Korean New Year (Jan 27 - Jan 30, 2017)

Hi! Everyone.

It is a holiday from January 27 to 30 in Korea. I will have a break time during the period.

Korean New Year (in Korean "설날" [Seollar]), which is the first day of the Korean lunar calendar, is one of the most significant traditional Korean holidays.

I hope you enjoy your upcoming weekend! I will bring new posts in next week.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy your life! Enjoy Korea!

How about eating "bean sprouts soup with rice"? - Jeongju Hyundaiok restaurant

If you want to eat Korean food, I would recommend “bean sprouts soup with rice”. When I want to eat something warm or to relieve a hangover, I usually eat bean sprouts soup with rice. It is called “콩나물 국밥 [kongnamul gukbap]” in Korea. Bean sprouts have amino acid, asparagine, which gets rid of the acetaldehyde that forms in your body when drinking. It is also a resource of food abundant with vitamins, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, manganese, and omega 3 fatty acids. Therefore, it is good for your hangover cure and health.

Fig 1. Bean sprouts

Especially, I recommend a restaurant in Yongsan station. The restaurant name is “Jeonju Hyundaiok” (in Korean “전주 현대옥”). The main branch of this restaurant is in Jeonju, which is located in Jeollabuk-do. I think the main branch taste better. If you want to eat, you can go to Jeonju station using train in Yongsan station. The taste is also good in Yongsan station. The restaurant is located in the west side of the Yongsan station on the 4th floor.

Fig 2. Location of Jeonju Hyundaiok in Yongsanstation. (You can enlarge it.)

You can find the restaurant by walk along the red arrows.

You can see the menus in front of the restaurant. People in Korea often eat bean sprout rice soup with egg (in Korean “전주남부시장식 콩나물국밥”) or boiled bean sprout rice soup (in Korean “전주끓이는식 콩나물국밥”). I recommend the bean sprout rice soup with egg. When you order this food, a waiter or a waitress gives you seasoned seaweed, side dish first, then bean sprout rice soup and a poached egg is served. I usually eat a poached egg first with pouring into a few spoons of bean sprout soup in egg bowl. You can eat a poached egg like my way or pour into the soup bowl. Then, enjoy the bean sprout rice soup with seasoned seaweed or side dish.

Fig 3. (Left) Jeonju Hyundaiok restaurant and (Right) menus. (You can enlarge it.)

Popular foods are indicated on the menus.

Bean sprout rice soup - 7,000 won (Jan 2017)

Moju - 2,000 won (Jan 2017)

Fig 4. Bean sprouts soup with rice and moju. I really love this food!

If people in Korea want to eat aperitif, they sometimes order “moju” (in Korean “모주”) before eat bean sprout rice soup. It is made with makgeolli, cinnamon, and Korean herbs. The strength of moju is around 2% alcohol by volume (ABV). If you like to drink alcohol, I would recommend it. Enjoy these delicious foods!

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

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How about going to Jegi-dong station? - Webfoot Octopus Street and Korean Herbal Medicine Markets

Do you want to eat Korean spicy food? Spicy webfoot octopus (in Korean "쭈꾸미" [jju kku mi]) is popular food for Korean people, but not well known to foreign travelers. Webfoot octopus look like octopus, but it is smaller than octopus. There is a webfoot octopus street near Jegi-dong station. There were many webfoot octopus restaurants, but now, a few restaurants left on the street. How to go to the webfoot octopus street? Take Exit 6 and walk 5 minutes. When you arrive near the webfoot octopus street, you can see the webfoot octopus statue. You can visit any restaurants you like. Webfoot octopus (350g) is currently 10,000 won per person. Enjoy this spicy food!

Fig 1. Location of Webfoot Octopus Street. (You can enlarge it.)

Take Exit 6 and walk 5 minutes.

Fig 2. (Left) Webfoot octopus statue and (Right) Spicy webfoot octopus food

How about taking a picture with webfoot octopus statue?

There is also a exotic market, Gyeongdong market. It is one of the largest herbal medicine and ginseng markets of Korea. You can walk around the street and have a special experience. How to go to the Gyeongdong market? Take Exit 2 and walk around the street. Hope you enjoy these impressions of Korean herbal medicine markets!

Fig 3. Location of Gyeongdong Market. (You can enlarge it.)

Take Exit 2 and walk around the street.

