Yongsan. A neighborhood where the sound of trains never ceases. Countless people pass through. Amidst their hurried pace, hidden kimbap shops offer solace from hunger. I spent days tasting kimbap from numerous spots. Here, I share my memories of five. This is an unadorned, honest record of their tastes—some of my best kimbap discoveries in … Read more
Euljiro changed. Narrow alleys. Old buildings. New things rose between them. Coffee aroma instead of factory noise. Sleek lights next to faded signs. People called it “Hipjiro.” I went there too. Five Euljiro cafes. Places I remember. These are some of the best cafes in Seoul for a unique vibe. 1. Coffee Hanyakbang Euljiro 2-ga … Read more
Gangnam. Always overflowing with people. Streets with no room to stand. Even more cafes. Choosing one is a task. A photograph. A record of the moment. There are places I seek out for this. Four worth remembering. 1. Something About Coffee (썸띵어바웃커피) Somewhere between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station. Not hard to find. Three floors. … Read more
Seongsu-dong. Factories turn into cafes. Old alleys breathe new life. Here, too, there is kimbap. I went looking for good kimbap. This is the record Matdeuri Banchan. Seongsu-dong 1-ga 706 It opens at five in the morning. A banchan shop. Side dishes. No kimbap sign. I open the door. The owner, a kind face, is … Read more
Gangnam. A place teeming with people, day and night. Restaurants are just as numerous. Finding the real gems in this flood isn’t easy. This is a story of restaurants a Gangnam local trusts, the ones I return to. Cheonggan Makguksu: A steadfast choice, summer or winter On the second floor of the Hongwoo Building near … Read more
Cheonggyecheon Stream. The water still flows. People walk beside it. The wind blows. I was hungry. These are the places my feet found. This is the record. 1. Cafe Onion, Gwangjang Market Branch Gwangjang Market. Cafe Onion was there, inside. Cheonggyecheon-ro 215, 1st floor. Jongno 5-ga. A market corner. To the left of the CU … Read more
Jeju. The wind blows. The stone walls are low. The journey is long, and sometimes a meal must be simple. Kimbap. In Jeju, kimbap is that kind of food. Not fancy, but filling. I ventured off the tourist path to find kimbap joints frequented by locals, or those just quietly holding their ground. This is … Read more
Seoul. A grey city. Here, I search for real food. Food without meat. What my body wants. This is my journey to find the best vegan and vegetarian-friendly spots in Seoul. Sinyongsan. Hi Thai Between Yongsan Station and Sinyongsan Station. Beside Ginkgo Road. Next to Travertine Cafe. Summer was approaching. Hot outside. I went in. … Read more
Spring. News of cherry blossoms. We will not go this year. My wife does not want to. Instead, I retrieve memories of Kyoto. The machiya with the children. Those few days. The inn was near Higashiyama Station in Kyoto. It was called Washi no Yado Nazuna Higashiyama. A two-story wooden house, all to ourselves. Location … Read more
It was summer. I went to Busan. My holiday began in Jirisan. The second leg was Busan. My only aim was to eat, sleep, and rest. No other plans. I booked two well-known hotels in Haeundae. The Westin Chosun. And Paradise. My first day was spent at The Westin Chosun Busan, in an Executive Room … Read more