Best Indian Food in Seoul, Korea

There will be times you crave ethnic foods other than the cuisine native to the country you're visiting. If you seek Indian food during your stay in Seoul, head over to Everest Restaurant where they serve Nepalese Indian fare. Vegetarian options are available. Tucked behind a bustling main street, keep your eyes open when looking for the eatery. Address: 148-1, 2F, Changsin 1-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si In Korean: 서울 종로구 창신1동 148-1번지 2층

Directions: Exit 3 from the Dongdaemun Station. Turn left at the end of the block (Jongro 51 gil). Then turn right at the first intersecting street (Jongro 51 ga-gil). Everest Restaurant is located on the second floor of a wooden and tiled building (see below).

Start off with the gentle Mango Lassi. I describe it as "gentle" because compared to the mango lassis I've had in Los Angeles and Barcelona, its sweetness is light. Quite possibly it may be a very healthy mango lassi considering they didn't add much sugar. Or perhaps none at all.

Maybe it is prepared juicier on better days, but the Chicken Tikka we were served was dry. However there are no problems on the dining table. Solve the dry chicken by dipping it into curry.

We immersed our deserty chicken into the spicy Malai Kofta. I'd rename it as "Candy Curry" due to its sweetness.

An Indian meal is never complete without some naan. My foodie friend (a.k.a.: my mother) and I made Indian tacos by tearing off medium-sized pieces of the Butter Naan. Then placed bits of chicken topped off with a spoonful of malai kofta, a sprinkle of flavorful cabbage and a squeeze of lemon. Have a bite. It'll taste like a Bollywood party in your mouth! Watch KWOW episode 138 for the demo :)

The colorful interior of Everest Restaurant during peak lunch hour.

Would I dine at Everest again? Verdict: hardcore yes. The food is delicious and affordable. The waiters and waitresses are native Nepalese. Dining here is a mini vacation. And who doesn't like a little getaway?

Map from Dongdaemun Station to Everest Restaurant:

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Namsan Tower & Locks of Love

Introducing the famous Namsan Tower...

Below the tower is the Locks of Love, a long-winding fence which holds thousands--if not a billion--of locks.

While families and friends are allowed to join in on the tradition, it's particularly a hotspot for couples. Visitors write a message on their lock and fasten it onto the fence. Good luck finding space!

I recommend buying a lock in advance. There's a store under the Namsan Tower that sells locks for almost double the price compared to the average shop.

If you don't have money, I suppose you can hang up your sock instead. Whoever hung up their sock, I want to meet you.

My friends and I bought a pink lock in Myeongdong, which we proudly named Jujume. We set up a combination number, wrote a message each, then searched for the perfect place to hang it. We promised to reunite at Namsan in 2024 where we fastened the lock.

Jujume's home for the next ten years.

Afterwards we danced with President Obama.

Amusing dolls found at the photo store under the Namsan Tower. Take a photo of your face and they'll place it into the blank doll. Your face will be three-dimensionalized!

Visit Namsan in the afternoon to catch performances of Korean martial arts, folk music and fan dances.

Don't forget to take a photo on the crooked bench. The person sitting in the middle will feel very loved. Or will feel squished.

See you in 2024 at Namsan!

Namsan Tower
Address: 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours: 10:00am – 11:00pm
Website: http://www.nseoultower.co.kr/eng

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Eating Live Octopus at Noryangjin Market

Who after watching "Old Boy" doesn't want to try live octopus? While I don't recommend Mr. Daesu's rugged style of eating sannakji as you may choke to death, you can head to Noryangjin Fish Market and have your live octopus cut by the seafood vendor into bite size pieces. Or have it prepared at a local seafood restaurant.

I challenged not only myself but also my mother. Will these two ladies chicken out or grow some balls? Ahem. I mean, be brave enough to try live octopus for the first time in their lives? Watch KWOW episode 136 to find out.

Directions to Noryangjin Fish Market: exit 1 from the Noryangjin Station. Walk up the stairs to the bridge and cross to the other side. Turn left and walk down a couple flights of stairs.

While walking the bridge you will see 63 City, a tall golden skyscraper on your left. It was built in 1988 for the Summer Olympics and houses a sea world, IMAX theater, wax museum and art gallery. Trivia: Psy dances in front of 63 City in his "Gentleman" music video.

Before you walk down the last set of stairs, be sure to look over the Noryangjin Market. In one glimpse you'll see the grid of seafood vendors.

Plenty of vendors sell live octopus. Stroll around and choose your preferred size. Admire the diverse colors and textures of other seafood while you're at it.

Then I came across an octopus with a cute butt. I decided to eat a smaller one from another tank.

Live octopus is commonly dipped in sesame oil before consumption. I decided to enjoy mine raw to the maximum without any additional flavors.

The reason people go wild over live octopus? Even when cut, the legs and other parts continue to move. Their tentacles will stick to your fingers. Chew well when eating! Otherwise the moving parts may stick to your throat.

I assumed my mother would not try the live octopus. She actually peeled a sticky piece off the to-go box and placed it into her mouth. After some chewing and pensive thinking, she stated it was delicious.

Would I try live octopus again? Perhaps if it's prepared with sesame oil. Eating live octopus is an unique experience, but I did feel bad for eating the little guy. The vegan gods are after me now.

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