insadong-revisited




After spending an afternoon at Changdeokgung Palace near Insadong, I decided to drop a visit to one of my favorite areas in Seoul-Insadong. Something about this place always warms my heart.  The galleries, the street food vendors, traditional tea houses as well as the amazing Korean restaurants that won't kill your budget! For 5,000-6,000 won, you can eat until your stuffed! Now that's my kind of meal :)

This day was spent to pamper Sarah...I found the mandoo place that I so craved for all these years!  'Sadong Myunok - 사동면옥' is a famous mandoo (Korean dumpling) restaurant that my cousin took me to 4 + years ago, and couldn't find it a few months ago. But this day, I just couldn't leave Insadong until I found it. Their mandoo soup totally hit the spot, then picked up a 'hoduk' on my way to a tea house.
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changdeokgung palace

i'm always in awe with korean architecture...

Friends have been telling me to check out Changdeokgung Palace since I got here, and I picked the most perfect day to spend my day off...the weather was amazing!  The changing of the leaves were absolutely speechless.  Inside the palace, you can tour the 'queen's secret garden'-a 2 hour tour for 8,000 won. Note-there are specific tour times, and must get there early to reserve a spot!

My group was close to 100 or more, a pretty diverse group.  A few loners like myself, with their cameras ready in one hand, and hot coffee in the other.  It was a sweet, leisurely walk throughout the palace grounds...great time to spend with your significant others, or friends in town!
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the page

the brunch menu at 'the page'

Spent a Saturday afternoon with friends to check out this fairly new brunch spot 'The Page' in Bangbae-dong.

Their menu-pretty straight forward with very reasonable prices...really enjoyed most of the dishes, however my friends and I came to a conclusion that the portions are smaller than it looks.  So if you do go there, I would advise getting a side of waffles (mini waffles start at 3,000 won).  My favorite was the English egg muffin (their take on eggs benedict with beef instead of Canadian bacon).

The interior is to the point.  Minimal, the way I like it.  3 floors, with private sections if you would want to hold meetings.  Wi-fi available, valet available, however they do not take reservations.  The place is quite large, so you shouldn't have a hard time finding a table!
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bargain shopping in seoul



Flea markets in Seoul? Really??????

Platoon Kunsthalle Night Flea Market is where it's at...

The Bar that turns into a shopping meca the 1st Saturday of every month!

"The Platoon Kunsthalle concept, an aesthetic compound that has its flagship in Germany, is a place of artistic experimentation and subcultural socializing. Platoon Kunsthalle hosts art for patrons who are interested in creating and displaying their work, from urban art and contemporary photography to funky music and modish dance. It is an ideal place for people to find an outlet for artistic expression." (Courtesy of 10 magazine).

My friends and I had tons of fun stopping at this flea mkt-although I didn't end up getting anything...but eating German sausages, listening to live Dj's, and checking out the edgy fashionista's making their statement- a nice way to spend a Saturday evening.
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maakholic

maakholic is a makkoli/champagne bar in chungdam-dong

Just had to blog about this new spot I discovered through some of my sommelier friends! Maakholic is a makgoelli (Korean rice wine) and Champagne bar in Chungdam-dong.  Known to only carry specialty makgeolli and cocktails made with makgeolli that cannot be found elsewhere, this is a great spot for a weekend evening!

Makkoli is rice wine produced through fermenting a mixture of rice grains and boiled water.  This is what gives it it's milky sweetness.  Best served with pajeon (Korean style pancake).
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a few new spots in garosugil

one of the best sangrias, ever! allo papergarden-garosugil

I have to admit...I do write a lot about garosugil...but what can I say, I love my neighborhood, and there are so many places I have yet to check out! I'm still discovering new cafes, restaurants, shops, and bars each week. The list seems endless...but I do tend to make my way to the same places.  However, I'm really making more of any effort to check out the latest and the greatest sweet spots :)
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some of my favorite late nite eateries...

the best late nite eats in itaewon!!!

One of the best things about Seoul is that you can grab a bite almost any hour of the day! 3 am or even 5 am, always a spot to go...and the great thing is, you can find some of the best eats!  From Moroccan sandwich trucks on the streets of Itaewon, to sulung tang (Korean beef bone soup) in every neighborhood, and of course the pojang matchas (outdoor restaurants under tents that serve anything from soju to ramen).  The other week I had patbingsoo (Korean shaved ice with red bean dessert) at Coffee Smith in Garosugil at 2 am!
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seoul fashion week



All things fashion-from designers to fashionista's, came out to celebrate Seoul Fashion Week this past weekend!  The major street fair was in Garosugil, Sinsa-dong (my neighborhood)...you could find great deals on clothes, shoes, houseware, handbags, gadgets, and random things you will probably never use!

I was just happy to find 2 sweaters (15,000 won each, about $15). You just can't beat these prices!!!

