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7 Ways We Ate Abalone In Wando, Korea
I am an abalone fiend. Can’t get enough. So, when we were headed through Wando recently, the island responsible for about 80% of the country’s abalone production, I was determined to try as many abalone dishes as I could. Here, the locals have mastered the art of preparing this delicacy in various mouthwatering ways. From thinly sliced raw abalone served fresh to the warm, hearty comfort of abalone porridge, there’s something for every palate. But one of the most surprising creations you’ll find here is “abalone bread.” Get ready to learn about all of the abalone delicacies you can try in Wando, Korea. If you’ve ever wondered how to eat…
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Mixsoon’s Flagship Store In Myeongdong Is An Elegant Stop For K-Beauty
A few years back, Seongsu-dong became the buzz for pop-ups and Korean beauty flagship stores in Seoul, Korea. While it continues to be one of the coolest spots in the city, beauty brands catering to their foreign customers are turning their attention to Myeongdong‘s lasting appeal. SKIN1004 set up shop there, and now MIXSOON has joined the scene with their new flagship store (믹순 플래그십 스토어). Headed to Myeongdong? Don’t miss out on a visit to the Mixsoon Flagship Store: (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 you for your support.)…
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The SKIN1004 Flagship Store In Myeongdong Is Moody, Bold, and a Must-See
The first time I stepped into the SKIN1004 Flagship Store in Myeongdong (스킨1004 플래그십 스토어 명동), I was immediately struck by how different it felt from the usual skincare shops crowding the streets of Seoul and especially the ones in Myeongdong. Nestled in the heart of this bustling district, the store’s exterior boldly breaks away from the sea of glass-fronted boutiques that surround it. Instead, the SKIN1004 Flagship Store presents an intense rock-textured facade, a nod to untouched nature but with a modern twist that draws you in with its unexpected warmth and depth. Let it draw you in. Let it. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
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That Time I Got Korean Cupping Therapy: What Is It and My Honest Opinion
If you’ve ever wondered about those mysterious red circles you sometimes see on people’s backs at the sauna or pool in Korea, then let me introduce you to cupping therapy, or buhang (부항). It’s an age-old practice in traditional medicine, but, trust me, there’s a lot more to it than just some circular marks. In recent years, it’s become quite a popular treatment — even Hollywood celebs are showing off their cupping marks and you often see it on athletes in major competitions like the Olympics! I’ve personally experienced it on both my back and, most recently, my stomach, and I can tell you, it’s interesting at the very least.…
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Wellness Korean Style at Jwagusan Recreational Forest in Jeungpyeong
I was recently on a wellness adventure to Jeungpyeong in Chungcheongbuk-do and one of the stops was the beautiful Jwagusan Recreational Forest (좌구산 자연휴양림). In recent years, the Korean parks and forests have done a lot to emphasize their wellness opportunities and have created numerous wellness experiences to really entice visitors to come and do more when surrounded by the beautiful forests that blanket the country. To start your adventure into the recreational forest, be sure to stop at the Forest Meditation House to join a program. We took part in a traditional herbal color flower tea therapy, forest trekking, and a foot bath with tea. See what you can…
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Why Lee Moon Won Clinic’s Korean Hair Care Is Trending With Foreigners
When foreigners arrive in Korea and start to settle in, one of the most surprising and frustrating issues they encounter is sudden hair loss and an itchy scalp. Not only an initial issue though, it can become continuous. What’s happening? Drastic changes in everything from diet to water quality, combined with the stress of adapting to a new environment can do a lot to your hair. But you’re not alone—Koreans face similar challenges, and the country is home to numerous specialized hair clinics. The good news? Many of these clinics are now expanding their services to cater specifically to the needs of foreign clients, offering multilingual support to ensure you…
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Baskin Robbins Madang In Samcheong Is A Traditional Treat
Baskin Robbins back home may look the same from place to place, but one of the fun things about visiting Baskin Robbins in Korea is that they can be quite unique. After the Care Bear-themed Baskin Robbins, our next favorite Baskin Robbins in Korea is the traditional Hanok Baskin Robbins in Samcheon-dong (배스킨라빈스 삼청마당점), actually the first Hanok-themed Baskin Robbins in the country. Located in the tourist-friendly area near Insadong and Bukchon Hanok Village, it’s an easy Baskin Robbins to add into a Seoul itinerary. Get ready to visit and try their exclusive menu items that pay homage to traditional Korean treats only available here. Look out for this Baskin…
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Incheon’s Open Port Area and Living Museum: What To See
Incheon, Korea has some really cool things to see and there are a number of them all in one place. You can easily see Incheon Chinatown, Fairytale Village, and Wolmi Island all in one day if you want to. Nestled between them though, is the quieter but very intriguing Open Port Area that is accessible right from the subway station but somehow very overlooked by most visitors. It’s easy to walk along this collection of historic buildings and think you just want to get to the Chinatown restaurants for some jjajangmyeon or over to the rainbow steps in Fairytale Village, but trust me, you should stop and take a gander…
