So much Seoul: Themed Cafés & 1st Time Seeing Snow!!

11th-12th December 2013

My friend and I had a late one last night. 

After our long coffee break at Hongdae, we went back to Sinchon to meet up with another friend for "Makkoli".

"Makkoli" or "Korean rice wine" in English, is a traditional alcoholic beverage. Great with kimchi pancakes.

But i didn't like the taste. Makkoli to me tastes like beer.

However the kiwi flavoured makkoli was slightly better, I think it is a taste I have to get used to, to like. 

Don't remember snapping this shot, 

but I will post it up anyways :D

Afterwards we headed home and got ready for bed...

...but of course, I was not ready for bed yet...

instead I was painting my nails and my friend was planing out what to do for the rest of our final day in Seoul.

The central heating in out room and nail polish fumes led us to open our window for a blast of chill air.

All of a sudden my friend felt a sharp tickle on her hand, she looked outside and told me it was snowing. 

IT WAS SNOWING...

I was so happy and overwhelmed that i quickly grabbed my boots and bolted outside in my PJs. Who cares if my nails were not dried yet.

IT WAS SNOWING...

I've never seen snow or falling snow before, it was beautiful.

I wanted to dance in the streets the whole night, 

overwhelmed I started crying, these were tears of joy.

It was my last night in Seoul, and a perfect ending too.

Seoul is a very magical place.

Once the snow stopped, we started to make our way back to our room and get some shut-eye.

I was extremely happy the following morning.

There wasn't much snow left, but enough to make my day :)

Another thing to try when in Seoul is there many themed cafés.

My friend and I explored Hongdae 

and accidentally came across a...

 Hello Kitty Café

Look how cute the place is !!!

...everything inside was Hello Kitty...

...even their drinks...

( ^_^)~(^_^ )

Once we were done with our coffee break, we made our way back to "Kimchi Guest House" at Sinchon to pack our luggage and get ready for our flight to Beijing, which was in a couple hours. 

But we had to have our last Korean meal at our favourite place and say our farewells to the kind hearted owners we met on our first day in Seoul :,(

Just when I finally got used to the spicy korean food, it was time for me to leave. It was a sad moment but I was glad to have met the mother and daughter of the restaurant.

This won't be the last time I will see Seoul.

I will defiantly make my way back...

maybe during winter, just to see snow again haha

Stay tuned for my next adventure post to Beijing :)

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xox

(p.s: unless disclaimed, all pictures were taken by me on iphone 4s, apologies for any blurriness)

So much Seoul: Chicken Ginseng Soup & Visiting Hongdae

10th December 2013

Today we went to visit one of Seoul's most popular restaurant,

Tosokchon (토속촌), well known for their "Chicken Ginseng Soup" or "samgyetang".

DIRECTIONS:

Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2.
Go straight about 170m and turn left onto Jahamun-ro 5-gil Road.
Tosokchon (토속촌) is located 10m ahead on the left.

Chicken Ginseng Soup

(plus unlimited kimchi)

...

This dish was perfect for one, 

thats if you don't have breakfast tho, 

the Chicken Ginseng Soup was really warm and filling, 

especially in the cold weather we were in at the time. 

It felt really nice and healthy, 

because of all the traditional herbs and roots that were stuffed into the chicken and added to the ginseng broth. 

According to the owners, the signature dish is made with glutinous rice, gingko nuts, ginseng, garlic and jujube, as well as 30 different types of medicinal herbs and grains.

yummmmmmmmmmy...

Afterwards we decided to visit Hongdae.  

There is a street there called "Ewha Women's University Fashion Street" or "Hongdae-ap" which is popularly known for its youthful and romantic ambience, underground cultures, and freedom of self-expression. 

There are also plenty of unique cafes, cozy galleries, accessory stores, fashion shops, live cafés and clubs, art markets, and gourmet eateries make this a popular hang-out for locals in their 20s and 30s and a fascinating place to walk around.

My friend and I visited a place called... 

"ZOO COFFEE"

Its a nice cozy place with a great view to observe the culture.

...with great coffee and deserts...

Since it was getting late we decided to just chill for the night and come back tomorrow.

Till next time folks!!! 

~CHEERS ( ^_^)/

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xox

(p.s: unless disclaimed, all pictures were taken by me on iphone 4s, apologies for any blurriness)

So much Seoul: School Food & Street Food in Myeong-dong

8th December 2013

Today my friend and I visited Myeong-dong to try a place called "School Food" and also to try some street food we saw the other day when we were visiting the place.

 School Food (스쿨푸드) 

...is a food chain that offers funky fushion gimbap as well as some pretty spicy tteokbokki. 

They even got fried chicken and salad, noodles and rice dishes. 

The dishes are geared towards the younger crowds like teenagers and college students, but the portions are enough to fill you up.

Fresh fruit drink "Ade" (딸기코튼에이드)

It was very refreshing, almost like sparkling juice.

&

Fried Dumplings + Fried Chicken Salad

I recommend trying: 

"Topokki"

...a popular Korean snack made from soft rice cake and fish cake with very red and spicy chilli sauce. 

This dish also came with blood sausages on the side, I personally did not like the flavour or texture of it. 

I think it was an acquired taste...

