Korean Ginseng Festival 2013 in Singapore

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea hosted a 2-day event to introduce Korea's most symbolic health food, Korean Ginseng to the local community.   The Korean Ginseng Festival 2013 allowed guests to get acquainted with the goodness of Korean Ginseng and to discover why the 6-year Korean Ginseng is praised to be the highest quality ginseng in the world.  This natural medicine has been appreciated globally for its unique set of health benefits, including enhancing the immune system as well as boosting the stamina.

The Guest-of-Honour, Mrs Seo Ki Ae, spouse of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, launched the festival on 7 November 2013 at Hansang Family Restaurant.  Guest speaker, Professor Kim Si-Kwan, President of The Korean Society of Ginseng, shared the findings from his extensive research in the study of the King of Herbs.  Prof Kim has won numerous academic awards and accolades in the study of Korean Ginseng.

The sharing was followed by a cooking demonstration on using the Korean Ginseng as an ingredient in traditional such as the Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup and the Beef Stew with Korean Ginseng and Sweet Pumpkin; and a Ginseng-themed buffet.

Snacks included Susam Shake, Insam Daechu Cha (Ginseng and Red Date Tea), Insam Latte, Insam Ice Cream, Insam Sherbet and Insam Goguma Mat Tang (Deep fried Ginseng and Sweet Potato).

The buffet line was really sumptuous.  Appetisers including Susam Salad (Ginseng salad), Insam Sak Jook (Ginseng Chicken porridge), Insam Japchae (Ginseng Sweet Potato Noodle), Insam Goojol Pan (Flour roll stuffed with 8 ingredients) and Insam Sanjok (Ginseng skewers).

Other than Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup), there was also Insam Ddok Galdi (Ginseng Beef Patty), Insam Ganpoonggi (Deep fried chicken and ginseng), Insam Danhabook Galbi Jim (Beef Stew with Sweet Potato) and Ogok Bab (Mixed grain rice).

Traditional desserts including Gyong Dan (Rice cake stuffed with bean paste), Hodduk (Traditional Korean Pancake with nuts and topped with brown sugar syrup) and Sujong Gua (Cinnamon punch) were also served to sweetened the buffet treat.


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[Seoul, Korea] A Twosome Place by 51K (So Ji Sub's Coffeeshop / Cafe) [Closed]

Has anyone watched a recent Korean drama, Master's Sun (주군의 태양) that feature So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin?  In the drama, one of the shooting location is at A Twosome Place café, a European style dessert café that serves a wide variety of coffee and tea beverages; and desserts including cakes, tarts, muffins etc; sandwiches and salads.

The good news and bad news is that Master So Ji Sub is a owner of 1 the Twosome Place café (named after his own agency, 51K) BUT A Twosome Place by 51K has decided not to renew its contract when it terminates on 31 December 2013.  Why is the café called 51K? Accordingly to So Ji Sub, there is a huge difference between 49 and 51, and he aims toward 51% of everything.  That's how his company name, 51K, came about.

If anyone's going to be in Korea by the end of the year, do try to visit the café.  Here's a sneak preview of the place.

The front and main entrance of 51K.  Although the café is not located along the main road, it is within short walking distance from Apgujeong subway station.

The café is a paradise for So Ji Sub fans.  The café is modern, huge and spacious and has different seating sections.  There are also plenty of posters, big and small, found in his café.  The posters on the left wall is a collection of SJS's portraits since his debut into the entertainment circle.

The café is located within a cinema complex, CGV, in Apgujeong.  This is a full-length portrait next to the building lift, within the café.  Great photo spot while waiting for the lift, isn't it?

The coffee counter, with the barista making coffee.  The cakes in the glass display shelf look delicious, don't they?  The cakes at A Twosome Place are good!

Only at the 51K café, you will find So Ji Sub's coffee (소지섭).  This is one coffee that you will fall in love with the moment you try it!  The espresso fragrant with vanilla flavour was perfect.

When I was there in 2012, So Ji Sub's movie, The Company Man, was just launched.  The café was turned into a photo gallery!

Sadly, from 1 January 2014 onwards, all these will form part of So Ji Sub's history.  Although there will not be A Twosome Place by 51K anymore by then, it will be great if So Ji Sub can surprise us with other new business ventures where K-drama fans will get to experience in time to come.


