my timesThe Korea Times
LifestyleTravel & Food

Travel & Food

The Korean flavor winning over New York

“I became interested after seeing actor Lee Kwang-soo on a variety show. In Japan it is even introduced as a must-try course,” Haru, a 26-year-old visitor from Okayama, said as she picked out two palm-sized glass bottles from a narrow alley shop in central Seoul on Jan. 2. The store was not selling K-pop merchandise or cosmetics. Instead, its neatly arranged shelves were filled with premium sesame oil, with staff explaining in Japanese that it tastes good mixed with shoyu, or soy sauce. Once sold in squat cans or soju bottles and long overshadowed by olive oil, sesame oil is now being reimagined as a wellness-driven premium product. Riding the global popularity of Korean cuisine, it has also become a sought-after ingredient among chefs worldwide. The shift began in the late 2000s, when consumers learned that the traditional high-temperature pressing method — roasting sesame seeds at about 270 degrees Celsius — could destroy nutrients and even produce carcinogens such as benzopyrene. While shoppers wanted healthier options, mass-produced oils fell short in flavor and raised conce

Jan 10, 2026By Hankookilbo
The Korean flavor winning over New York

Why bananas turn black and how to keep them fresh longer

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Bananas are a popular choice for quick meals. They’re easy to eat and rich in dietary fiber, helping you feel full for longer. Because they quickly replenish energy, they also make an ideal snack before or after exercise. Keeping bananas fresh, however, can be tricky. When you buy a bunch, several often become overripe before you get a chance to eat them. So how can you make bananas last longer? And does storing them in the refrigerator really cause them to spoil faster? If the bananas you bring home still have green peels, it’s best to keep them at room temperature. Refrigeration slows the ripening process, preventing the fruit from developing its natural sweetness. Once bananas reach peak ripeness, they can be stored in the refrigerator. Contrary to popular belief, chilling them does not make them spoil more quickly. However, when kept in a refrigerator, the tropical fruits can suffer from chilling injury. Cold temperatures damage the peel’s cell walls, allowing enzymes to react with oxygen and turn the skin brown. The flesh inside, ho

Jan 9, 2026By Kormedi.com
Why bananas turn black and how to keep them fresh longer

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKWhat new KTO chief's appointment means for K-tourism

A nearly two-year gap in leadership at the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has been filled, with the appointment of a new figure whose experience lies more in global marketing boardrooms than in public service. On Jan. 1, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism named Park Sung-hyeuck, a former executive at advertising giant Cheil Worldwide, as the new president of the KTO, filling a post that had been vacant since January 2024, after his predecessor resigned to run for a National Assembly seat. The long-delayed appointment is more than a personnel change and marks a test of whether Korea can move beyond headline tourism figures toward a sustainable, strategy-driven approach. For years, the KTO has been described as the “command tower” of Korea’s tourism policy — the agency that translates government goals into on-the-ground campaigns, partnerships and products. Yet the captain’s seat on this ship has rarely been occupied by someone with firsthand experience in the tourism industry. Since 2000, not one of the agency’s chiefs has come from the tourism industry, and in its

Jan 8, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
What new KTO chief's appointment means for K-tourism

Everland opens sledding slopes as winter break begins

Everland has opened its signature Snow Buster sledding hill and expanded its winter attractions as schools enter winter vacation and the new year begins, the theme park’s operator said on Tuesday. Samsung C&T said all Snow Buster courses at Alpine Village are now running, following the weekend launch of the Express course, a roughly 200-meter run designed to resemble a white alpine slope. The Express Course seats up to four riders in a giant circular tube, allowing groups to face each other while experiencing a thrilling ride. The Racing Course, which opened last month, offers solo riders a faster downhill run that highlights the speed and excitement of winter racing, the company said. A rail slide next to the sledding area, available year-round, gives visitors another way to race down three different sledding tracks. Everland has also expanded its Snow Playground to some 793 square meters, adding body slides and wooden sleds for visitors of all ages to play freely in the snow. Its Snow Yard area caters to families with young children where they can build snowmen and ride mini sleds t

Jan 6, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Everland opens sledding slopes as winter break begins

Beyond Seoul, Busan and Jeju, can Korea turn tourism surge into lasting growth?

Beyond Seoul, Busan and Jeju, Korea’s regional cities are emerging as the next hot spots for overseas visitors, buoyed by a global shift toward slower, experience-driven travel that looks beyond marquee destinations. For years, most foreign visitors to Korea have gravitated toward a familiar trio: the shopping streets and royal palaces of Seoul, the beaches and nightlife of Busan and the volcanic landscapes of Jeju Island. Now, with inbound tourism expected to reach record highs, that pattern is beginning to shift. What sets this recovery apart from earlier booms is not just the number of visitors, but how — and where — they travel and spend. Industry tracker Yanolja Research projects that 20.36 million foreign tourists will visit Korea this year, up 8.7 percent from a year earlier and surpassing the pre-pandemic peak, with the figure possibly climbing to 21 million if geopolitical tensions redirect more Chinese travelers from Japan to Korea. Data from travel platform Klook indicates that the number of products targeting foreign tourists in provincial regions has doubled from a yea

Jan 6, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Beyond Seoul, Busan and Jeju, can Korea turn tourism surge into lasting growth?

