Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Fatty pork belly uproar and ferry exit deepen Ulleung Island's summer woes

Ulleung Island, one of South Korea’s most remote destinations, is facing an unprecedented tourism crisis as visitor numbers drop, a major ferry operator prepares to exit and public criticism over local service intensifies during what should be peak travel season. The turmoil comes amid growing backlash after a well-known YouTuber complained about ordering pork belly from a restaurant on the island and receiving a cut with excessive fat, a seemingly minor issue that spread online and ignited wider scrutiny over high prices and poor customer service in the region. According to Ulleung County officials on Wednesday, HFerry, which operates the 15,000-ton Sunflower Cruise ferry between Uljin’s Hupo Port and Ulleung Island, has submitted a request to return its route license by the end of August. The company cited unsustainable losses due to falling passenger demand since launching the route in September 2022. While the ferry initially operated at over two-thirds capacity, it now struggles to fill even half of its 628 seats. Over the past three years, accumulated losses have reportedly exc

Jul 26, 2025By Hankookilbo

Fatty pork belly uproar and ferry exit deepen Ulleung Island's summer woes

Too many side dishes? Why traditional Korean homestyle restaurants are disappearing — and why it matters

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Homestyle Korean restaurants known for serving multiple vegetable-based side dishes are disappearing, largely due to the rising costs of ingredients and labor-intensive preparation. While convenient fast food like pizza, hamburgers and Chinese dishes increasingly fill the gap, health experts warn that this shift may carry long-term consequences for public health — particularly in areas like blood sugar control and obesity prevention. Declining homestyle eateries: ‘Too many side dishes, too much work’ According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Korean restaurants accounted for 41.8 percent of the food service sector in 2024, down from 45.6 percent in 2018. In contrast, those serving pizza, hamburgers or sandwiches rose from 2.4 to 3.5 percent, while Chinese restaurants and other global cuisines also gained ground. Unlike many fast food restaurants, Korean homestyle eateries often serve meals with numerous small side dishes, which require extended preparation and intense labor. Many younger entrepreneurs are opting to

Jul 26, 2025By Kormedi.com

Too many side dishes? Why traditional Korean homestyle restaurants are disappearing — and why it matters

5 places to enjoy cardamom buns in Seoul

With its warm, citrusy aroma and slightly sweet, peppery bite, cardamom is a spice that lingers on the tongue — mysterious yet comforting. Cultivated in subtropical regions, cardamom is made from the seeds of plants in the ginger family. In India, it’s a common ingredient in savory dishes and spiced teas. Across Scandinavia, it lends its signature fragrance to sweet breads and pastries, and in the Middle East, it’s often added to desserts and coffee. Now, this ancient spice is enjoying a moment in Korea. Though relatively new to locals, cardamom has made its way into Seoul’s bakeries and cafes. The trend has gone viral on social media, with users sharing snaps and reviews of their favorite finds. The Korea Times rounds up five of the best spots in Seoul to try these fragrant, chewy delights. 1. Lecker Lecker At Lecker Lecker, a German baker crafts cardamom buns with care — and a bit of education. Customers are treated to a short introduction to the spice, often invited to smell the cardamom pods before digging in. “The reactions are usually polarized — some dislike it, othe

Jul 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

5 places to enjoy cardamom buns in Seoul

One city, many bites: Searching for Seoul's ultimate egg tart

Tucked away in a quiet alley of Seongbuk District in Seoul, this small bakery brings a slice of Portugal to the city. Run by a chef from Coimbra who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, along with a team of sous-chefs, the bakery exudes authenticity, from its brightly tiled walls and colorful decor to the buttery scent wafting from the open kitchen. Despite arriving early, by 11 a.m. on a Sunday a line has already started forming. Behind the glass, tarts are baked fresh in small batches. Inside this little Lisbon, three kinds of egg tarts — original, low sugar and vanilla bean — are on offer. For an added Portuguese touch, the shop offers mazagran, a zesty espresso-lemon iced coffee, and pastel de Tentúgal, a traditional egg cream dessert simmered for eight hours. One bite into the crisp, multi-layered pastry — painstakingly hand-folded into 18 layers using only margarine — and I was instantly trans

Jul 20, 2025By Kim Min-ji and Kim Bo-eun

One city, many bites: Searching for Seoul's ultimate egg tart

How is Cantonese cuisine different from Shanghainese? Chefs on flavor, technique and more

While there are many regional cuisines in China, the country boasts eight in particular. Known as the Eight Great Traditions, they highlight the diversity and richness of the country's culinary culture. These eight cuisines are Sichuan, Hunan, Cantonese, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shandong. Not everyone is able to discern great variation between regional cuisines, but there are key differences. Take Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisines, for example, the latter of which forms part of Jiangsu cuisine. Most fans of Chinese cuisine will know about things like dim sum, roast meat and xiaolongbao - dim sum and roast meats are Cantonese, while xiaolongbao or soup dumplings are Shanghainese - but what really sets the two cuisines apart? It is the approach to seafood, says chef Wang Yong, executive Chinese chef of Jin Sha at the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake. In Shanghainese cooking, fresh abalone is preferred over the dried version, which is more commonly used in Cantonese cuisine. "Dried abalone is too fragrant," Wang explains. "It will clash too much with our sauces." Chef Ada