It was nice to just walk around to see the latest trends this fall, and listen to some amazing live music!
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haeundae beach, pusan

haeundae beach...this was my view from the westin chosun restaurant where i had breaky and afternoon tea everyday!

sipping on banana milk on the ktx, heading to busan

Haeundae beach is at the southeast end of Busan, which is the 2nd largest city in South Korea. Haeundae, now an affluent beach community that attracts Korean tourists and foreigners,  is known as Korea's best beach!  I could not have gone at a better time-end of august when all the tourists were gone!
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cooking with chef darren vaughan at shinsegae

chef's recent debut of his newest cook book-'eddy's cafe' which details all recipes and 'know-how's' of all 4 menus

Early August, executive chef Darren Vaughan of Edward Kwon, led a series of classes for a week representing 'Eddy's Cafe' at the Shinsegae department store in Gangnam.  Shinsegae academy invites up to 8 guests to partake in this free cooking class, an intuitive hands-on experience that all the 'yummy mummy's' of Seoul come out to participate.
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balwoo gongyang- temple cuisine in insadong, seoul

 


the banchan spread

 

Balwoo Gongyang is truly a spirited, unique restaurant that offers Buddhist temple cuisine, located alongside the art district of Insadong  (Anguk station).   Insadong is where tourists flock to check out the traditional Korean pottery and artworks, amazing han jung sik restaurants (traditional Korean restaurants that have the amazing banchan spreads), tea houses, the most entertaining street food vendors, and not to mention reporters from local tv stations that will seek out every foreigner for an interview (first hand experience-Kristi and I have been through this when she came to visit!).

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noryangjin fish market-seoul



On our day off last week, the Eddy's Cafe crew (chefs from both gangnam and jukjeon) went to visit the Norangjin fish market with Executive Chef Darren.  It was my first visit, and I had an amazing time! We had a chance to check out what was available this season in Seoul, and picked our brains for new menu items.  Going to the fish market is definitely a must in Seoul! After our tour, we had fresh sashimi served at one of the restaurants below the market...along with a little soju of course :) A great way to start the day...
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edward kwon's 'the spice'

walking into 'the spice'

'The Spice' looks pretty different in the evenings...love it!

Chef Edward Kwon's newest restaurant 'The Spice'-contemporary European bistro, recently opened its doors in May in Hannam-dong, Seoul.  'The Spice' offers a course menu only, with extremely reasonable prices.  The platform of chefs can't be beat-Executive Chef Darren Vaughan from Sydney, Pastry Chef Chad Yamagata from Vancouver are just to name a few that are behind the culinary creations at the Spice.  Reservations are highly recommended, and  it's a great spot to hold private events.  This is definitely the 'hottest, to-be-seen' restaurants in Seoul!  
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precious seoul spirits-korean adoptees

fell in love with this little one...

It's interesting how I always had a heart for adoption, and would love to one day adopt a child myself!  Prior to coming to Seoul, I was hoping to connect with an agency or an orphanage in Seoul to help volunteer, as well as creating a food program to show kids how fun cooking can be!

Yesterday, I had an amazing opportunity to visit Holt adoption agency in Seoul with two Korean adoptee friends...and the crazy story behind this is just beginning...
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kristi's taste of seoul

kristi taking a break in front of a cafe in samchungdong...

Good friend Kristi Wayman and world class interior designer from Sydney, came to Seoul last week on a business trip.  To my surprise,  she is absolutely in love with this city! Within a few days, I was able to give her a taste of 'My Seoul'...I cannot wait until she comes back with her German hubbie-Stephan :)
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edward kwon of seoul

As some of you may know, I arrived in Seoul mid-February  of this year, to pursue an amazing opportunity to work with Chef Edward Kwon as his Global Marketing Manager!

So who is this Edward Kwon? Just to give you a little background: he was the Head Chef of the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, also known as the world's only 'seven star' hotel.  Previous to his experience in Dubai, he was at the Ritz Carlton Seoul, Ritz Carlton San Francisco, as well as the W Hotel-Seoul, Sheraton Grand Tianjin in China, Fairmont Hotel-Dubai. Upon his recent return to Seoul in 2009,  he opened up 'Eddy's cafe' (in Gangnam)-a casual cafe offering European/western style entrees at mid-range prices.  His first season of 'Yes Chef' was a success (similar to U.S.' Top Chef), and the second season will start filming in the next few months!  His recent autobiography was a best seller 2009, and Eddy's Cafe-2 opened up in Jukjeon last weekend.  I must say, he's quite a celebrity chef here!

Edward Kwon
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will the eating ever end in seoul???

inside 'original pancake story' in hannam dong

I'm having such a great time exploring more and more 'hot spots' all around seoul! It seems endless, but I'm sure i'll find my favorites soon enough...Hannam Dong is actually one of the greatest towns to get fabulous food-especially hard finds like 'american brunch' or thai and indian restaurants...I found 'the original pancake story' through zen kimchi's blog recently, which was voted best brunch in seoul. Hhowever, I wasn't too impressed with the pancakes. Maybe I'll have to try their other dishes next time! I think i've been spoiled rotten by Chicago's 'bongo room, tweet, milk and honey, taste of heaven,' and many others! So the search for a great brunch spot continues...
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