After seeing apartments on mountainous hills, apartments in dank basements, and apartments too gloriously expensive to justify living in I decided on a cute one bedroom in Huamdong. It’s bigger than my last place and I’m happy. The neighborhood has a quiet feel even though the hustle and bustle of Seoul Station is only a five minute walk away.

I’ll miss Gangnam. I loved being able to walk to Sinsa and Apqujeong. I’ll especially miss Butterfingers though it just means I’m closer to Waffle Factory. It just didn’t make sense for me to continue living in Gangnam. The housing costs would’ve eaten up my entire housing budget and left me dwelling in a shoe box. So bye bye Gangnam, goodbye 20 minute trip to work and hello one hour commute. Thankfully, the Seoul public transport system rocks.

Anyway, on to the main event, my new apartment! I should’ve thought to take some pre moving in pictures, but I didn’t. So you’ll see the aftermath of my Furnishing your apartment in Korea post.

Winter doldrums got you down? Well, don’t fret because we’ve got what you need to put a smile back on your face and a sparkle in your eye: cupcakes. Don’t laugh. Seoul just doesn’t do the run of the mill Hostess HoHo or Ding Dong. Instead we’re talking about a riot of rainbow frosting, with flavors that tantalize the tongue, smothering moist cup sized cakes. You see, cupcakes in Seoul are serious business. Well, the whimsical side of serious, but serious nonetheless. So Chalica and I went in search of the crème de le crème of the city’s cupcake confectionaries.

My quest for cupcake nirvana began in Sinsa on the fashion forward streets of Garousu-gil. There we found the whimsical Mug for Rabbit. Proprietor Yoo Yung-Ji opened her doors in January of 2008. It’s a spacious café with an open patio, ample seating, with high ceilings and fans dizzily spinning overhead. The interior is in rabbit white with yellow and blue accents. Snazzy lounge music plays in the background. It’s the epitome of comfort. Just snag a spot close enough to the display case to peruse the bevy of cupcake morsels. The selection includes over a half dozen delights like spring green tea, blueberry, cookies & cream, raspberry, mint chocolate, pumpkin and chocolate.

Biting into one of their blueberry cupcake was like taking a bite out of a cloud. The cake was pure spongy deliciousness with a creamy frosting imbued with a bluish hue and topped with a fresh blueberry. Each cupcake is homemade and costs 5,000W. They’re worth every single
won. Just as enticing are Rabbit’s special lattes. You can choose either the intriguing ginger latte or the more eye popping Wasabi. A tough choice to be sure, but Rabbit merits a return trip to sample both.

Just around the corner from Rabbit awaits Goodovening, another stepping stone on the path to cupcake bliss. Walking inside to mint green walls, shelves of brightly colored candy, and the lingering smell of coffee makes it feel like you’ve entered the home of some good natured hobbit. The owner, Kim Shin-ae, opened the Sinsa branch in August of 2009, but she has shops in Bundang, Ilsan, as well as branches all over Seoul and a relationship with Hyundai department stores. Her flag ship shop is near Dosan Park in Apgujeong. Her pastry chefs, like Lee Ji-Eun of the Sinsa branch, are like wonderfully gifted wizards conjuring up uncanny combinations of ingredients and flavors into cupcake masterpieces. The selection includes a choice between butter cream and whip cream frosted cupcakes. Butter Cream includes red velvet, cacao-matcha, cookies & cream, funky berry, and chocolate cloud while English tea party, peanut pumpkin, banana chocolate, and espresso mint condition rounds out the whip cream side of things.

The use of cutesy deigns, vibrant colors, and decorative candies are all decidedly playful and will bring a smile to even those with an inner Grinch lurking inside. To top it all off Goodovening offers a few specialty items like the homemade candy PapaBubble as well as several specialty cream sodas. With flavors like bubblegum, green peppermint, and blue curacao you’ll want to taste each one. Goodovening entices not only with tasty morsels, but also with a 4,500W price tag for each item on the menu, making it an ideal spot to settle down for the evening.

Unfortunately, my respite didn’t last long. I left the sanctuary of Goodovening behind, drawn by the smell of sweet sweets, back onto Garousu-gil. My wandering, while gripped in the throes of cupcake fever, led me straight to Maman Gateau baking studio and dessert café. Sadly their cupcake goodies had been devoured by voracious customers. The wise folks at Maman Gateau periodically reintroduce cupcakes into the menu, especially during holiday seasons, whetting the public’s appetite and building anticipation until finally loyal patrons can get their cupcake fix. Just this past Halloween they whipped up a pumpkin cupcake with yellow cheese icing decorated with ghosts and ghoul cookies. Owner and chef Pee Yun-jung is already musing over her Christmas treat. She even teaches an occasional cupcake baking class. If that’s not cupcake love then I don’t know what is.

