When most people are looking for a fun night out neighborhood in Seoul, an area filled with cafes, buskers, street art, and fun, they’re probably looking for Hongdae. There are so many things to do in Hongdae that you could spend days upon days exploring. Because of this, it makes for a great district to stay in Seoul (speaking as someone who lived there for a decade). Now that you’ve got your bearings, we’re going to zoom in to a spot that’s about to blow up, if you ask me. If you’ve walked down the main shopping and fun street of Hongdae recently, you may have noticed the 8-story building ac ..read more

The Bukchon Hanok Village is becoming home to more than just tea houses and traditional Korean restaurants. These days, you’ll find more and more Korean beauty flagship stores and shops catering to the foreign tourists visiting the area. Take the beautiful House of Sulwhasoo Bukchon (북촌 설화수의 집), opened in 2021 for an example. Sulwhasoo really kicked off the Korean beauty focus to the area and as far as Korean beauty brands go, this is the best of the best. Not only is their flagship store gorgeous, but it’s an experience and for any Korean beauty enthusiast or skincare obsessed visitor, it’s a ..read more

There’s a longstanding joke among foreigners that live in Korea that pertains to how it is so often promoted that Korea has four distinct seasons. It is as if people, or perhaps the Korean tourism organization, think it is quite unique to have four seasons. As someone who grew up in Ohio in the US, I never really got all the four-season hubbub. I think the joke also plays off of how dreadfully hot, humid, and long summer in Korea can feel and how frigid and cold and long winter in Korea can feel and between them the delightful, but short, cherry blossom-filled spring in Korea, and the bri ..read more

Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is one of Korea’s most important holidays, a time for family gatherings, ancestral rituals called jesa, and starting fresh. At the heart of this celebration is tteokguk (떡국), a savory rice cake soup symbolizing purity, renewal, and the passage into the new year. Dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, the tradition of eating tteokguk is still intact and as the Lunar New approaches, I thought I’d share some of the regional Korean rice cake soup varieties that you may not have seen before. Each region of the country adds its own twist to the beloved dish and if you’re like ..read more

Walk down the street in Myeongdong or Bukchon or in cities like Busan, and you might come across a vibrantly colored shop that is yelling out for you to enter. It’s Wappen House (와펜하우스). Filled with patches of all shapes and sizes and themes from Korean culture to Korean food and topped up with cute animals, letters, and numbers, too, if you just love patches, you NEED to stop in. It’s not only fun, but it’s also family-friendly and it would make for a great unique Korean souvenir. Take the kids or make something for yourself. You can buy the patches on their own and take them home or the whol ..read more

When you think of Insadong, images of traditional Korean tea houses, antique shops, and calligraphy stores probably come to mind. But right in the heart of this historic cultural hub is something new, unexpected for many tourists I imagine, and quite futuristic: Ground Blue 49 (그라운드블루49). This futuristic convenience store feels more like a playground of possibilities than your typical corner shop. If you’ve heard of robots and want to see how they are actually being utilized in everyday life, this is a good stop to make. Get ready to see the future of convenience stores in Seoul. Robots are tr ..read more

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… in Seogwipo! If you’re a fan of festive markets, cozy winter vibes, and unique holiday gifts, then the Weihnachten Christmas Market (바이나흐튼 크리스마스박물관) in Jeju, is calling your name. As new residents of the island, I was on the lookout for how everyone celebrates the holidays down here. I’m well versed in how to celebrate Christmas in Seoul, but Jeju? Located around the Weihnachten Christmas Museum, this market has all of the charm and seasonal magic we could hope for. In Jeju this winter? Get ready to celebrate the holidays at the Christmas Market and ..read more

Happy New Year! 2025 is the Year of the Snake or the Year of the Serpent, the green snake or wood snak to be precise. The snake is the sixth animal in the zodiac and is a symbol of wisdom and resurrection because it sheds its skin and hibernates to regenerate. In Korean, this year is called “Eulsa” (을) and if you want to celebrate the Year of the Snake in Korea, there are a number of things you can do. So, what does the Year of the Snake mean? And, how can you celebrate the Year of the Snake in Korea? Here’s what you need to know… (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a ce ..read more

Originating from the city of Chuncheon, a city an hour east of Seoul, in the 1960s, dakgalbi (닭갈비) has a fascinating story rooted in post-war resilience and creativity. Over time, it evolved from a humble, budget-friendly meal known as “commoners’ galbi” into one of Korea’s most iconic comfort foods. This sweet and spicy chicken stir fry is now loved all around the country and even if you’re just visiting, you should find a restaurant that serves up this delicious meal. Or, if you’re headed out to Nami Island or Cheongpyeong Temple, stop by a local restaurant for this must eat dish. Dakgalbi i ..read more

When planning a trip to Jeju Island in South Korea, you’ll find endless opportunities to explore its natural beauty, from stunning shores to scenic oreums and everything in between. But beyond its breathtaking landscapes, Jeju also offers whimsical and playful attractions that might just surprise you. Among these must-visit spots is the delightfully kitschy Snoopy Land, where we couldn’t help but fall in love with its nostalgic vibe. Inspired by that visit, we stumbled upon Moomin Land (무민랜드) and thought, “Why not dive into the enchanting world of Moomin and his adventures?” Jeju truly has som ..read more