The Brilliant Castle: Hwaseong Fortress

More than just a historical landmark, this UNESCO world Heritage site, Hwaseong Fortress (which means Brilliant Castle/Fortress), is considered a national treasure for its wonderful origin, and is also the epitome of the rich Joseon Dynasty. The establishing of the fortress marks the development of Korean architecture, urban planning, landscaping and related arts. The majestic…

Samgyupsal: in the company of the King

In many Korean restaurants across the globe, samgyupsal is King and while in Korea this might not entirely be the case, it still is a favorite in the vast Korean food repertoire – so much so that March 3 is dedicated to samgyupsal, and is rightfully called Samgyupsal Day. Imagine this setting: a Korean restaurant…

Round and round the bindaetteok goes

In Korea, the bumchigae or pancake family is rarely sweet but is commonly packed with ingredients and eaten as a side dish to an elaborate meal spread. This is especially true with haemul pajeon and kimchi bumchigae, but perhaps in this category of Korean food none is as packed as the bindaetteok or the mung…

Striking visuals for jajangmyeon

Jajangmyeon has a black sauce, and visually it looks a little unusual – with yellow pickled radish as an optional and very delicious side and an egg, if the menu says so. Jajangmyeon is directly translated as noodles with black bean sauce, and it was originally a Chinese dish that first appeared in the port…

The warmth of doenjang-jjigae

Central to Korean food is the tradition of fermentation which gave birth to several health-benefitting food varieties including kimchi, ganjang (soy sauce), gochujang (chili paste) and doenjang (soybean paste). The fermented nature of the dish aids in digestion and cancer prevention, among many others.   Doenjang-jjigae is milder than its comrades in the stew department…

The Spectacular Jusangjeolli Cliff

Here’s a cliff that, unlike any other cliffs you’ve ever seen in your whole life. The strangely unique and detailed columns of the Jusangjeolli Cliff will make it hard for you to believe that it isn’t of Nature’s work of art, but an attraction made by human hands. Hailed as Korea’s Giant Causeway (from North…

Potluck food: japchae

Japchae is a curious mix of slippery and crunchy. The glass noodles are coated with the meat and vegetable juice and oil that makes it easy to the throat (but pretty hard with the steel chopsticks that Koreans usually use). The vegetables and the meat give it texture variation that perfectly harmonizes with the dangmyeon…

namsan seoul tower

Namsan Seoul Tower: The Iconic Landmark

Namsan Seoul Tower : Who else wouldn’t recognize the famous Namsan tower which has become Seoul’s iconic national landmark? Most of us have seen this place featured in our favorite Kdramas and variety shows such as The Legend of the Blue Sea and Exo’s Showtime, giving us the desire to sightsee this eminent place one…

Mandu-guk

Mandu-guk and its pockets of flavor

Mandu-guk: Garlicky and flavorful, the Korean dumpling soup is also known as a dish served during Seollal (설날) or the Lunar New Year with many Koreans opting to substitute the rice cake (tteok,떡) to mandu (만두).   Usually served with beef stock as its broth, the mandu packets are usually filled with shrimp and chives…