Lifestyle - The Korea Times

'Look at these hands'

 Third and fourth generation restaurateurs of Shin Sikdang, Lee Hwa-ja, right, and Han Mi-hee, left, hold up photos of their look-alike first and second generation owners. / Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-young Shin Sikdang's tteokgalbi formula is a result of generational dedicationThis is the second in a series of interviews with third-generation restaurateurs in Korea. _ ED.By Yun Suh-young Hands of third and fourth generation restaurateurs Lee Hwa-ja, right, and Han Mi-hee, left, of Shin Sikdang. / Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-young DAMYANG, South Jeolla Province _ "Yi son-eul boso," said Lee Hwa-ja, a third-generation restaurateur of Shin Sikdang in Damyang, South Jeolla Province. She spread out her hands telling the reporter to look at them.It was towards the end of the interview that she suddenly blurted those four words ("look at these hands") while explaining how arduous the work was at the restaurant."These hands are like a toad. They've become super (geopnagae) coarse." Geopnagae is an expression used to exaggeratingly emphasize a situation _ a word used w

Jun 19, 2017

Looking into history of coffee through Italian espresso machines

 Antique Italian espresso machines are displayed at the “Espresso Design” exhibition at KF Gallery in Jung-gu, Seoul. / Courtesy of Korea FoundationBy Kim Jae-heunIt has been less than 150 years since coffee was introduced in Korea. The exact date is unknown, but it is well known that the Joseon Kingdom’s (1392-1910) last king, Emperor Gojong, was a big coffee aficionado.The earliest records of coffee culture in Korea date back to an icy cold January in 1884, when American astronomer Percival Lowell wrote in his journal, “We mounted again to the House of the Sleeping Waves to sip that latest nouveaute in Korea, after-dinner coffee.”Twelve years later, a historical document on “A-kwan-pa-chun,” or a Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation, says Emperor Gojong drank his first cup of coffee at the diplomatic venue in 1895.Today, Korea is the seventh largest coffee importer in the world after the EU, America, Japan, Russia, Canada and Algeria, according to the International Coffee Organization. Koreans reportedly drank an average of 1.2 c

Jun 15, 2017

Looking into history of coffee through Italian espresso machines

Eat, drink, be merry in Boracay

The view from Crystal Cove, one of the main stops on Boracay / Courtesy of Tourism Promotion Board PhilippinesBy Choi Ha-youngBORACAY, Philippines ― Sunshine, beaches and scuba diving with a variety of tropical fish that look like “Nemo” are never enough to describe a trip to Boracay, a beautiful tropical island in the Philippines.Once you arrive on Boracay, you should take off your shoes to feel the soft sand of the island’s iconic White Beach, complete with palm trees that go perfectly with the glorious sunset that welcomes tourists.Boracay is full of diverse leisure. You can enjoy snorkeling for a glimpse below the sparkling sea. Or, to explore the deeper water with colorful coral, starfish and sea creatures, take a 30-minute scuba-diving course.Don’t worry if you aren’t a good swimmer. Once you learn the basic breathing skills and safety measures, you can discover the creatures that hide behind the sea anemones and feed them.After all the activity, you can revive your aching muscles with a relaxing massage. Skilled therapists use warm lava stone

Jun 15, 2017

Graphic News How K-pop divas shed weight?

Jun 15, 2017

hotel briefs

The Grand Hyatt Seoul is presenting a Guam food festival until June 15 at its poolside BBQ every evening.Chef Brendan Makahi from Hyatt Regency Guam will feature authentic Chamorro cuisine during the promotion period, and a traditional Polynesian dance team will perform a live fire show.The dinner buffet opens from 6:30 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. and costs 88,000 won during weekdays and 98,000 won on weekends, including tax. For more information and reservations, call (02) 799-8495. The Millennium Seoul Hilton’s buffet restaurant, Café 395, is featuring Philippine cuisine until next Tuesday.Michelle Adrilliana, a chef from the Philippines, will feature kalderate (goat meat stew), lumpiang hubad (vegetable spring rolls without the wrappers) and sisig (seasoned pig’s head and liver), among others.The buffet costs 94,000 won per person for lunch and 99,000 won for dinner. For more information and reservations, call (02) 317-3062. The JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul offers Hello Kitty bingsu (shaved ice with toppings) until Sept. 30 at the Lounge.The bingsu will

Jun 8, 2017

Expats marvel at Korea's national parks

Mount Bukhan is one of the national parks and beloved by Seoul citizens because its accessibility./Courtesy of National Park ServiceBy Kim Se-jeong Seventy percent of Korea is covered with mountains, big and small.Among them, 22 are under the  care of National Park Service, which maintains the mountains’ natural beauty, cultural assets and biological diversity, while keeping them accessible to the public.Last year, almost 45 million people hiked around national parks. Mount Bukhan in the capital city of Seoul attracted more than six million visitors.The National Park Service builds trails and paths for them, as well as amenities both to make hiking convenient and to protect nature.To see the list of 22 national parks, visit english.knps.or.kr.Mount Jiri became the first national park in 1967./Courtesy of National Park ServiceA brief history of national parks The first attempt to designate a national park began during the Japanese occupation (1910-45). A Japanese scholar is said to have pushed to make Mount Geumgang in modern-day North Korea a national park, but f

Jun 8, 2017

Seoul sixth most expensive city to live for expats

Seoul's overpass park: new landmark or eyesore?

