-
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…
-
HBAF Almonds: Everything You Need to Know About This Nutty South Korean Craze
If you have walked down the streets of Myeongdong in Seoul recently, there is no doubt that you have seen the vibrantly yellow-colored HBAF stores beckoning you in. This brand started out producing honey butter almonds, which have been a popular snack in Korea for many years, but in the past couple of years have evolved, introducing characters, new flavors of almonds, other nut mixes, and a variety of unique products, even opening a selection of flagship stores in the heart of Myeongdong! Myeongdong has some super fun and colorful places to go shopping including Butter Shop and tons of places to eat in Myeongdong, so plan some time there…
-
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…
-
What is Open On Mondays In Seoul?
If you’re new in Korea or planning your perfect Seoul itinerary, it might take you by surprise to see that a large number of tourist attractions in Seoul are closed on Mondays. From Namsangol Hanok Village to The National Museum, plenty of tourist attractions take their weekly holidays on Mondays, as they stay open on the busy weekends. Before you travel to Korea, it’s important to take note of what is open in Seoul on Mondays, what is closed on a Monday in Seoul, and what to do on a Monday in Seoul. This way you can ensure you visit everywhere on your bucket list! There are plenty of tourist…
-
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.…
-
Guide to Throwing Away Trash in Korea: In Public and At Home
Whether you’re visiting Korea as a tourist or have moved to your first Korean apartment, you’ve probably run into the issue of how and where to throw away your trash. There are very few bins on the Seoul sidewalks, so from your first day in the country, you’ll soon find yourself carrying trash around for most of the day Whether you’ve moved into a Korean apartment, a university dorm, or you’re simply staying in an Airbnb in Korea, you’ll find that throwing out the trash isn’t quite as simple as putting your waste into a trash bag and throwing it into a large garbage bin. From buying the correct trash…
-
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…
