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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.

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:

Namsan Tower & Locks of Love

March 18, 2014

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

Blog

31 Street Foods in Korea

Best Indian Food in Seoul, Korea

Namsan Tower & Locks of Love