Fairy Tale Flower Field at DDP

Another hotspot that has been trending online since last month is the LED Flower Field at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자). There're probably hundreds of pictures of this flower field that you can find online. I went there before sunset, so the lights were still off. But after staying a couple of minutes, it got dark and they turned on the light. It's a pretty cool sight looking at 20,000 flowers lit up by LED bulbs :) If you happen to be visiting DDP, the flower field is definitely worth to look at. Other things you might see as well are security guards guarding the exhibit, lots of individuals and couples posing for selfies, and of course, selfie sticks spread around the field :p

Sinchon Samgyetang • 신촌영양센터

Samgyetang (삼계탕) is probably one of the most well known Korean food amongst the local as well as foreigners. I happened to went to a restaurant that, in my opinion, has better samgyetang than the famous Tosokchon (토속촌) samgyetang that is very well-known amongst tourists. But then again, it could be just me :) I actually ended up going to this place because one of my Korean friend took me there. The place is called Sinchon Nutrition Center (신촌영양센터). I've been here a couple of times and the two things I've ordered are the Samgyetang (삼계탕) and 삼채닭한마리 and they are both delicious. I think the thing that won me over is their broth—it's so light but tasty. Their kimchi is also good, but oh so spicy. I know Koreans usually eat these during the hot summer days to fight the hot weather, but it's even better to eat it during cold days in my opinion :) 

Sinchon Nutrition Center (신촌영양센터)

Address: 서울특별시 서대문구 창천동 13-37 1층
Telephone: 02-312-5460
Hours: 10:30 - 22:30 (Everyday)

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Kona Queens

Cafe Kona Queens in Samcheongdong is one of those places that I find very interesting just by looking at the exterior of the building. So one day, I decided to check out the place and see how the interior looks like. The cafe has 3 floors, the top floor has patio area where you can go if you prefer to sit outdoors. The use of wooden furniture definitely gives a rustic vibe throughout the whole place, yet modern at the same time. This place is probably more of a hang-out-meet-your-friend-and-chat kinda place rather than a studying place. Although I did see a couple of people studying and doing work meeting there. I guess if you don't mind a little bit of background noise, this place will do just fine. And as far as the drinks, I tried their mango smoothie and it was pretty good. 

Nun Namu Jib (눈나무집)

With school stuff going on, freelance projects, and guests visiting town, this past month has been a pretty busy month for me. Now that things are slowing down (for a little bit at least), I'm starting to sort through the images taken during the times my friends were in town. We went sightseeing here and there and tried different restaurants and cafes, so I'm going to share a little bit of that here. 

Before my guests arrived, I was asking one of my Korean friend about what's good to eat in Samcheongdong (삼청동) area and he said there's a pretty famous Tteok Galbi restaurant that I should go and try. And so I went there with my friends. The place is called Nun Namu Jib (눈나무집), which literally translates to Snow Tree House. There were five of us so we ended up ordering a variety of things to try. The restaurant is famous for their Tteok Galbi (떡갈비), so of course we ordered that. We also ordered their Kimchi Mari Bab (김치말이밥), Mung Bean Pancake (녹두빈대떡) and Kimchi Fried Rice (소김치볶음밥). Everything was really tasty. The only thing that was kinda a surprise was the Kimchi Mari Bab was served in cold broth. We weren't expecting that but maybe it's a given amongst Korean? Even so, since the weather wasn't too cold, it was refreshing.

When we were there, everybody looked like they're locals and the menu is written in Korean, so I don't know how foreigner friendly the place is. The price of the food wasn't too bad either. Most items are between 5,000W-8,000W which is pretty reasonable. I do recommend if you want to try different things, going with a couple of friends are probably the best way to do it :) 

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김치말이밥

떡갈비

녹두빈대떡

Nun Namu Jib (눈나무집)

서울 종로구 삼청동 20-8
110-230 Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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The Rubber Duck Project

Last month, the famous giant rubber duck arrived in Seoul and sure enough not long after its arrival, the social media world (read: instagram) is flooded with thousands of pictures of the yellow duck. Along with hundreds other people who is as curious as me, I went to Seokchon Lake (석촌호수) to see this floating sculpture that I'm pretty sure have travelled more countries than me :)

A little about the project, the 300 kilogram, 54-foot tall duck designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman and has travelled many countries since 2007  in a bid to "heal wounds" and "relieve tension" wherever it goes. "The Rubber Duck knows no frontiers, it doesn't discriminate people and doesn't have a political connotation." —Hofmann. For you who is interested to see the duck, it'll be on Seokchon Lake 'til next week I believe.