages.  Because the branches differ in the countries, the Hong Kong branch serves up actual meals which include spaghetti dishes and burgers. In Seoul, you'll find smaller sandwich options as well as breakfast options of muffins and such. Although the coffee beverages aren't decked out in character heads, they are a staple to have when in Korea. 

With all things Charlie Brown from cakes to drink containers to the store in center pieces and displays, the Charlie Brown cafe is family friendly and can be found in a few locations around Seoul. Although the signature cakes are a little pricey to order, the rest of the menu options are pretty average and comparable in price to other options in Korea.