Missing comforts of home in Korea

Here's another one I've already read about in a ton of blogs: around the 3 month mark of your time in Korea you'll really start missing the comforts of home.  It's my own fault.  I should have sent myself a care package.  I should have learned more Korean.  I should have brought a friend or boyfriend with me.  I should suck it up and deal with it.  This one gets a little sappy - be forewarned that I'm not actually upset just went down a rabbit hole of memories.  I'm missing the comforts of home.

Most of these have to do with food (and the "Canadian" foods I miss), so if you're hungry then this might not be the time.

1. I can't place a proper order.

I don't speak Korean.  I can get by at lunchbox places (Hansot) and Kimbap (Kim Seon Saeng), I can terrify my students by telling them to STOP IT, or that I don't understand, or that I know they're talking about me in Korean (Way-goo-gin Seon-Saeng-Nim - literally Foreigner Teacher) - seriously they are so impressed when I say ANYTHING in Korean at all.  It's amazing!  Restaurant staff on the other hand?  They either make fun of me (I pointed at pictures on the Hansot Menu my first week before practicing the Korean from the menu and trying my luck - it was only when I spoke Hangul that they started chirping me!) or they get irritated and I end up having to pull out the translator on my phone or simply leave because they make no attempt to help me understand.  I know it's my own fault.  It's not easy.  When I was in Europe I could kind of figure it out having studied French, Italian, German, and Spanish, but this is an entirely different ballgame.

(Photo c/o Crayon Pop - go check it out!)

2. Cheetos and Doritos are a lie and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

The Cheetos here are either sweet BBQ flavoured, honey butter, or tomato and onion.  They lack the bite that proper CHEESE Cheetos should have.  I found some cheese puffs/ balls that are supposed to be camembert-flavoured.  Also a lie.  The flavours are muted and sometimes when I just want a savoury snack I am SOL.

 <-- If you want Doritos then get these instead!

The Doritos here are Sweet Ranch flavoured, or mild cheese flavour, or a bomb of different heats including the overwhelming taste of wasabi.  There are a couple of others but realistically the actual chip just tastes like they're gluten-free - you know...like cardboard with powder on it.

3. Koreans think foreigners can't handle the heat.

When I order something spicy I get raised eyebrows and sauce on the side.  Usually it's just a sweet sauce without much kick.  I bought jalapenos, hot salsa, Louisiana Hot Sauce, tons of chili flakes and decided to cook my spicy goodness at home.  Jin Ramen (HOT) ain't got a thing on this gal.

4. EVERYTHING is sweet.
The chips...they're sweet.  The bread...it's sweet.  The meat...is sweet.  The cheese...is sweet.  The pizza...is sweet.  I just want something salty and delicious.  Please guys.  I'm begging you - make something basic and savoury.

5. If you're not in a couple or a party then you're not enjoying a restaurant meal.  

Korean food is designed for sharing.  I'm dying to go to many of the awesome-looking Korean BBQ spots a block away from my place.  I saw a chef carving beef today and want to go to there ASAP but if your crew wants to get dukgalbi then that's where you're going.  If they want pork? Then group consensus wins.  If you're alone?  No dice - you're sad and there's nothing here for you.  Go to Lotteria or head home and get McDelivery (which I have now set up and ordered from twice - danger, danger).  I miss having my close-knit gal pals from Toronto who were always down to try anything once if good food, good wine, or a good story was involved.

6. I miss the International Foods available in my hometown of Toronto.

I want real pizza (not a crepe topped with "cheese" - the cheese here is not the kind of quality we get back home).  I miss good quality cheese (and wine, and champagne!).  I want tortellini.  There is Indian food here but man, is it ever far from Hwamyeong.  I want sushi - tonight I went to the local sushi restaurant and was told that all they served was sashimi and croquettes.  I want Thai food and only know of one Pan-Asian "Fusion" spot in Seomyeon to get my curry on.  I want to order chicken and not have to pay $18 for a box of chicken that could feed a large family but will go bad by morning.  I miss order-it and just-eat.  I don't want to talk to anyone I just want to order my multicultural food from the comfort of my bed in my jammies and have nobody question my decisions or get confused.

