Seoul Food Guide

'Hey I'm going to Seoul in xxx! Any recommendations not ah?'

So...many have been asking me what are the recommended cafes/food places in Seoul, hence I've compiled a list of my personal favorites that I've gathered over my short 4 months there! This list is targeted for tourists/short trip people, so to those on exchange, there are MANY other places that you can slowly explore like in those obscure back alleys - sometimes the food there tastes really good. I'm a really budget person, so apart from taste, value for money is a key factor that I take into consideration! Everyone knows that my mantra is #auntieheart - whatever is cheap and good works. Also, if you are balking at the lack of spicy stuff - thats because I don't take spicy food haha so sorry about that! Also, I'm not a fan of street food much cos they're 1. overpriced 2. not very impressive 3. most are spicy.

There were a few good korean eateries too, but those were not english/menu friendly, as the ahjumma would simple recommend what was the dishes for the day, and their locations are not easy to note down as well. Hence it would be easier to ask a local Korean if you really want to find these small eateries! Nevertheless, as a foreigner, these are some the places that I really liked and went back repeatedly :)

Myeong Dong

명동교자 Myeong Dong Gyoja

Directions easily found here

They are famous for Kalguksu, someting like our handmade noodles, and of course their mandu! This store is frequently patronised by tourists, and I really hate tourist traps but I have to admit that their noodles and mandu are REALLY good. SO much better than the kind of random mandu you buy off the street. The Kalguksu is simply noodles with abit of minced meat? but i loved their soup! Best of all, the noodles are REFILLABLE. So we just ordered 1 bowl for 2 to share, and requested for an additional serving of noodles after we finished - "Guksu chuka juseyo" (not sure if its grammatically correct but it worked). We were SO FULL. Priced around 8000 won per dish.

O'Sulloc
Yes another tourist cafe!! But I do love their cakes, their green tea swiss roll is really light and nice! Their ice cream is soso though. They also sell tea leaves etc, great for little souvenirs!

Beansbins Cafe

Another cafe joint! The one at Myeongdong is on the 2nd floor - the sign is quite prominent if you are walking along the main street. Anyway, I would say skip the waffles, go for the cakes and coffee! Mad love their red velvet cake! They also have specialty coffee beans, and even their usual blend is oh-so-aromatic! Their mint mocha is refreshing and strong tasting. Missing this cafe right now :(

Isaac Toast

Of course, for a quick breakfast, you can never miss out Isaac Toast! Note that the Korean Toasts are sweet - they add some sweet sauce. But if you're not a fan of that, simply order those without the sauce! They pan fry the bread with butter - oh so good fragrant unhealthiness!!! Prices average 2,000 won per toast

Gangnam

Butterfinger Pancakes

88-9 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu (강남구 청담동 88-9번지)

Firstly, I would recommend that you visit this place on a weekday. The first time I went, it was on a weekend when we had to wait for a table and the pancakes didn't taste fantastic - in fact, we struggled to finish it. However, seeing how delish the mixed platter looked on other tables, I went back a second time on a sunny weekday morning and HOLY SHIT the pancakes were SO GOOD. I have no idea why there was a taste disparity. Do order their breakfast platter as their other offerings (ham, rosti, sausage etc) were delish as well! Can't say the same for their pancakes. The original pancakes are still the bomb! Also, they have 3 types of butter to choose from - do ask for the butter+sugar kind of butter (I forgot what its exact name on the menu was). HEAVEN.

Chloris Tea and Coffee

One of my favourite cafe joints!!! They have a branch in Hongdae as well, and their cafes are always a few stories high!! Super love their decor and ambience. I always go for their Assam Black milk tea 

(5,500 won), THEIR WHIPPED CREAM IS ALSO TEA FLAVOURED! I dont even....... Anyway, they are also famous for their milk tea bingsu thing! 

Mapo Galmaegi BBQ

My favourite BBQ joint! MUST MUST order the pork skirt meat (Galmaegi) - its the first 2 on the menu, spicy and non spicy version. They serve generous servings of salad/beansprouts/kimchi all, and I guess the favourite part for most of us is the EGG! you see the egg around the bbq pan, they will mix it with the kimchi then pour it there and it will be cooked. It just tastes SO GOOD. If you are unsure of which BBQ restaurant to go, this is a safe bet!

Street food

Okay I don't have a photo for this but there's two street food that I ALWAYS eat when I'm in Gangnam - Hotteok and Gyeran bbang! Hotteok is a sort of fried pancake with cinnamon/sugar inside - Look out for a WHITE tent from exit 11 (the exit that heads out to uniqlo side). on the opposite side of the road where there are more bars/after Krispy Kreme, theres this guy selling Gyeran bbang with ham (literally egg bread with ham) for 1000 won, and it tastes SO good! the same thing without the ham sells for 2000 won in Myeongdong, which is a RIPOFF.

