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Exploring Seoul’s Seosomun Shrine: Where Architecture Meets Martyrdom
The first time I visited the Seosomun Shrine History Museum (서소문성지 역사박물관), I went for the architecture. I had seen photos and had no real idea what history this museum in Seoul would be detailing, but every museum I find in Korea has something fascinating to teach. While I initially visited for its modern design, I left with a newfound understanding of Korea’s Catholic martyrs and their resilience.” Seomun Gate is a sacred place for Korean Catholics. It was here that countless Catholics were executed after standing up against Joseon’s class-based society and declaring that all humans were equal under God. After the death of King Jeongjo in 1800, Catholics…
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How To Eat Your Way Through Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market On Jeju Island
We were on the search for a parking lot while in downtown Seogwipo to pick up a new bicycle and the closest place was in the Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market (서귀포매일올레시장). As we walked through and saw and smelled all of the goods, we decided to grab the bike and then grab a meal. If you’re in the area, you’ll want to as well. This market is a traditional market that has one end of vendors selling vegetables, fruit, pots, pans, and other housewares and then one end that caters to the numerous tourists in the area. There are souvenir stops, citrus juices, citrus ice creams, citrus tanghulu, and then…
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Explore 8 Themed Floors at Hongdae’s Ultimate Culture Cafe
When most people are looking for a fun night out neighborhood in Seoul, an area filled with cafes, buskers, street art, and fun, they’re probably looking for Hongdae. There are so many things to do in Hongdae that you could spend days upon days exploring. Because of this, it makes for a great district to stay in Seoul (speaking as someone who lived there for a decade). Now that you’ve got your bearings, we’re going to zoom in to a spot that’s about to blow up, if you ask me. If you’ve walked down the main shopping and fun street of Hongdae recently, you may have noticed the 8-story building…
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Sulwhasoo In Bukchon: Timeless Beauty and Tradition with a Ginseng Twist
The Bukchon Hanok Village is becoming home to more than just tea houses and traditional Korean restaurants. These days, you’ll find more and more Korean beauty flagship stores and shops catering to the foreign tourists visiting the area. Take the beautiful House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon (북촌 설화수의 집), opened in 2021 for an example. Sulwhasoo really kicked off the Korean beauty focus to the area and as far as Korean beauty brands go, this is the best of the best. Not only is their flagship store gorgeous, but it’s an experience and for any Korean beauty enthusiast or skincare obsessed visitor, it’s a must see. I’ve been using Sulwhasoo for…
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Did you know there are 24 Korean seasons?
There’s a longstanding joke among foreigners that live in Korea that pertains to how it is so often promoted that Korea has four distinct seasons. It is as if people, or perhaps the Korean tourism organization, think it is quite unique to have four seasons. As someone who grew up in Ohio in the US, I never really got all the four-season hubbub. I think the joke also plays off of how dreadfully hot, humid, and long summer in Korea can feel and how frigid and cold and long winter in Korea can feel and between them the delightful, but short, cherry blossom-filled spring in Korea, and the brisk pace of…
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A Bowl of Good Fortune: Regional Tteokguk Traditions Across Korea
Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is one of Korea’s most important holidays, a time for family gatherings, ancestral rituals called jesa, and starting fresh. At the heart of this celebration is tteokguk (떡국), a savory rice cake soup symbolizing purity, renewal, and the passage into the new year. Dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, the tradition of eating tteokguk is still intact and as the Lunar New approaches, I thought I’d share some of the regional Korean rice cake soup varieties that you may not have seen before. Each region of the country adds its own twist to the beloved dish and if you’re like me and my family, you’ll…
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DIY Keychains & Bags: Why You Should Find Wappen House In Korea
Walk down the street in Myeongdong or Bukchon or in cities like Busan, and you might come across a vibrantly colored shop that is yelling out for you to enter. It’s Wappen House (와펜하우스). Filled with patches of all shapes and sizes and themes from Korean culture to Korean food and topped up with cute animals, letters, and numbers, too, if you just love patches, you NEED to stop in. It’s not only fun, but it’s also family-friendly and it would make for a great unique Korean souvenir. Take the kids or make something for yourself. You can buy the patches on their own and take them home or the…
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Robots, Ramen, and K-Food: The Convenience Store of the Future in Insadong
When you think of Insadong, images of traditional Korean tea houses, antique shops, and calligraphy stores probably come to mind. But right in the heart of this historic cultural hub is something new, unexpected for many tourists I imagine, and quite futuristic: Ground Blue 49 (그라운드블루49). This futuristic convenience store feels more like a playground of possibilities than your typical corner shop. If you’ve heard of robots and want to see how they are actually being utilized in everyday life, this is a good stop to make. Get ready to see the future of convenience stores in Seoul. Robots are trending and you’ll see why: (This post contains affiliate links,…