Most of all I miss having 3 incredible chefs and their teams cooking for me and explaining each individual ingredient with great detail (and then encouraging hefty bourbon shots).  I miss my mornings with Des and Kat with real talk (and unreal scrambled eggs), Julian's creations surprising me at every turn (don't get me started on the mushroom poutine - I could go for poutine right now too...), Ryan's counter culture and supportive spirit (that goes for Rob too), and my afternoons with Sandy Sanderson and AR (I wasn't talking to you).  Man, I miss you all and your incredible passion and zest for life.

7. The owner of my gym treats me differently than the 3 Korean referrals I brought in who all signed up as members.

I have a real problem with this one.  My Korean friends paid the same as I did for the gym but they get access to lockers as well.  I was never told about the gym clothes as well but I've gone ahead and started using them.  When my colleague referred her friend she got a free month.  I brought in another friend less than a week later and all of a sudden the promotion was over and no dice for me (this was the 5th friend I had referred, and yes - he was well aware).

8.  Give me a good salad that won't cost me $10 (or more like $16).  I miss Quesada and Fresh.  Just give me some mixed greens, some veggies, and a protein and I'm happy.  Add cheese?  Thrilled.

9.  BACON - give me real bacon...please.  STEAK - I want a decent piece of meat that hasn't been cut with scissors right on the grill.  Ps. The above photos are from Rose and Sons.  Go there now.

I really just want the comforts of home.  Meeting a Korean who can speak even the tiniest bit of English makes me over the moon.  I found some no name nacho chips that have the crunch-factor I was looking for in the Doritos.  I miss real bacon.  I miss being able to buy meat at the grocery store without giving up my weekend party budget (meat here is PRICY - you're better off eating at a restaurant as it's actually cheaper).  I miss my Queen-sized bed.  Heck - I miss my Double bed from University.  Sleeping on an old single bed is doing my back no good.  I miss buying furniture and being able to hire a delivery service to get it home.  My apartment is not a reflection of me in the slightest as the walls are completely bare and the couch is...well...that's another story that probably won't be posted here.  Let's just say it came from a stairwell and caused a lot of grief.

When I'm sick I want my Mom - she provides cuddles, Vick's vapo-rub, and the kind of concern a girl just needs when she's on her own halfway around the world.  Shout out to the God-fam for the support and love as well (my family is pretty great-looking, right?).  Truly, I miss joking around with my Mom and my Dad.  I miss our romps around Toronto when they would come in for Indian Buffet on King Street (shout out Agra - miss you guys) and a trip around the Eaton Centre.  I miss our laughs - it's not the same on Skype (thought I'm incredibly thankful for such a service).  I miss my parents' cooking.  They always come up with innovative dishes but also know when to make my old favourites (I could SO go for pesto chicken pasta or Dad's famous Caesar salad right now).  I don't have an oven or a blender - I'm just here chillin' with a hot plate.

Realistically I'll be here for the next 2 years so if anyone from Canada/ USA wants any Korean treats please suggest we become penpals - I will send it alllllllll as long as you promise to send me some comforts of home in return.

I dream in Skyscanner part I

I want to see everything and go everywhere.  I've traveled pretty extensively throughout Europe, I've been fortunate enough to perform in China, England, The United States, and South Africa, and I still feel like I haven't even started to see the world!  Being in Korea just makes me want to jet set each and every week do a different dazzling locale, but it's much more expensive to travel from Korea than it is from Thailand or Vietnam.  Because my primary goal of coming to Korea was to pay off debt and get my savings account rocking I've had to choose some more frugal options when it comes to taking my vacation.  My vacation days came pre-selected by my employer, so I really only have long weekends here and there.  My longest vacations are Chuseok and New Years and even they aren't full weeks off so it doesn't really make sense to plan my trips to Thailand, Cambodia, or India - places I want to explore to the fullest. 

At the end of July I'm taking my first international trip since arriving in Korea.  I'm traveling with 3 people to Osaka, Japan!  Our hostel sounds incredible (apparently they plan activities for the guests) and I'm really excited to travel with this crew.

