Skip to main content

About Me

 Aloha! 🌺 

Welcome to ALOHA FROM KOREA: FOODIE'S GUIDE.

I’m Jihye, a native Korean foodie and an Art Director based in Seoul, South Korea. Having lived in Hawaii and London, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to experience diverse cultures and cuisines. However, my true passion lies in uncovering the most authentic local eats, hidden cafes, and beautiful travel spots right here in my home country, South Korea.

What You Will Find Here This blog is my digital diary and a foodie's ultimate guide. I share honest reviews of stylish cafes, hidden local restaurants, and beautiful retreats in Seoul and beyond. Whether you are looking for a perfect Hanok cafe, a cozy dessert spot, or authentic Korean recipes to try at home, you will find it here.

My Inspirations When I'm not exploring new restaurants or designing, I love immersing myself in Swing Dance, Graphic Design, Travel, and Cooking.

I am deeply inspired by movies like La La Land, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. My days are usually filled with the sounds of Laufey, Bruno Major, Tom Misch, and Jamiroquai. I also love reading books that spark creativity and personal growth, such as Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and Atomic Habits.

Through this blog, I hope to share my love for food and culture with you. Thank you for joining me on this delicious journey!

Mahalo, Jihye

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Korea's "No Brand" Supermarket: Matcha Station Haul & Secret Shopping Tips!

  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...

Authentic Korean Sweet & Spicy Fried Chicken: Dakgangjeong (Korean Recipe)

Aloha! 🌺 It’s Jihye in Seoul. Aloha! 🌺 It’s Jihye in Seoul. Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe for a dish that holds a very special place in Korean food culture: Korean Fried Chicken. KFC? Please go home! (No offense, but when it comes to fried chicken, Korea is on a whole other level.) From spicy to soy-garlic, oven-baked to green onion-topped, we have an endless variety. But today, I’m introducing one of the absolute best: Dakgangjeong (닭강정). What is Dakgangjeong? It is a bite-sized, boneless fried chicken that is double-fried for maximum crunch and tossed in a sticky, sweet, and spicy glaze. It's usually topped with crushed nuts or sesame seeds, and I love adding chewy Korean rice cakes (Tteok) to the mix for a fun, chewy texture contrast! 🍗 The Science of the Crunch: Potato Starch & Double Frying   If you’ve ever wondered why Korean fried chicken stays incredibly crispy even after being drenched in sauce, there are two major secrets. Firs...

Zero-Waste Summer: Refreshing Korean Watermelon Rind Salad (Su-bak Namul) (Korean Recipe)

Aloha, foodies! 🌺  It's Jihye in Seoul, sharing a Korean zero-waste tradition that turns leftover watermelon rinds into a crunchy, refreshing side dish called Su-bak Namul. If you love the crisp snap of green papaya salad (Som Tum) or pickled cucumbers, this quick, eco-friendly recipe dressed in my signature "Magic Sauce" will completely transform your summer dining. The Science and Health Benefits of Watermelon Rind Before you toss that thick white rind into the compost, consider its incredible nutritional value. The rind is densely packed with citrulline, an amino acid known to improve blood circulation and reduce muscle fatigue. By salting the rind, we utilize osmotic pressure to draw out excess water, condensing the natural fibers. This process completely eliminates any watery mushiness, leaving behind a firm, radish-like crunch that perfectly absorbs spicy dressings. 🛒 What You Need The Base: Watermelon Rind: About 1/4 of a large watermelon (the white part ...