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).

Bottoms Up - daily coffee 121

Located in the famous Jeongja-dong, daily coffee 121 is one of the many coffee shops along the main strip of Bundang which is south of Seoul. This peaceful area offers guests a nice scenic street of plants and families to enjoy a cup of coffee along with some shopping. Offering freshly brewed coffees, daily coffee 121 is recognized for their tall standing coffee brewing machine inside the cafe. 

In addition to their signature coffee machine, they are recognized for their venti drinks. Korea is known to be the place with small and mini everything. daily coffee 121 breaks from this norm and actually offers all guests a large drink with their purchase. This justifies their higher cost for coffee, priced at an average of $7, but totally worth the drink that you are getting. 

With so many coffee shops to choose from, definitely make a visit to daily coffee 121 if you are looking for a venti cup of coffee to refresh your mind and go on with your day. From Jeongja Station exit 4 on the yellow Bundang Line and go straight until you see Woori Bank (make a left here). For a more detailed list, visit here.

Bottoms Up - Mug for Rabbit

This two floor tea and coffee shop in Hongdae has an outdoor seating that is perfect the fall weather for guests to enjoy their cup of tea and a cupcake. With cupcakes and cakes made fresh, it is a perfect match for anyone looking to relax and enjoy. The concept of the coffee shop is "go green" with recyclables in store. In coordination with the concept, they look for ways to promote energy saving techniques.

The drinks are spot on and freshly made. In addition to the drinks, the suggested to order is the carrot cake. There are also a handful of baked goodies and cupcakes that is a vanilla based cupcake topped with a cream icing. It is not as sweet as other cupcakes so it is definitely suggested for those who are looking for something on the less sweeter side, especially if you are counting calories.

Drinks and cupcakes are a bit costly compared to other coffee shops, but it is worth it to lounge out in their open area. With drinks at an average of $6.50 and cupcakes for $5, it is a must try for anyone who is in the area. There is a set menu which combines dessert and drinks for a cheaper price which is suggested for anyone who is here on a weekday. There are also two other locations in Sinsa, Gangnam for those who are a bit far from Hongdae. 

Restaurant Review - Stone Wall Brasserie

One of the most famous places in Bundang which is south of Seoul is Jeongja-dong for the street of coffee shops. In addition to having the best coffee shops and outdoor setting, brunch is one recommendation when you are in town served from 10Am to 3PM. Bundang is known to be a quiet residential and family area which is the perfect place to enjoy an outdoor brunch, especially at Stone Wall Brasserie. 

Stone Wall Brasserie is a spacious restaurant that offers outdoor seating to guests to enjoy during a sunny day. The best part is their menu. The brunch menu offers a plate of deliciousness served American style. Everything on the menu is a recommendation, but the one thing that definitely does stand out is Sunday Brunch - the French Toast platter. Served with a slice of french toast made fresh, two eggs, sausage, bacon, and fries are served on a huge plate with the option of a coffee or orange juice. It is an extremely filling meal to have for just $15. 

With friendly service and a menu in English, eating at Stone Wall Brasserie makes life easy. It is particularly hard to get an American breakfast, especially for Sunday brunch, but this is the one place to go. It makes it that much better that you escape the crazy city life in Seoul. Able to enjoy fresh air and family-oriented neighborhoods is one thing that is needed every now and then.

Address: 101 Paragon, 13-1 Jeongja-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-shi, Gyeonggi-do
Telephone: 031-719-1542
Directions: Straight from exit 4 of Jeongja station on the yellow Bundang line. Take a left at Woori Bank and a right at Waffle Bant. Stone wall will be on your right between Paragon 104 and 105 with a stone exterior.