Sinsa

Sinsa is one of my favourite go to place - so many cafes and shopping!! Unfortunately I didn't have the time to strike off all the cafes on my Sinsa list - just way too many. Oh but give the Godiva cafe a miss, its crap, the ice cream is crap. 

Sigol Babsang

549-9 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu

Just off the famous Garosugil, you can find my favourite Hanshik joint! You have to walk all the way to Forever21 building, then turn right into the small street. It will be on your left after a very crowded Chicken and Beer joint.

Hanshik refers to the traditional Korean meal with a TABLEFUL of banchan (side dishes). We went on our first day in Korea and thought they scammed us because their menu was misleading and we had limited Korean... hahaha. Their side dishes are free flow so one can easily get full on those! The above photo was my 2nd time there with patricia, we ordered the doenjang jigae (soybean paste soup) as you have to order the soup to get the side dishes, then added a beef bulgogi (HEAVEN - the serving is REALLY big) and steamed egg. OH and their makgeolli (the bowl at the top right corner) was good as well!! Yes, we ate alot haha. I think 4 people could share the above... but oh well. This came up to about 15,000 won for each of us, which was really reasonable.

The Flying Pan White

540-22 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Sinsa also houses The Flying Pan, a western brunch place. They have various branches around Seoul, including The Flying Pan Blue, Red, which has different menu offerings! Went to this spot with the other SNU-SMU people, and their offerings are quite similar to Singapore - Eggs royale, etc. Would highly recommend their pancakes with fig and ricotta cheese (THAT MOUNTAIN OF CHEESE)- super filling and I absolutely adore the combination! Rarely see these ingredients in Singapore! Brunch courses are around 16,000-20,000 won.

Moon Jar Makgeolli bar
Okay this is HIGHLY recommended by the makgeolli connoisseur Mr. Ooi! It was quite epic we just kept going to different makgeolli places in the last week. I never got the chance to go there because when they went me and patty were at sigol babsang and it was WINTER and Moon Jar is actually quite far off Sinsa station, so we couldn't walk over hahaha. It is closer to Apgujeong, but oh well, just take a cab there!! Winter is just SO BAD. Anyway, food is on the pricey side here but apparently they have a wide range of makgeolli! A must go to try good and quality makgeolli!

 Ewha Women's University/ Sinchon

Alchon

Well I rarely go to Ewha for a meal, and I totally regret why did I not try this earlier??? This is the renowned Flying Fish Roe Bibimbap - and it costs only 3,500 won!!! I super love cheap and good stuff haha #auntieheart! You can choose your sauce and spiciness level etc. A fuss free food joint for students who are simply looking for a cheap meal.

Waffle Bant

Okay you can find this chain in many places, but they also have a cafe located at the junction of Sinchon/Ewha round about! I swear they make the BEST belgian waffles among all the wannabe cafe joints in Seoul. A definite must go!!

8 Colour Meat
Sinchon station exit 6
Sorry for this really bad photo haha I think I was too busy eating!! anyway, 8 colour meat refers to a bbq with 8 FLAVOURS OF PORK BELLY! They have really interesting flavours like herbs, ginseng, curry, etc etc! and free flow veggies and mushroom! Prices are really reasonable at about 30,000 per set, which can feed 2. They also have a spicy seafood soup/stew thing that comes with every table! The servers will cook the pork belly for you, so no worries about not knowing when it is cooked or not! A definite MUST try if you head to Seoul!

Gosami Grilled Fish
Directions can be found here
This place is affectionately known to us as the 'Sinchon fish place'. Haha! Many students frequent this place as they have reasonable prices, and I personally feel that their fish is better than the ones at the Dongdaemun grilled fish street! Its a little troublesome to find and their menu is in Korean, but they only have just 3 choices so its really easy to order!

호밀밭 (Homilpat)

4-77 Changcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu

Whats Seoul without Patbingsu (Shaved Ice)??? Homilpat is my favourite patbingsu place, definitely not an exaggeration when we say that their shaved ice is finer than SNOW. yes SNOW. totally feels like you're eating snow!! So amazing. The fruit one is delish, but my favourite is still the original ! Their queues are snaking long after dinner, so choose the right time to go when there's no queue!

