Aloha from Korea: Foodie's Guide

Aloha! 🌺 It’s Jihye in Seoul. Today, I visited my absolute favorite, deeply cherished pasta restaurant in Seongsu-dong: Sedici . I always ponder what to order before I go, but I inevitably end up ordering the exact same things because they are just that good! If you are looking for a good gnocchi and a fantastic glass of wine, this is the place. Sedici is conveniently located just a short walk from Seongsu Station, making it the perfect spot to enjoy wine without worrying about the commute. I arrived right when they opened (yes, the famous "open run"!). The interior is modern, but the rough, textured brown walls give it an earthy, almost cave-like natural vibe. They have a central bar seating area, which is spacious and comfortable. Even early in the morning, the kitchen was super busy preparing for the day. They are always fully booked during lunch, so reservations are an absolute must! Their menu features everything from delicate salads and beef tartare to various pastas,...

 Aloha! 🌺 It’s Jihye in Seoul. Today, I want to introduce you to a very special, highly sought-after traditional Korean dessert. Have you ever heard of North Korean-style Injeolmi (Rice Cake)? As you may know, Korea is a divided country. Because of this, authentic North Korean cuisine is quite rare and considered a very special, unique delicacy here in the South. Among all the North Korean treats, this specific style of Injeolmi from a famous shop called Dosuhyang in Apgujeong Rodeo is an absolute masterpiece. If you are a rice cake lover, you will go crazy for this! 🥟 What makes North Korean-Style Injeolmi so special? Regular Korean Injeolmi is usually dusted with dry, roasted soybean powder. However, the North Korean style is completely different! A perfectly chewy, densely pounded rice cake is generously covered in a soft, moist paste made from peeled red beans (Gipi-pat). It’s hand-squeezed, so you can actually see the rustic, charming finger marks on every single piece. Th...

 Aloha! 🌺 It’s Jihye in Seoul. Have you ever watched the adorable Netflix stop-motion series, Rilakkuma and Kaoru ? If you are a fan, you probably know how much Rilakkuma loves Dango (Japanese sweet rice dumplings). When that show was trending, I went on a massive hunt across Seoul to find the perfect Dango. Today, I’m sharing the hidden gem I settled on and have been visiting for years! Welcome to Ankko (Gangnam-gu Office Station) Ankko  is a specialty Japanese dessert shop in Gangnam. They are famous for their  Wagashi  (traditional Japanese confections),  Manju ,  Monaka , and of course,  Dango . Because they use a lot of high-quality red beans, they are also highly loved by locals for their Red Bean Shaved Ice (Patbingsu) and Red Bean Porridge (Patjuk). They have a few tables inside, including a cozy Kotatsu seat that I always want to try! (Just keep in mind they have a strict "one drink per person" policy if you dine in, so leave some room in y...