(Photo c/o 10 things to do in Osaka)

(Photo c/o St. Regis Starwood Hotels Website)

I've made a tentative schedule just to map out things I want to see and do.  I'm sure we'll do certain things together but that I'll also end up doing some of these things alone.  

Wednesday: Arrive in Osaka in the afternoon and head over to the St. Regis for afternoon tea.  Check in at the hostel and spend the evening in Dotonbori.

Thursday:  Universal Studios Express Pass – just to see Harry Potter World and check out some rides.  Potentially visit Umeda Sky Building & Floating Garden Observatory and Osaka Castle in the afternoon and Tsutstenkaku at night or back to Dotonbori.  Maybe check out a club just to see what the scene is like and get some dancing in (or save that until Friday – whichever works).

Friday:  Hit up the Temples and Shrines and then check out more of the local nightlife/ food in the evening.

Saturday: Kate flies back to Busan/ Gimhae but will probably have a little bit of time to do something in the morning (fingers crossed the Ferris Wheel!).

Areas of interest:

Tempozan Ferris Wheel

Umeda Sky Building & Floating Garden Observatory

The Drunken Clam – English Karaoke Bar in Osaka.  Ghost Ultra Bar, Club Picadilly (they have aerial artists)

Flower Expo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi 

Universal Express Pass 5 – Harry Potter World 

Tsutenkaku area and tower at night

Dotonbori area at night 

St. Regis Hotel (afternoon tea $28 tax included– and the area is supposed to be like the Champs Elysees)

Shitennoji Temple

Sanko Shrine 

Namba Yasaka Shrine 

Have you been to Osaka?  Any suggestions for me?  Leave them in the comments!

I've also booked my flight to Shanghai for September.  Tell me what to do and where to go!

How to meet people in Korea (or at least Busan!)

You're going to have to kiss a lot of frogs before finding your Prince (or Princess!).  Thankfully there is a mixed bag of great people in Korea.  Photo by Joel Gale Photography

I was very hesitant to write another list post but after the quick success of the last one (and e-mails from followers - thank you!!) I figured why not?  Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments and tell me about anything I've managed to forget.

1. This one's the easiest.  Talk to strangers!  If you spot a foreigner for the most part they will be just fine with you saying hello.  Don't be creepy, crack a joke and if they laugh and seem open to conversation then continue along.  If they seem busy or uncomfortable then move along.  Most of the friends I've made here have been from smiling and saying hello.  More often than not if they are going to go do something cool and you seem interested they'll invite you along.  That's how I met one of my best gal pals (and discovered a tasty vegan restaurant!).  I read an article when I first arrived in Korea about a guy who ran down the street to talk to another foreigner just so he could speak English.  If you're in a rural village this might be your best bet.

2. Head out to the University area on a Friday or Saturday night.  Kyungsung University in Busan is a really busy area on Saturday nights and you can usually just sit down at a table and chat people up.  Friday nights we usually start in Gwangan or Haeundae (the beach areas with lots of expat bars), but ultimately we always end up in KSU!  I hear that PNU has some good spots as well, but I have yet to discover the area (other than the nearby Dongnae-Gu).

3. On that note - Expat Bars!  There are a TON of expat bars in major cities (Seoul, Busan, Ulsan, Daejeon, Daegu, and others).  These are spots where you'll meet other foreigners or English-speaking Koreans who are interesting in broadening their horizons.  In Busan you can check out Thursday Party (there are practically more Thursday Party locations than Starbucks and they're always busy)

4. Trivia - there are so many spots to do trivia that you could probably fill your week with a different bar each night.  Typically people do arrive in teams, but you can always join in (someone always has to bail if they need to work late or get up early.  Spots open up - don't worry!).  Check out HQ Gwangan, HQ KSU, and Eva's (Thursday night at 10 PM weekly).

5. Go on a trip!  Groups like When in Korea (WinK) offer group trips to the islands, zip-lining, Makgeolli tasting, Wine-making, and to the DMZ.  They've also opened up their own restaurant/ bar in Seoul which looks like it would definitely be worth checking out!

6. Charity Events.  Sharky's is hosting an upcoming event in support of the disaster in Nepal, Curry for Canines at HQ Gwangan, and dog walking at the Busan Abandoned Pet Sanctuary are all great places to meet people with common interests (or just party productively).

