Korean Bus System

Transportation system is pretty well organized.

You can basically go ANYWHERE in Korea just using trains and buses.

I do have to admit it's more well organized than other larger countries because

Korea's so small... yeah, surprise surprise!

There were always these neat little machines telling us how many minutes it takes for the next train to arrive,

and recently, this machine has been set up for buses, too!

It's so convenient especially if you need to decide whether to take the faster taxi.

One time, I remember getting on the taxi after waiting for the bus for 15 minutes,

and finally seeing the bus come around the corner after I was already seated in the taxi...

DARN IT >:(

I wish these machines were set up earlier.

Here's another thing that's important for you guys to know:

When a bus comes, just remain seated, NOT.

You really have to let the bus driver know that you want to get on the bus.

Otherwise.....

This is what happens.

The bus just goes right past by you, who is seated elegantly waiting for the bust to stop.

What Koreans do to tell the bus driver that they want to get on is:

1. Wave at them

or

2. Stand up and step down on the road. Not to far into the car lane, but just about a 

step away from the sidewalk.

The second option may seem dangerous,

but so far, there hasn't been any accidents because of this action.

So if you're new to Korea and trying to catch a bus,

don't just sit there and wait for the bus to stop for ya! :)

Korean Singer Psy(싸이) Rises Above K-pop

It's been more than 10 years since he has debuted,

but his popularity is still on fire unlike other singers of his age.

Well, here are two things almost everyone is certain about him:

1. He's butt-ugly.

2. But we all love him anyway because he's pure awesome and is very civil and nice.

Other facts:

I think he graduated in Berkeley school of Music....

When I say civil, I mean not only his heart but also as a Korean citizen.

It's mandatory for all Korean men to go to the army to serve the country for two years.

This guy, Psy, went to the army not once, but TWICE!

Civil and nice, eh?

For popular celebrities, going to army is like a death sentence to their popularity.

It's hard to get back their popularity after being two years in army,

but Psy just pulled if off like it was a piece of cake.

You may be tempted to put a "cho" at the end of his name and call him a "Psycho",

because he has a very unique style....

His belly fat's spilling out!!!

But I, as well as many many others, love him all the same

because he's so funny,

and many of his songs encourage positive attitude in a really cool way without being pathetic or geeky.

He's very passionate, funny, civil, and nice,

and being not-superstar-hot actually only adds to his popularity

because it shows that your looks can't get on your way

especially in such a appearance-based judging countries like Korea.

Well, this is why there are so many audiences in his show,

and it's HOT in there!

Like I said, when it comes to music,

I really should just shut my mouth and let you listen to the music...

Here it is, FINALLY:

These are the videos that someone took on his surprise concert.

Feel that heat....

Okay, too much heat from the audience...

This is how the song actually sounds:
This video encourages to express yourself and just have fun because that's what makes you a champion :)      (2002 released)

This guy really knows how to make his songs fun without swear words are sexual innuendos.

Now, that's RARE.

Korean Crab Cuisine at....or ON Someone's Birthday Table

I was going to name this blog "Korean Crab at Its Best"

But I felt bad because the crab that I was talking about in the title wouldn't be alive,

and it would be at its worst if anything,

but still at OUR best because they taste so good....

Sorry, crab, but we really really wanted to get some taste of you!!! :'(

There were so many different kinds of crabs in the aquarium, all alive and energetic.

Just makes me feel more guilty.....

Oh, how am I going to eat themmmmmm ohhhh nooooo :'(

At least there were not that many guests in the restaurant

because crabs are one of the most expensive seafood.

I mean, the cheapest course menu was $60, and the most expensive one was...

I do not want to know....

This is Korean traditional appetizer.

Just like most western restaurants start off with bread and salad,

Koreans start off with rice porridge.

In this case, it's crab rice porridge (boiled rice).

This'll warm us up for all that food on our way.....

You may freak out.

These are just the banchan (side dishes)!!!

Free!!!

They also had roasted fish on some mashed potatoes.

Shrimp and vegetable fries.

Rather Japanese styled food.

Oh, wait...

This place is Koreanized Japanese restaurant.... oops...

Some exotic seafood....

...followed by some common sashimi!

and sushi!

Mmmmmmm <3

Finally, here comes our main dish...

Steamed king crab!

I'm so sorry for the crab,

but oh my gosh.... it was so good....

Sorry for the vegetarians witnessing this!!! :(

After finishing the king crab,

they also served us crab fried rice in the crab shell.

It was great because I was craving for some rice to finish all those awesome banchan.

As I started shoveling the fried rice and the bachans down,

I saw something big coming on the table...

