Tag: travel diary
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Café Mamas | 카페마마스
Edged alongside local eateries in the central business district of Jung-Gu, this diner was packed during the lunch hour, with loads of people still waiting for tables when I left! Café Mamas is amongst the popular franchised coffee houses in Seoul that offer a European brunch menu consisting of salads, paninis and soups. They serve a corporate crowd from neighbouring office towers…
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SEOUL DIARIES 023: SPRING BLOSSOMS
Come spring and summer, Seoul is just so beautiful. Pictures taken at Dongnimmun Gate. Gorgeously pink, aren’t they? xoxo, Viktoria Jean
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SEOUL DIARIES 022: SEODAEMUN PRISON 서대문형무소역사관
Seodaemun Prison History Hall: a former prison since 1908 that housed anti-colonial activists during the Colonial period. After colonial era ended in 1945, South Korean government housed prisoners at Seodaemun until 1987 when it was replaced by a facility in Uiwang City, Gyeonggi Province. The main hall has three floors of exhibitions. Here, you can…
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SEOUL DIARIES 021: DONGNIMMUN GATE 독립문
In late 19th Century, the King was many-a-times escorted through Dongnimmun Gate, thereafter to demonstrate personal reception towards visiting Chinese envoys. Dongnimmun is 独立門 in Mandarin, the gate that signifies independence and free will of a country’s people. Built in 1897, the gate served to concretize South Korea’s sovereignty. Planted aesthetically in areas surrounding the independence gate are…
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Cafe Comma | 카페꼼마
For book-lovers like myself, this is somewhere akin to heaven! With a two-floor occupancy, this cafe boasts more than 3,000 books stacked from floor to ceiling, with a ladder allowing visitors to peruse the books on higher shelves. Run by Munhakdongne publishing group, Book Cafe Comma is known in Seoul for its investments in talented young writers. Most books in-store are sold at half-price. Some of them are not even available anywhere…
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Cafe Miz Moren | 카페 미즈모렌
When I take my coffee black with no sugar, I know I’m tasting the results of seriously good cocoa beans. If like me, you loathe the acidic aftertaste that only milk or brown sugar can eliminate, and you would much rather down a dozen cups of cappuccino or caffe latte over multiple espresso shots, you’d be glad to know that gourmet black coffee can…
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Paul & Lina’s Living Cafe | 폴엔리나 리빙까페
Doubling as a furniture store, Paul & Lina’s is a place patrons do purchase chopping boards and pepper shakers with sweet potato lattes. The sign says it all: furniture, fabrics, coffee and desserts. Though small, this underrated cafe seems loaded with ornaments and homeware for sale. The owners are a homely couple with an elementary school son who was…
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CAFE 5CI JUNG | 까페오시정
Post-lunch coffee at Cafe 5Ci Jung is akin to spending the afternoon at a friendly neighbour’s home. A very warm welcome awaits you the moment you step through its doors, right up till you leave its premises. Each barista made an effort to greet every guest, and never seemed to stop smiling. I was further impressed when the…
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Miss Lee Cafe | 별다방 미스리
My first shake-em-up Korean lunchbox meal, also known as dosirak 도시락! At Star Cafe Miss Lee (별다방 미스리): I didn’t exactly shake it, because the lady who served my lunch told me I didn’t have to unless I wanted the egg yolk to explode, and I dislike my rice soaked in yolk. But damn, this was sooooo…
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SEOUL DIARIES 016: SNAPSHOTS @ INSADONG
You know you’re in Insadong when traditional imperial-entertainer masks are sold at every corner. And you find loads of antiques at pretty good prices. There’s the occasional fabulous art gallery. And tourist traps with iconic Korean souvenirs. Not forgetting name-stamps! I think these are just so cute. When I get to graduate school, I’m getting one…
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SEOUL DIARIES 010: HAN RIVER 한강
Mission Crossing the Hannam Bridge 한남대교 Accomplished! With this incredible view of Seoul’s Han River before me, the feeling is indescribable. Basically, I walked from Hannamdong (Itaewon district) to the other end of Hannam Bridge, which connects to Sinsa-Dong and Gangnam-Gu. The closer I got to the bridge’s midsection, the wind got crazy. I swear it’s…
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SEOUL DIARIES 008: CAFES IN ITAEWON
Along the glorious and vibrant district of art museums and galleries are laid-back cafes offering all-day breakfasts and a myriad of flavoured coffees. In close association to the indie Hannamdong Cafe Street, coffee culture in Itaewon is self-directed and expat-friendly. Expect top-notch Americanos and loads of Seoul Design-Spot cafe galleries! Here are some of my favourites! For more…
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SEOUL DIARIES 007: ITAEWON
March 23, 2014: DAY FOUR Itinerary [10:00 AM] Breakfast @ Thanks Nature Cafe 양카페 – Hongdae [10:59 AM] Grabbed Kyeran Bang 계란 빵 from a street stall! My favorite street food from Korea! [11:00 AM] Travel to Itaewon! [11:20 AM] Sat down for a strawberry latte at Glamorous Penguin. Also to leech onto their WiFi for Google Maps. [12:00 PM]…
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Cafe True Us @ Insa-Dong | 인사동맛집 카페트루어스
Lemon and Mint-ade after spending a long afternoon exploring Bukchon Hanok Village and Samcheongdong. Cafe True Us 카페트루어스 is located along the antiques street of Insadong, with the nearest station being Jongno-3-Ga Station. Its triple-storeyed interiors are furnished to match its physical location – Insadong is home to cultural arts and crafts that go way back in time. Polished teakwood tables and…
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SEOUL DIARIES OO5: HANGANG PARK
March 22, 2014: DAY THREE I picked the perfect day with a gorgeous weather to explore the Yeouido Park! The trail cuts off at an intersection before leading to Yeouido Hangang Park (여의도 한강공원), which faces the Han River. Following this park trail, you can choose to jog along Han River or cross over to…
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SEOUL DIARIES OO4: YEOUIDO PARK
March 22, 2014: DAY THREE Bright and early, I was up and headed for Yeoinaru Subway Station. When I found Yeouido Park (a short walk away), the place was already filled with morning joggers, cycling couples and the brisk-walking elderly! The park is divided into theme-based sections: the Traditional Korean Forest, Grass Square, Culture Square, and Nature’s Ecosystem Forest.…
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Travel Cafe Hongdae | 트래블 카페 @ 홍대
비행기 타기를 즐기십니까? Do you love plane rides and travelling?Personally I’m a huge fan of the Travel Cafe in Hapjeong/Hongik University district. Amongst an abundance of travel inspirations and books on various attractive destinations, this is the perfect place to plan for your next trip, or simply to relive the excitement of a plane ride. When you order something to…
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Book Cafe Jaeum and Moeum | 자음과모음 북카페
Major Korean publishers Jaeum and Moeum (자음과모음) releases the latest bestsellers via their flagship bookstores, as well as this dainty and elegant book cafe situated in central Yanghwaro, Hongdae. An all-day set menu includes a cup of coffee bundled with new releases. Book cafes are where publishers highlight noteworthy books that haven’t received much publicity or marketing opportunities.…
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Ways of Seeing | @ 한남동 이태원
A perfect collision of art and coffee culture – what better way to kick back in appreciation of art installations with a coffee in hand! Ways of Seeing is a cafe slash art gallery along Itaewon. The local indie artsy-types would definitely know this place – it’s probably their favourite hangout. They have the standard coffee menu plus sandwiches,…
Viktoria Jean 