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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

The next Dubai chewy cookie? Butter rice cakes go viral

Butter rice cakes, also known as butter mochi and butter tteok, are emerging as the next trending dessert following the Dubai chewy cookie, with long lines already forming at bakeries across Korea. Although some sources identify it with a dessert from Shanghai, the chewy treat is more similar to Hawaiian butter mochi and Filipino bibingka. It recently gained widespread attention on social media and is now becoming popular among younger consumers in Korea. As the trend spreads across platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, many local bakeries are introducing their own unique twists on the dessert. Butter rice cakes are made using basic baking ingredients such as eggs, sugar and butter. Recipes vary slightly, with some adding tapioca starch to enhance the chewiness. However, glutinous rice flour — the key ingredient — is what gives the dessert its signature chewy texture. Although the shapes and sizes differ from shop to shop, the defining characteristic remains the same: a crispy exterior paired with a chewy interior. What makes this dessert especially distinctive is the butter, which

Mar 10, 2026By Kim Sur-hyun
The next Dubai chewy cookie? Butter rice cakes go viral

4 easy mountain trails accessible by subway in Seoul

Minutes after stepping off the subway, visitors in Seoul can find themselves climbing toward mountain vistas high above the capital. In few other capitals can hikers leave a downtown train and begin an ascent almost immediately — a convenience officials say has helped turn “K-hiking” into a travel essential alongside Korean food and K-pop. The Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) has spotlighted four trails on Mount Bukhan, Mount Gwanak, Mount Nam and Mount Acha as must-visit routes this spring, citing their easy access, gear rentals and scenery that layers granite peaks with skyscrapers, royal palaces and the Han River. At the city-run Seoul Hiking Tourism Center sites near Mount Bukhan, Mount Bugak and Mount Gwanak, visitors can rent boots, clothing and trekking poles for a small fee, get trail information in four languages and store their belongings in lockers before setting out. Mount Bukhan, home to the popular Baegundae Peak course, remains the centerpiece, offering a steep but manageable two-hour climb that rewards even novice hikers with sweeping views of northern Seoul, ringe

Mar 10, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
4 easy mountain trails accessible by subway in Seoul

Foreigners flock to Chinese malatang eateries, host birthdays, believe rich soup is healthy

A growing global craze has seen foreigners flock to malatang restaurants to celebrate birthdays and go on dates. The trend has sparked widespread online sharing and lively discussions on Chinese social media. Malatang, which literally means “numbing, spicy and hot”, is a popular Chinese street food originating from Sichuan province in southwestern China. It consists of various self-selected meats, vegetables and noodles boiled in a broth. Often described as a “personal hotpot”, diners choose their ingredients by weight or skewer, making it a quick, affordable and comforting meal. Since 2025, malatang has been going viral worldwide, taking over streets across the globe. In Japan, visiting malatang shops has become a trendy activity among young women. On social media it is widely claimed that the broth contains more than 20 kinds of spices and Chinese herbs that can enhance beauty and even help weight loss. “There are more than 20 spices in this soup. After drinking it, your skin will glow,” said one Japanese woman. In Germany, some people have even skipped traditional birthday banq

Mar 10, 2026By SCMP
Foreigners flock to Chinese malatang eateries, host birthdays, believe rich soup is healthy

4 places in Yeongwol to visit after watching ‘The King’s Warden’

Yeongwol, a quiet county of 36,000 people tucked into the mountains of Gangwon Province, was always there. Then the film "The King's Warden" hit 11 million admissions on Sunday, a little over a month after its Feb. 4 release, and suddenly everyone wants to see the place where a boy king spent his final days. The historical film follows Joseon’s sixth monarch, King Danjong (1441-57), who ascended the throne at age 12 and was later killed at 17 while in exile in this remote mountain town. Now the rest of Korea is paying attention. Local authorities report an average of 2,000 visitors a day since the film's release, rising to as many as 6,000 on weekends, with blogs and social media filling up with photos and reviews from those who made the trip. For those planning to follow, The Korea Times has compiled four destinations featured in the film that are worth visiting. Cheongnyeongpo Cheongnyeongpo, where Danjong was first exiled, is one of Yeongwol’s most historically significant sites. The young king stayed there only briefly before moving to nearby Gwanpungheon after flooding made the a

Mar 9, 2026By Kim Se-jeong
4 places in Yeongwol to visit after watching ‘The King’s Warden’

Science behind Korea's favorite pork pairing

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. A social media post from Korean comedian Shim Jin-hwa — known for maintaining a 12-kilogram weight loss — has renewed attention on one of Korea's most traditional culinary pairings and the nutritional logic underpinning it. Shim posted a photo on social media showing fresh minari (water dropwort) piled on top of golden-brown grilled samgyeopsal (pork belly), writing, "I love the combination of minari, bracken and samgyeopsal." While raw minari carries a strong bitter taste, roasting it alongside the meat transforms the flavor into a savory complement while naturally neutralizing the pork's gamey odor. Cholesterol reduction and cardiovascular health Beyond flavor, the pairing actively reduces body fat absorption and protects cardiovascular health. According to the Rural Development Administration, minari contains 10 to 15 milligrams of phytosterols per 100 grams. These compounds help lower blood cholesterol levels, providing a biological counterbalance to heavy, fatty meats. Potassium density and sodium flush Korean barbecue diners traditional