Getting there: Take subway to Apgujeong Station and exit station using Exit 3.  Walk straight ahead and make a left turn at the first T-junction (168 Nonhyeon-Dong).  The café is just right across the first traffic junction.


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[This trip is made possible by the Asian On Air programme, organised by the Korean Air and Korea Tourism Organisation].


Related Posts
- FoodHunt: Black Smith Restaurant by Song Seung Heon (click)
- FoodHunt: Dakgalbi at Chuncheon (click)
- Asian-On-Air: K-Style Hair and Spa (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: Experiencing Korean Medical Services (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: Excellence in Flight - Korean Air (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: Chrysanthemum Flower Festival at Jogyesa (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: The Historical Drama Playground (click here)

[Korea Culture] Keep Calm and Enjoy Your Pepero

Do you know that Korea has 15 national holidays in a year?  In 2013, every month except in April, July and November, there is a national holiday!  That means me truly envious of their office workers!  In addition, there are 3 special days which aren't declared as national holidays, business establishments may declare as non-working days!

To top it up, Korea has Fun and Romantic days that fall on the 14th of EVERY month!

14 January : Diary Day where couples and friends exchange yearly planners.  Important dates such as anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions are marked down on their brand new planner.  That explains why book stores are stocked with beautiful planners by year end!

14 February : Valentine's Day.  On this day, ladies present chocolate to the person they like.

14 March : White Day.  It is the men's turn to present gifts to the person they like.  The custom in Korea is such that men should present a gift that is worth 3 times more.

14 April : Black Day.  Designated specially to the singles who will gather to eat Jjajangmyeon (black bean paste noodles) on this day.  Black is a symbol of feeling depressed.

The lists of holidays on the 14th goes on....

There is a new observance which arose in the 1990s when a couple of young teenage girls from Busan exchanged Pepero sticks, a cookie stick snack coated with chocolate, as a wish to grow tall and slim.   Pepero Day started when it became more popular.  Another legend says that Pepero Day started since the date "11/11" resembles 4 sticks of Pepero.  This is observed by young people and couples who exchange Pepero sticks on this day! 

Regardless, another day of observance means another day of fun!  So, just keep calm and enjoy your Pepero!

[Seoul, Korea] Food Series: Tteokbokki



Tteokbokki, Korean rice cakes with fish cakes in spicy pepper sauce, is known to be a quick take-out snacks which you can buy from street stalls in Korea.  Have you tried eating Tteokbokki from a big pan like that?  It is delicious and you have to try this!

Years ago dated as far back as Joseon Dynasty, Tteokbokki was a royal court cuisine instead of a daily dish.  Soy sauce was used instead of gochujang and main ingredients included kelp, dried mushrooms, onions, vegetables and meat.  It was a stir-fry savoury dish then.  

The modern tteokbokki dish is a popular dish which can be taken as a full-meal instead of having it as a snack.  There is even a tteokbokki street at Sindang-dong area with several restaurants serving this dish side by side.  These are just a few of the restaurants.

The full-meal tteokbokki is cooked in a pan with rice cakes, ramyeon and sweet potato noodles piled beneath the other ingredients including fish cakes, eggs, quail eggs, fried fritters (in seafood or vegetables), mandu (dumplings), sausages and onion.

Since those served in the restaurants are more elaborate and sumptuous, the price is also slightly highly, approximate 5,000 to 7,000 per pax depending on the number of persons sharing a pot.  Serving portion for 2 persons could costs approximately 12,000 won.  Additional ingredients can be requested and the price will be charged accordingly.

Getting to Tteokbokki Town:  Take the subway to either Sindang station (Line 2 and 6, Exit 6 or 7) or Cheonggu Station (Line 5 and 6, Exit 1 or 2).  Walk along Dasan-ro until you see the big Tteokbokki Town arch signage.


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[Seoul, Korea] Autumn Series: Chrysanthemum Flower Festival at Jogyesa

The good thing about living in a country with 4 seasons is that the impermanence of living things become more apparent through the changes in the surrounding eg. climate, weather, fashion and nature.  In spring, spring flowers blossom to reveal its tender beauty having withstood the bitter winter.  In summer, the nation is greeted by the cheery, bright-coloured tulips.  Autumn is the time where chrysanthemum flowers are in full bloom and festivals are held to exhibit the colour flowers.  Known as "gukhwa", this light-fragrant flower is made into tea (from the dried flowers) and even into traditional liquor from edible chrysanthemum infused in soju.