 

Fig 4. (Left) The entrance of Gyeongdong Market and (Right) Korean herbal medicine market.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Where do you want to go? How about using Seoul subway line 1 - northeast direction?

Today, I will introduce the subway stations belong to Seoul subway line 1. It is the oldest subway section in the Seoul metropolitan subway system. Seoul subway line 1 links central Seoul to Soyosan station in the northeast, Incheon station in the southwest, and Sinchang station in the south. I will explain the Seoul subway line 1 in three parts - Seoul station to Soyosan station (northeast direction), Seoul station to Incheon station (southwest direction), and Seoul station to Sinchang station (south direction). First, I will inform you the main stations from Seoul station to Soyosan station.

Fig 1. Seoul subway line 1. (You can enlarge this figure.)

> Seoul station (in Korean "서울역")
If you want to take a train for traveling other places (e.g. Busan) in Korea, you can get off at Seoul station. There is a large retailer, otte mart and shopping mall, lotte outlet mall. There are also many restaurants. You can enjoy these things before go to the other places.

- How to go to the Seoul train station? Take Exit 1 at the Seoul station.

> City Hall (in Korean "시청역")
You can see Deoksugung palace which was inhabited by members of Korea's royal family during the Joseon monarchy until colonical period around the turn of the 20th century. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.

- How to go to the Deoksugung? Take Exit 2 at the City Hall station.

> Jonggak (in Korean "종각역")
There are a lot of restaurants and pubs you can enjoy it. There are also large bookstores including Kyobo, Youngpoong, and Bandi & Luni's bookstore. You can see Bosingak which is a large bell pavilion on Jongno in Seoul. The bell is currently rung at midnight on New Year's Eve. Many people come together in this place at that time for wishing good luck in the New Year.

- How to go to the bookstore? Take Exit 1 and walk about 5-10 minutes for Kyobo bookstore, Youngpoong bookstore is near Exit 5 or 6, and Bandi & Luni's bookstore is near Exit 3.
- How to go to eat or drink? Take Exit 4 at the Jonggak station.
- How to go to Bosingak? Take Exit 4 at the Jonggak station.

> Jongno 3-ga (in Korean "종로3가역")
There are many jewelry shops over the street. Many people, especially soon to be married couple, purchase a wedding ring in this place. You can also go to the Jongmyo Shrine. Jongmyo is a Confucian shirine dedicated to the perpetuation of memorial services for the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995.

- How to go to the jewelry shops? Take Exit 10 or 11 at the Jongno 3-ga station.
- How to go to the Jongmyo Shrine? Take Exit 11 and walk about 5 minutes.

> Jongno 5-ga (in Korean "종로5가역")
You can go to the Gwangjang market, which is a traditional street marekt in Seoul. It is one of the oldest and largest markets in Korea. You can enjoy Korean local foods. This market has been visited by Tim Burton and Metallica!

- How to go to the Gwangjang market? Take Exit 9 at the Jongno 5-ga station.

> Dongdaemun (in Korean "동대문역")
There is a prominent landmark in Seoul. "Dongdaemun" means "Great East Gate", and it was so named because it was the major eastern gate in the wall that surrounded Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty. There are many fashion shops over the street. Young people often go to this place for buying their clothes.

- How to go to the Dongdaemun? Take Exit 6 or 7 at the Dongdaemun station.
- How to go to the fashion shops? Take Exit 8 and walk about 5 minutes.

> Dongmyo (in Korean "동묘역")
If you are interested in buying things cheap, there is a flea market near the station. This market is only open on weekends. You can see many people and various items including Korean antiques, clothes, books, and so on.

- How to go to the flea market? Take Exit 3 and walk about 5 minutes.

> Jegi-dong (in Korean "제기동역")
Do you want to eat webfoot octopus? If you like it, there are many webfoot octopus restaurants on the street. It is so spicy for Korean, but it is delicious. I would recommend this spicy food.

- How to go to the webfoot octopus restaurants? Take Exit 6 and walk about 5-10 minutes.

> Cheongnyangni (in Korean "청량리역")
There is a train station to go to the east area in Korea. There is also a large vegetable and fruit market in this place. You can buy seasonal vegetables and fruits.

- How to go to the train station? Take Exit 4 at the Cheongnyangni station.
- How to go to the vegetable and fruit market? Take Exit 1 and walk about 5 minutes.

