Archive for December, 2009

I at JustEnoughKorean.com had no idea what to do for New Year’s Eve in Korea. I found a few bits of information about a New Year’s Celebration happening in Seoul and that’s what we are going to do.

I’ve heard that the Times Square-style thing to do in Seoul for New Year’s Eve is to take the Seoul Subway to Jongno and head to the Bosingak Belfry area.

There, they ring a big bell 33 times to ring in the New Year. Then, the spectators shoot fireworks and roman candles into the air (hopefully into the air and not into me!).

I haven’t been before but that’s what we’ve pieced together from the internet. I am planning to go this year and I’ll let you know what it’s like.

Instead of going to your favorite bar for a New Year’s Eve party, why not try something a bit more Korean???

If you’re planning to attend and would like to meet up at some point, email me here:
jermil@justenoughkorean.com

Changdeokgung Palace is THE PALACE TO VISIT if you’re only checking out one palace in Seoul. That’s according to “Dokkaebi Maps & Guides” that I found.

If you ask me, I’d suggest going to whichever palace is closest to you. “Why?” you ask???

BECAUSE THEY ALL LOOK THE SAME!!!

But the unnecessary difference that Changdeokgung Palace offers is a mandatory guided tour!!! English tours are given only 3 times a day. But it doesn’t matter. Take a tour in Korean, Chinese, or Japanese. Preferably if you don’t speak any of those languages!

They can be way more fun than the English tour if you do what I did while I wandered around the palace during the Korean tour.

I would make up stories about space aliens and old torture chambers and the Americans attacking way back in 1621 (of course there was no America back then but that’s the point).

To get to Changdeokgung Palace, take the Seoul subway to Anguk Station and go out exit 3. Follow the main road and you’ll find the palace on your left after about a 5 minute walk. Or go to this link for a map.

Check out my pictures below from the last time we went to good old Changdeokgung Palace!

Have you ever been to Changdeokgung Palace? What did you think of it??? Let me know in the comments!

Have you ever been to Changdeokgung Palace? What did you think of it??? Let me know in the comments!

I used to think Kraze Burgers had a pretty strong selection of hamburgers. I also thought the Friday’s Burger at T.G.I. Friday’s (the only hamburger they have) was mighty tasty. But now I don’t think I can ever go to those restaurants again! Those burgers aren’t bad by any means. It’s just that they can never compete with Smokey Saloon.

I stumbled upon Smokey Saloon while wandering around Itaewon looking for a nice place for a Sunday brunch. I didn’t know what it was but I saw a line of people waiting to get in so it must be good right? I never see that at restaurants in Korea.

Smokey Saloon has multiple burger combinations for your choosing. They also have a few sandwiches and a shrimp burger if you want to unleash your inner korean.

I chose the “Ambulance” which has a fried egg on top, 2 slices of bacon, American cheese, and a hash brown on the bottom. I topped them off with a side of coleslaw and “sloppy” fries (chili cheese fries).

The entire meal was fantastic. (See more pictures below!) But don’t take my word for it. See what Candice has to say about it in this video taken inside of Smokey Saloon, where, I do declare, you will find the best burgers in South Korea.

What’s your favorite burger restaurant in Korea? Like this post? Think it sucks? Give me your opinion in the comments.

If you can’t see the video below, check it out on justenoughkorean.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSc9jqwJjE8

The COEX Mall is actually the largest mall that I’ve been to in South Korea. Since bigger is always better, that makes it the best mall that I’ve ever been to in South Korea IN MY LIFE!!!

On the COEX Mall website, they list 11 themed streets which can be found inside the mall. They are:

1. Millenium Plaza
2. Summit Walk
3. Forest Walk
4. Lake Walk
5. Riverside Walk
6. Event Court
7. Waterfall Walk
8. Canyon Walk
9. Tropic Walk
10. Ocean Walk
11. ASEM Plaza

I don’t know why I listed all of those when I could’ve linked to the theme website instead.

(sidebar: I didn’t notice these “themes” until I read about them. Then I realized some weird things were going on in different parts of this ridiculously huge mall.)

I found a ridiculous amount of restaurants that reminded me of home in the COEX Mall. They include: Pizzeria Uno, Marche, Sbarro, Bennigan’s, T.G.I. Friday’s, Häagen-Dazs, and Baskin Robbins, and more.

If all of that didn’t convince you to go, there’s also an aquarium!!! For 15,500 won per adult, go see fish!!!

But seriously folks, COEX Mall has a few stores you’ll recognize and that has clothes and shoes that will actually fit your non-korean body.

Since we’ve been living in Korea, people from back home have been asking us many different questions about what life is like here, such as:

What does a shower look like in Korea?
What should I expect in Korea?
What should I prepare for in Korea?
What surprises should I prepare for in Korea?
What are some cultural differences in Korea?

One of the first cultural differences that Jermil and I experienced in Korea is THE SHOWER!!!

There are no words that can explain a traditional Korean shower, so I’ve put together a video for you. During the filming, I happened upon Jermil!