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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Slobbie: Vegetarian Restaurant in Hongdae, Seoul

Korea loves its meat and refined carbs (i.e. white rice, pasta, waffles, yummy desserts, rice cakes, pizza). For the health-conscious, there aren't too many options in Seoul. However there is a restaurant in Hongdae which caters to both the omnivores and vegans. Introducing.... Slobbie! In Korean: 슬로비.

They sell nutritious dishes, creative desserts, coffee, tea and even alcohol. Yes, you can order makeolli, beer and soju! Why go anywhere else when you can get your dose of veggies AND get drunk under one roof? They've even got makeolli patbingsoo.

12 noon at lunch time. There's a kitchen space in the back of the restaurant you can rent for events and teaching classes.

Home Meal of the Day. Changes regularly, but will always come with banchan (Korean side dishes), kimchi, soup, salad and brown rice--which looks white.

In my two and half month stay in Seoul, I've been to Slobbie three times. I would've came more, but had to convince myself to explore untasted parts of the city.

If I were living around Hongdae for an extended period of time, I'd take advantage of their meal banking scheme. If you purchase 10 or 15 meals in advance, you get a 10% discount. 10 meals for 72,000 won. 15 meals for 102,000 won.

The Assorted Mushroom Omelette on brown rice (price 8,000 won).

The vegan Soybean Curry on brown rice. A pinch of sprouts and sprinkle of black sesame seeds.

A meal is never complete without increasing your chances of developing diabetes. Actually I'm trying to discipline myself from consuming too much sweets. On the other hand enjoy the desserts in Korea while you can. They're not as overly indulgent compared to American desserts. Trust me. I was raised in California. I never got a stomachache from eating cake in Seoul. Yet.

How can one not be curious of how Makeolli Patbingsoo tastes like?

Such a beauty. Look at her. The most modelesque Korean shaved ice I've laid my eyes on. Admire her tall and bodacious figure. She wears her tiara of sliced jujube on her cushiony platinum hair of rice cakes.

A closer view of her Royal Highness. Okay, but in all seriousness, the Makeolli Patbingsoo was my friends and I's favorite item ordered. The food is on the health and bland side. The dessert was flavorful.

Daytime drinking? Let's do it.

Blend Makeolli under the Rocks.

But if you're craving a warmer drink, order the Moju. It's a glass of makeolli flavored with apple, cinnamon and spices. Pure magic.

Directions to Slobbie: Exit 9 at the Hongik University Station. Turn left. Then turn right after Dunkin Donuts. Walk, walk, walk. You'll pass by the street shown below. Slobbie is located on the 5th floor in the same building as Olive Young.

ps: The first time at Slobbie I dined with Sophie. She's a contributor for Groove magazine and wrote an article on Professor Oh & Friends. Check it out in the April issue!

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