Seoul National University Area/Nakseongdae

Traditional Makgeolli House - I think its called Po Seok
서울 관악구 인헌동 1634-8
Signboard looks like that

A traditional makgeolli house in Nakseongdae, with a super friendly boss who tries to engage us although I could hardly understand his Korean hahahaha. Makgeolli is cheap here - 5,000 won for the pot, but of course their food is expensive! We always order their seafood pancake (15,000 won) because it is honestly MUCH BETTER than the ones elsewhere, albeit having too much vegetables in it. We also adored their beansprouts - somehow the marination/sauce just tastes amazing!!

Others


Tosokchon
Gyeongbokgung Station
This place needs no introduction! Just do a google search and you can get tons of reviews on their ginseng chicken. I was quite skeptical at the start as well, as I read some reviews that it sucks, tasteless etc, but I realised that there's a way to eat ginseng chicken! 2 simple tips: 1. DONT DRINK THE WINE, pour it into the soup! 2. Once you get your dish, quickly open the chicken, find the ginseng, crush it! Many people think that it's tasteless because THE GINSENG IS IN THE CHICKEN. and if you're gonna drink the soup before you open and start eating the chicken obviously its gna be plain chicken soup........ I did the above and my meal was heavenly. Comes with a price of 15,000 won per bowl though, but worth it!

Of course, there are other amazing places to eat in Seoul - I would recommend the small alleys in Insadong - authentic Hanshik and more makgeolli!!! But if you have limited time and are going to the above areas, do check these places out :) Will be updating this place if I recall other places!

Goodbye 2013, hello 2014

Somehow, the memories of how I spent the past New Year's Eves are still quite vivid in my mind. 2012 was a fantastic year - in fact, I think it was the best year of my university life. Although 2013 pales in comparison, it was still a pretty good year, filled with abundant learning experiences. Growing old is scary - the change in the type of conversations we have, that now ranges from BTO to health problems, and the reality pains of an adult... No wonder everyone says that it is better to be a student, and I fully concur with that notion.

The more I age, the worse my memory (and maybe even my intellectual ability) becomes. I cannot really remember what happened in 2013. Or maybe it was simply an uneventful year, since I definitely did less fun stuff due to more serious commitments. 2013 was dominated by two major events that were life changing: Getting a pet dog and going on exchange to Seoul. Will go into exchange in greater detail in another post. While it hadn't exactly been a 'fun' year, it was a year of personal growth.

I am kind of dreading 2014 - will be embarking on a 6 month long internship, and that's probably a prelude to the real working life after graduation. I can't believe there's only 2 more semesters left to mark the end of my 16 years of education. Nevertheless, I do hope that it will be a fruitful year ahead, and lesser health problems for all my loved ones.

Happy New Year to everyone!

SNU Exchange - Finding accomodation!

Hello!!! Haven’t been on this blogging space in AGES… was busy with internship and pre-exchange stuff, but now that’s all settled and I've passed my first month in Seoul now! 

I'd just like to touch on one issue that was a major source of headache for this exchange.. and hope my recount will be useful for other future snu exchange students!

Accomodation

London Trip - July 2013

Well well I haven't been here in a while! I'm currently in Seoul - had been busy settling down in this foreign country and settling all the administrative issues that burdens any exchange :(

Just a quickie update to try to clear my backlog of photos... so here's some shots from my London visit in July. It was my first time in London! I wasn't there purely for travel, as my family went over to attend my brother's graduation ceremony from King's College... 3 years sure flew by!

London (in fact, most parts of europe) is such a beautiful city! I love the architecture, all that intricate details. There are just too many photos that I want to share!! Gotta find an alternative method for uploading all those photos. any ideas?

Anyway, here are some that I managed to capture on the trip!

Taobao Shopping Guide

Hey all!

Many have been asking me how one can order from mega shopping website Taobao.com, so here's a guide on how to do so! I will be listing a few ways on how to order so do read on and determine which are you most comfortable with! Its fairly simple even for those who don't read Chinese :)

SMU Exchange Application

I've decided to post a brief summary on how to apply for exchange since its the application season again! Its pretty confusing and too much information overload if you actually DO read through the stuff on Oasis.. but I'm thankful to have seniors giving me advice on where to go and how to apply!

I applied to universities in South Korea, so hope this post will be handy for those who are eyeing South Korea as well ;)

Taobao Haul April 2013

How to buy from Taobao

Taobao haul again!!

This came quite long ago, but here's a belated post because I have been hell busy the past few months. Probably the last Taobao haul till I head to Seoul! Really ought to curb my spending ugh.

 Best buys from this haul were these 2 really simple chiffon tanks!