7. Concerts - Ultra and other similar concerts sell out pretty quickly but you can always catch DJ Festivals here and there to meet people with similar tastes in music.

8. Language Exchange Groups - careful with this one.  I haven't checked them out yet but I've heard from a few sources that Korean guys aren't so interesting in practicing their English skills, rather meeting foreign girls they might deem easy.  Obviously this isn't always the case, but if you bring up a Language Exchange to a Korean friend you might get a chuckle and a knowing smile.  If you're looking for an International Party there is one coming up in Gwangan at Sharky's.

9. Clubs - There are a ton of groups on meetup.com.  The one's that are really active on Facebook are the Wine Club and the instagram Club.

10.  There are hidden foreigner markets generally with a philanthropic goal - keep your ear to the ground for these ones.

11. Hit the beach!  In Haeundae and Gwangalli on a bright, sunny weekend you're almost guaranteed to find foreigners laying out unafraid of the sun.  Look for the people on the beach without umbrellas or creep the patios - the Sunday Funday game is strong! 

12. Do you like to dance?  Go to a club!  There are a ton of nightclubs in Seomyeon and Haeundae where Busan's elite hang out.  I haven't partied Gangnam Style just yet, but once I do you'll all be sure to get the inside scoop.

13. Lucky (or unlucky) #13 is Tinder!  Tinder is used pretty heavily in the expat community.  I find that it's a little less hook-up, a little more dating-friendly (or at least a way to meet cool new friends).  I know a few guys and gals who have met their significant others on Tinder in Korea.  Go ahead and swipe right!  You never know...

14. If all else fails there's ALWAYS Speed-dating!  I would never have imagined going to a speed-dating event back home in Canada, but you never know who will be out on a lark looking for a good laugh.  Drunkenmaster KSU will be hosting a Speed-dating event this weekend so if you're interested the details are available here.

Realistically the only way you're going to meet new and exciting people is if you put yourself out there.  Don't wait by the phone expecting people to get in touch with you - the most wild and imaginative people are already out there experiencing it all.

Moving to Korea? 12 tidbits to consider...

Over two years ago I considered teaching abroad in either Korea or China, but I chickened out.  After moving from Vancouver to Toronto the thought of packing my life into two suitcases and selling the rest just seemed too far-fetched, and having gone through the process of getting transcripts and copies of a degree notarized for a friend already teaching in Korea I just felt...too lazy.  Now I feel incredibly stupid for not just getting it together and going.  Now that I'm here there are a variety of reasons why I want to stay, and a variety of common misconceptions about moving to Korea I want to dispel. 

1. Korea is "Asia-light" - Truth!

Living in Korea (at least in Busan) is a lot like living in Vancouver, Canada where I spent 5 years of my life finishing up my degree and working downtown.  Throughout the week I spend my days working and my evenings at the gym.  I usually pick up a Kimbap (Korean-style "sushi") or Mandu (a tasty kimchi or meat-filled dumpling) on my way home.  It's cheaper than the subway sandwich or sushi I would get in Toronto, and during the week I tend to keep it simple so I can make the most of my weekends.  Of course, from time to time I'll head out throughout the week for a couple of socials or a night of trivia, but realistically I'm usually in bed at a pretty reasonable hour throughout the week.  On weekends?  I head out shopping, or to a club with friends, to a temple, or to the beach.  Having the beach and the mountains so close is just like being in Vancouver, and I'm thrilled to be able to swim in April!

2. Too much paperwork - myth

Getting your documents together is a pain, but it's not all that difficult.  I had to get my fingerprints done through the RCMP (I'm Canadian) and a criminal background check.  I also had to get copies of my degree notarized and several copies of my sealed transcripts sent.  There were different sized passport photos to get, and a couple of trips to the consulate to make, but I had planned months in advance so while it was fairly time-consuming it wasn't all that difficult.  My best advise is to plan so that you're not in a mad rush to get your paperwork together.  I was working a full-time job that actually had me working really long hours at the time and I still managed to get it all together.  Just start - once you've begun the process you will be invested and won't turn back.  You will need to get a health check up when you arrive in Korea and that will require more paperwork and more photos to get your ARC (Alien Registration Card - your key to multiple visits in and out of Korea).