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The Christmas Market and Museum on Jeju Island That Will Make You Feel Festive
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… in Seogwipo! If you’re a fan of festive markets, cozy winter vibes, and unique holiday gifts, then the Weihnachten Christmas Market (바이나흐튼 크리스마스박물관) in Jeju, is calling your name. As new residents of the island, I was on the lookout for how everyone celebrates the holidays down here. I’m well versed in how to celebrate Christmas in Seoul, but Jeju? Located around the Weihnachten Christmas Museum, this market has all of the charm and seasonal magic we could hope for. In Jeju this winter? Get ready to celebrate the holidays at the Christmas Market and Christmas Museum: (This post contains affiliate links,…
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How To Celebrate The Year of The Snake In Korea
Happy New Year! 2025 is the Year of the Snake or the Year of the Serpent, the green snake or wood snake to be precise. The snake is the sixth animal in the zodiac and is a symbol of wisdom and resurrection because it sheds its skin and hibernates to regenerate. In Korean, this year is called “Eulsa” (을) and if you want to celebrate the Year of the Snake in Korea, there are a number of things you can do. So, what does the Year of the Snake mean? And, how can you celebrate the Year of the Snake in Korea? Here’s what you need to know… (This post…
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Dakgalbi is the Chuncheon Specialty You’ll Love
Originating from the city of Chuncheon, a city an hour east of Seoul, in the 1960s, dakgalbi (닭갈비) has a fascinating story rooted in post-war resilience and creativity. Over time, it evolved from a humble, budget-friendly meal known as “commoners’ galbi” into one of Korea’s most iconic comfort foods. This sweet and spicy chicken stir fry is now loved all around the country and even if you’re just visiting, you should find a restaurant that serves up this delicious meal. Or, if you’re headed out to Nami Island or Cheongpyeong Temple, stop by a local restaurant for this must eat dish. Dakgalbi is one of those dishes that will have…
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Moomin Magic on Jeju: A Playful Adventure for All Ages
When planning a trip to Jeju Island in South Korea, you’ll find endless opportunities to explore its natural beauty, from stunning shores to scenic oreums and everything in between. But beyond its breathtaking landscapes (which I highly suggest you see), Jeju also offers whimsical and playful attractions that might just surprise you. Among these must-visit spots is the delightfully kitschy Snoopy Land, where we couldn’t help but fall in love with its nostalgic vibe. Inspired by that visit, we stumbled upon Moomin Land (무민랜드) and thought, “Why not dive into the cartoony world of Moomin and his adventures?” It was more than I expected. Though not as large as Snoopy…
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Why Korean School Lunches Will Leave You Jealous
Growing up in the US, my school lunches were a predictable rotation of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, greasy fries, and cardboard-like pizza. So, when I experienced Korean school lunches for the first time, I was shocked how well-rounded and delicious Korean school lunches were. When it comes to school lunches, Korean public schools stand out for their balanced, nutritious, and flavorful meals that not only the students love, but the teachers love too. The pictures of my daughter’s lunch make me hungry every day and they’ll make you hungry too: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after…
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Korea in February: The Weather, Tips From A Local, Flowers and Things To Do
February in Korea is still firmly in winter’s grip. It’s actually the coldest month of the year so be prepared. If you are, you’ll be fine… as long as you like winter. February can be quite the winter wonderland and you can experience its beauty as long as you have some thermal underwear! Bundle up, keep some heat packs handy, and get ready to enjoy the cozy beauty of Korea in February. Will you be traveling to Korea in February? Here’s everything you need to know from the weather to the festivals. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase…
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Korea In January: The Weather, Tips From A Local, Flowers and Things To Do
Korea can become quite the winter wonderland in January, but it can also be pretty frigid and cold. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come in the midst of winter in Korea, though. Not at all. January can be delightful in a number of ways. You just need to know how to keep warm to enjoy it all. I’ve lived in Korea for almost two decades and to me it seems like there’s some sort of cycle that happens for winters. You’ll have the absolutely most frigid winter some years, followed by two winters that really aren’t that bad. If you happen to visit on a frigid one, just be on…
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Why You Should Eat Ganjang Gejang—Soy Sauce Marinated Raw Crab In Korea
When you think of Korean cuisine, dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, and kimchi probably spring to mind, but there are some other very delicious delights like ganjang gejang (간장계장), or soy sauce marinated raw crab, that I know the foodies out there will love. Once you figure out how to eat it, you will be drawn by the incredible umami flavor which will have you coming back for more again and again. Marinated raw crab might be for the adventurous eater, but it’s good for everyone. Here’s what to know: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at…
