magazine

Photo Essay: Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul

Filed under Photo Essays, Seoul by Christine Ka'aloa on April 21, 2011 at 7:15 am {one comment}

Hanok houses are absolutely sublime. It’s a shame that Koreans are replacing them with bland high-rise apartments. However, there are places where you can stroll through the walled mazes and see them well-preserved .

Once a village of aristocrats during the Joseon Dynasty, Bukchon Hanok Villages rests in the hub of Seoul, connecting to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and downtown Seoul. Many of the houses are still inhabited with families, while others have been converted into art shops and restaurants vibing with a soul, both trendy and ancient. You can take an embroidery or knot-making workshop (of the many courses) or simply follow the streets and let them (more…)

Review: At last, Falafels in Korea! (Petra Palace, Seoul)

Filed under Cool/Veg Restaurants & Bars, Reviews by Christine Ka'aloa on April 11, 2011 at 11:36 am {no comments}

This post is for my expat homies in South Korea. I haven’t given you much love these days, but rest assured you’re still on my mind …

Some things are meant to be. Like second chances. They come around, staring you in the eye, even when you don’t know they’re there.

On my last food walkabout in Seoul, I reviewed a restaurant– Petra Palace (read my review)– that crafted falafels amongst other mediterranean dishes. My experience was not… so great– the owner was less than friendly and the falafels lacked character, flavor and spice. When I take a bite of a falafel, I feel like I’m inhaling the Middle East; my tastebuds on the other hand, still felt they were in Korea.

So the next time I hit Seoul, my quest was on again– find decent falafel sandwiches, the way I remember them! I strolled down Itaewon’s main street. Of all the middle eastern signs, there had to be a falafel somewhere — the whiff of roasting shwarmas was heavy perfume. But the handful of Middle Eastern joints I visited stocked only shwarma sandwiches… no falafels.

(Really? How can you have shwarmas but no falafels?) (more…)

Top 7 Things to Do in Seoul

Filed under * Korea tips & stays, Seoul by Christine Ka'aloa on March 9, 2011 at 2:27 am {12 comments}

Seoul makes my blood race. Sometimes there’s an ongoing list of things of events taking place or sometimes, I just have to create my own ways of having fun.

1. Seoul City Bus Tour

For a first timer to Seoul, this is the #1 recommend. As simple as it sounds, Korea’s city bus tours make (across the land) make a budget vacation possible. It’s easy to get around and see the main sights within a day with this tour. And above-ground travel is a perfect springboard for getting your perspective of how the city spans!

The Seoul City Bus Tour is cheap, quick and the fastest way to see the city’s highlights. A hop-on/hop-off course (city, palace or night) tours, it hits almost every tourist area you’ll want to see from your guidebook. Best of all, it costs only 10,000W ($9 USD), which is cheaper than a cab and less annoying than figuring out subway routes; not to mention, it’s foot-friendly. I threw my family on it– knowing my parents are old and don’t like walking much, the tour made their getting around more efficient and easy.
The entire course (without getting off) takes 2 hours. Buses run every 40 min and there are headsets aboard if you’d like a short summary (very short) of each place as you pass by. The tour is smartly offered by the Korea Tourism Organization (more…)

Love Letter #5: Until…

Filed under Love Letter Postcards, Seoul by Christine Ka'aloa on March 2, 2011 at 3:49 pm {no comments}

(Seoul, South Korea)

Dear Love,

By the time you read this letter I will have left…

I’m writing this as you talk, as you laugh, as you eat, as you sleep. I’m writing this letter still…

People have said goodbye to me all this week but farewells are for death, so I’ll not say them to you just yet.
Let’s just say,

Until…

I’m not certain as what the future brings for us, but this love story isn’t over.

… Not until I say. But this separation will surely change us both.

I’m nervous, scared and …exhilarated.

How to make your own K-drama film tour

Filed under * Korea tips & stays, Jeju Island by Christine Ka'aloa on February 17, 2011 at 8:36 am {7 comments}

Korea’s hit drama series, Secret Garden. Some scenes filmed at Seeas Hotel on Jeju Island.

Koreans seem to own the formula on great drama. In fact, K-dramas are becoming a rapid addiction around the world. Popular in Asia, in parts such as Japan, Thailand and India; the rage has even been making itself known in the U.S. (just ask Hawaii!)

My mother has watched 92 dramas (probably more than any Korean) this past year! Her friends, bitten by the drama-fever bug years earlier, surpass her ranking. Hard to imagine, right?

Korean tourism: the popularizing of K-drama filming locations

K-drama clubs and film tours are beginning to spring up, with sightseeing itineraries to feed drama-hungry fanatics. Winter Sonata, for instance is a popular drama, especially with Japanese and has a couple of tours dedicated to it.

Thanks to the Korean Tourism Organization and its publishing drama locations on its tourism site, fans don’t have to waddle up steep cash for a (more…)

Written by Christine Ka'aloa Cool/Veg Restaurants & Bars

Review: Is there a ‘Little India’ in Seoul?

Shahrukh khan.

He was the first person that greeted me when I walked through the door of our Indian restaurant. I let out a partial shriek…

February 1, 2011 3

Written by Christine Ka'aloa Cool/Veg Restaurants & Bars

Review: Middle Eastern eats at Petra, Itaewon, Seoul.

Within the past few months I’ve successfully satiated various comfort food cravings- from hummus, soy chicken nuggets and edamame; however, it’s the falafel that’s remained elusive. My deep-fried chickpea craving has become a delight gone unfulfilled. Thanks to Seoul Eats and their post, “Vegetarian restaurants in Seoul”, I finally got to cross falafels off my list (well, sorta…).

December 12, 2010 4

Written by Christine Ka'aloa Festivals

Review: Hi Seoul Festival and Media City Seoul 2010

October seemed to be the month for festivals and… scintillating art. Perhaps this country isn’t just all world heritage sites, bundegi (my silkworm arch nemesis) and traditional crafts. Maybe it can swing with the likes of New York City, Los Angeles, Venice, Basel, etc… jet-setting continents to bring together brow-raising shows.

If last month was a sample of the future, then Korea might be on the rookie list of international contenders. I took in three world-class international art/performance exhibitions; one of them was even in.. (gasp) Daegu!

November 13, 2010 2

Written by Christine Ka'aloa Cool/Veg Restaurants & Bars

Review: “Goulash Soup & Bread Cafe” (Hongdae, Seoul)

Goulash Soup and Bread (Hongdae, Seoul, Korea), is a cute hole-in-the-wall Hongdae cafe, which serves what else?… gulash and bread! I love discovering hidden gems- especially when it fits my diet and this was perfect! For a 5,000W set-combo, the cafe offers unlimited goulash soup, fresh baked bread, rice and (gasp) a fresh green salad! The kind owners (a husband and wife team), knowing my vegetarian needs were cool enough to remove the meat for me! Everything was yummy-delicious and at an amazing price!