[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.

Lo 

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].

Related Posts:
- Autumn Series: Shellfish dinner at mysterious Muchang-po (click)
- Autumn Series: Railbiking along Seomjingang River (click)
- Autumn Series: Exploring the Jeonju Hanok Village (click)
- Autumn Series: Catching the autumn foliage in Korea (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: 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:
- Tips to staying connected in Korea and locating the EG SIM card at Seoul Station (click)
- The Historical Drama Playground (click)

Airline Promotions to Korea - Singapore to Seoul / Busan / Jeju (Winter 2013)

Are you planning to spend a white Christmas or new year in Korea or planning to shop till you drop during the Korea Grand Sale?  I will begin to compile a list of airline promos to Korea.  Year-end is the peak travel season and as such, travel deals will be quite limited.  [Note: Click here for Spring 2014 airfare promos.]

Korean Air

Singapore to Seoul: from SGD700
Booking Period: 1 to 31 Jan 2014
Travel Period: 1 to 28 Feb 2014
Check website for details: http://www.koreanair.com/local/sg/ld/eng/ft/ne/20140108_97116.jsp

Singapore to Seoul: from SGD730
Booking Period: 25 Nov 2013 to 20 Dec 2013 [Promotion Ended]
Travel Period: 1 Jan 2014 to 31 Mar 2014
Min / Max Stay: No minimum / Max of 6 months

Singapore to Seoul: from SGD917.90
Booking Period: 19 Nov 2013 to 31 Dec 2013 [Promotion Ended]
Travel Period: 1 Jan 2014 to 28 Feb 2014
Min / Max Stay: No minimum / Max of 6 months

Singapore to Seoul: from SGD1073.90
Booking Period: 18 Apr 2013 to 20 Jan 2014 [Promotion Ended]
Travel Period: 15 Nov 2013 to 1 Feb 2014
Min / Max Stay: No minimum / Max of 6 months

Singapore to Seoul: from SGD953.90
Booking Period: 18 Apr 2013 to 31 Mar 2014
Travel Period: 18 Apr 2013 to 30 Jun 2014
Min / Max Stay: No minimum / Max of 6 months

Website: www.airfares.com.sg


Singapore to Seoul: SGD 785 (Gift from the Sky II Promotion) [Promotion Ended]

Booking Period: 15 Oct to 15 Nov 2013
Travel Period: 18 Oct 2013 to 31 Mar 2014

Details can be found at http://www.koreanair.com/local/sg/ld/eng/tp/pm/ps_subList.jsp?promoid=18


Asiana Airlines

Singapore to Seoul / Busan / Jeju : from SGD847 / 995 / 997
Booking Period: 30 May 2013 to 30 Jun 2014
Travel Period: 30 May 2013 to 31 Dec 2014
Min / Max Stay: No minimum / Max of 6 months

Singapore to Seoul : from SGD 738 [Promotion Ended]
Booking Period: 1 to 31 Dec 2013
Travel Period: 3 Feb to 30 Apr 2014
Min / Max Stay: No minimum / Max of 6 months

Singapore to Seoul: from SGD735.55 [Promotion Ended]
Booking Period: 4 Nov to 30 Nov 2013
Travel Period: 1 Jan to 30 April 2014
Min / Max Stay: No minimum / Max of 6 months

Website: www.airfares.com.sg


Singapore Airlines

Singapore to Seoul: from SGD628 (min. 2 to travel) [Promotion Ended]

Booking Period : 9 Jan to 3 Feb 2014

Travel Period: 1 Feb to 16 Apr 2014 (except for outbound from Singapore between 14 and 17 March)

Min / Max Stay: 3 Days / 14 Days

Round trip economy class

 

Website: www.singaporeair.com

Singapore to Seoul : fr SGD 828 (min 2 to travel) [Promotion Ended]

Booking Period : 10 to 20 Dec 2013
Travel Period : 10 Dec 2013 to 27 Jan 2014
Min/Max Stay: 3 / 14 Days
Round Trip Economy Class

Details can be found at http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/special-offers/fare-deals-listing/