Store: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.w15083534-18342775494.1.tYAn09&id=15035977496

I always wanted basic tanks but most blogshops were either selling cotton ones (which would become out of shape after a few washes) or pathetically thin and sheer chiffon tanks. I was sooo happy when I found this on taobao! it is double layered hence not sheer. Bought it in lilac and black!

Its a very basic cut, wore it in the following photo with lacepipe's floral jeans:

Might consider getting this in other colours since its so versatile and cooling for Singapore's weather! :)

Food and more food

Haven't been updating this space in ages because I have been busy with internship! The only good thing is that I haven't faced the need to bring home work to do over the weekends.

Finally went out yesterday to The Rotisserie for brunch and Litying's pop up cafe!

It has been almost a year since we last headed to The Rotisserie (Review here) and it was full so we had to sit outdoors :(

The usual orders:

Just realised that I ate alot of potato food yesterday LOL. Potatos for every meal.

Headed to The Spatula and The Pen's first pop up cafe at 4point3 after that! It was started by my very talented senior who really bakes awesome goodies. and I am such a fan!! blew $14 on these goodies:

Had the malteses' cheescake and its was OH SO GOODDD. I really wanted to try everything she had especially the speculoos crack pie but due to budget constraints I just got a cheesecake :) Her prices are comparable to cafes etc but her cakes are SO MUCH NICER.

Also bought 2 cupcakes, chocolate mint for sh who likes mint and my personal favourite earl grey baileys! 3.80 might be a little pricey for a cupcake but whats unique is that her cupcakes have a ganache/cream(?) in the middle!!! and her chocolate ganache is always strong enough for my taste :')

Also, just last week, my family finally got a pet dog - a Shih Tzu! I went to visit it yesterday again but we can only bring it home next week because of vaccinations. It has been a long search for a dog and we wanted to adopt one initially but after countless futile attempts of trying to adopt one (We were always rejected simply because we did not have any prior experience.. what is this discrimination), we just decided to get a young puppy. It is a little rascal but yet so endearing. Have been doing extensive research on how to train it, hope that all goes well!

Lacepipe Floral Jeans

Finally had the time to post up some photos of my blogshop buys. Retail therapy during exams heh.

Fossil watch, Lilac tank from Taobao, Navy and White Floral Pants from Lacepipe

Finally got this pair of floral pants from Lacepipe thanks to restocks! Got it in M which was tagged L. haha. FAT. Absolutely loving the floral prints, its not that common and the colour combination makes it fairly easy to match. Just that I have to be extra careful since its white, can't just sit anywhere. meh. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is made of real denim material, thought it would just be those kind of pseudo-jeans material!

Anyway I chopped off my hair (yet again), and its ultra short now. Feels super airy though, plus loving the fact that my hair dries so quickly now! Extremely useful since I only reach home at 11/12+am nowadays due to production practices and I don't have to waste precious sleep time waiting for the hair to dry.

Summer has come and gone

Surprise surprise, I have actually gotten wayy busier after exams. So I went to clarke quay on tuesday, my only free day after exams but before work started, to just chillax and have my hair treatment. Have been trying to work the dslr, but its so difficult! haha there are just too many functions and settings.

Headed to Relish for dinner with sh finally. havent met up in ages!! ;(

Gourmet burgers indeed.

 Bacon & xxx burger. all the sinful stuff on a plate.

I had some Blue cheese with poached pear burger. I must say the combination is kinda weird. Well blue cheese is... salty and cheesy, the pear was sweet, and it was accompanied by a layer of semi-chunky peanut butter.... the taste was one of a kind. 

I think I'd still head back to Fatboys or Handburger next time.

Haven't even had the time to update this space with my taobao hauls *yikes*.  well stay tuned for a massive shopping haul in the next few posts. haha. all my exam retail therapy buys!

Oh Hi Nikon - Camera Buying Experience

I'm such a camera junkie.

I already have a Canon compact and a semi-pro, but look at whats the latest addition to the family:

My Nikon D5100! :D

 Photos by my trusty compact of course heehee.

So I was contemplating getting either a mirrorless Olympus or a DSLR for quite some time. Well part of the hesitation was because a DSLR is just SO FREAKING HEAVY. But after weeks of thinking and talking to people, I decided to invest in a DSLR.

Then came the issue of WHICH to get... and oh my god never knew there were so many models. Well, price was a major factor and I decided on Nikon rather than Canon in the end... Change of brand eh. and after pestering avid photographers Flo and Nelson for advice, I kind of settled on the D3s/5s but was open to the D90 as well. gosh really too many models. 