Sinsa isn’t the only neighborhood with the rights to cupcake revelry. Located just off the main street in Itaewon is the picturesque Life is a Just a Cup of Cake. This magical little shop is the place of childhood dreams. Stepping into the shop, I could imagine a little girl’s birthday party complete with giggling children with frosting covered faces.

There is a chart next to the display case that shows the days of the week that each of their amazingly creative flavors are available. You can go fairly traditional with the All About Chocolate or step outside the box with their Earl Grey cupcake. They sell a varied selection of beautifully presented coffee drinks to accompany your cup of cake. While the icing was fairly memorable, the cake isn’t going to blow your mind. It’s the feeling that you get when you step into the shop- as if you have been transported back to your childhood- that will have you going back again and again.

In the next door neighborhood of Hannam, across from the UN Village, is Lynn’s Cupcakes. The interior is about the complete opposite of the cozy ambiance of Life is a Just a Cup of Cake. Lynn’s is streamlined and modern. The decor is chic white, with accent color coming from the fabulously decorated cupcakes. Lynn’s really takes the cake (ha!) for cupcake presentation. Their icing designs are magazine worthy. Some cupcakes are decorated with puffy flowers, while others are done in layered swirls dusted with candies. I got my cupcake to go, and they placed it in a little smudge proof plastic container that would hold up on a packed subway ride home.

Lynn’s also offers a selection of cake decorating classes, stop by for a list.

In the Ichon-dong area is the casual yet quirky Just A Moment. It’s located on the 2^nd floor of a row of other eateries, and if it weren’t for a recommendation, I would have never noticed its existence. Just a Moment has the perfect atmosphere to get some work done. It isn’t too trendy or too storybook, it exudes an air of creativity with its hodge-podge of funky art, and- it’s quiet. They offer a rather small selection of cupcake varieties (although more than one version with a bacon infused icing) but I think it’s only because they are that confident in their baking skills. My lime cupcake was very dense, reminiscent of a pound cake. The icing, stacked high upon the cake, was filled with lime zest. Artful cupcake decoration just isn’t their thing, they pour all of their heart and soul into making mouth-watering voluptuous (yes, I said voluptuous) serious cupcakes.

Cupcakes with zest, cupcakes with sprinkles, spongy cupcakes, dense cupcakes, cupcakes made of airy clouds- there is a cupcake out there waiting just for you. Go. Now.

Goodovening: cupcake & coffee
533-14 Shinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu
02-549-7778
Noon to 11pm Mon to Sun
Website: WWW.GOODOVENING.COM

Mug for Rabbit coffee & tea
534-25 Shinsa-dong 1F
Gangnam-gu
02 548-7488
10am to Midnight Mon to Sun

Maman Gateau Baking Studio and Dessert Café
Masa Bldg 2f
532-4 Shinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu
02 704-3937
www.momsbaking.com

Life is Just a Cup of Cake

Tel: 02-794-2908

www.cupcake.co.kr

Lynn’s Cupcakes

10 – 8 pm
(010) 2893-6687
(02) 792-0804

Just A Moment

Tel: 027930915

#205 Royal Sotre, 301-151 Ichon-dong

]]> http://phoenixstorm.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/cupcakepalooza/feed/ 0 phoenixstorm http://phoenixstorm.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/misfits-tv-series/ http://phoenixstorm.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/misfits-tv-series/#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:27:00 +0000 phoenixstorm http://phoenixstorm.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/misfits-tv-series ]]>

Since my favorite shows are being cancelled left and right I needed to find a new show to fill the insatiable sci-fi fantasy void in my heart. Already I have Dr. Who, Legend of the Seeker, Merlin, Sanctuary, Fringe, V, but that just isn’t enough! So enter Misfits, the new series out of England.

Misfits follows the lives of a group of Juvenile Delinquents forced to do community service for the various acts of deviancy they committed. While on one of their work assignments a freak lightning storms blasts them all with lightning. Don’t worry because not a hair on their pretty little heads is harmed but instead they’re all, well almost all, given uncanny abilities. Alisha, the teenage hypersexual blow up doll, gets the ability to supercharge the sex drive of anyone who touches her making them want to screw her on the spot. Simon, the geek freak wallflower, gets the ability to turn invisible but only when no one is paying attention to him. Curtis, the good kid with a bad break, can rewind time about thirty seconds. Nathan, the trash talking loudmouth, gets nothing.

