[Living in Korea] Hamburg Steak Restaurant in Jamsil (Seokchon Lake) : Greasy House

[Living in Korea] Hamburg Steak in Jamsil (Seokchon Lake)

For the dinner tonight, I went to the 'Greasy House'.

There several nice restaurants in Jamsil. But, I would like to recommend you to visit to this restaurant if you want to eat some delicious Hamburg Steak.

I ordered 'Cheese Bacon' and 'Creamed spinach hamburg steak'. The lights in the restaurant is little bit dark. So, the foods look unpalatable. But, actually, the taste was so delicious.

The price is also reasonable and the location is so nice (just 3 mins fron the Seokchon lake). Furthermore, you can choose the quantity of the food (Large / X Large).

You can have a look the menu here before you visit.

 

 

 

It would be an weak point of this restaurant that dining room is not that big. However, I think it can be good point. The service was nice because the employees can focus on each table. And they arrange the table cleanly and immediately when the customers leave.

 

 

 

 

 

[Location]

 

 







<Google Earth>

 

The restaurant (Greasy House) is located between Jamsil station and Seokchon station.

If you see the image, the blue part is the seokchon lake. If it is difficult to grasp the location, you can refer to the address below.

 

43-17, baekjekobunro 41 gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul



[Living in Korea] Pigs' Feet (Jokbal) Restaurant - Recommended & Tasty

[Jokbal Restaurant in Jamsil]

 

 

Pigs' Feet

 

A few days ago, I have been to a restaurant selling pigs' feet. Actually, I know several famous pigs'feet restaurants in korea. But, I would like to introduce 'Yukgammanjok (육감만족)' . This is a franchise restaurant. So, you can search the name of the restaurant (육감만족) on internet easily.

 

 

 

Seokchon (Songpa-gu) Branch Restaurant of 'Yukgammanjok' - nearby Jamsil





 

 

 

The secret method of the special taste is learnt by the founder. So, the taste and menu would be all the same.

 

When you order the Jokbal, you can choose the level of the spicy sauce. For me, the With Sauce half & without Sauce half was perfect. If you are not good at eating spicy food, you can order only the jokbal without sauce.

 

 

This is 'Jokbal with sauce (half) & Jokbal without sauce (half)'

 

 

If you want Glutinous and Soft mouthfeel with sweet or little bit spicy sauce, Jokbal would be the nice food for you. I have recommended to my foreign friends several times, and they ate this with relish. This will be good experience for you.

 

If I have a chance, I will write about the famous Jokbal restaurants by region.



 

 

 

'Soju' is recommended drink (alcoholic)

 

 

 

By the way,

If you want to find the nearest branch from where you are, you can search it on the website of the Franchise

 

http://www.육감만족.com/

 



 

 



[Living in Korea] Must Check out 'Namhansanseong Fortress'

[Namhansanseong Fortress]

1. The Heritage you should not miss!

This fortress is nearby Seoul. As long as you are planning to visit to Seoul (Korea), you should not miss this place.

The Namhansanseong Fortress has been designated as World Heritage in 2014 by UNESCO. There are 11 world heritages in Korea so far. And this is one of them.

2. Points you must go

Acquired Leaflet

The above map indicates all the places belonging to Namhansanseong Area. If you want to walk the fortress wall, it would take approximately 4 hours. I don't want to recommend you to visit to all the points if you are pressed for time. If you are living in Korea, you can hike.

 1) Namhansanseong Square

Actually, only few people call this place 'Namhansanseong Square'. Generally, it is called 'Namhansanseong Parking lot.' But, it is a huge place and there are several restaurants, Cafes, and Souvenir shops.

The attached images above shows thatched houses which is Korean traditional house for plebian in the past. This thatched house is a Souvenior Shop.

Taken in a Traditional Restaurant

The interiors& exteriors of the restaurants are particular. I could see the collection of some traditional farming tools which is not used nowadays. You can experience something new.

 2) Haenggung : Temporary Palace for kings

The Namhansanseong Haenggung is in the square. So, you can easily find it.

The meaning of the Haenggung is 'Temporary palace'. When kings trip to other provinces, they had to stay in the same class as their palace. This is one of such temporary palaces. This was a small version of the real place.

You can experience the Korean traditional Archering here.

 * They have international language service. But, you need to contact here in advance.