> Dobongsan (in Korean "도봉산역")
It is the closest station to Mt. Dobong. It has an elevation of 739.5 m (2,426 ft). Many people go to this mountain in autumn for seeing autumn leaves. If you like climbing a mountain, I would recommend this mountain.

- How to go to the Mt. Dobong? Take Exit 1, cross traffic light, and walk about 15-20 minutes.

> Soyosan (in Korean "소요산역")
It is a mountain in Gyeonggi-do. It has an elevation of 587 m (1,926 ft). The mountain is famous for its small waterfalls and spring wells and is a popular hiking route.

- How to go to the Mt. Soyo? Take Exit 1, cross traffic light, and walk about 25-30 minutes.

In next article, I will introduce each station for your travel!

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

See the Seoul subway lines 1-6

In my previous post, I informed there are many subway lines in Seoul metropolitan subway map. I think you may be confused about how to see and use the map. When I went to the Japan, I was so confused how to use the subway. There are many private railways. So, I always have to read guide books or search blogs for which to take a train to go the the destination. However, in Korea, it is operated by public corporations. Therefore, you can use it easily.

Fig 1. Main spots in Seoul. You may visit the places displayed in this map.

You can see that there are subway lines 1-6.

(Refer to the color of each lines and their stations.)

You just see the Seoul subway lines 1-6. Except airport railroad, you may not use other subway lines. Most of travelers use subway line 4. You can go to the Myeong-dong place in Myeong-dong station (in Korean "명동역"), go to the War Memorial of Korea in Samgakji station (in Korean "삼각지역"), or go to the Incheon international airport station in Seoul station (in Korean "서울역") for transfer airport railroad.

Fig 2. Major stations belong to Seoul subway line 4 (colored skyblue).

If you want to feel active and energetic in Korea, you can go to the Hongik Univ. station (in Korean "홍대입구역") which belongs to subway line 2 or go to the Itaewon station (in Korean "이태원역")which belongs to subway line 6.

Fig 3. Major stations belong to subway line 2 (colored green) or 6 (colored brown).

 

When you want to see the Gwanghwamun, which is the largest gate at the imperial palace, you can go to the Gwanghwamun station (in Korean "광화문역") belongs to subway line 5. You can go to the Geyongbokgung first before go to the Gwanghwamun at the Gyeongbokgung station (in Korean "경복궁역") which belongs to subway line 3.

Fig 3. Major stations belong to subway line 3 (colored orange) or 5 (colored purple).

If you want to use the train to go to other places in Korea, you can go to the Seoul  (in Korean "서울역") or Yongsan station (in Korean "용산역") using subway line 1. I will write about this later because the railroad is separated by the stations. For example, you can go to the Gyeongsang place including Busan city from Seoul station. On the other hand, you can go to the Jeonlla place including Gwangju city.

Fig 4. Major stations belong to subway line 1 (colored blue).

In next article, I will show you the list of major stations in each subway line.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Seoul subway lines in Korea - How to transfer subway line 2, 4, and 6 using airport railroad.

Today, I will introduce the Seoul subway lines in Korea. You can see there are many subway lines in Seoul metropolitan subway map. It could be confusing for travelers, but it is not difficult at all. I will let you know what you see and use it. Most of travelers are arrived in Incheon international airport station or some of travelers near Korea are arrived in Gimpo international airport station. Both stations belong to airport railroad, so you just remember the airport railroad line first to go to your accommodation.

Fig 1. Seoul metropolitan subway map. There are many subway lines in the map.

If your accommodation is near Myeong-dong, you should get off at the Seoul station and transfer subway line 4. Then, get off at the Myeong-dong station. If your accommodation is near Hongik Univ. station, you should get off at the Hongik Univ. station without changing the subway line. If your accommodation is near Itaewon, you should get off at the Digital media city station and transfer subway line 6. Then, get off at the Itaewon or Noksapyeong station. (Some accommodations are near Noksapyeong station in Itaewon place.) Therefore, you just remember subway lines - airport railroad, 2, 4, and 6 to go to your accommodation.

Fig 2. Airport railroad map in Korea.

You may arrive in Incheon or Gimpo international airport station. You can transfer subway line 6 at the digital media city station (in Korean "디지털미디어시티역"),  subway line 2 at Hongik Univ. station (in Korean "홍대입구역"), and subway line 4 at the Seoul station (in Korean "서울역").

 

Fig 3. Korean subway transfer signs.

You can easily notice signs which is displayed in the stations.