So started the hunt on clubsnap forums for a decent 2nd hand one (because first hand was just TOO expensive), and after many attempts of futile bargaining - I swear photography is a male world. the countless "hey bro" opening msgs i received- I saw a sale post by a female seller at a decent price! :D well dont mind me stereotyping that girls DO take better care of their cameras... so I immd arranged for viewing and yay fast fingers secured me the deal. Definitely was apprehensive about 2nd hand ones after reading stories bout mould, fungus growing in the lens etc LOL. But when I held the camera, oh man it was literally love at first touch and I just had to get it, hahhahaha. Plus it was a pretty good deal I didnt have to bargain anything!

The stuffs in the package. 

The standard items: Camera bag, Body, Kit Lens, Lens cap, Nikon Strap, Battery

The extra items that she threw in: Black rapid strap, UV filter, Polarizing Filter, Memory card (SURPRISINGLY other sellers didn't include memory card when selling I was like whut)

And I got an additional original Nikon Battery + Nikon Remote from her as well for a reasonable price! 

I was lugging everything around on my birthday - definitely didn't expect the whole kit to be so heavy omg hahaha. 

All of these cost me less than 600 bucks. Woohoo! I'm pretty sure the price will go down in the next few months but I'm just to eager to get one and start learning how to take proper photos before going for exchange heh. :)

21st

Sh brought me for a lovely birthday dinner at the Salt Grill and Sky Bar at Ion. 

Such an atas place! haha. Impeccable service. The view was mad awesome, if not for the dirty window glass! We shared some crab omelette for appetizer and he had the spatchcock while I had the beef ribs for our mains. Super delicious and flavorful ! absolutely loved the mash potatoes. I think the most telling sign of whether a chef is good would be the mashed potatos. It was just so heavenly omg. 

And a dainty Fossil watch for my pressie! :) It is just perfect to wear for my internship heh. Haven't had a watch in ages so I hope I'll take care of it properly!!

Photos taken with my new Nikon D5100 :) Was so excited that I just started taking photos of everything with it haha! shall blog about it more another time!

Ohvola Sale Loots!

After my first lost mail with ohvola, I didn't purchase anything from them already until they had a sale a few weeks back.

This time, I was kiasu enough to opt for registered postage! better play safe. heh. and thank goodness they arrived safe and sound!

Bought the Dolce lapel jacket in White and Lilya crochet frock in daffodil. MY FIRST YELLOW DRESS!!! I had always wanted a yellow dress.

Actual photos!

Looks so office ladyish when paired together.

The blazer isn't that well-manufactured, as you can see from the photo, the back tail (?) on the right side is longer than the left tail. It is padded at the shoulder and there's also a hidden front hook! I thought the lapel front design was pretty unique. Also, the colour is, well, pure white. absolutely no tinge of cream in it. Given that I got it for only 20 odd after postage, I guess its quite a decent purchase! I'm super worried that i'll dirty it though. woes of white clothing D:

As for the dress, it is made of rather stiff lace fabric. And the colour is pretty hard to capture on camera, it is a really rich golden yellow! none of my photos are anywhere near the color haha. The colour is so powerful I wonder if I'll dare to wear it out.

M was a little too loose so I just tied a satin sash as a belt.

The fit is okay, and I really like the length. Dresses that are too short are annoying, I prefer those that end just a few fingers above the knee! but there is this really awkward keyhole at the back, which doesn't look nice at all. I really dislike the exposed zip as well - they should just either have the keyhole and a hidden side zip or just 1 exposed zip at the back. I don't really understand why they need the exposed zip since there is already a hidden side zip. Kind of too many details going on.

The lovely lace details! :)

Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar Brunch Review

Headed to Skyve Elementary Bistro & Bar yesterday to try their brunch offerings.

Located deep in winstedt road, it was a pretty quiet place for a laidback saturday brunch.

The place offers both outdoor and indoor seating. There were comfy sofa chairs indoors but they didn't let us sit there although it was unoccupied :(

The brunch menu is somewhat pricey as compared to other brunch places. 

Funny placemat.

Ordered the Sous Vide Eggs Benedict ($18), which was largely disappointing. 

Pretty stingy with hollandaise sauce, and it was tasteless. A slice of tomato was sandwiched between the undercooked poached eggs and english muffin. the poached eggs were more like half boiled eggs, the whites were not set and it was so runny it was a little hard to eat. Streaky bacon was tough and overcooked, but the sweet corn was nice.

Sh ordered the truffle scrambled eggs ($18)! only tried a bite of the humongous portobello mushroom, which was fat and juicy. 

Overall a good place with a nice ambience, but the quality of food isn't worth the prices. :( shall stick to my other eggs benedict places!