     Contact : 031-746-2845



 3) Jihwamun gate

Jihwamun gate

A point between Jihwamun gate (North gate)  and Wooikmun gate (West gate)

 Jihwamun gate is not really far from the square. First, you need to walk to the north for 10 minutes. There are some places distributing leaflet indicating the map. So, you can refer to the map or the image I attached above (Second from the top).

3. Location

Location on Map : Google Earth Image

This area is not in Seoul but Kyeonggi-do.

But, it is very close to Seoul and you can go here by Metro (Subway). If you are staying in Songpa-gu (Lotte World Tower is in Songpa-gu) which is eastern side of Seoul, the fortress is not really far. You can refer to following map. You need to know the name of the station you should get off.

4. How to go

Mapway Apps



Mapway Apps

 - Public Transportation

First of all, you should find the Sanseong Station. The exit No is '2'. After getting out of the station, you should go straight for 1 minute. And then you can find a bus station. The buses heading to the Namhansanseong Fortress are '9','9-1 (weekend only)', and '52'. You should get off at the end point.

 - By car

You can search this address at your Navigation System.

'경기도 광주시 중부면 남한산성로 731'

[Living in Korea] Recommended Cafe in Kyeongju (Gyeong ju) : Cafe737

[Cafe737]

Last week. I have been to a nice cafe in Kyeongju. There are many cafes in Korea. But, it is quite rare to see Korean Style House Cafe.

The exterior of this Cafe is tidy due to its equisite traditional constructure. It has a small garden also. Children can play in this gargen if you have children.

Interior of this cafe looks more special than the other ordinary cafes.

 



 

You can see some cultural art works (I don't know who made this...).

 

And there are traditional stuffs. So, if you are traveller or newcome person, it would be good time to stay here to experince different culture.

 

 

Of course, you can drink tea, coffee, even beer here. In my case, fruit juice was nice.

You can refer to this map to find this place.

The address is "경북 경주시 원화로 189" in Korean. In English, "189, wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si"

[Living in Korea] Market (Seongdong Market) Visit - Kyeongju (Gyeongju)

[Kyeongju - Seongdong Traditional Market]


There are several places (especially temples and tombs) in Kyeongju.

For the writing today, I just want to write about the Seongdong Market. This market is in front of the Train station. You can refer to following Google earth Image here. Actually, most of the travellers are confused due to the train stations. Because KTX (Korean express train) stops at Shin-kyeongju station. This station is far from the downtown. It takes 30 minutes by car.

Entrance of Seongdong Market Google earth Image

 Google earth Image

The Seongdong Market it located in Downtown of Kyeongju. It is in front of the Kyeongju Train Station.

If you drop by this area, you can have taste street foods.


There are 3 recommended foods here.




1. Burdok Gimbab (Dried Seaweed Rolls)

The most famous food store is 'Bobae Gimbab'. It is difficult to find in the market. I recommend you to ask the people. If you say 'Gimbab', the people would let you know because they generally knows where this store is.

This Burdok is sweet. And several ingredients are rolled in the Gimbaab (Dried Seaweed). I can say Gimbab is typical Korean (or Japanese) food. But, this special ingredient, Sweat Burdok, make this Gimbab special.

Regarding the image, unfortunately, I don't have the photo image taken by myself. I found the image (above) at the google earth.




2. Meat Jelly

There 3~4 stores selling this Meat Jelly. But, I only visit to this food store. The name of the store is 'Pyeonghwa Meat'. They are selling raw meat and meat jelly both. But, the Meat Jelly is main business. The reason I trust this store is because a famous TV show has introduced this store. It is well known as the delicious and healthy food.

The owner of this store is the originator of this Meat Jelly in this market and taste of this Jelly is the best in my opinion.

Actually, there are several kind of meat jellys in Korea. But, the special thing of this Jelly is to include the 'Chicken feet' and 'Achyranthes bidentata Blume'. I didn't know the word 'Achyranthes bidentata Blume'. But it is getting famous in Korea. Because this ingredient is used for 'pain relief', 'treating high blood pressure', 'strengthening bone'. This can be a good gift for parents as well. Additionally, It has distinctive mouthfeel and delicious taste. So, I recommend the people who want something special.