Fig 4. How to go to the Noksapyeong or Itaewon station using subway line 6.

You can transfer subway line 6 at the digital media city station.

Noksapyeong or Itaewon station is 11 or 12 stops away from the digital media city station.

 

Fig 5. How to go to the Myeong-dong station using subway line 4.

You can transfer subway line 4 at the Seoul station.

Myeong-dong station is 2 stops away from the Seoul station.

In next few articles, I will show you the list of major stations in each subway line.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

How about drinking "banana flavored milk"?

When I want to drink milk, I usually choose banana flavored milk in convenience stores or large retailers. Banana flavored milk, especially released from Binggrae company, is one of steady seller item in Korea. All the people in Korea like this milk. I am sure that you would be like it. Banana flavored milk is called "바나나맛 우유 [ba na na mat woo you]" in Korean. Yellow color milk is put in a rhombus-shaped container. When you drink it, the sweetness with banana flavor spreads in your mouth. Especially, the taste of the milk would be better, when you have a sauna in Korea.

Fig 1. Banana flavored milk from Binggrae company.

The price of the milk is 1,300 won (Jan 2017). Enjoy this milk!

As mentioned above, the banana flavored milk from Binggrae company is so popoular among the same flavored milk products. As you know, banana has white flesh in a yellow skin. Accordingly, white color milk with banana flavor came out to the market in few years ago. This white milk gained popularity, but soon fell asleep. It is interesting why yellow one is popular than white one. Is it prejudice? I think yellow one looks good for people, and the people imagine that yellow color would taste better. What would you think about this?

In next article, I will write about Korean subway line.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy banana flavored milk! Enjoy Korea!

Korean restaurant in Myeong-dong - Myeong-dong kyoja

In my previous post, I informed that I will write about Seoul station, but I do not have enough figures. So, I will write about this post next weekend. I am sorry for that. Today, I would like to recommend the Korean restaurant in Myeong-dong, Myeong-dong kyoja. This restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants in Myeong-dong place. It has typical Korean foods. There are only four menus - Korean chopped noodles (in Korean 칼국수 [kal guk su]), Noodles with spicy sauce (in Korean 비빔국수 [bi bim guk su]), Dumpling (in Korean 만두 [man du]), and Noodles in bean soup (in Korean 콩국수 [kong guk su]).

Map - Myeong-dong kyoja in Myeong-dong.

You can find the location of restaurant using this google map.

Fig 1. Myeong-dong kyoja restaurant. You can see the panel "명동교자".

Fig 2. Myeong-dong kyoja menus. Menus and prices are displayed.

 

I recommend you to eat Korean chopped noodles. It is noodles in chiken soup topped with minced pork and dumplings. You can taste soft noodles, a strong taste of chicken soup, and dumplings. My friend really loves it. It is served with spice kimchi. The kimchi is made with minced spicy garlic and red peppers. It is in harmony with the noodles. Most of all, you can refill the noodles and rice, so, you can eat your fill. I also recommend to eat dumpling. It is made with minced pork and vegetables. Enjoy these Korean foods!

Fig 3. Korean chopped noodles.

 

In next article, I will introduce the popular product in Korea, banana flavored milk.

Where to stay in Seoul? How about staying Itaewon?

Today, I will show you the accommodations in Itaewon. Itaewon station belongs to Korean subway line 6. If you want to go to this station, you should transfer at the Gongdeok station. Itaewon station is four stops away from the Gongdeok station. Why people are going to Itaewon? There are many restaurants in various countries including France, China, Thailand, Turkey, Swiss, and so on. So, if you like, you can enjoy various foods in this place. There are also many pubs, lounge bars, and clubs. You can meet other travelers from various countries in there. Therefore, Itaewon is an attractive place for everyone.

Fig 1. Airport train map in Korea.

It takes about 53 minutes from Incheon International Airport station to Gongdeok station.

Fig 2. Korean subway map in Seoul.

Itaewon station is four stops away from Gongdeok station.

It belongs to Korean subway line 6 which is brown line in the map.

When you are searching Itaewon station using online accommodation booking websites, you can see some hotels, hostels, and guest houses near the station. You can also rent a studio using Airbnb website. You can choose your accommodation whatever you want.

Fig 3. Accmmodations (green and red dots) near Itaewon station.

You can see some accommodations such as hotels, hostels, and guest houses near Itaewon station.

