Fearless organizer, Matt holds out awesome vegan Thanksgiving dinners– something to be thankful for!
I realize I’ve a bad habit of underestimating Daegu. These days, I’ve discovered a small community and niche spots where I can get together with like-minded people for vegan food, art and yoga workouts.
Last night was another one of those nights of goodness at another Daegu dining spot which has me perked up to visiting more often. Nestled in one of the crazy offshoots of Daegu’s Bandwoldang dizzying maze, perched on the 4th floor of a building housing a Mr. Pizza, a restaurant (called New York) and a billiards room, sits Buy the Book Cafe.
An independent bookstore owned by a forwardly-fresh young Canadian-Korean family (Sandy, Yatren and their little daughter), Buy the Book Cafe is designed with comfy sofas, minimal decor and bookshelves of traded English books for cheap sale. They often hold a free yoga class on Sunday and special events such as documentary night, theater/live music performances; and what I’ve heard from excited expats- clothes swapping days! It is always doused with the pleasant whiff of healthy organic home cooking served up with a no-nonsense bohemian flair; best of all– its menu is mostly vegetarian!
This Thanksgiving was a rare treat for me. Drawn out by friends, Buy the Book Cafe was a perfect place for giving thanks for expat friendships and healthy eating.
Sandy prepared both, meat and meatless options (you know which I picked). Tofurkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, bread stuffing, edamame (you wouldn’t believe how hard this is to find!) and pumpkin pie for only 15,000W (approx $13)! Absolutely delicious!
Yum. All the things I was drooling over while teaching my classes about Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving dinners at Buy the Book Cafe will go on until this Sunday so if you’ve missed your T, there’s always a second chance!
- Information:
- Facebook:
profile here or you can search for Buy the Book Cafe -
Hours:
Opens only of weekends: Friday 3 to 8 and Saturday/ Sunday 1 to 9 - Location:
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Downtown Daegu is difficult to find your way through as there are no street numbers or signs. Most expats and locals try to find locations based on sight, memory and landmarks. It’s a block from Billibow (a popular expat bar, so I’d ask an expat if you see them). Keep going until you see Mr. Pizza (there’s a Baskin Robbins across the street), walk up the stairs to the 4th Floor.
- Best way to approach it via Subway:
- Get off at Banwoldang station and take exit 14. walk past the YMCA on your left. Banwoldang area will be on your right. Just look for the stores and the bright lights.
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When I saw the title, I thought ‘that’s a really specific book there…’ then I realized you were talking about a PLACE
Nice post.
@Gray: …I KNOW! Like what’s up with ‘dat?! Where did all these yoga & vegetarian people come from all of a sudden? Why weren’t they here when I was living off of yogurts everyday?
@Chris: I forgot to add “Cafe”. Hope that helps. Sometimes I think finding the right title name is a job in itself!
Oh I’m so glad you found a place to have Thanksgiving–especially a vegan one. What are the odds in Korea??? Do you find it a bit ironic that you’re finding all these cool places and connections in Daegu NOW, after you’ve decided to move on to Seoul when your contract is up?
So glad I was researching blogs tonight! I’m moving to Seoul in May and have been a pescatarian for 10+ years but was getting intimidated by lack of available options shown online and feedback from friends recently returned. You just put those fears at ease, much thanks, take care and keep up the great blogging.
@Nathan: If you’re moving to Seoul, you’ll have a tad bit of an easier time with your diet. Seoul has a wider range of restaurant options than the rest of Korea and they have places like Subway, Costco & Loving Hut as well. Also, if you’re a pescatarian (fish, right?)then, OMG– you have all of Korea for your tastebuds to explore!