It was this crab soup...

So I left the banchans and never looked back just for this awesome soup.

This soup was not too spicy, but not too bland,

and it was perfect with the crab friend rice.

OH MY.

I meant Crab FRIED rice, not friend rice. Oh my my...

Those were some really big amount of food,

but I couldn't possibly resist the dessert with Patbingsu with a cup of ice cream on top...

Patbingsu is a Korean version of ice cream, where they put sweet red bean

on top of ground ice with some fruits and sweet milk.

It's sooooo gooooood.....!!!

Sorry for raving about the dessert, but I'm sweet toothed.... Tee hee...

Anyway, the course meal was really good.

There were three people, and we only ordered for two people

but there were still leftovers, so if you go there, you should probably order

for less people than you have.

The food was expensive,

but it was definitely worth it...!

I recommend you guys this place.

If You're A Single or A Worker in Korea...

Ever wonder what it's like to be a single or a worker in Korea?

Well....

this little kitty over here is single...

and this is what his week is like;

Monday: ......

Tuesday: ...

Wednesday: ...

Thursday: .... grump...

Friday: ....

Saturday: murmur murmur murmur damn couples murmur murmur murmur...

Sunday: *cat-sob*/sleep

...and these dogs over here are just ordinary workers...

You know, weekday working, and weekend off...

And this is what they look like each day of the week:

Monday: This is only the beginning...

Tuesday: Aww come on, just leave me alone!

Wednesday: ... (worst day of the week)

Thursday: The day before the day before the weeeeeekend!!! :)

Friday: AWWWWW SWEEEEEET!!!!

Saturday: Zzzzzz.....

Sunday: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Man... even cats and dogs know it.

Korean Black Garlic Health Drink Is...

This is black garlic...

No, it's not a kind of a garlic.

It's basically ordinary garlic fermented and heated for 10 days.

It has a jelly-like texture, and it's less spicy and smelly than

just garlic but healthier than ordinary garlic.

These are basically good for everything, ranging from cancer, eczema, and heat disease

to diabetes and stress/fatigue.

Some people actually like this because it's chewy and sweet, kind of like dried fruits , of course good for health as well.

Because it has so many different health benefits, and has a better taste than the raw garlic,

someone invented this health drink that was 93% concentrated black garlic juice, and the rest

some ginseng juice.

As you may be guessing right now,

this thing is pretty expensive....

If you're wondering what to get your parents,

maybe you should get them this

although I have to admit that this little health drink right here

took me back and forth from hell and the Earth....

I know it's really going to be good for your parents though...

If you think ginseng is good,

this one has 10 times more health benefits than ginseng,

so go ahead!!!

Oh, that is, if you can find one outside Korea :)

HA! SASS!

Okay, sorry, please don't stop reading our blogs :'(

Old Style Korean Restaurant: Gomjung Gomushin

This is Gomjung Gomushin.

This means black Korean traditional rubber shoes.

 

Just like its name,

this place looks pretty old style Korean.

They did have some Western modification like chairs and tables,

but they still had the vibe.

Apparently, this place is pretty famous!

Celebrity autographs! :)

Gotta admit that they do have a pretty unique look...!!

Even their lights are supposed to be watermelons and pumpkins,

One of Korea's most popular vegetable and fruit.

We found something even cooler!

Half of their drink menus were made up of Korean rice wine,

and no wonder....

This place was where the ex-President Dae Joong Kim bought the rice wine

for a gift for Kim Jung Il during a visit to North Korea.

Since then, the name of the rice wine of this place changed to:

Reuniting Rice Wine

Looks like rice wine here is no ordinary drink...

So we decided to order some rice wine (Mak-kolli)

and the food that went well with it:

Pan-fried Kimchi

Kimchi Stew

and...

Dakbal (Chicken feet)

I know the last food Dakbal (chicken feet) may sound and look unappetizing,

but don't judge the food before you taste it...!

Trust me, I've been grossed out by this same food,

but now it's one of my favorite food :)

Here's finally the famous rice wine of this place!

Btw,

when people drink Korean rice wine,

they always eat something that looks like a pancake with the drink.

It's called "boochimgae", and it can be made with kimchi like I showed you above,

or it could be made with seafood and vegetables, too.

Well, here we go for a taste of reconciliation :)

Cheers!!!

P.S. this is probably one of the best places to see the older side of Korea for tourists!

Definitely a point of interest...

Gomjung Gomushin (검정고무신)

Seoul-shi Mapo-gu Seogyo-dong 354-2 (서울시 마포구 서교동 364-2)