I searched the accommodations using online booking website, Hotels.com.

Fig 4. Accommodations (red) near Itaewon station using Airbnb.

I searched the accommodations using Airbnb website (for 2 people and using entire home).

To date, I have introduced accommodations which belong to Korean subway line 2, 4, and 6. Meyongdong, which belongs to Korean subway line 4, is the most popular place for everyone. So, if you are first visit in Korea, I recommend you to stay in this place. In the other hand, if you want to enjoy more active and energetic things in Korea, I recommend you to stay in Hongik Univ. station or Itaewon station. (You can see these attractive places from older posts in my blog.)

In next article, I will introduce Seoul station for travelers.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Where to stay in Seoul? How about staying near Korean subway line 2?

Today, I will show you the accommodation near Korean subway line 2. Recently, young travelers are going to the Hongik Univ. station which belongs to Korean subway line 2. You can directly go to this station using airport local train. Why travelers are going to Hongik Univ. station recently? The answer is Hongik Univ. station is popular place for Korean young people. You can feel more active and energetic in this place. There are delicious restaurants, clothing stores, pubs, clubs, and so on. (I will write about these fascinating things in Hongik Univ. station.) If you wantt to enjoy more acitve things in Seoul, I recommend this place.

Fig 1. Airport train map in Korea.

It takes about 50 minutes from Incheon International Airport station to Hongik Univ. station.

When you are searching Hongik Univ. station using online accommodation booking websites, you can see many hostels and guest houses near the station. You can also rent a studio using Airbnb website. Therefore, you can decide what kind of accommodations whatever you want.

Fig 2. Accommodations (green and red dots) near Hongik Univ. station.

You can see many accommodations such as hostels or guest houses near Hongik Univ. station. I searched the accommodations using online accommodation booking website, Hotels.com.

Fig 3. Accommodations (red) near Hongik Univ. station using Airbnb.

I searched the accommodations using Airbnb website (for 2 people and using entire home)

In next article, I will introduce other popular places to stay in Seoul.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Where to stay in Seoul? How about staying near Korean subway line 4? - Using Airbnb

How do you book your accommodations? You may book your accommodations using various online accommodation booking websites including hotels.com, booking.com, expedia, and so on. Recently, Airbnb is growing fast among the online accommodation booking websites. I have also booked accommodations using this website when I went to the trip to Japan, Austrailia, and USA. The most adavantage of using Airbnb is that you can book almost anywhere you want. When I went to the San Diego in USA, I searched the accommodations using well known booking websites such as booking.com. It was showed that the accommodations are far from my destination and expensive. But, when I searched the accommodations using Airbnb, I could find the right place. It was near my destination and moderate prices.

Fig 1. Airbnb main hompage.



When you want to stay in Seoul using Airbnb website, I recommend to search "Chungmu-ro or Chungmu-ro station". Chungmu-ro station belongs to Korean subway line 4. This station is three stops away from Seoul station and one stop away from Meyong-dong station. If you want to stay more quite place, I recommend this place rather than staying in Meyong-dong.

 Fig 2. Accommodations (red) near Chungmu-ro station.

You can see some accmmodations near Chungmu-ro station. I searched the accommodations using Airbnb (for 4 people and using entire home)

Fig 3. Korean subway map in Seoul.

Chungmu-ro station is three stops away from Seoul station and one stop away from Meyong-dong station. It belongs to Korean subway line 4 which is skyblue line in the map.

In next article, I will introduce the accommodations in Hongik Univ. station, which belongs to Korean subway line 2.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Where to stay in Seoul? How about staying near Korean subway line 4?

When people are scheduled to travel abroad, they are concerned about making a reservation for their accommodation. The accommodation is one of the most important parts of your travel because it is one of the major expenses. There are tips for where do you stay in Korea. Most of travelers may stay in Seoul, but they are worried about where do I stay in Seoul. I recommend the accommodations near Korean subway line 4.

When do you arrive in Korea, you are located in the Incheon International Airport. Most of people take the airport express or all-stop train to go to the Hongik Univ. station or Seoul station. In this article, I write first about Seoul staition which is in Korean subway line 4. Hongik Univ. station, which belongs to Korean subway line 2, is popular palce for young people in Korea. I will write about this in next few articles.

Fig 1. Airport train map in Korea.

Fig 2. Korean subway map in seoul. 

Myeong-dong station is two stops away from Seoul station. These two stations belong to Korean subway line 4 which is skyblue line in the map.