Seoul Lantern Festival extended after drawing record 2.7 mil. visitors

The 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival, which has drawn a record 2.77 million visitors in its first 20 days, will be extended by two weeks through Jan. 18 along central Seoul’s Cheonggye and Ui streams, according to the Seoul Tourism Organization. Held under the theme "My Light, Our Dream, Seoul’s Magic," the annual nighttime event has enjoyed booming popularity among both locals and international tourists with its blend of traditional hanji paper lanterns and immersive media art installation that transform the downtown waterway into a glowing corridor. Originally scheduled to end Sunday, Jan. 4, the festival will now continue through Jan. 18 between Cheonggye Plaza and Samil Bridge, a 1.1-kilometer stretch in the heart of the city, organizers said. The festival will be closed on Monday for maintenance and rearrangement of installations before reopening the next day. The extension follows a roughly 60 percent increase in visitors from the previous year. City officials view the festival as a signature winter attraction, part of broader efforts to boost nighttime tourism and to diversify exp

Jan 5, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul Lantern Festival extended after drawing record 2.7 mil. visitors

What to eat at a Korean convenience store when dieting

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. On busy days, many people find themselves stepping into a convenience store when hungry — a situation that often leads to impulsive, high-calorie snack choices. Nutrition experts say that the key is not whether the food comes from a convenience store, but “what you choose.” Even with a packed schedule, some options can ease hunger without placing too much burden on a diet. Plain Greek yogurt is one of the most reliable protein snacks. It is high in protein and contains little sugar, helping relieve hunger between meals without irritating the stomach. It can also serve as a satisfying alternative when sweet cravings arise. However, products containing fruit syrup, cereal or honey can quickly increase sugar and calorie intake, so experts say consumers should check labels carefully for “unsweetened” or “plain.” Boiled or smoked eggs are also widely available at convenience stores and offer quick protein supplementation with a relatively low calorie load. Eating just one or two eggs can help stabilize hunger, and they can be eaten im

Jan 3, 2026By Kormedi.com
What to eat at a Korean convenience store when dieting

Seoul turns Han River swimming pools into snow sledding hills for winter fun

Seoul opened snow sledding hills at three Han River parks on Wednesday, offering residents and visitors a chance to enjoy winter recreation in the heart of the city. The seasonal venues in Ttukseom, Jamwon and Yeouido feature snow slopes made from the swimming pools that are open during the summer season. They also feature play zones and character-themed attractions designed for visitors of all ages. This year’s themed areas will feature popular children’s characters. Yeouido Park will host Zanmang Loopy, Jamwon will showcase Pororo and Friends and Ttukseom will present Pororo and Tayo’s travel adventure zone. The facilities will operate for 50 days without any off days, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Feb. 18. Operations will pause for one hour at 1 p.m. each day for slope maintenance and snow grooming, city officials said. Admission is 6,000 won ($4) for all visitors, granting access to sledding activities, a play area for kids, rest spaces and live character performances. Discounts of 50 percent are available for people with disabilities and their caregivers, people aged 65 and

Jan 1, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul turns Han River swimming pools into snow sledding hills for winter fun

From souqs to architectural marvels: How Doha connects tradition and innovation

DOHA, Qatar — While the modern skyscrapers of West Bay define the skyline, the historical heart of Doha offers a different perspective on the identity of Qatar. Beyond the luxury islands, the city maintains its cultural roots through sites like the Souq Waqif traditional market and the National Museum of Qatar. The National Museum of Qatar looks nothing like a typical building. This architectural marvel was designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel. The building is inspired by the "desert rose," a natural mineral formation that crystallizes in the Qatari desert. Nouvel’s design features a unique exterior made of 316 overlapping disks, creating a look that is both complex and artistic. These disks overlap and intersect to create a highly unique curved form that appears to change shape depending on the viewer's angle. The museum gained attention in Korea because the Korean builder Hyundai E&C constructed it. The project was technically demanding, but the result is a massive piece of structural art that now stands as a symbol of Qatar’s cultural ambitions. Tra

Dec 31, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
From souqs to architectural marvels: How Doha connects tradition and innovation

Korea’s horse-themed travel spots to celebrate Year of the Red Horse

The Year of the Red Horse, which comes around once every 60 years in the traditional zodiac cycle, invites residents and international visitors to seek out journeys that feel as bold and restless as the animal itself. Leaning into that fiery momentum, the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) spotlights a trio of horse-themed urban walks in the capital, while beyond Seoul, classic sunrise peaks and "island of horses" Jeju offer their own ways to greet the new year's zodiac animal on the road. New Year dawn hike on Mount Yongma On Seoul’s eastern edge, Mount Yongma rises as one of the city’s most beloved and accessible sunrise hikes — an ideal spot to usher in the new year with energy and promise. Its name, meaning "dragon horse," recalls legends of a mythical steed said to have taken flight from Yongma Park, as well as its historic link to royal stables in the foothills during the 1392-1910 Joseon era. Despite its urban surroundings, Mount Yongma retains much of its natural landscape, where hikers may even spot mountain goats along the trail. Accessibility is another draw: proximity to

Dec 31, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Korea’s horse-themed travel spots to celebrate Year of the Red Horse
previous page
2223242526
next page

Most Read in Lifestyle