3. Pack well - Truth!

This year winter fell right into summer (just as it seems to have in Toronto).  Many websites specify that there are four distinct seasons, but so far I've gone through winter (no snow, but holy cow was it ever cold), to diving into the water at the beach to cool off (let's be candid - the first time was in April and the water certainly wasn't warm, but it was refreshing!).  Koreans are pretty modest about their chest regions, so make sure to bring clothes you can layer as in the morning and at night it can be pretty cold but you'll find yourself sweating up a storm midday.  For the curvy girls and tall guys you WILL be able to shop in Korea.  There are a couple of H&M and Zara locations in Busan, and they have Forever 21 in Seoul as well.  I'm able to fit into Korean shirts and skirts but haven't tried pants anywhere other than western stores.  BRING SHOES - if you have above size 7.5 feet you'll have difficulty buying shoes (again - unless you visit the western chains).  Also I find that people here tend to have incredibly fashionable outfits that they pair with running shoes.  I don't understand it, but that'll give you an idea of most of the shoes that are sold here.  If you enjoy a cute pair of heels then bring them - although they might get ruined on the uneven sidewalks...

 - a shirt from my trip to Nampo.

 - my shoe closet.

3. Dining Experiences will be limited and I'll have to sit on the floor - myth

Um...NOPE!  There are TONS of different styles of food here, and I'm pretty sure I haven't eaten kimchi in at least 2 weeks (well other than the cooked kimchi in my mandu).  I have been to a vegetarian restaurant, several Italian restaurants, a cocktail bar with "Mexican" food, and yes - tons of Korean restaurants which can mean BBQ, fine dining, Makgeolli bars for pajeon, lunch box stops, and so much more.  Korean food is not limited to pork, rice, and kimchi - I promise.  I have yet to sit on the floor in a restaurant.  It's been offered at a couple of places but usually we sit at a table.  Oh, and you'll get good at using your chopsticks - promise.

4. Koreans don't speak English - half truth

Well you're in Korea, a KOREAN-speaking country, so you should probably learn enough Hangul to at least get by.  I learned how to read the alphabet before my arrival (it's incredibly straight-forward) , but it's only since actually being here that I've noticed how many English words are actually just written out in Korean, and which words I need to order food, take a taxi, get directions, etc.  You'll meet a ton of Foreigners here and the Koreans with whom you strike up friendships will likely be the ones who have studied at English Academies (or other teachers!) or who have studied at the English Universities.  If you do know key Korean words you can freak out your students when they're being bad by telling them to stop/ don't do that in Korean (HA-JI-MA) or asking for their homework but adding "Chuseyo" ("Give it to me" - ie. "Please").  I don't imagine that I'll ever have really good conversational Korean, but I haven't had a real moment of panic quite yet without it.

5. Don't work at a Hagwon - myth

There are many horror stories about living and working in Korea, but once I settled in in Busan I have to say I've been really happy.  I have many friends who work in the public school system and teach 15 classes a week but have to stay at their desk when they're not teaching.  They have a standard 8-4 or 9-5 and I believe get paid less than Private English Academy workers do.  I technically work longer hours (some days I start at 10 some days at 12:45 but I usually finish up around 7:30) but I have many breaks where I can go home and make lunch (I live half a block from work) or go to the gym, or read/ take a nap.  There's a beautiful park near where I live too so sometimes I hang out there.  I block out a couple of days a month to get my lesson plans done, and my colleagues are always there to help me as well.  I was nervous that I would be a bad teacher, but for the most part you can use your textbook as a guide and create fun activities to confirm your students knowledge.

6. Pack your own toothpaste, deodorant, and tampons - TRUTH!

I haven't really looked for deodorant or tampons (I brought 5 sticks and 200 tampons) yet, but I know that the toothpaste is a little sweeter and doesn't contain fluoride.  Just make it easy on yourself and stock up before coming.  I brought the little ob brand and just packed them in ziplock bags stuffed in my shoes.  It's not a lot of extra weight and you'll feel more comfortable having your own brands.  Bring some power adapters as well.  It's also worth bringing a couple of towels and your comforter from home.