One thing you’ll notice straight off is that Misfits is no Heroes. These characters seem grounded in reality. They’ve got real problems and deal with real issues. They don’t have a millionaire family to turn to for their latest Senate scandal. They’re not brilliant scientists or super skilled secret agents. They also don’t have flashy powers like flying, or turning to ice, or teleporting to Japan. They’re abilities reflect who they are. Alisha uses her sexuality like a weapon and her new power will probably turn her world upside down as she questions who she is and what she does. Kelly has a tough exterior, but inside she cares and now with the ability to hear other’s thoughts you don’t know if it will tear her apart or make her stronger. Meanwhile, Curtis is track star who had his future ripped away after a stupid mistake got him into trouble with the law. Now his ability gives him the opportunity to set things right when they go wrong, but only if he acts fast. Simon, socially awkward, gets an ability that further sets him apart from the people he desperately wants to connect with. Nathan, whose mouth gets him into as much trouble as it does out of it, will have to deal with getting no power at all. Maybe his motor mouth was power enough.

I’ve only seen a few episodes but so far I’m enjoying the ride. I suggest you hope on the train and let’s see this sucker become the real thriller Heroes could’ve been.

You can also sample the selection of coffees and teas. I went with the marshmellow Latte and I am so glad I did. It was heaven. The Marshmellows melted and blended perfectly. It’s a great drink to pair with maybe a slice of pie or cake. If your sweet tooth is tingling, then Lazy Sue has the cure.

You can find this tiny gem near Nokosopyeong Station exit 2. Walk straight until you hit the underground tunnel. Duck inside, cross over to the other side and go up the left side. Lazy Sue will be just about right in front of you.

The schedule was packed with events for three days:

2009.12.11 (fri)-12.13(sun)

Fri – HyundaiCard Super Match Freestyle Show
Sat – Seoul Infinite Dream Jump – Hyundai Super Match Big Air
Sun – LG Snowboard FIS world cup

The plaza was already packed with people by the time we arrived at 4pm. Hundreds of folks stood in line for tickets to get the best seats around the Platform. Everyone else just had to huddle together for warmth. Thankfully, it wasn’t as cold as it could’ve been, but it was still plenty cold.

The contestants competed for a 100,000 USD grand prize with runner ups getting nothing. I’m sure they all wanted to bring their A game, but when a simple spill could mean the difference between 100 grand and nothing, well, playing it safe probably seemed like a good bet especially after a few early starters took a few tumbles.

We left half way through to avoid the mass exodus of people heading home and to get some warmth before we froze to the plaza like ice sculptures. All in all it was a great event to see. Hopefully, Seoul puts on more events like this in the near future.

I lived in Seoul a long while back and want to return to teach ESL and diving. Does Yongsan still have a big US military presence there? How bad is the pollution? Do the students still hang out and play guitar and sing on University St.? They always loved to make me sing “Hotel California”.
I might teach at University or in a smaller town. Do you think public school is better than University?
I’ve wanted to return to Korea every since I left!

I don’t know you, but I like your Twilight comments, I’m a vamp lover too, but sure do like the wolf in this series. Ha ha.

I was in Mexico last year and heard the weirdest thing playing on the radio in a clothing store: a song by Joi popular in 86 “Korean Girl”. That is the last place I thought I would hear a Korean pop musician! Are there many US pats there? All my friends were Korean, I didn’t know any Americans when I lived there.

Enjoy some dried squid and red bean treats at Itaewon for me. Kimchi goes without saying..yum!

Oh, PS, did your employer pay for your move, or only airfare? Have you been with the same school all these years?

Thank you for your response. I plan to relocate in 2010.

Peace, Gina

Hey Gina,

I have to say that for myself I don’t feel like there’s that big of a difference between teaching in your twenties and thirties. In the classroom if it’s your first time teaching then you are in the same boat as any other teacher. A few extra years may offer more life experience to draw upon, but that’s not necessarily true in every case. As far as life outside of the classroom it really depends on how sociable you are and what you’re into and where you are in Korea. Opportunity abounds in the big cities, but you may be more limited in the country if you’re big on city adventures to museums, galleries and the like.

The big army base is indeed still at Yongsan, but the plans are to move it down south in the coming years though it doesn’t seem to be happening in the foreseeable future though.

I have never taught University but I’ve heard from those who do and in my opinion it’s a better situation if you enjoy teaching adults. University positions typically have better hours, better vacation, disciplined students ready to work and a dedicated staff on the job with plenty of resources to draw upon. Go that route if you can.

My employer did not pay for my move but they do offer a moving stipend to help defray costs as well as flights to and from Korea

Stay tuned for my New Moon Review!.

The event has lit my competitive fires and so I’m going to kick off another contest of my own. I feel my Konglish Contest was a success and hope this new one does even better. So, dear readers, starting today the person with the most comments will win the MP3 Player above. This player was the prize I won from VANK. Since I have an IPOD I decided to share the love and give this one away.

All you have to do is comment as much as possible on this post until December 24th Midnight wherein the contest will be closed and a winner selected.

I will mail the MP3 to whereever the winner is so no worries about shippping.