Beauty Pick Me Up - Skin Food Egg White Pore Mask

The Skin Food Egg White Pore Mask is loaded with albumin that consists of amino acids which is actually recommended for those with sensitive skin. It is a product that helps to close the pores of your skin and promote elasticity while retaining moisture. Being one of the best selling mask products at Skin Food, it was a definite pick me up to hopefully help promote clearer skin. On a fresh clean face, pack on a thick amount all over the face, avoiding the mouth and eye areas. After ten to fifteen minutes, simply wash off with lukewarm water. For those with extra sensitive skin, removing it within ten minutes is recommended. Even within ten minutes, those with sensitive skin may feel irritated and a red color which will diminish over time. After a few uses, the skin will adapt to the product and will not be as red as initial use. Within the first few uses, after washing off, a brighter skin is immediately visible. With use over time, the skin actually tightens. Be sure to use it at least three times a week, especially during the summer time to balance the sweat and oil retained on the skin from the hot weather. 

Restaurant Review - 하동관 Traditional Korean Eat

One of the oldest restaurants, one hidden treasure, can be found in Myeongdong of Seoul. The big shopping area has more to offer than just beauty goods, it's a great place for food as well which includes one of the oldest restaurants this city has to offer. 하동관 opened back in 1939 and has been in business since. their specialty dish for just $10 is 곰탕 which is thinly sliced beef served over a bowl of rice that is embedded in soup. Top with your own greens garnish, add a bit of salt and pepper and you can enjoy this traditional Korean eat. This popular lunch spot closes at 4:30, caters to all of the local business people and tourists that come to get a sample of their goodies. With unlimited soup, kimchi and radish to enjoy with your food, it is the one recommended place to visit for an authentic and generation going lunch. Service is extremely quick because they only have a few number of dishes on their menu. Because it is a quick service get in and get out kind of restaurant, you must pay before getting your dishes to facilitate the speediness and efficiency of the restaurant. 

Address: Jung-gu, Myeongdong-1-ga 10-4 (서울시 중구 명동1가 10-4)

From 명동역 Myeongdong Station on the blue Line 4, take exit 8 and make a left at the first block. Go straight for about 5-6 blocks and the restaurant will be on your right.
From 을지로입구역 Euljiro Ipgu Station on the green Line 2, take exit 5 and make a right at the second block. Follow the straight path on the left and continue on your left until you see 하동관 on your left with a traditional and black interior.

Bottoms Up - Twosome + Coffee

Teddy's Twosome + Studio is an upgrade from A Twosome Place coffee shop that is the place to go for their signature black toast sandwich that looks like burnt toast. For just an average of $5 per menu item of sandwich and coffee, the menu is not limited to just these two delicious choices. The coffee shop offers an open fridge of pre-made sandwiches, soups, salads, yogurts, pastries, and many other desserts that are ready to be picked up and prepped to be served on a plate for your satisfaction. 

Teddy's black toast is served on a plate with melted cheese and heated filling. It is the perfect place to grab a quick and even healthy bite. Themed around music, this cafe differs from the rest with more upbeat music playing at a louder frequency. Promoted by Big Bang, this more urban coffee shop is the place to go to for hip hop and up tempo music, mostly American, to bump to over a cup of coffee or brunch. This urban cafe offers three floors of black and white themed seating as well as an outdoor setting for nice weather. 

It is extremely popular among college students being that is it located right next to Hongik University, but it is also the spot to go to for many tourists as well. Because of the environment, it is a location recommended for grabbing food and or chatting with a friend. This would definitely not be the location to go to if you are trying to get some work done! Located from exit 9 of the Hongdae train station on line 2 (the green), it is located across the street from Nescafe and Starbucks. The easiest, but longer way to get there is to go straight from exit 9 until the light. Take a left and go straight to the end (you'll be facing Hongik Univeristy). Take a left at the light when you see the grey buildings of steel (do not walk past the gates) and the cafe will be on your right. 

There is a second branch in the Garosu-gil shopping area of Sinsa-dong. Straight from exit 8 of Sinsa station on line 3, take a left when you reach Tous Le Jours bakery on the corner. Go straight along Garosu-gil shopping street and you will see Twosome + Coffee on your left within a block's radius.