Hankering for a weekend getaway from Seoul? Then consider heading to Jeonju, the capital of North Jeolla Province. A short three hour bus ride (or an even shorter one and a half hour KTX ride) will take you to this charming city that features a historical setting, an artistic vibe and a gastronomic reputation. Earlier this …
When I was in elementary school, I refused to anything that the school cafeteria spit out. I was an extremely picky eater and because of this, my mom had no choice but to prepare a lunch box for me everyday. I would get so excited to see what she had packed at lunch time: a …
One of the first Korean words I learned after my arrival to the peninsula was bbali (빨리). Meaning “fast,” it’s a term used frequently and, in my opinion, perfectly summarizes the entire country in two syllables. After all, the nation rose from the ashes of the Korean War in a mere six decades to become …
I wouldn’t call myself a foodie. I don’t use pretentious adjectives to describe lettuce. I don’t pontificate about the ingredients of the barbecue sauce on my pulled pork sandwich, or the perfect picking season for truffles. That being said, I DO appreciate good food and value quality, fresh ingredients. Sometimes to an unhealthy extent (which you …
Although there aren’t any statistics to back this up, I assume that Seoul, South Korea has a bigger concentration of cafes than any other city in the world. Which is pretty impressive, considering that coffee was practically unknown until the late Joseon dynasty in the early 1900s. Even then, coffee shops, or dabang as they …
“Oh God,” I wince as the card I have just drawn from a well-worn deck is turned over to reveal an ominous image that instantly reminds me of the woman from The Ring. “That can’t be good,” I note as my eyes take in the oriental ink sketching that surely, in my mind, is indicative …
The penis. As unattractive as it may be, it has remained to be an important symbol of strength, fertility and power in cultures all the world over since the beginning of time. From ancient Pompeii to Egyptian hieroglyphics to the costumes of modern day tribesmen of New Guinea, phallic imagery has been used unabashedly. Unsurprisingly, …
Earlier this week, international sensation Psy debuted his latest release, “Hangover,” featuring American rapper Snoop Dogg (er… Lion) on his oft-visited YouTube channel. Responses to the video have been mixed. Some believe the song is just as catchy as his “Gangnam Style,” a viral hit that has received over 2 billion views to date. Still …
Over the past decade, coffee shops have taken over the streets throughout South Korea; it’s impossible to walk around neighborhood without running into a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or Tom and Toms. Competition for customers is high so it’s not surprising that entrepreneurs have begun to try out creative methods to make their businesses stand out …
Note: As of September 2015, Cargo 127 is now closed. One of the biggest culinary trends to hit South Korea over the past couple years is that of craft beer. Subsequently, microbreweries and small gastropubs have been mushrooming throughout Seoul, particularly in the neighborhoods of Itaewon, Gyeongnidan and Haebangchon. Each of these watering holes offers …