This is one of my favorite foods

-I will update the other delicious foods soon.-

[Living in Korea] Recommended places to check out - East Coast, Korea (Sokcho, Donghae, Gangneung)

[Recommended Places to check out]

I have visted to the 3 cities located in East Coast of Korea.

Korea shows various different natural views though its small size. If you already have been to City area like Seoul in Korea and wants to experience Korea more, you should visit the other cities having wonderful landscapes.

Actually, Gangwon-do Province is well known as natural scenary for Korean people.



[Transportataion]

I recommend you us Vehicle Rental Service. I used public transporation (Bus, Train and Taxi). But, it was very uncomfortable.






I recommend this 'East Coast trip' to following Travelers :

 - want to see the mountains (Valley, Waterfall, Cliff, Canyan), Sea, Rivers.
 - want to have a taste the Korean Traditional Sea food
 - want water sports
 - want to visit to Temples



1. Sokcho

1) Yeongnang lake

The circumference of the lake is about 8 km (2 hours by walk).

You can walk along the lake and check several sightly spots.

I post some photos that you can also see if you visit this lake.

 

At the Beombawi Rock - Looking at the Ulsanbawi and the Seolak Mountain

Beombawi



Yeongnang lake

Bogwangsa Temple - Garden

2) Sokcho Fish market (Fisheries Wholesale Market)

The Market is so big. You can choose one among the small traditional restaurants. Employees or owners of restaurants cook foods on the table of the shop front. So, you can choose what you want to eat among the several alternatives.

Sweet and Sour Prawn (Left) & Squid Korean Sausage (Right)

3) Seolak Mountain

I couldn't go hiking becuase my wife didn't want it.

Anyway, I can tell you that Seolak Mountain is the one of representative mountains in Korea. I think Halla (Hanra) Mountain and Seolak Mountain are the most famous mountains.

2. Gangneung

1) Jeongdongjin

This place is well known as Sunrise Attraction for Korean People. Actually, the long coastal road of East Coast including the Jeongdongjin is beuatiful. I think you can just drop by here if you are passing near here. This place is a 30 minutes drive away from the Gangneung.

The third photo shows the 'Sun Cruise Hotel' - 5 starts. You can also here if you visit to Gangneung.

2) Gyeongpodae

The Gyeonpodae is the place the lake meets the East sea. It was quite and peaceful place. You can walk along the lake or jog here.

There are some delicacies here also. I recommend you to eat the 'Soondubu jjigae with Jjampong'. This food is famous and one of the representative goods in Gangwon-do Province.

Lake in Geongpodae

The Orange Color Soup at left of the picture is the Soondubu jjigae

3. Donghae

1) Mooreung Valley (Duta mountain)

It is located in Duta Mountain which is 30 minutes drive away from the Donghae City Center.

You can see the geography of typical Korean Mountains. It was the best choice for the Green shower with walking the forest path. You need to spend 3 hours at least to go hiking here. This is the 'must check out place' if you are staying in Korea!

You can see this beautiful view after walking for 20 minutes from the Entrance of the Mountain

Yongchupokpo - Waterfall

Entrance of the Mountain (Valley)

At a restaurant

Grilled Deodeok is the most famous in this area. It has saponin which is good for Lung, Stomach , and Stamina.



2) Cheon-gok Cave

This cave is 'Linestone' Cave. The lengh of the cave is 1.4 km approximately. It is about 400~500 million years old. You can see the various and beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars.

3) Mukho Lighthouse

Around of the Lighthouse, there is a small and simple park. But, it is also beautiful. When you arrive at the top of the park, you can see a cafe. You can have a moment of meditation at this cafe. Because the seascape is awesome.
There are nice restaurants near the park. You can eat 'Moray eel' Soup here. Most of the restaurants are placed in the bottom of the hill near by the sea.

Moray eel Soup - Moray ell looks ugly and unsavory. But, it doesn't have fishy smell almost. I have eaten various fishes before. Actually, this was so special for me. If you don't hate fish, I would like to recommend you to have a taste of it here.

4) Candlestick Rock (Chotdaebawi)

The first photo shows the Candlestick Rock. It looks like a candlestick. Actually, you should visit here early in the morning. You can capture the moment the sun rises at the edge of the candlestick rock. Many people come here to take such pictures.

Additionally, there is a Beach park consist of fantastic rocks and pine trees.