&

"Mari"

...a koran version of sushi, but try the squid ink coated rice mari (the black sushi). 

The flavour is uniquely unusual but very satisfying. 

It is a tad chewy from the squid filling, but the rice has a sweet flavour to it.

Once we were done, we made our way out to the streets for more food LOL 

Another thing to try when in Seoul is the various snacks they sell and offer on the streets.

...deep fried seasoned potatoes spiralling on a skewer...

...fish shaped cakes...

...squid..squid...and more squid... 

...fried sweet bread dumpling...

 ...and a variety of sausages....

We stayed at Myeong-dong till it got dark.

 I was sooo full, my stomach was about to explode that day

...but I was very happy, 

because of all the delicious new food of course haha...

Till next time ~ Cheers

( ^_^)/

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xox

(p.s: unless disclaimed, all pictures were taken by me on iphone 4s, apologies for any blurriness)

So much Seoul: Bongeunsa Temple, Gangnam & Army Base Stew

7th December 2013

Today my friend and I visited the "Bongeunsa Temple", but first ... brunch at our favourite place across our guesthouse( ^_^)/ 

I had the stir-fry spicy pork and tofu bean paste stew with rice...

"errrthangg was spicyyy except for moi rice..."

but I enjoyed the meal, kept me warm on that cold day.

To reach Bongeunsa Temple we had to catch a train from Sinchon station (where we were) to Samseong station. 

It was about a 40minute train ride.

I did not mind the long trip because I was curious how Seoul looked like from the ride. 

Here are a few snaps...

When we arrived at Samseong we had to walk a block to visit the temple.

Directions:

Samseong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 6.

Go 600m forward, and turn left.

Go 150m forward, and cross the road to arrive at Bongeunsa Temple.

You will know if you are in the right spot when there is only one traditional building against modern, tall buildings. 

Arriving at Bongeunsa Temple I was already in awe from the grand illustrated gates. 

Walking down further and you could see ropes of wishes...

You may also wish to write down one for yourself for luck.

Further down and you'll see the temple.

This is the main entrance to Bongeunsa.

I really do admire traditional historical buildings, especially all the details that have been put into them. 

Bongeunsa Temple just kept getting better and better...

Once entering the temple, the place was filled with lanterns and messages.

Even the steps were detailed and beautiful...

The steps lead to a praying room.

 My friend and I went inside for a good half hour or so to chill.

It was a very peaceful and holly place to be.

Meditated until a few younger kids came in and started to spoil the peace, ah kids... 

Apparently you are supposed to complete 108 bows; each one helping to free the mind from busy thoughts...

Maybe I am to young to understand, or don't have any troubles, but there was a lady beside me who was constantly bowing and chanting.

#respect

All photos were taken behind the glass, or out side. 

Once we were done, we made our way to Korea's tallest Buddha statue.

(Which is also located within the area)

Again... still admiring the details on this temple...

...

BEHOLD

...

THE GREAT STATUE OF MAITREYA BUDDHA

...

The great statue of Maitreya Buddha, at 23 meters, is the tallest statue of Maitreya Buddha in Korea and has become the pride of Bongeunsa. 

The construction started in 1986 and took ten years to complete.

 The courtyard where the statue is located is used for various ceremonies and cultural events.

I look tiny... 

Within an instant, day became night.

We were also lucky to hear the Buddhist temple bells on our way out.

My friend and I also went to check out the famous "Gangnam"

(...which PSY hyped in his song)

To get there we also took the train, which was very convenient for us because it was on the same subway line.

Directions: 

Gangnam Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 10 or 11.

Gangnam is a very, very, very busy place.

Once you get off the subway station it is obvious that the place is more trendier and popular.

There are plenty of well dressed teens and adults in this area...

...and more plastic...

...plastic surgery ads...

(O_O)

Many people gather at Gangnam Subway Station as a meeting point.

It is suitable geographically and commercially for social gatherings and events.

Many visitors travel to Gangnam to take advantage of its convenient transportation, fashion malls, movie theatres and bookstores.

I, on the other hand, take advantage of their cafe stores...

Today I am trying "TWOSOME PLACE"

(Twosome Place is a European-style dessert café that offers 'small indulgence' through a wide assortment of premium beverages, including deep roasted coffee, and desserts such as mousse, tiramisu, tarts, shortcakes, cupcakes, muffins, yogurt ice cream, macaroon and crème brulee.)

 By the end of our coffee break we went back to Myeong-dong to do more make-up shopping and to grab dinner.

We came across a random place in one of the allies. 

To our surprise, we had something called...

"BuDae JjiGae"

(부대 찌개)

...which is also known as Army Base Stew...

This dish was originated during and after the Korean War, when Koreans had very little to eat. 

People made this dish by combining leftover Spam and hot dogs from U.S. Army facilities, and mixed it with whatever else was available. 

All of the leftovers were combined with water in a large pot and boiled. 

Nowadays, most Koreans have enough to eat, but this dish is still very popular with more varied ingredients added to it. 

It was a tad spicy but I still recommend you to try it.

When in Korea, right! Why not.

( ^_^)/ 

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xox

(p.s: unless disclaimed, all pictures were taken by me on iphone 4s, apologies for any blurriness)