31 Street Foods in Korea

April 22, 2014

1. Stir-fried Ricecakes - 떡볶이 (tteokbokki)

3. Korean Carp Bread - bungeoppang (붕어빵)

6. Long-coned Ice Cream. Enjoy even during chilly winter days!

8. Steamed Silkworm Larvae - 번데기 (beondegi)

9. Old-Fashioned Sugar Candy - 뽑기 (ppopgi)

9b. Woman waiting for customers at her ppopgi stand.

10. Dragon’s beard candy - 꿀타래 (kkultarae)

14b. Before the egg bread gets baked. Yolk swimming on the surface.

17. Fruit (i.e. strawberries) - 과일 (gwail)

18. Fresh Pomegranate Juice - 석류 주스 (sungryu juseu)

23. Smiley Face Fries - 스마일 감자 (seumail gamja)

26. Twister Potatoes - 회오리감자 (hwaeori gamja)

28. Dried Seafood (Squid & Octopus) - 건어물 (geoneomul)

For the walking tour of the street foods in Myeongdong, watch KWOW episode 142.

Staying at Love Motel in Korea

April 14, 2014

9pm on a snowy Saturday night. I'm surrounded by love motels. They're been re-branded as "design hotels" and are not half as sketchy as you may assume. That is not to say every "design hotel" is 100% safe for solo female tourists to stay in. Do your research beforehand. Check out photos and reviews online. I decided to stay at Hotel Pop near Insadong. I called to make a reservation, but was told there will be spare rooms if I come around 9pm.

Little did I know there were three Hotel Pops. What were the differences? Were they the same but expanded into three buildings due to the success of the first establishment? Or copycats? Later I learned each Hotel Pop had a different owner.

I passed by Hotel Pop 3 first. Photos of their hotel rooms were displayed on the street. Each room had an unique theme and came with a TV, free Wi-Fi, iPod dock, etc. Sounded promising. Before making any decisions I walked to the other Hotel Pops to see their room menu.

It's common for "design hotels" to have mop-like curtains for their parking entrance. They serve as privacy screens for their customers.

Hotel Pop 2 also had some fun-themed rooms. I was tempted to stay in the Black Castle room, however headed over to Hotel Pop 1 to see what they had to offer.

More moppy garage curtains. This was the entrance to Hotel Pop 1.

Turned out there were only two rooms left at Hotel Pop 1. I chose the room on the sixth floor.

A big TV. Two computers. Perfect unbroken Wi-Fi. Air-conditioning. Hot tub. 24-hour room service. All this for 80,000 won for a night? Not too bad. I've stayed in boring and dusty hotel rooms for the same price before.

The tub took forever to fill, but the minute it was ready... Life was heaven. Then push the pulsating jets for double heaven.

The tub and shower were separate. The toilet had its own separate partition as well.

Considering that many individuals continue to use "design hotels" as love motels, I didn't see or hear anything naughty. My room was quiet and dark; it was the most restful sleep I've had in Korea. Who knew you could clock in some serious beauty sleep at a love motel?

There were other love motels, however the Hotel Pop threesome were the most welcoming as they displayed photos of their rooms outside. Unless you're in an emergency situation, I don't recommend staying at a love motel that doesn't show their photos.

Next time I visit Seoul, I'll be trying out another "design hotel." If I could stay at Hotel Pop for my entire trip, it'd be a beauty sleep dream come true.

Street lined with love motels. Excuse me, I mean design hotels.

Hotel Pop 1
Address: 186,Nakwon-dong,Jongru-gu, Jongro (Insadong, Seoul, South Korea)
Directions: Exit 1 at Jongno 3-ga Station. Walk straight then turn right at Supyo-ro. Turn right again after passing the hair salon. Walk straight and Hotel Pop will be on your right.

Best Indian Food in Seoul, Korea

March 25, 2014

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:

Blog

31 Street Foods in Korea

Staying at Love Motel in Korea

Best Indian Food in Seoul, Korea