How I Celebrated my 31st and 4th Birthday in Korea

With good food and great friends, that is how you have a wonderful 31st birthday in Korea. Not to mention that it was on Chuseok and I spent the earlier part of the day enjoying the traditions Korea had to offer.

I met up with some great pals who were available during this holiday season to eat at a highly recommended Evergreen Pakistani restaurant in Itaewon.  Unlike other similar restaurants I have tried here in Korea the food at this one tasted more authentic. Since I have not yet traveled to these regions of the world, I can't really say what is authentic, but the Naan bread definitely took the bait.

One can't pass their birthday without blowing out some candles, and this year I put mine on top of a lemon custard tart thanks to Tartine. I was hoping to put them on top of some cupcakes, but those places were closed. However, the tart turned out more scrumptious than cupcakes.

I'm always happy to turn another age on my birthday and getting further away from my twenties doesn't scare me. I find at this age that I have a lot more wisdom and patience in me. Anyway, it was a fun birthday and I hope this gives you some ideas for yours if you have it coming up.

Taste of Greek: Santorini Taverna

Located at the "start" of Itaewon street, or near the Noksapyeong station area, is the restaurant Santorini Taverna. This is a sister-restaurant to the main Greek place nearby. I recently had a bite here with some friends of mine from the area.

I've like Greek food for it's sumptuous flavors and use of yogurt, so I was looking forward to an "authentic" Greek meal. Whether it was authentic or not, I can't really say. But all in all it was pretty tasty.

The interior gives you a view of the street of Itaewon, and the setting is pretty much casual. I kind of got a little peeved they were playing Abba music. But, what can you do?

My friend and I ordered the spinach popovers appetizer, while we waited for number 3 to show up. It came out looking delicious and tasted that way too. A little bit oily, but otherwise the spinach and feta mix inside was quite yummy.

For the main course we all shared the gyro and pita set plate, mostly because it was 19,000 for just one. For the price we weren't too impressed with quantity, considering they only gave us 3 pitas. We had to order more pita bread, at a cost.

Otherwise this was very scrumptious and fun to chow down.

I would recommend coming here, but to go with pals as the menu is a bit pricey for one person. This is the first Greek place I have tried in Itaewon, so I'm not sure if it is the best.

I wonder if making Greek food at home is easy? hmmm

Krys Lee Book Reading at What The Book?

On a warm early summer evening I joined some friends for a book reading at What The Book?, in Itaewon. There the author Krys Lee shared a few stories and thoughts from her book, "Drifting House." I mostly came to the event because it was something different to go to, from the usual line up of weekly things to do. I didn't know who this author was, but was interested anyways.

Krys Lee was born in Seoul yet raised in California and Washington. This book of hers portrays stories of Korean immigrants who come from North Korea or head outside of the Korean peninsula. The stories in her book have been called dark, and she even mentioned this herself.

The stories she selected for reading dealt with an arranged marriage and also the experiences one have when reuniting with family. During the Q & A session I could tell she spent a lot of time thinking about the issues surrounding the hardships of refugees from North Korea. She mentioned having many friends who were North Korean defectors.

I didn't pick up a copy of her book, but you can if you like on your next visit to What The Book?. Altogether, it was a fun event to attend and from what I hear there aren't many book readings at this site. I think it would be nice to have this more often, even it were in Korean.

Gobbled N' Go

I was surprised to find myself in a part of Itaewon I didn't recognize, recently. It had been just a year since I traversed the back streets near the 3 Alley Pub, and I didn't realize what changes had occurred. Now there are more restaurants and the street seems wider itself. Plus the crowd seems to have diversified and opened up as well. Before it really felt like Itaewon was the "foreigner place" in Korea. This is so due to the plentifulness of foreign-food restaurants and just the sheer presence of non-Koreans wandering around.

However, these days the place is starting to attract all sorts of people. Maybe the hype that Itaewon is a scary place, is fading amongst Koreans. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, or whether locals to Itaewon are griping or not. In the meantime, it means new restaurants to try out.

I did a little researching and app handling to come up with Gobble N' Go, a kind of brunch restaurant. They have one in Gangnam, too.

