-
The Korean Ajumma and How I Became One
When I first came to Korea, I had just graduated from university and I was pretty bright eyed and bushy tailed. I had no idea what was what and I was floating through life having fun, attending parties that seemingly never ended, and traveling around South Korea and other nearby countries. Switch to now and I’ve just turned 40 and l’ve learned how to transition into this next stage of my life from the iconic Korean ajummas that I’ve called neighbors for most of my adult life. For some, there’s something scary about them. For others, they seem undaunted by everything and liberated to the point of uncaring about mundane…
-
Korea House: Seoul’s High-End Culture Complex
Ten minutes up the road from the popular Myeongdong shopping district and set near the Namsangol Hanok Village and Pildong mural streets, there’s a driveway that leads up to Korea House (한국의집). I was lucky enough to attend a beautiful afternoon tea thanks to the Visit Korea Committee and I can’t say enough about this high-end traditional experience in Seoul. If you’re staying in Myeongdong, it is an ideal place to have dinner or tea and see a performance. Read on to see why. Enjoy a luxury dining experience in Seoul, Korea at Korea House. A traditional meal and performance, too: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
-
The Glass Hanok To Find In Hwaseong at the Hwaseong Botanical Garden
When I first saw a photos of Hwaseong Botanical Garden Greenhouse (화성시 우리꽃 식물원) I was awestruck. Like any beautiful greenhouse, it’s all glass and gorgeous, but here, there’s an added and very unique-to-Korea addition, it’s in the shape of a traditional Korean Hanok. If you’ve walked down the Hanok lined streets of Bukchon or visited the Eunpyeong Hanok Village, you’ll know how beautiful a Hanok can be. Now, a gorgeously huge glass Hanok, that is a sight to behold. We love taking road trips in Korea and finding botanical gardens and outdoor spaces along the way to stop and stretch and Hwaseong Botanical Garden Greenhouse made for the perfect…
-
Donghwasa Temple: A Beautiful Buddhist Temple in Daegu
When spring breezes sweep across South Korea, one of my favorite pastimes is visiting Buddhist temples. Decorated with colorful lotus lanterns for Buddha’s Birthday, the temples that are always a welcome respite are even more welcoming and beautiful at this time of the year. Donghwasa Temple in Daegu, one of the top scenic sites of the city, is especially beautiful in the spring. With sprawling grounds, lots of history, and stories to tell, if you’re headed to Daegu soon, be sure to visit Donghwasa. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank…
-
The 27 Oldest Restaurants In Seoul and Why You Need To Find Them
There are a lot of trendy cafes and restaurants in Seoul but you’ll find that they’re often short lived, a flash in the pan as they say. Article upon article is written about the hottest restaurants in Seoul, Korea right now, but check them a year later and you could be hard-pressed to find many of those viral sensations still existing. When it comes to the best restaurants in Seoul for me and my husband, they’re usually the oldest restaurants in Seoul that we seek out because of their longevity and consistency, it’s a sure way to get a good and delicious meal. I love heading to Myeongdong to go…
-
The Best Traditional Markets In Seoul: Where To Eat & Where To Shop
As an avid traveler and always on-the-go, I can tell you that finding good, filling, and delicious food isn’t always easy. You get to a neighborhood or city you’ve never been to, you’ve internet sleuthed as much as you can manage, and still, you’re not sure if the food you see in pictures will be the food you see in person. One of my biggest tips for travelers to Korea is to find the nearest traditional Korean market when in doubt. The “sijang”, or Korean traditional market is always a safe bet for delicious food. Restaurants within traditional markets have generally been established for the vendors in the market themselves…
-
Cotton Candy Vending Machine In Korea: Our Sugar Crush
I don’t know how you grew up, but for me, cotton candy was always a treat solely available at festivals, carnivals, and other similar local events. To be walking down the metropolitan streets of Seoul, Korea and spot a cotton candy cloud in the shape of a flower was absolutely one of the most unexpected sugary treats to see. Granted we were in the lively and young Hongdae district of Seoul, but still, have you ever seen a vending machine that makes cotton candy in your choice of a flower design? Get ready to if you’re planning to visit Seoul, Korea. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
-
Art Classes and Contemporary Art at CICA in Gimpo
We are always on the lookout for immersive experiences and opportunities to learn and being lovers of all things art museums in Seoul, I was searching out other awesome art spaces and came upon the Czong Institute of Contemporary Art, or CICA, in nearby Gimpo, Korea. If you like heading off to the unknown, taking adventure, and getting the kids involved, definitely look into this fun artistic opportunity. Smaller local art spaces like CICA as well as SODA Museum in Hwaseong are super fun to visit in Korea and get involved with. Don’t miss these artistic opportunities in Korea. Get ready to visit CICA Museum in Gimpo: (This post contains…
