Dolsot bibimbap, Jeonju Jungang Hoekwan, Seoul

Bibimbap, literally mixed rice, is an iconic Korean dish with white rice topped with various ingredients (vege, egg, meat etc.) and chili paste. Dolsot bibimbap is the version where the bibimbap is served in a hot stone bowl.
Had this last week at a famous restaurant in Myeong-dong, the Jeonju Jungang Hoekwan (전주 중앙 회관, lit. Jeonju Central Clan House) which specialised in this dish. The meal cost 9000 won (~US$8), great stuff…

As usual we’ll have to mix all the toppings with the rice, thoroughly, so that we can taste all ingredients in every single bite. And the advantage of dolsot bibimbap is that the dish would still be warm till the end, perfect for winter…

Myeong-dong, Seoul’s ladies shopping heaven

Myeong-dong, arguably Seoul’s trendiest shopping district, is the place to hunt for mid-level fashion and beauty items, especially for the ladies. Visited the area on Sunday (Jan 17), it’s so crowded that there’s barely any spaces to stroll on.

Most of the branded stuff in Korea are endorsed by popular celebrities; and the star power is showcased heavily by the fashion-beauty outlets in Myeong-dong.
Top pic is SNSD’s Yoona for SPAO; in sequence below… Lee Byung-hun (Misha), Kwon Sang-woo (Tears), Rain (Nature Republic), and Song Hye-kyo (Laneige)…




Myeong-dong also houses some famous traditional restaurants as well as fast food franchises. There’s also some street food and fashion accessories stalls in the outer area; and plenty of happenings around during the weekend…

SNSD @ Daum Life on Awards

Korean girl group SNSD at Daum Life on Awards on January 13. Organised by web portal Daum, the event acknowledged people who have contributed to the online society with their entertainment and community works.

The girls won the music of the year award with Oh!. Though they were probably performing Hoot! instead as Daum’s spokeswomen. Image by Spdstudio.

Korean Folk Village, Yongin, South Korea

Korean Folk Village, Yongin, South Korea

The Korean Folk Village in Yongin City is the largest of its kind in South Korea. It has reproduced over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Chosun Dynasty and has recreated the life of Korean people through the exhibition of various household goods and workshop items.

There should be daily cultural performance in most of the months, except during winters. The exhibits were amusing enough though; and the place was pretty scenic itself.

Torture-tools which are often seen in Korean historical dramas

The village is also a popular place for shooting historical dramas/movies. Previously filmed here include popular dramas Iljimae, Painter of The Wind, and movie Hwang Jini etc.

Namsan locks of love, Seoul, South Korea

Namsan locks of love, Seoul, South Korea

At Seoul’s Mt Namsan, thousands of love padlocks can be seen hanging on the fences around the base level of N Seoul Tower. Locks of love is a custom in some cultures where love birds would lock their padlocks at public areas and throw away the key to symbolise that their love will be locked forever.

The practise – suggested to be originated from China – is pretty popular in East Asia and some European countries. Technically the lovers can leave their locks wherever they want, but normally there’s one or two hotspots in each of the cities where local authorities would approved the custom.
Namsan is the one for Seoul.

More Food xDD~

Sindang-dong Tteokbokki, Seoul, South Korea

Sindang-dong, Seoul’s famous place to have Korean tteokbokki (rice-cakes in red-pepper sauce). There’s dozen of restaurants selling the Korean dish at one particular street; we dined at the Mabongnim Halmeoni Tteokbokki restaurant (in February) which is one of the earliest to open its biz in the area in 1953.

Myeongdong Gyoja restaurant, Seoul, South Korea

Seoul story from Feb 2010. Lunch at Myeongdong Gyoja restaurant, famous for its kalguksu (knife cut noodles) and gyoja (dumplings).

Tosokchon Samgyetang (ginseng chicken), Seoul

Samgyetang – literally ginseng chicken soup – is an iconic Korean dish which consists of a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice plus Korean ginseng and boiled with some other oriental herbs.
One of the most famous restaurants to have this is Tosokchon (토속촌) which is located nearby the Gyeongbukgung Palace in Seoul…

Korean pig trotter (Jokbal), Jangchungdong, Seoul

Jokbal – Korean pig’s trotter or pork knuckle, another popular food here. Dined at the Original Jangchungdong Grandmother’s Place a couple of weeks ago – finally a restaurant that I can name in English lol. It’s one of the first jokbal restaurants at the famous Jangchungdong jokbal street in Seoul…

Korea’s cotton candy in a cup

Pardon me if it’s common elsewhere, but I’ve never seen cotton candy sold in a cup prior to this Korean trip; and you’re supposed to eat this with a fork? Hmmm…

Snack's and Food xDD Yummy~

Bulgogi beef stew

August 12, 2010 | Comments (10) | Topics: My Food Journal, Seoul Trip 2010

Bulgogi (lit. meat fire) stew is one of the common dishes in Korean restaurants around the world, with marinated meat slices (most often beef) cooked on a hot pan with other ingredients like veges, mushrooms and glass noodles etc.

Had this a few times in various spots in Seoul; the photo above was taken while dining out with some hostel friends near Sinseol-dong Station. Actually you can hardly find any place which cook this badly… the marination might be a bit time consuming but it’s basically a simple dish. Goes well with rice wine too lol.