Why is the Korean subway line 4? The answer is Myeong-dong station belongs to Korean subway line 4. Most of people make a reservation of their accommodation near Myeong-dong station. It is two stops away from Seoul station, so you can easily go back to the Incheon International Airport using Korean subway line 4 and the airport train. You can find many accommodations near the Myeong-dong station. In this place, you can eat, shop, and do all the things. You can book your accommodations using various online accommodation booking websites. I usually use Hotels.com because this website shows you what hotels are on sale during your travel period. If you collect 10 nights, you can get 1 night free. It is your own choice which online accommodation website is benefit for you.

Fig 3. Accommodations (green and red dots) near Myeong-dong station. 

You can see many accommodations near Myeong-dong station. I searched the accommodations using online accommodation booking website, Hotels.com.

In next article, I recommend the accommodations near Korean subway line 4 using Airbnb, which is presently the most popular booking website for travelers.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

First-aid medicine in convenience store (CVS)

Do you have a cold? Do you have indigestion? or Do you have pain? You can buy medicines for these symptoms. Since 2012 in Korea, people are allowed to buy the first-aid medicines for 24 hours in CVS. You can buy the medicines including cold medicine, digestive relief, pain reliever, and pain relief patch. People under the age of 12 must not be allowed to buy the medicines. (Take the medicine carefully!)

Fig 1. First-aid medicines in CVS (in CVS for you, CU).

Refer to the name of medicines in English (yellow words)

There are medicines listed below:
(It is writing in order of (1) product name in Korean, (2) Korean pronunciation, (3) medicine type,
and (4) cost.)

1. Cold medicine:
- (1)판피린티, (2) Panpyrin-T, (3) Tablet, (4) 1,800 won
- (1)판콜에이, (2) Pan col A, (3) Liquid, (4) 2,300 won
- (1)부루펜 (for children), (2) Burufen, (3) Liquid, (4) 6,600 won

2. Digestive relief:
- (1)베아제, (2) Bearse, (3) Tablet, (4) 1,500 won
- (1)훼스탈, (2) Festal, (3) Tablet, (4) 1,800 won

3. Pain reliever:
- (1)타이레놀, (2) Tylenol, (3) Tablet 160mg or 500mg, (4) 160mg - 2,300 won / 500mg 2,650 won

4. Pain relief patch:
- (1)신신파스에이, (2) Sinsin Pas-A, (3) patch, (4) 3,000 won

It is the best way to prepare your own medicines before traveling abroad.
I hope you are always healthy during the travel!

In next article, I will recommend the places to stay in seoul, Korea.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Do you have no appetite? - How about "rice porridge"?

In Korea, when people feel sick or have no appetite, they usually eat rice porridge. It is called "congee" (in Korean 죽 [jook]). Congee is a dish made by boiling rice in water with a meats or sea foods and mixed chopped vegetables. In addition, congee is made by boiling glutinous rice flour with pumpkin, red bean, pine nut, and so on. The texture of congee is soft, smooth, and creamy. It is really comfort food for everyone.

Fig 1. Rice porridge. It is called "congee".

People in Korea who suffered from internal disease usually eat this food for regaining health. Today, people sometimes eat a meal in congee restaurants because it has a variety of menus now: congee with beef, chicken, abalone, shrimp, crab, mushroom, and so on. You can also buy some kinds of congees in the convenience store.

Fig 2. Korean congee restaurant.

(Left) One of representative congee restaurant (in Korean 본죽 [bon jook]).

(Right) Menus in congee restaurant.

Korean usually eats congee with abalone, chicken, or beef because these ingredients have lots of nutrients. If you are hungover and feel sick, I recommend you to try this food. Especially, I want you to try the congee with tuna, mixed vegetables, or pumpkin. Most of people may like tastes of tuna and mixed vegetables. Pumpkin is so sweet taste, so children really like it. Enjoy Korean congee!

Fig 3. Congees in convenience store.