Singapore to Seoul : fr SGD 698 (Minimum 1 to travel, exclusive for VISA cardholders) [Promotion Ended]
Booking Period : 8 Nov to 15 Dec 2013
Travel Period : 1 Feb to 13 Mar 2014
Min/Max Stay: 3 / 14 Days
Round Trip Economy Class
Valid on SQ600 and SQ602 only

Details can be found at https://travel.visa.com/apcemea/sg/en/page.html?content-page=singaporeair-nov13.shtml&partner=true?site=SG and https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/special-offers/fare-deals-listing/


Singapore to Seoul : fr SGD 798 (Minimum 2 to travel) [Promotion Ended]

Booking Period : until 18 Nov 2013
Travel Period : 26 Dec 2013 to 24 Jan 2014
Min/Max Stay: 3 / 14 Days
Round Trip Economy Class
Valid on SQ600 and SQ602 only

Details can be found at http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/special-offers/fare-deals-listing/


Cathay Pacific

Singapore to Seoul (via HK) : from SGD 268 [Promotion Ended]
Booking Period: until 2 Feb 2014
Travel Period : Ex Singapore between 16 Jan and 30 Apr 2014
Min/Max Stay: 2 Day /  1 Month
Round Trip Economy Class

Singapore to Seoul (via HK) : from SGD 873 [2-to-Travel Year Long Fare]
Travel Period : until 31 Oct 2014
Min/Max Stay: 2 Day /  1 Month
Round Trip Economy Class
Unused ticket may be refunded at an admin charge of SGD150.

Singapore to Seoul (via HK) : SGD 623 (Minimum 1 to travel) [Promotion Ended]
Booking Period : until 30 Nov 2013
Travel Period : 5 Feb to 31 May 2014
Min/Max Stay: 2 Day /  1 Month
Round Trip Economy Class

Singapore to Seoul (via HK) : from SGD 758 (ANZ Card Promotion) [Promotion Ended]
Booking Period : 12 Nov to 9 Dec 2013
Travel Period : 12 Nov 2013 to 30 April 2014 (to check actual permissible dates from websites)
Min/Max Stay: 2 Day /  1 Month
Round Trip Economy Class

Details can be found at website.


China Airlines

Singapore to Busan / Seoul (via Taipei) : from SGD 804 / SGD810 (1 to go fare)  [Promotion Ended]
Booking Period: 22 Nov 2013 to 4 Jan 2014
Travel Period : 27 Dec 2013 to 29 May 2014
Min/Max Stay: max of  1 Month
Round Trip Economy Class
Unused ticket may be refunded at an admin charge of SGD150.

Details can be found here or www.airfares.com.sg


China Eastern Shanghai Airlines

Singapore to Seoul / Busan / Jeju (via Shanghai) : from SGD 764 / 752 / 754 (1 to go fare)
Booking Period: 22 May 2013 to 30 June 2014
Travel Period : 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014
Min/Max Stay: max of  6 Months
Round Trip Economy Class

Singapore to Seoul (via Shanghai) : from SGD 566 (1 to go fare)
Booking Period: 18 Oct 2013 to 30 June 2014
Travel Period : 18 Oct 2013 to 30 Sep 2014
Min/Max Stay: max of  6 Months
Round Trip Economy Class


Details can be found at www.airfares.com.sg


That's all for now!  Do keep me posted if you know if any great deals!  TIA!

[Gyeonggi, Korea] The historial drama playground, MBC Dramia

Fans of MBC Korean historical drama must make a visit to this Hallyu hub - MBC Dramia located at Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, Seoul.  This is the exact location where drama hits such as Jewel in the Crown (Lee Young-Ae and Ji Jin-Hee), Jumong (Song Il-Guk and Han Hye-Jin), Dong-yi (Han Hyo-Joo and Ji Jin-Hee), The Great Queen Songdeok (Lee Yo-Won, Go Hyun-Jung and Uhm Tae-Woong), Yi San, Wind of the Palace (Lee Seo-Jin and Park Ji-Min), The Duo (Chun Jung-Myung, Lee Sang-Yoon, Han Ji-Hye and Seo Hyun-Jin) and recent top dramas - Moon Embracing Sun (Kim Soo-Hyun and Han Ga-In), Dr Jin (Song Seung-Heon and Park Min-Young) and Gu Family Book (Lee Seung-Gi and Bae Suzy)!