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Yulgok Botanical Garden and The Hillside Of Chrysanthemums To Find This Fall
If it has “botanical garden” in the name, you can trust that it’s saved on my map to see. If you’re adventuring in the Paju area and heading northwest of Seoul, you’ll want to have it on your list to visit especially in autumn in Korea. Yulgok Botanical Garden (율곡수목원) has one of the most beautiful Siberian chrysanthemum covered hillsides in all of Korea. Of course there are plenty of other reasons to go, but this was the highlight for us, not to mention the cosmos and reeds waving int the winds. Am I making you ready for a fall escape yet? Yulgok Botanical Garden definitely demands a spot on…
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Doganitang: Why I Love Korean Ox Knee Soup
The first time I had doganitang (도가니탕), or Korean ox knee soup, I had just finished an English lesson and my 70 year old student invited me to lunch. He was the kind of older Korean guy there was no declining so I went along and was quite taken aback when the soup he’d ordered us was filled with some sort of gelatinous meat. I wasn’t completely sold at first, but my old friend had good taste so I knew to trust him and eat what was in front of us. Over the years, doganitang has become one of my favorite Korean soups and it might just become one of…
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The Gimnyeong Craft Metal Mural Village: The Olle-gil Route Where Art & Nature Collide
If you’ve visited Jeju Island in South Korea, you’ve likely come across information regarding the Jeju Olle-gil or Jeju Walking Trail, a path that circles the entire island as well as a number of islands that you can get to easily from Jeju. This walking trail offers a beautiful way to see the coastline of the island, enjoy the beaches, and for many, it becomes a goal to complete the entire thing. If you do, you’ll come to realize that not all parts of the trail are the same. In fact, they each have their own tale to weave really. One such path that has quite an interesting story to…
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Cruises In Korea: From Port Of Incheon And Beyond!
I’m recently back from a cruise down the Elbe River in Europe and enjoyed the hop-on-hop-off aspect of the travel. Seeing so many cities but having one bed. It was fantastic actually and made me wonder why I hadn’t heard more about cruise ships in Korea more. The peninsula is surrounded by water after all. I’ve seen cruise ships in the ocean waters outside of Busan and Jeju Island and wondered, how popular are South Korea cruises? I think they should be more popular. The world of passenger ship cruises has experienced a surge in popularity, with travelers seeking unique and diverse destinations but it seems like a lot of…
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Sundubu Jjigae In Seoul: Where To Eat This Korean Tofu Stew
My first few years in Korea I had a friend who LOVED sundubu jjigae (순두부찌개) with a passion. It became her comfort food and she ordered it at meal after meal when we were finished working. While she had jumped on the soft tofu stew with a passion, it took me years to appreciate it as much as she did. Sundubu jjigae, a popular comfort stew made with soft tofu, is now one of my favorites too and I’ve realized that a lot of foreigners that first see it assume it to be a lot spicier than it is and thus are put off of diving into it head first.…
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Lavender Fields In Korea: Where To Find Them
There’s something about the aroma of lavender that just can’t be beat. I can’t help but reach for a lavender shrub when I see one to rub a few leaves between my fingers so that I can enjoy that enchanting scent. If you’re visiting Korea this summer, be sure to take a daytrip to find one of the beautiful lavender fields. There are so many beautiful places to visit and if they have flowers, all the better. This summer in Korea, you should definitely take a trip to see some of the beautiful lavender fields. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale…
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Boribap: The Korean Countryside Meal That’s Always Delicious
I’m often asked for my tips and tricks for traveling around Korea and finding good food. While there are a plethora of both Korean and international food options when you’re in the heart of Seoul, get out into the countryside and sometimes it can be difficult especially if you’re traveling with children or picky eaters. So, let me tell you what works EVERY TIME! Find the boribap (보리밥) restaurant. Boribap restaurants can look unassuming, rustic even, and sometimes just a room attached to a house, but you will absolutely find the best food made with locally grown vegetables and on top of that, it’s kid-friendly, vegetarian-friendly, and the best part,…
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Samgyetang: What Is It and Where To Eat It In Seoul
If you’ve ever experienced the hottest of summers when the sweat pours and the lethargy and lack of energy takes over leading to afternoon siestas, you may think you already know how to fight the heat. But do you know how to fight the hottest of summer temperatures Korean style? In Korea, there is a concept called iyeol chiyeol (이열치열), basically controlling heat with heat, or fighting fire with fire as we say in English. On the hottest days of the summer in Korea, instead of going for cold treats like patbingsu or even cold soups, of which there are many delicious Korean cold soups, Koreans eat the hottest bowls…