With winter gearing up you’re probably bundled in swathes of blankets and cocooning on your ondol heated floors. Well, busters, time to shed those covers, don your warmest clothing, and head outside to enjoy what winter has to offer. You don’t even have to travel to the countryside to experience a winter wonderland of activities.

Take, for instance, ice skating. The ice skating rink that used to open at City Hall Plaza is moving this year to Gwanghwamun Plaza, opening 12/11 through 2/15 from 10 am – 10 pm. You can do more than just ice skate at the rink. Several events include fireworks, laser shows, sledding and an ice sculpture display.

Over at city hall, the former site of the rink, you can checkout the Antarctica display. Admission is only a measly 1,000W.

Next up is the Grand Hyatt situated on the scenic Namsan Mountain. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the city while slipping on your skates and gliding away the afternoon hours. The rink itself is about 990 square meters and can fit about 150 skaters.

Special activities include lover’s day where couples get a two for one deal and also free skate day.The entrance fee is 18,000 won (22,000 on weekends) and a rental fee for a pair of skates is 14,000 won for two hours.

Until mid-February, the rink opens from noon to 9 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Friday to Sunday, as well as holidays.

Finally, you can head over to The Sheraton at Walkerhill which has a rink under the theme of “Magical Snowland” on Dec. 20 through Feb. 15.

The large oval-shaped ice rink can fit up to 500 people. The rink also caters to couples with thousands of small lights and romantic music. A new cafeteria will be set up at the rink offering delicious finger food.

Theirs is also a Christmas tree made of crystals, a dinner show, a couple’s skating competition and more special events.

The entrance fee is 20,000 won with 12,000 won for skate rental during weekdays, and the admission fee goes up to 30,000 won on weekends.

The hotel is a short taxi ride from Gangbyeon Station on Subway Line 2. The rink opens from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.

For more information, call (02) 455-5000 or click here.

So this winter, do yourself a favor and grab your loved ones, head out to a nearby rink, strap on some skates and enjoy the chilly weather, because really it’s not going anywhere till Spring so you may as well have a good time.

La Creperie Maurina

By Brian Dye http://kissmykimchi.com

Finding something new and different for dinner in Seoul can be a challenge. This city of millions with Western and Eastern influences converging in a confluence of gastric energies makes finding something new almost impossible. Well, as the saying goes: almost doesn’t count. And I’m glad it doesn’t. Otherwise I might not have stumbled upon the splendor of La Creperie Maurina.

I came across this flirty French bistro just off Garousu-gil in Sinsa-dong. It stood before me as if it had just been plucked off the streets of Paris. It may well have been since proprietor Jung Moon-gon lived in Paris for fourteen years. While in France to study music composition he fell in love with the language, the land, and most especially the food. He honed his culinary skills cooking for friends and upon his return to Seoul channeled his love for French food into La Creperie Maurina. Its doors opened in April of 2009 and have been attracting a growing following ever since.

You see, La Creperie Maurina specializes in something missing from the dining scene in Seoul: crepes! These ultra thin pancakes originate in the Brittany region of Northwest France. They’re considered a national dish and can be dressed down and served simply or tarted up as crepes Suzette. Jung Moon-gon gives his patrons a choice between savory or sweet crepes. If you go the savory route expect choices like the Sunrise with bacon, ham, egg white, cheddar cheese and onions; the Norwegian with salmon and capers; or the Parisian with emmental cheese, ham and mushrooms. For something more on the sweet side you can choose between spicy sugar, lemon tear drop, cherrysh, or the ever cute thank strawberry much. Crepes will set you back between 12,000W to 15,000W. An extra 3,000W your savory crepe selection can include a side salad.

If you just don’t find crepes to your liking then there is the Maurina Pizza for a scant 13,000W. Though, I recommend you forgo the pizza and instead order the house specialty: French onion soup. It’s absolutely divine. Pair it with the house salad (a mélange of greens, penne pasta, and fresh vegetables doused in vinaigrette) and you’ll wish you had an extra set of taste buds to enjoy the flavor longer. Both the soup and the salad cost 8,000W.

On the horizon Jung Moo-gon plans on introducing a duo of new menu items. For lunch he’s adding bolognese pasta. For dinner he’s getting a little more ambitious with Boeuf Bourguignon also known as beef burgundy. The dish will be accompanied by a salad and will be priced at 45,000W. Reservations for the beef burgundy must be made at least a day in advance.

La Creperie Maurina is an unexpected treat in the Seoul dining landscape. Mr. Jung offers something that stands apart from the traditional fare and serves it with style and grace. His restaurant has already become a quiet hot spot, enticing local French expats inside for a taste of home. Why not don a beret and join them?

La Creperie Maurina

524-33 Sinsa-dong 1F

Gangnam-gu

02 541-8283

Hours Noon to 11pm Tues to Sunday Closed Monday