-
Why May Is Called Family Month In Korea
Did you know May in South Korea is affectionately known as “Family Month”? The month of numerous family-centered holidays, May is the month to honor transitions in life and to celebrate numerous businesses including hotels, restaurants, and so on over discounts and family-friendly promotions. The most celebrated of the holidays in May in Korea are Children’s Day, Parent’s Day, and Teacher’s Day, but there are actually more family-centered holidays during the month of May. Get ready to read all about them and celebrate, celebrate, and celebrate some more. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no…
-
The New Zealand Wine Festival in Seoul and Busan: 2024
The New Zealand Wine Festival recently took place in Seoul under the theme of ‘Kia Ora Aotearoa, Hello New Zealand’. Kia Ora is a Māori greeting symbolizing health & support, while Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud, symbolizes the country. From delightful garden celebrations, introducing an array of wines, offering different styles & flavors, performances for local youth groups to the opportunity to win some pretty great prizes, this festival is the perfect way to kick off the season of events and fun. If you missed this great wine festival in Seoul this year, keep an eye out for next year. But also, don’t forget that this wine festival…
-
10 Things To Do In Gapyeong, Korea
Gapyeong, an area just east of Seoul, Korea in Gyeonggi-do, is a popular daytrip spot for many Seoulites looking to get out of the city and into nature for at least a day. On top of being home to numerous hills, forests, and rivers, there are also some interesting museums, quirky cafes, and musical hot spots that visitors can enjoy. If you’re looking for a quick getaway, a last minute wander, or just a cool area to explore in Korea, get Gapyeong on your radar and mark these things to do in Gapyeong on your map before you go. The best things to do in Gapyeong, Korea are whatever things…
-
It’s Wine Time! The New Zealand Wine Festival in Korea 2024
One of the best events each spring in Korea is coming up! An event for the wine lovers in Korea, the New Zealand Wine Festival hosted by the Kiwi Chamber of Commerce, which hosts an event in both Seoul and Busan each year, has tickets available now. Whether you’re a wine novice or a seasoned oenophile, you’ll find plenty of reasons to go to the wine festival. The choice isn’t really about whether to attend, it’s deciding if you should go to the festival in Seoul, Busan, or both! (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at…
-
Where To Find The Fluffiest Pink King Cherry Blossoms In Korea
As the spring air fills South Korea with its temperate embrace, a particular spectacle of nature, you know the one I speak of, draws both locals and travelers from out of their homes and into the streets. The light pink cherry blossoms burst into bloom and crowds rush to see them. While these iconic light pink cherry blossoms are gorgeous, there’s another cherry blossom that I personally look forward to – the double cherry blossom (겹벚꽃), or the King cherry blossom as some people call them. Distinguished from their single-petaled counterparts, King cherry blossoms boast lavish, deep pink petals that unfurl in double layers, creating a fuller, more opulent display.…
-
Purito From Green Avocado Cleansing Balm Review
The first time I tried a cleansing balm years ago, I didn’t really get it to be honest. It wasn’t my jam. It added a step to my skincare routine that I didn’t deem necessary. All the things. Pivot to a decade later and I’m now more knowledgeable of my skin and what it needs and I’ve realized finding the right cleansing balm is a game changer. That first one did NOT work for my skin and it put me off cleansing balms for a decade. Can you believe that? I was recently given the Korean beauty brand Purito’s From Green Avocado Cleansing Balm and with trepidation, I decided to…
-
5 Korean Ghosts and Creatures To Be Scared Of
Whether you’re interested in reading some spooky tales before Halloween this year, or just interested in Korean folklore and mythology, there are some truly creepy and scary creatures you should learn about. From the vengeful spirits of the gwishin, who wander the earth unfulfilled, to the cunning dokkaebi, who navigate the moral compass of right and wrong with mischief, they are just the beginning to the lore you can explore in Korean history and culture. Korean mythology is fascinating… you’ll see. Find out about the creatures that will freak you out in Korea: *Images in this article were generated using AI. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
-
One Of The Best Makgeolli Bars In Seoul: Sanullim 1992
When you look up bars in Seoul, you’re more often shown the newest and most modern spaces to enjoy libations. The thing is, the holes in the wall and the cozy wooden more traditional-themed pubs so so often provide some of the best places to drink in Seoul. Take Sanullim 1992 (산울림1992), one of the best bars in Hongdae, it’s cozy and rich with Korean culture not to mention it has a stunning menu of over 200 Korean traditional alcohols and delicious food to top it off. While the youngest of Hongdae’s visitors are headed to the clubs or watching buskers, the older or just wiser visitors are headed here.…