Visitors walk along Seoullo 7017 sky park, May 21. / Korea Times photo by Sohn Yong-seokBy Baek Byung-yeulHaving opened about three weeks ago, the Seoullo 7017 urban sky park seems to have already been an iconic spot for city dwellers in Seoul.To make the megalopolis more pedestrian friendly, the Seoul city government planned to make its own version of the High Line park of New York. The Seoullo project cost 59.7 billion won ($53 million) and took about a year and a half after closing down the outdated Seoul Station Overpass on Dec. 13, 2015.Seoullo means “Seoul Road” or “going to Seoul,” and the number 7017 comes from the years 1970 when the overpass was first constructed and 2017 when it was reborn as a public park. The 1,023-meter-long and 17-meter-high walkway is decorated with more than 24,000 trees and plants, plus benches, rest areas and eateries.Though there has been a backlash for shutting down the overpass that carried 40,000 vehicles daily, it has been received well since its opening on May 20 as it took only 14 days to surpass the 1 million visitor

Jun 8, 2017

Seoul's overpass park: new landmark or eyesore?

'Kimchi juice' a red-hot seller on Amazon

By Ko Dong-hwanGold Mine Natural Food introduced 32-ounce kimchi juice on Amazon. / Courtesy of AmazonAfter traditional Korean side dish kimchi achieved a global reputation and spawned a string of byproducts ― like kimchi lasagna and kimchi pasta ― kimchi juice is the latest hot product on e-commerce site Amazon.American health food maker Gold Mine Natural Food introduced the “organic, fresh, raw” juice and it sold out on June 7. The 32-ounce drink is priced at $17 and described as vegan, gluten free and kosher.“Plenty of zing and just the right amount of heat!” the website says. “Americans who are not ready to embrace the really hot chili pepper flavor of Korean-style kimchi will be delighted with Gold Mine Organic Kimchi Juice.”The site says the juice is naturally fermented without the fish sauce, shrimp sauce, sugar and preservatives commonly found in commercial kimchi and loaded with lactobacillus kimchii, a healthy probiotic bacterium that aids digestion.  Customer reviews showed the juice earned 4.2 out of five stars.Netizens l

Jun 7, 2017

'Kimchi juice' a red-hot seller on Amazon

'Interview' stars cook 'kimchi lasagna'

Provincial News North Jeolla to recommend eateries for tourists

By Ko Dong-hwanNorth Jeolla province has launched a campaign to attract foreign tourists ― by recommending choice restaurants.The regional government is accepting applications from those who want their eateries included.The restaurants must offer good food, kind service, tables with chairs, clean kitchens, halls, and lavatories.The establishments also must be able to serve 80 or more visitors at the same time, have parking lots and no records of business suspension for the past two years. Menus do not matter.The government is accepting applications until this Friday.Selected restaurants will be given special signs and will be promoted on government websites and in booklets.The move is expected to reduce the nation’s chronic habit of overcharging foreign tourists and improve visitors’ impressions of Korean restaurants.

Jun 5, 2017

[Provincial News] North Jeolla to recommend eateries for tourists

'I'm cooking food for the mind'

Buddhist nun Jeong Kwan pours water into a bowl to prepare lotus flower tea outside the Chunjinam Hermitage of the Baekyangsa Temple in Jangseong County, South Jeolla Province, May 29.  Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-young By Yun Suh-youngJANGSEONG, South Jeolla Province ― You are what you eat, as much as you are what you wear. You are also what you create.For Buddhist nun Jeong Kwan, given the nickname "philosopher chef" by the New York Times, her creation of food reflects her "level of meditation." And by meditation she does not mean sitting and contemplating, it means discovery ― discovering oneself and the surrounding environment."I am not a chef," said Jeong Kwan, when asked what she thought about the nickname she is called by people overseas. "I'm a disciplinant. I remain unchanged. This is where I belong," she told The Korea Times during an interview at her hermitage at the Baekyangsa Temple in South Jeolla Province, May 29.She also denied the rumor of her opening a restaurant overseas."I have neither the economic capability nor the interest. My place is here

Jun 4, 2017

Travel & Food

Travel & Food

'Look at these hands'

Looking into history of coffee through Italian espresso machines

Eat, drink, be merry in Boracay

Graphic News How K-pop divas shed weight?

hotel briefs

Expats marvel at Korea's national parks

Seoul's overpass park: new landmark or eyesore?

'Kimchi juice' a red-hot seller on Amazon

Provincial News North Jeolla to recommend eateries for tourists

'I'm cooking food for the mind'

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