Mar 7, 2026By Kormedi.com
Science behind Korea's favorite pork pairing

Cherry blossoms and canola flowers: 3 spring spots to visit in Gyeongbuk

As winter gives way to spring, flowers are beginning to bloom across Korea’s cities, lakes and coastlines, creating vivid landscapes. The Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization on Thursday selected three must-see destinations in North Gyeongsang Province where visitors can enjoy the season’s blossoms. Daereungwon, Gyeongju A historic site framed by cherry blossom trees, Daereungwon is one of the most popular spring walking spots in Gyeongju. Walking along the low stone wall surrounding the ancient royal burial mounds beneath rows of cherry trees, visitors might feel as if they have stepped into a world of blossoms. In some sections, the branches arch overhead, completely enveloping the path in pink flowers, while the occasional gust of wind sends petals drifting down like rain. Despite the crowds that gather each spring to see the cherry blossoms, the walkway remains wide enough for a slow and comfortable stroll. Extending the walk to nearby Hwangnidan Road and Cheomseongdae Observatory is also recommended. Yeonhwaji, Gimcheon A walk along the lakeside path beneath cherry blo

Mar 7, 2026By Hankookilbo
Cherry blossoms and canola flowers: 3 spring spots to visit in Gyeongbuk

Seoul Grand Park set to welcome spring visitors

Seoul Grand Park is rolling out seasonal maintenance and landscaping projects as it prepares to welcome spring visitors, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Friday. Opened in 1984 in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, the park spans about 9.13 million square meters and features Seoul Zoo, the nation’s largest zoo, home to about 1,950 animals from 216 species, as well as Seoul Land, an amusement park, and a branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. To help maintain the trees and the park environment, workers washed 983 trees — including cherry and zelkova — removing fine dust and pollutants that had accumulated over the winter. Workers also pruned trees across the park, removing hazardous branches and dead trees. Landscaping byproducts, such as trimmed branches, were reused as natural toys for animals in outdoor enclosures, helping encourage natural behavior and reduce stress. The park’s Theme Garden is preparing for roses to bloom in May, with winter covers removed and 500 bags of fertilizer applied as spacing adjustments, transplanting and pruning get underway. S

Mar 6, 2026By Park Ung
Seoul Grand Park set to welcome spring visitors

Michelin Guide celebrates 10th anniversary in Korea

BUSAN — The Michelin Guide marked a milestone in Korea, Thursday, celebrating a decade of showcasing the country’s culinary identity through one of the world’s most influential dining authorities. This year, a total of 233 restaurants in Korea have been selected for the Michelin Guide. They include one three-star restaurant, 10 two-star restaurants, 35 one-star restaurants, 71 Bib Gourmand restaurants, 116 Suggested restaurants and four Green Star restaurants. The Michelin Guide hosted its 2026 Seoul and Busan ceremony at Signiel Busan, unveiling this year’s selections and honoring new culinary talents. The event, themed “A Decade of Journey,” highlights the evolution of Korean cuisine since the guide’s debut in 2017 and its continued expansion beyond the capital. Launched initially as the Michelin Guide Seoul, the publication broadened its scope in 2024 to include Busan, Korea’s second-largest city and a rising hub of gastronomy. The move reflected the growing diversity of Korean cuisine and the international attention local chefs have drawn with their inventive yet dee

Mar 5, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Michelin Guide celebrates 10th anniversary in Korea

Inside Suwon, Korea’s football capital and home of Bluewings

SUWON, Gyeonggi Province — On a mild Saturday in late February, traffic around Suwon World Cup Stadium slowed to a crawl. Red express buses from Seoul and across Gyeonggi Province arrived brimming with supporters clad in royal blue, their chants rising in waves. Nearly 900 meters from the arena, the sound was already thunderous — audible even through the sealed windows of a city bus inching toward the stadium. Welcome to the home of Korean football. The occasion was the 2026 K League 2 season opener, pitting storied powerhouse Suwon Samsung Bluewings against Seoul E-Land FC at the 44,000-seat "Big Bird" stadium ― the wing-roofed colosseum that hosted four matches during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. A banner stretching across the concourse read "Home of Football," and the 24,071 supporters who filled the stands that afternoon made the slogan feel like an understatement, smashing the K League 2 all-time single-match attendance record. For nearly 100 minutes, the N section behind the goal — the domain of the Frente Tricolor, Suwon's organized supporters group — erupted in nonstop song

Mar 5, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Inside Suwon, Korea’s football capital and home of Bluewings

Korea to prep 11 'must-see' traditional markets for global spotlight

From the aromatic alleys of Gyeongdong Market in Seoul to the seaside bustle of Haeundae Market in Busan, Korea is betting that its traditional markets are key to winning over global travelers. On Wednesday, officials unveiled a high-octane plan to "globalize" 11 iconic venues, rebranding the nation’s historic marketplaces as the ultimate frontier for authentic food and culture. The program, led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), aims to make traditional markets a must-visit location for international travelers. The selected markets span 10 regions, including Gyeongdong and Mangwon markets in Seoul, Haeundae Market in Busan, Seomun Market in Daegu, Sinpo International Market in Incheon and Suwon Nammun Market in Gyeonggi Province. Gyeongdong Market in northeastern Seoul is known as one of the country’s largest herbal and agricultural markets, while Mangwon Market in the trendy Mangwon-dong neighborhood in the western part of the capital has grown into a hub for street food popular with younger travelers. Sinpo International Market

Mar 4, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Korea to prep 11 'must-see' traditional markets for global spotlight
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