(1) Tuna (in Korean 참치 [charm chi]) (2) Beef (in Korean 쇠고기 or 소고기 [so go ki])

(3) Mixed vegetables (in Korean 야채 [ya chae]) (4) Pumpkin (in Korean 호박 [ho bak])

(5) Red bean (in Korean 단팥 [dan pot]

 

In next article, I will introduce the first aid medicine including pain reliever, digestant, cold that is sold in convenience store.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Various tastes of Soju and Makgeolli

Today, I introduce the various tastes of soju and makgeolli in Korea. A few years ago, various tastes of soju and makgeolli are released for people who are looking for new tastes of alcoholic drinks. Both alcoholic drinks are loved by Koreans when these are released and are still enjoying their popularity. You can buy both alcoholic drinks from convenience store. In addition, you can buy more tastes of alcoholic drinks in large retailers including lotte mart, e-mart, and homeplus. (I will introduce these large retailers later.)

First, I introduce the tastes of soju. It is often called cocktail soju. The strength of cocktail soju is around 12% alcohol by volume (ABV), which is lower than original soju (20% ABV). The tastes are varied including peach, citron, pomegrante, blueberry, grapefruit, green grape, and so on. So, you can choose any tastes you want. Especially, I recommend to chill the cocktail soju. I like citron taste because it is sweet and soft when I drink it.

Fig 1. Various tastes of soju. Refer to Korean for your purchase.

(1) Peach (in Korean "복숭아"), (2) Citron (in Korean "유자"), (3) Pomegrante (in Korean "석류")

(4) Blueberry (in Korean "블루베리"), (5) Grapefruit (in Korean "자몽")

(6) Green grape (in Korean "청포도")

Next, I will show the tastes of makgeolli. Actually, I like makgeolli more than soju because makgeolli is soft and silky. The strength of makgeolli is around 4% alcohol by volume. So, anyone can enjoy this alcoholic drink. The tastes of makgeolli are chestnut, banana, peach, and so on. The taste would be good to chill it. I love all the tastes of these alcoholic drinks because each tastes of makgeolli have its own flavors. I really recommend to try it!

Fig 2. Various tastes of makgeolli. Refer to Korean for your purchase.

(1) Chestnut (in Korean "밤 or 알밤"), (2) Banana (in Korean "바나나")

(3) Peach (in Korean "복숭아") 

There are many kinds of Korean traditional alcoholic drinks besides soju and makgeolli. I will write theses alcoholic drinks later. In next article, I will introduce the "porridge" that you interested.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Alcoholic drinks in Korea

Do you like alcoholic drinks? Do you want to drink Korean alcholic drinks? I will introduce Korean alcoholic drinks: soju and makgeolli. Soju (in Korean "소주") is the most popular Korea drink. It is clear and slightly sweet taste. It is a distilled drink containing ethanol and water. It is traditionally made from grains such as rice, but now it is made from starches like tapioca. The strength of soju is usually around 20% alcohol by volume. The drink is usually served neat and in a shot glass. In convenience store, a bottle of soju costs about 1,600 won, less than 1.5 US dollar now in Jan 2016.

Fig 1. Korean alcoholic drink Soju (소주) and a glass of soju.

Makgeolli (in Korean "막걸리") is also one of the most popular alcoholic drink in Korea. It is a milky and sweet alcoholic drink made from rice. It is the traditional Korean rice wine. The strength of makgeolli is usually around 6% to 7% alcohol by volume. It is fermented naturally and unfiltered which gives it its milky white color and makes it chalky at the bottom. It is served in a bowl. In convenience store, a bottle of makgeolli costs about 1,500 won, less than 1.5 US dollar now in Jan 2016.

Fig 2. Korean alcoholic drink Makgeolli (막걸리) and a bowl of makgolli.

If you want to get drunk quickly, I recommend to drink soju. Soju is cheap and realtively high alcohol content than beer or wine. So, you can get drunk with few bottles of soju. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy taste of korean alcoholic drink, I recommend to drink makgeolli. Makeolli is also cheap and so sweet taste, but if you drink it a lot, you will have a massive hangover because it is not distilled drink. Fortunately, in Korea, there are many foods that relive the hangover that I will write later.

In addition, there are various tastes of  soju and makgeolli. I will show you these alcoholic drinks in next article.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Convenience store in Korea - Do you know "triangular gimbap"?

I would like to introduce the CVS food "triangular gimbap". Triangular gimbap is one of popular food in Korea becuase it is easy to eat and quickly satisfy your hunger. I usually eat triangular gimbap with noodles. Triangular gimbap is triangle-shaped rice wrapped with seaweed topped with seasoned fist or meat including tuan, chicken, beef, or pork. In some triangular gimbap, rice is stir-fried with soy sauce or red pepper paste.