The interior had the feel of a cozy cafe that also feels like a diner. Their menu has a list of Po'boy sandwiches, soups and salads, pastas and hamburgers. Seoul Eats did a review of the Gangnam location and mentioned that the prices were decent, and I would have to agree. Since the meal came out fresh and with bountiful portions I would say the price of a sandwich for 15,000 Won, was good enough.

I ordered the Po'Boy sandwich and it was an interesting conglomeration.

One half of the sandwich was mozzarella with tomato and the other half was a ham sandwich. It was a split personality thing, but with fresh flavors and thick bread. It came with a little side of salad and a small cup of soup.

All together it was a good meal, and very accommodating for this solo traveler who had other business in Itaewon. I would visit here again to try another item off their menu, or bring in friends to share the atmosphere with.

All together, I would recommend it to my readers as another place to try out in the new 'hood of Itaewon.

Two Models One Stage

Last Saturday, after the Sketch and the City class there was the usual life drawing session from 6 to 8pm. This time, however we were treated to two models. It was an incredible challenge, especially for myself since I already have a problem with getting the whole model on the page.

Nevertheless, it was still a great time.

I did some sketching in the white paper book first, then for the longer poses moved to my black paper book. I had fun using the colored charcoal pencils and just figured if I focused on one section that would be fine.

The studio (Jankura Art Space) is going to have all sorts of different model-nights coming up, so take a look. Also if you want to see other people's drawings, check out this link.

Sketch & The City 2012: Spring Outing

The view: A crowded urban exterior in the place called Itaewon.

                                The set up: Easel, art pad, watercolor pencils...

The progress:

Other view:

On Saturday, May 19th, I participated in the first Sketch and the City event for 2012, near the Jankura studio space in Itaewon. I came a little late but had enough time to set up and make something. It was a lovely spring day, with a cool breeze and sunny weather. 

People passing by enjoyed admiring the works in progress, making comments and saying "Wow!" It was a good time and gave me practice.

The final work:

Using watercolor pencils has been a fun new tool I've picked up, but I kind of missed using paint during this event. However, I'm still getting the hang of this medium, so we'll see.

Even if you don't have much experience with drawing or painting, I recommend joining the Sketch and the City events as a way to enjoy the Seoul scene.

Nocksapyeong Station in Black and White

Monster Cupcakes: Noksapyeong

One can't help but feel a sense of duty to go and try out a new cupcake shop. Past Noksapyeong station and in the neighborhood nearby Standing Coffee, is the place Monster Cupcakes. I went and visited them recently and took home two scrumptious treats.

The place is cozy and with just enough room to order, take a look around and head out. Seating is available, although it's pretty tight.

Your choices range from the cute and whimsically decorated to standard flavors. I took home the "Apple Cinnamon" and "Lemon" to try. Also I feel the prices of the cupcakes were considerably reasonable, in comparison to other places.

The Apple Cinnamon was the better choice, as the topping tasted like it was made from cream cheese. The Lemon one tasted like it had buttercream for it's topping, making it way too sweet.

The defining point when it comes to cupcakes in Korea, is the cake. Most of the time Korean bakeries really don't get this right, where for example the cake ends up tasting too sweet and fluffy. However, Monster Cupcakes did a good job and their cake portion was thick and not too sweet with just the right amount of themed flavor.

If you are in the area I would highly recommend popping in and taking home a few delicious ones with you. The place is fairly easy to find and nearby some good eats, as well.

MAP LINK

Bonus picture of Tom:

Walk Through Itaewon

After having that incredible experience at the Leeum museum I decided to head towards Itaewon. But I went through some back streets to get there. Along the way were mostly residential houses, the more pricey ones. Here the houses are hidden behind thick gates and walls. Some of which are guarded by spikes.

The street I came out onto was the one with a favorite cupcake shop of mine. 

But no cupcakes for me, just yet, I was on the prowl for lunch. As I walked up the hill towards the main street of Itaewon I saw a Thai restaurant, but it was closed.

I'll be honest, I don't really like the main street of Itaewon. It's always crowded and there are times I don't really like the foreigner crowd I find myself sharing the sidewalk with. So usually when I have to go to Itaewon, I head to the side streets.

But this time it wasn't so bad and I had a good lunch at the Petra Palace. The falafel meal was scrumptious and very satisfying.

Even though my feelings of Itaewon are mixed, it is always fun to see what new restaurant has popped up in the neighborhood.