Aloha from Korea: Foodie's Guide

Aloha~ 🌺   Today, I’m introducing a hidden gem in Songridan-gil that is absolutely perfect for this warm spring weather! It’s a house-converted cafe with a massive outdoor terrace, and it’s even pet-friendly. Here is my honest review of 'Bittersalt', a cafe filled with a relaxing, European vibe~ How is everyone’s week going? The weather has been so gorgeous lately that it feels like a waste to stay indoors. While looking for a sunlit cafe with a nice terrace for my hangout in Songridan-gil, I stumbled upon 'Bittersalt'! 1. European Vibe Reminiscent of Hampstead Heath, London 🏡 Bittersalt is a cafe built by fully renovating an old house. While most cafes in Songridan-gil are quite small and crowded, I was completely shocked by how spacious their front yard terrace is! From the exterior to the interior details, it instantly reminded me of the old, cozy pubs right in front of Hampstead Heath park from back when I lived in London. It’s a space filled with a charming, vint...

  Aloha~ 🌺   How is everyone’s week going? After making friendship rings in Songridan-gil the other day, I had some time before my next schedule and was looking for a quick and delicious meal. That’s when my radar caught SEOBO , a famous Thai restaurant  Run by a current embassy chef  in the area. 1. The Hip "Signless" Main Store vs. The Giant Face "Annex" When I first followed the map to find it, I was so surprised. The restaurant is called 'SEOBO', but the exterior still has the old electrical shop signboard saying "Seobo Electric" ! The chef boldly gave up a fancy exterior to focus purely on the "taste of the food." Such a hip flex! But wait... right across the street, I couldn't believe my eyes. There was the "Seobo Annex" with an overwhelming visual! 🤣 It literally looks like a vintage Hong Kong movie set with the chef's face plastered on a giant signboard! It turns out this eye-catching annex is only open on wee...

  Aloha~  How is everyone doing? Today, I am beyond excited to share a legendary K-BBQ spot in Pangyo that I visited over the weekend. Would you believe me if I told you that you can enjoy Premium 1++ Hanwoo at a whopping 50% discount just by visiting on a weekend?! Wait, what exactly is 1++ Hanwoo? For those who might not know, Hanwoo (한우) is Korea's native premium cattle breed, highly prized for its deep, savory flavor and beautiful marbling. The "1++" (One Two Plus) grade is the absolute highest rank available, representing the pinnacle of beef quality in Korea. I’ve traveled all over the world and tasted many different types of premium beef, but Hanwoo is honestly my absolute favorite. Here’s why: Japanese Wagyu is famous but sometimes has a bit too much fat, making it heavy, while beef from Spain or Italy tends to be on the leaner side. Hanwoo strikes that miraculous, perfect balance—it has the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness from the marbling, yet retains a rich, ro...

  Aloha~ 🌺 How is everyone’s week going? Today, I finally visited the famous Songridan-gil in Jamsil! Since I went on a weekday, the streets were peaceful and relaxing, but it was still packed with aesthetic cafes and trendy restaurants. Just walking around was healing!  To make this trip even more special, my friend and I decided to try a one-day ring-making class to create our very own friendship rings. The result? Absolute perfection! Here is my honest review of Atelier Hosoo Jamsil , a highly recommended DIY ring workshop in Seoul. 1. A Cozy & Aesthetic Wood Interior  Atelier Hosoo Jamsil is located on the 2nd floor, right in the heart of the trendy Songridan-gil alleys. As soon as I walked in, I fell in love with the warm, cozy atmosphere created by the pine wood desks and birch chairs. The space is quite large with plenty of tables, making it great for groups. Since we visited on a weekday, we got to enjoy a private and quiet vibe while focusing on making our ...

Aloha~ 🌺  Today, I want to share one of my absolute favorite spots, Les Parisiens Myeongdong , an incredibly romantic cafe that absolutely nails French desserts! (Note: The photos in this post are from my visit during the beautiful Christmas season, but it is a place I still visit all the time! 💕) The cute exterior is more than enough to catch the eyes of passersby. True to its reputation as a Myeongdong hotspot for SNS photos, even foreign tourists naturally stopped in their tracks. It already grabs your attention with its pink aesthetics, but it looks even prettier decorated for Christmas! 🎄 Les Parisiens Myeongdong is a large cafe created by "Guillaume," a brand already famous for its desserts! Since Guillaume's Cheongdam and Pangyo branches are renowned for their French sweets, my expectations for the taste were super high! A Spacious, 3-Story Pink Haven The entire building from the 1st to the 3rd floor is dedicated to cafe seating. It’s so spacious that you can ...

  Aloha~ 🌺 If you live in Korea or are planning to visit, you must have heard of "No Brand" (노브랜드) . As someone who lives right next to a No Brand store, I visit almost every day! But what exactly is this place, and what should you buy? Today, I’m sharing my ultimate No Brand shopping tips and a review of their brand new, crazy "Matcha Station" lineup! 1. What is "No Brand"? & Pro Shopping Tips 🛒 No Brand is a private label by E-mart, one of Korea's largest retailers. Their concept is simple: remove fancy packaging and marketing costs to provide decent quality products at extremely low prices. 💡 Aloha Girl’s Secret No Brand Shopping Tip! When shopping here, always check the back label for the "Manufacturer" (제조원). Check the Imports: Many snacks are imported from China or Taiwan and simply repackaged. Always double-check if you prefer local products! Find the Hidden Gems: Here is the real secret—many No Brand items are actually manu...