Fig 1. Various flavors and taste of triangular gimbap

The flavors and tastes of triangular gimbap enjoyed by Korea are as follows:

1. Tuan mayyonnaise (in Korean 참치김밥) - It is a mild taste, so anyone can enjoy it.
2. Beef jeonju bibimbap (in Korean 소고기 전주비빔) - The rice is stir-fried with red pepper paste and topped with beef. It is slightly more spicy than tuna mayonnaise.
3. Hot and spicy chiken with cheese (in Korean 치즈불닭) - It is topped seasoned chicken with spicy red pepper. I recommend this one who enjoys spicy food.

Next, I will show how to eat triangular gimbap. As you can see, the number is written on the wrapping paper. So, you can proceed in order of number. First, tear down the part of wrapping paper, then pull the wrapping paer in order. (Warning! Pull the wrapping paper slowly!) Enjoy the triangular gimbap.

Fig 2. How to eat triangular gimbap

In next article, I will write about alchols in Korea for enjoying your night in Korea.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Convenience store (CVS) in Korea - Cup noodles recommendation

Today, I will show my favorite cup noodles. I usually eat cup noodles three times a week. Especially, eating cup noodle at night is best! When I feel more hungry, I eat cup noodle with triangular gimbap. (I will write about "triangular gimbap" in next article. Please look forward to it!) There are three cup noodles that I recommended.

Fig 1. Cup noodle - 육개장 사발면 (means hot spicy meat stew with noodle)

First, I introduce 육개장 사발면. It is the most basic flavor of Korean cup noodle. This cup noodle is sold when I was child (about 20 years ago) and is still receiving lots of love from Korean. If you live in the U.S. or other countries, you can see this cup noodle named "Bowl Noodle Soup" in CVS or large retailers. There is a little difference in the flavor between Korea and other countries. Thsi cup noodle in other countries is slightly less spicy than original.

Fig 2. Cup noodle - 참깨라면 (means sesame noodle)

Next is 참깨라면. It includes powder soup, seasoning soup, and solid ingredient of soup (lyophilized egg). The noodle is soft and smooth than other cup noodles. It is slightly more spicy than 육개장 사발면. So, if you like to eat spicy noodle, you can try it.

Fig 3. Cup noodle - 생생우동

(means Udon that is a type of thick wheat flour noodle of Japanese cuisine)

Last, I recommend this cup noodle named 생생우동. It, especially, has wet noodle that is different from other cup noodles. The soup is based on soy source. So, you can enjoy this cup noodle even if you cannot eat spicy noodle. This cup noodle reminds me of the winter weather in Korea.

In next article, I will introduce "triangular gimbap" that is the rice with seasoned ingredients wrapped with seaweed. It is recommended to eat with cup noodle.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy Korea!

Convenience store in Korea - What cup noodles do you want?

People in Korea eat a lot of cup noodles. Accordingly, there are many kinds of delicious cup noodles in Korea. The advantage of cup noodles is that the recipe is easy and you can satisfy your hunger quickly. You can buy cup noodles in CVS when you feel hungry at night. I will introduce cup noodles at the CVS. These cup noodles are usually bought and eaten by Koreans.

Fig 1. Cup noodles in CVS.

Fig 2. The steady seller of cup noodles in Korea.



 There are 6 cup noodles that is popular in Korea. 1-3 are noodle with soup and 4-6 are noodle with sauce. 1, 2, and 4 are not spicy. 6 is the most spicy cup noodle in Korea. If you like spicy food, I recommand this one. When this cup noodle is launched to the market, people who enjoy spicy food give thumbs up. 5 is less spicy than 6. 3 is spicy and the most selling cup noodle in Korea. 1 is noodle with beef soup, 2 is noodle with seafood-based soup, and 4 is noodle with black bean sauce.

Next, here is how to eat cup noodle. First, unwrap the package of cup noodle, then, unwrap the lid of cup noodle container. You can see noodle, solid ingredient of soup, and powder soup in the container. (Sometimes, solid ingredient of soup is already set with noodle in container.) Second, tear the soup bag and put the contents in container. Third, boil the water using electric kettle in your hotel or a place to stay. When the water is boiled, pour it properly in the container. Last, wait 3-4 minutes and enjoy eating cup noodle!

Fig3. How to eat cup noodles.

Today, I showed cup noodles that usually consumed in Korea. In next article, I will recommand other cup noodles.

Thanks for reading!