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During autumn, chrysanthemum is used as decorative ornaments in many parks and temples.  Jogyesa, (or Jogye Temple), the chief temple of the modern Korean Buddhism, holds the annual Chrysanthemum Flower Festival during the period from October to November.  Festival in 2013 is a month-long event which started on 7 October and will end on 11 November.

Located within the heart of Seoul, this century-old temple (although it was first built about 500 years ago), has withstood the test of civil unrest, and now a place where locals and foreigners can visit and participate in their events.  The temple's main hall is opened 24 hours a day.

The Daewoongjeon (大雄殿 / 태웅전) is the temple mainhall, and the name means the place for great hero.  The same name is also used in many other Buddhist temples around the word which house the Shakyamuni Buhhda.  Jogyesa has continued to use this name even after the Medicine Buddha and Amitabha Buddha are housed there.  In some Buddhist temples, the main-hall are known as Daewoongbojeon (大雄宝殿 / 태웅보전)  instead of Daewoongjeon when the Buddha Triad are housed within the same premises.

As the temple is located in downtown Jong-no, it is surrounded by high-rise skyscapers.  Visitors to the temples include not only tourists and believers, but also office workers during the lunch hour to view the flower exhibits.  It also provides tours and temple stay programmes for visitors.  Information is readily available at the temple's information counter.

The temple is filled with greenies and particularly a few huge old trees, which provide lots of shade and it becomes more cooling walking about the temple compound.

The shops along the street outside Jogyesa includes souvenir shops and some cafes.  It will be nice to have some light tea and snacks after a stroll in the temple.

Jogyesa (Jogye Temple)
55, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 우정국로 55 (견지동)
Website: http://www.jogyesa.kr/user/jogye/


Getting there:  The nearest subway station is Anguk Station (Line 3, Exit 6).  At Exit 6 street level, continue to walk ahead towards a cross junction.  On the left side is Hana Bank.  Cross to the opposite side of the road and turn left.  The temple is just about 3 mins ahead. 



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[This trip is made possible by the Asian On Air programme, organised by the Korean Air and Korea Tourism Organisation].

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- Asian-On-Air: K-Style Hair and Spa (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: Experiencing Korean Medical Services (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: Excellence in Flight - Korean Air (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: A Twosome Place by 51K (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: The Historical Drama Playground (click here)

My Korea Travel Story

Dear readers, please support my entries for the "My Korea Travel Story" event, organised by the Korea Tourism Organisation, by clicking on my post, 'Like' it and/or give a rating. 

1) Exploring Korean Traditional Markets in Seoul on Subway Line 5 (link)
2) In search of Chuncheon Dakgalbi via ITX (link)

Thank you in advance!

[K-Beauty] Korean Cosmetics Specially for Minnie Mouse Fans!

Cuteness-overload XOXO Minnie cosmetics can be found at Etude House in Korea!  The packaging is totally girly and the items are snapped up like hotcakes in many Etude House outlets.  The price is reasonable and that's good (or maybe not so good for Minnie fans).

A closer look at the items here.  On the left is the Minnie Touch Highlighter and the Minnie Touch Blusher. 15,000 won each.

In it's adorable pinky packaging, you may find it too cute to use.

Choice of long & sexy eyelashes and short & chic eyelashes are available in this range too. 3, 000 won each.

How about adding some sweet and light-coloured eye shades and highlight?

Solid colour or glittery nail polish for you?  Choice of sexy purple or girly pink for the solid colour range.  For the glittery range, some of the glitzy bits are in the shape of Minnie's bow!  How cute! 3, 000 won.

The lipsticks are available in 2 shades only - chilli red and hot pink!  Obviously, the pink one is more popular than the red. 9, 000 won.

And finally, this sunblock, in Minnie packaging, was spotted separately on the shelf. 

Are you having difficulty deciding which ones to buy now?  Happy shopping!

Related posts:
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- The Historical Drama Playground (click)