7. Birth Control Pills are available over the counter in Korea - Truth!

I wasn't able to get Yasmin, of course, but I got a similar combination of hormones.  I don't feel any difference in my personality and haven't noticed any changes in my body because of the pill.  It'll cost you about $10/ pack and because it's over the counter it doesn't fall into the category of prescription medication covered by National Health Insurance, but it's not stressful to get at all, which helps.

 - buying BCP was as easy as getting the Korean equivalent of Coldfx.

8. Dating in Korea is a nightmare for Foreign Women - Myth!

Sure, there are a ton of foreign guys who come to Korea intent on securing a hot Korean girlfriend, but unless you're in a very rural area or somewhere without foreigners you'll have a fine time meeting people.  I've read about foreign women being really lonely because they Korean guys and Foreign guys all want Korean women, but I can pretty much guarantee that if you're in a city you'll find all sorts of people with all sorts of "types".  The great thing about dating foreigners here is that you all share a bit of a bond with other teachers, all teachers have at least a Bachelor's degree, and most foreigners here have a bit of a sexy sense of adventure and taste for new things which makes going on dates really exciting.  Careful about telling your Korean friends though - once you've been on ONE date with someone the general consensus is that they are now your significant other!

9. Your apartment will be a tiny box - half truth

I've seen some horribly small apartments here and some massive ones.  Mine could comfortably fit a king size bed (note: I have a single) and a couch (note: I have a loveseat), but my floors just got redone, I have TONS of storage, the wallpaper is fresh, and my bathroom is pretty massive.  I've seen some very small apartments as you get closer to the city centre, but most of those have double beds and frankly I'd rather be downtown and have a nice sized bed!  My life here is pretty comfortable - sometimes I consider getting a bigger bed but I'd rather spend the money on a trip (it's incredibly cheap to travel).  Perhaps I'll get a foam topper at some point but for now? Nah...

10. The cost of living is really low in Korea - myth!

In comparison to life back in Canada certain things are quite cheap, but if you want fruit, vegetables, meat, or peanut butter be prepared to shell out.  I tend to live on peppers, eggs, mixed greens, cabbage, bananas, and avocados.  Wine and Spirits are more expensive than back home, but beer, soju, and makgeolli are very cheap.  I can go get a healthy kimbap for about $5 Canadian, or a Korean fast food lunch box for about $4 Canadian (definitely cheaper than back home).  Ultimately it's been nearly 2 months and I haven't saved anything, but I also haven't been skimping on good times.  Once I'm through my first 4 months and am no longer paying my deposit on my apartment I'll be able to send a little bit more home.  If you're a bottle blonde consider heading back to your roots.  Getting your hair bleached properly in Korea will cost you megabucks - they wanted to charge me nearly $400 to get mine dyed, although I have heard of people spending $300 or as little as $125.  Not worth it for me.  Either invest in sending yourself some Revlon highlighting kits before leaving or head back to brunette.  I would also advise waiting until you get your ARC to get a phone.  The arrival store will cost you over $80 each month to rent a phone and the plan.  My phone costs me $45/ month and I got a brand new Samsung Galaxy Grand Max.

11. When handing something/ accepting something always use two hands - half truth.

When you hand money to a sales associate at a shop they'll generally be a little taken aback at a foreigner being so polite.  Do it anyway, and smile a lot.  If you don't have your Korean down then it's best to overcompensate with politeness!  Most places will just hand you your change with one hand though.



12. The Korean transportation systems are amazing - TRUTH!

Don't be afraid to get on an intercity bus and just GO!  The systems are a great way to check out temples, neighbouring cities, etc. and the HU-Metro system is really well laid out.  Make sure not to sit in the sections designated for ajummas and adeshis unless you feel like getting reamed out by everyone on board young and old alike!  Ajummas WILL push you out of their way even if there is plenty of room to go around - this happens in the streets as well.  People have this bizarre tendency to stand really close to you.  Just move if you're uncomfortable, but know that it will likely happen again.

