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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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The 24 Korean Seasons: A Guide To the Jeolgi Calendar
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: What It Is, Where to Eat It, and Why You’ll Love It
Did you know one of Korea’s most beloved dishes was born out of post-war poverty? Dakgalbi (닭갈비), a fiery, saucy stir-fried chicken dish cooked right at your table, started as a budget meal for soldiers and students in the 1960s and became a national obsession. Whether you track it down in its hometown of Chuncheon, discover it on a side street in Hongdae, or stumble across a sizzling cast-iron pan in Myeongdong, dakgalbi has a way of becoming the meal you talk about long after you’ve left. Here’s everything you need to know, the story behind it, what to expect at the table, where the festival is, and the best…
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Moomin Magic on Jeju: A Playful Adventure for All Ages
UPDATE: Moomin Land wasn’t able to renew their license and had to close at the end of 2025. 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…
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Korean School Lunch: What Students Actually Eat Every Day
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 a Korean school lunch for the first time, working as a teacher at a Korean public school, I was shocked, not just by how good it was, but by how complete it was. Korean public school lunches are planned by a professional nutritionist, rotate daily with no repeats for weeks at a time, include seasonal ingredients, and are subsidized by the government, meaning they’re either free or very low cost for students. I’ve had some of the best food I’ve eaten in Korea…
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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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Ganjang Gejang: Korea’s Soy-Marinated Raw Crab and Where To Eat It
When you think of Korean cuisine, dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, and kimchi come to mind first. But for the foodies and the adventurous eaters, ganjang gejang (간장계장), soy sauce-marinated raw crab, is the dish worth seeking out. Once you figure out how to eat it, the umami flavor pulls you back again and again. There’s a reason it’s called the rice thief. The Korean term for umami is gamchilmat (감칠맛), and ganjang gejang is one of the purest expressions of it in Korean cuisine. 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…
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Best Cafes In Jeju Island: Ocean Views, Citrus Gardens and Hidden Gems
While the beaches in Jeju, with their white and black sands and crystal-clear waters, may have lured you here, it’s the cafes in Jeju that will make you linger. Imagine sipping your coffee with the sound of waves crashing in the background, gazing out at lush citrus orchards, serene green tea fields, or even a far-off oreum. It’s like every cup of coffee comes with its own postcard-worthy view. There are some beautiful cafes in Jeju Island. Whether you like the modern appeal or rustic Hanoks, there are some great options for places to find coffee and tea: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage…
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Five Reasons You Should Visit The Seoul Tourism Plaza
I remember the first time I walked into the Seoul Tourism Plaza in 2021. I was struck because it was such a cool culture spot. The Seoul Tourism Plaza (서울관광재단) is a tourism hub with a ton of information for tourists regarding the top Seoul tourism attractions but there’s also a souvenir shop and even a Tap Shop! While there are tourist offices and booths all over the city for visitors to Seoul, the Seoul Tourism Plaza has some unique reasons to find it. From official Seoul City souvenirs so maps, guides, pamphlets, and more… here’s why you’ll want to find it. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I…