Jul 18, 2025By SCMP

How is Cantonese cuisine different from Shanghainese? Chefs on flavor, technique and more

Saddle up in Mongolia: horseback trek through steppe

ULAANBAATAR — Mongolia, a vast and untamed land of open skies and endless plains, is one of the few places on earth where the ancient art of horseback travel is not only preserved but thriving. For centuries, the horse has been at the heart of Mongolian identity, woven into its culture, economy and way of life. For modern travelers, learning to ride a horse in Mongolia and journeying across its rugged landscapes is more than just a vacation — it’s a deeply immersive experience into a nomadic way of life that still endures. “Mongolia is home to more horses than people, and they’re not just animals of burden — they’re national symbols of freedom,” 23-year-old nomadic horseman Hashaa said while introducing Mongolian riding at a traditional ger stable near the 13th Century National Park, about 100 kilometers northeast of the country’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar. “Compared to horses from other countries, Mongolian horses are smaller. But they’re more sturdy, famous for their stamina.” Due to the horses' semi-wild nature and the older style of saddles used, it was some

Jul 18, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan

Saddle up in Mongolia: horseback trek through steppe

Incheon Int'l Airport sees record passenger numbers in 1st half of 2025

INCHEON — Incheon International Airport reached new heights in the first half of 2025, setting a record for international passenger volume as global travel demand continues to surge, according to the Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) Thursday. Between January and June, the country's main airport welcomed 36.36 million passengers and managed 207,959 flights — marking its busiest six-month period since opening in 2001. The passenger tally marks a 2.3 percent increase from prepandemic levels in 2019 and a 6.1 percent rise compared to the first half of 2024. Officials attributed the growth largely to strong demand for short-haul flights to neighboring countries, particularly Japan and China. International routes to Japan remained especially popular, drawing approximately 9.34 million travelers — a 9.3 percent increase over the same period last year. Demand for travel to China also surged, fueled by the extension of temporary visa waivers for Koreans. Routes to China carried 5.75 million passengers, a 24.3 percent increase over the same period last year. Riding the wave of passe

Jul 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Incheon Int'l Airport sees record passenger numbers in 1st half of 2025

Korea Airports Corp. unveils summer transport plan for nationwide hubs

The Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) announced Wednesday that it will implement a special summer transportation plan to manage an anticipated increase in travel demand. The initiative, running from July 25 to Aug. 10, will cover all airports nationwide except Incheon International Airport. Over the 17-day peak holiday period, the airport operator expects 24,067 flights carrying approximately 4.31 million passengers — 3.15 million on international routes and 1.16 million on domestic ones. This represents a slight increase from last year’s daily average of 1,365 flights and 238,729 travelers during the summer holiday season. The busiest travel days during this period are expected to be July 25 for Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, July 26 for Gimhae International Airport in Busan and Aug. 4 for Jeju International Airport. KAC will conduct facility inspections and reinforce safety and passenger services to ensure smooth operations. To ease congestion, it will open check-in counters earlier, increase ID and security checkpoint staffing and adjust immigration booth operations. Temporary park

Jul 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Korea Airports Corp. unveils summer transport plan for nationwide hubs

A night in the trees: Seoul’s new forest retreat Surak Hyu draws summer crowds

Treehouses, once the stuff of childhood dreams, are being reimagined as adult hideaways. No longer tucked away in remote forests, these whimsical dwellings are now springing up in urban areas, offering a romantic escape into nature. Seoul’s first forest retreat with elevated cabins, Surak Hyu, officially opens in the northern district of Nowon on July 17, bringing that fantasy to life. Despite being a brand-new facility, demand has already outpaced supply. All rooms for July sold out in just three minutes during a reservation trial in June. The next round, for August, closed in about four minutes. To experience the buzz firsthand, this reporter visited Surak Hyu for a night, and followed up with a stop at Korea’s original treehouse haven in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. A forest cabin with a sky view Nestled within 9,800 square meters of forest on the slopes of Mount Surak, Surak Hyu is the result of an eight-year, 21.37 billion won ($15 million) investment by the Nowon District Office. The facility offers 25 rooms in 18 buildings, accommodating up to 105 guests. Treehouses, the most

Jul 16, 2025By Hankookilbo

A night in the trees: Seoul’s new forest retreat Surak Hyu draws summer crowds

Urban pop‑up pool set to refresh Gwanghwamun Square this summer

The heart of Seoul is set to turn into a lively city-center pool this Saturday, as the 2025 Seoul Summer Beach event opens at Gwanghwamun Square, offering residents and visitors a reprieve from the sweltering summer heat. Starting this weekend and running through Aug. 8, the festival returns for its third year with the theme "Let’s Dive into Gwangbok!" marking the 80th anniversary of the country’s independence from Japanese colonial rule, observed annually on Aug. 15. "Gwangbok" is the Korean word for liberation. Hosted by the Seoul Tourism Organization and co-organized with the Seoul Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the event is sponsored by LIG. The square will be divided into two main zones: the “water beach zone” and the “sand beach zone.” Behind the statue of King Sejong, the water beach zone will feature two large swimming pools with depths of 1 meter and 0.8 meters, as well as two water slides decorated with the mascots Bobo and Swoni. The slides, measuring up to 10 meters tall and 14 meters long, will be allowed for children over 110 centimeters tall.

Jul 15, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Travel & Food