Unlike other drama sets which are built and destroyed subsequently, MBC Dramia allow visitors to enjoy the architects of different periods from The Three Kingdom Period to the Joseon Dynasty.

Built in the land of 2,800,000 sq metres, MBC Dramia is one of the biggest Korean wave birthplaces with the shooting complex of 165,000 sq metres wide, mini local market places of 8 different regions in Korea and hanok houses.

There is an booth to purchase the admission ticket to MBC Dramia.  Prices are relatively reasonable, all under 10,000 won.  A huge MBC signage welcomes you as you walk pass the main entrance. 

Along the way, there are lots of drama banners attached to the fences capturing the filming scenes of the various dramas made in this mega studio.

This is an area featuring the downtown street / marketplace.  Fans of Gu Family Book may recall this to be the place where the lantern festival took place.  In that scene (Episode 14), Yeo-wool (Bae Suzy) put on a dress for the first time on her date with Kang-chi (Lee Seung-Gi), who was dumb-founded when he saw her in a dress.

The following location is at the top of the hill.  In the Gu Family Book, this place was the "Muhyeongdogwan", the martial art academy where Yeo-Wool's father was the instructor.

In the pavilion opposite the house, that was where Kang-chi was asked to count beans!

Enjoy the view of the entire MBC Dramia from the pavilion which is the highest point in this filming site.  Can you imagine how the scenery will be at the peak of the autumn season?  It will be extremely awesome!



Other locations in the site includes military drill hall, police bureau, palaces, houses of high-ranking officials etc.

To fully enjoy the architecture in the entire place, set aside about 2 hours as there will lots of photo opportunities with the sets and the character standees.  There is also a small oriental teahouse and souvenir shop to rest and shop.  Here's the layout of the filming site for reference.

Tips: Do find out ahead of visit whether any MBC historical drama is being filmed at MBC Dramia.  You may be lucky enough to meet the actors/actresses!  Unfortunately for me, the filming for Goddess of Fire ended a few weeks earlier, otherwise, I might have a chance to meet Kim Bum!!

MBC Dramia

778-1 Yongcheon-ri, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Seoul

Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm (March to October); 10am to 5pm (November to February)

Admission Fee

Adult: 7,000 won

Students: 6,000 won

Children: 5,000 won

Getting there

From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus to Baekam Terminal.

Take bus 35-1 or a taxi to MBC Dramia.

or

From Yongin Intercity Bus Terminal, take bus 10-4, 94 or 94-1.

Get off at Baekam Terminal and transfer to bus 35-1.  Get off at Yongcheon (용천) and walk 600m.

Estimated travelling time from Seoul is 2hr to 2.5hr



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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:
- Travel Tips: Tax Refund for Travellers (click)
- Autumn Series: Mysterious Muchangpo Beach (click)
- Autumn Series: Jeonju Hanok Village (click)
- Travel Tips: Airline promotions from Singapore to Korea (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: A Twosome Place by 51K (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: Chrysanthemum Flower Festival at Jogyesa (click here)

[Gyeonggi-do, Korea] Happy Halloween at Everland!

Halloween is just around the corner!  If you are in Korea right at this moment, you would notice that the festive mood is quite high!  Pumpkin-inspired donuts and muffins can be found in the bakery!  Which is the cutest??

Even at the popular themepark, Everland, the musical is inspired by the Halloween icon, pumpkin!  There is daily Halloween performance at the Four Seasons Garden, which is a European-inspired garden filled with western architecture buildings.  There are seasonal flower festivals in this garden.  Tulips in spring, lilies in summer and chrysanthemums in autumn.  Check this out!

Post by Joslovesfood.