So there you have it, friends!  The first of what will most certainly be a growing list of truths and myths.  Anything to add?  Leave me a note in the comments!

La Bella Citta Busan

Have you ever had a meal so fantastic from start to finish that you felt like a changed person?  After the most wonderful weekend checking out new corners of Busan, we were exhausted and disappointed upon discovery that the "Spanish Bistro" about which we had been wondering didn't actually serve food (El Secreto - but it does serve Sam Adams?).  I was covered in sand, blissed out from the sun, and ready for some international cuisine - decidedly not Korean.

When we turned the corner and happened upon what looked to be an enormous French Cafe and a secret garden, we knew we were in for something special.

Photos c/o La Bella Citta - Facebook

We meandered up the stairs and were hit with an absolutely stunning private event space.  Tired Kate took a horrible photo, and will most definitely be back for a special occasion to snap a better shot:

The sunset was approaching and we had been out in the sun with some wonderful new friends all day.  We were beat and just wanted a tasty meal before heading home.  No part of us expected to be treated to lemon/ carrot/ cucumber water and whole grain bread at the table.  Our table had a stunning view of Gwangalli Bridge and a quaint frame being on a side street.

  

The decor itself reminded me quite a bit of Soho House Toronto which I miss desperately.  

It appears they run what's called a "Midnight Party" every Friday and Saturday from 9 PM - 2 AM.  They offer sets of classic cocktails 3 for KRW 21,000 (and I'm not quite certain what you get for KRW 35,000 but there is something else on offer) designed by their delightful mixologist who worked up in Seoul with another bartender from the award-winning "Milk & Honey" (New York - Flatiron District).  

We decided to err on the safe side of what realistically is quite an expensive menu and order the Gorgonzola Gnocchi and the Pork and Stir-fried Vegetable Risotto.  The risotto is deconstructed would have been a wonderful dish of beautifully-cooked and seasoned pork, soy leaves, peppers, and fresh and crispy zucchini.  I wondered why there was cheese on the plate, and why white rice was used rather than an actual risotto.  I think if they changed the name on the dish I would have liked it more because it truly was well-composed.

The gnocchi, on the other hand, was absolutely life-changing.  Both my dining companion and I agreed that we could have indulged in several dishes of this decadent, smooth, rich cream sauce with just enough gorgonzola to have a bold taste, but not so much that it over-powered the delicate, melt in your mouth puffs of potato gnocchi.  It was quite salty, but again - just enough to require more wine, not enough to regret the seasoning.  The cheddar chip on top was incredible as well.  We wanted to order some bread and more sauce with which to enjoy the light and airy view after such a perfect day.

The owner popped over to ask us how we enjoyed our meals.  Talking for a bit we mentioned that we would certainly be back to try more of the Italian fare (there was a 1KG Steak on the menu for KRW 99,000, as well as some delicious-sounding pizzas for under KRW 20,000 so they really did have a variety of offerings).  We hadn't planned on drinking, but when offered a "service" beverage we could hardly say no.  We accepted gratefully and it was decided that we would get a surprise: the bartender's choice - a Caipirinha.

If you've ever had a Caipirinha you'll know that it's a Mojito kicked up and made for the cocktail connoisseur.  Made from Cachaça, a distilled spirit made from sugar cane juice, it's one of the most (if not the most) popular liquor in Brazil.  Billions of Liters of the spirit are made each year but only about 1% is actually distributed outside of the country, so I definitely did a double take when our bartender stated that it was made with the real stuff.  I had enjoyed Caipirinhas last in Trinity-Bellwoods park on a beautiful summer day while eating Nadege macarons and enjoying the fresh air and view of the CN tower.  The taste threw me back to that wonderful day, and while I chatted about the rest of the meticulous cocktail menu with the bartender my dining companion ended up knocking back quite a bit of the drink.  It was pretty clear that he loved it, and I wasn't altogether surprised when I got a text message about it on Monday asking about the ingredients (Cachaça, sugar, lime, ice).

I urge you to join me some Friday or Saturday night for a prix-fixe menu (5 dishes I believe for set prices of KRW 58,000 or KRW 68.000) with a late night garden party pop-up to follow.  I am certain it will be an evening you won't regret or forget.