About Everland (Info from KTO website)

Everland Resort was opened in 1976 as the first family park in Korea. Though originally called ‘Yongin Jayeon Nongwon,’ the company changed its name to ‘Everland’ to make the name more recognizable to international audiences. The park is home to over 40 heart-pounding rides and attractions. In addition to ‘Safari World’ featuring white tigers, tigers, lions and bears, ‘Herbivore Safari’ opened in April 2010, letting visitors get up close and personal with the safari’s giraffes, elephants, and ostriches. Everland is also known for its gorgeous flower arrangements and beautiful gardens, which have been year-round fixtures since the Rose Festival in 1985.

Operating Hours

Weekdays 10:00-22:00 / Saturdays 10:00-20:00 / Sundays, public holidays 9:30-22:00

Admission Fees

* One-day Pass - Daytime: Adults 40,000 won / Teenagers 34,000 won / Children 31,000 won - Nighttime: Adults 33,000 won / Teenagers 28,000 won / Children 25,000 won * Two-day Pass Adults: 64,000 won / Teenagers: 55,000 won / Children: 50,000 won * Admission Ticket - Daytime: Adults 33,000 won / Teenagers 28,000 won / Children 25,000 won - Nighttime: Adults 26,000 won / Teenagers 24,000 won / Children 22,000 won * Children: ages 36 months-12 / Teenager: ages 13-18 * Nighttime tickets are available starting from 17:00. Getting there Subway + Bus 1) Gangnam Station (Seoul Subway Line 2 or Sinbundang Line), Exit 5 or 10. Take bus 5002 to Everland. (Travel time: 50 min) 2) Gangbyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 1. Take bus 5800 to Everland. (Travel time: 50 min) 3) Sadang Station (Seoul Subway Lines 2, 4), Exit 2 or 3. Take bus 1500-2 to Everland. (Travel time: 80 min). City Bus From Yongin or Suwon, take bus 66 or 66-4 to Everland. From Yongin Bus terminal. Take bus 5002 or 5800 at the bus stop in front of Hotel Cinema.

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[Chungcheongnam-do, Korea] Autumn Series: Shell-fish dinner at the Mysterious Muchanpo Beach

Introducing this clear blue sea with beauty that was beyond imagination.  The faraway horizon that made me wonder who was at the other end of the horizon and whether they were admiring the same blue sea as I was.

Located in Boryeong in Chungcheongnam-do, Muchangpo Beach is one of the first man-made beaches along the western coastline in Korea.  During the tides at the summer season (on 15th and 30th during the 7th lunar month), one may witness the mysterious parting of the sea that will reveal the 1.5km sea road from the Muchangpo Beach to Seokdaedo Island.

I was there during autumn and had just the magnificent sea part view.  Nonetheless, the view was exceptionally beautiful during sunset.  The short-lived sunset lasted only about 20 minutes.

Next to the Muchangpo Beache Palance (spa hotel) was a restaurant that specialised in grilled shell-fish.  It had a small tentage for diners who prepared a different experience.  The tentage was warm as it was equipped with a heater as well as the heat from our cooking, but the chill was a little unbearable the moment we walked out from the tentage.

I had my first experience in grilling shell-fishes and scallops.  It was really exciting as we had to watch out for the popping moments from the shell-fishes.  The moment it "popped", it's shell opened up to 90 degrees and it was cooked.  And we had to quickly moved them away from the grill before it got overcooked! Grilling scallops were much easier though as we could see with our naked eye if they were cooked.

The staple of that dinner was this big pot of kalguksu noodles with seafood and vegetables.  The freshly-cut noodles was slightly chewy and delicious.  Totally appetizing and it warmed the body and prepared us before we braved through the cold wind to return back to the hotel after dinner.

Getting to Muchangpo:

Train
Yongsan Station (Subway Line 1) or Yeongdeungpo Station (Subway Line 2)
Take a train to Ungcheon (Janghang line) to Ungcheon Station.
From the train station, take the Muchangpo Bus (no number, only '무창포').
Get off at Muchangpo Beach.

*Train - travel time: about 3hrs.
*Bus - travel time: 10-20 min


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Related Post:
- Up Close and Personal with Seagulls (click)