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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.

Apocalyptic manga fails to deter Koreans from traveling to Japan

Sensational speculation about an impending disaster in Japan sparked by a 1999 comic book has had only a limited impact on Korean travel demand this year, according to travel industry officials. Representatives from Korea’s two largest travel agencies, Hana Tour and Mode Tour, told The Korea Times that the number of prebooked customers for July ― rumored to be the month of a doomsday-like natural disaster ― was only slightly lower compared to the same period in 2024. “So far, the number of bookings was just slightly lower for July, with no noticeable change in the number of cancellations,” a Hana Tour official told The Korea Times. An official at Mode Tour said demand for travel to Japan has remained steady among vacationers, despite the doomsday prediction linked to the manga “The Future I Saw: Complete Edition” by Japanese artist Ryo Tatsuki. The author became famous after a previous version of the same manga predicted a “great disaster” in March 2011 ― the same month Japan suffered the 9.0-magnitude Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. “The number of bookings decreased

Jul 14, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Apocalyptic manga fails to deter Koreans from traveling to Japan

Bingsu: All you need to know about Korea's sweet summer treat

On steamy summer afternoons in Korea, there’s no better relief than a bowl of bingsu — a mountain of finely shaved ice made from water or milk, piled high with toppings like sweet red beans, fresh fruit, a slice of cheesecake or even gold leaf flakes. Once a simple treat, this dessert now ranges from traditional to ultra-luxurious, with flavors and textures as varied as the people who enjoy it. History of bingsu The story of bingsu can’t be told without first exploring the history of ice in Korea. For centuries, people harvested ice from rivers in winter and stored it in insulated facilities to use in summer. In Seoul, the most notable storage sites were Seobinggo and Dongbinggo in what is now Yongsan District. According to the “Gyeongguk Daejeon,” a legal code commissioned in 1458 under King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), ice distribution was strictly controlled due to its scarcity. Only those who could present a special wooden certificate were granted access to ice. The royal family and court officials, including retired ones, were the primary beneficiaries. The ice

Jul 12, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Bingsu: All you need to know about Korea's sweet summer treat

Where to try bingsu in Seoul, from classic red bean to matcha and mango mountains

When the Korean summer hits full steam, few things deliver sweet relief like a towering bowl of bingsu. Whether you’re a red bean purist or a mango maximalist, bingsu offers far more than a cold treat. Here are five must-try bingsu spots in Seoul, from old-school classics to Instagram-ready creations. So grab a spoon, dig in and chill out. Taegeukdang ■ Address: 7 Dongho-ro 24-gil, Jung District, Seoul ■ Phone: 02-2279-3152 ■ Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily ■ Website: @taegeukdang on Instagram For a taste of nostalgic, classical patbingsu or red bean bingsu, Taegeukdang is the place to go. Founded in 1946, it is Seoul’s oldest bakery. Its bingsu replicates styles from the 1970s and 1980s, topped with canned fruit, corn flakes, sliced almonds, peanuts and tiny rice cakes. Yeonnam Salon ■ Address: 122-1 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo District, Seoul ■ Phone: 02-332-3471 ■ Hours: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday ■ Website: @yeonnam_salon2011 on Instagram Yeonnam Salon’s matcha white chocolate bingsu is a social media favorite, featuring finely shaved matcha ice with white choc

Jul 12, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Where to try bingsu in Seoul, from classic red bean to matcha and mango mountains
  • Bingsu: All you need to know about Korea's sweet summer treat

Ant dish puts fine dining Seoul restaurant in legal trouble

A fine dining restaurant in Seoul is under prosecutorial investigation for violating Korea’s Food Sanitation Act by serving dishes topped with edible ants. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Thursday, the restaurant’s owner and the corporate entity have been referred to prosecutors for using ants in food preparation, a practice not permitted under current food safety regulations. The high-end fine dining restaurant, located in Gangnam District, gained popularity for its creative and globally inspired interpretations of Korean cuisine. Among its signature offerings was a sherbet dish topped with edible ants, which gained viral attention on social media for its tangy flavor and novelty. Customers praised the dish, with some describing the ant-enhanced flavors as “an upgraded experience” and others saying they were surprised by how “unexpectedly delicious” it was. However, under Korea’s Food Sanitation Act, the sale of food or additives that do not meet established standards is prohibited. Violations can result in up to five years in prison or fines of up to

Jul 11, 2025By Hankookilbo
Ant dish puts fine dining Seoul restaurant in legal trouble

Customer scolded for eating too much at Korean buffet sparks debate online

A woman’s claim that she was publicly scolded by the owner of a low-cost Korean buffet restaurant for eating too much has sparked a heated debate online, with opinions sharply divided over who crossed the line — the diner or the restaurant. The story, first shared on social media on Monday, went viral this week after the unidentified woman described how she was humiliated at a buffet she had recently visited. “I’ve been into Korean buffets lately, so I’ve been checking out different places,” she wrote. “But this time, I was harshly scolded in front of other people just for eating a lot. It was so humiliating and degrading.” According to her post, she had three plates of food during her visit. “It wasn’t like I piled food on top,” she said. “The first plate was a small sample of everything, the second was bibimbap, and the third wasn’t even a full plate. I only tasted a few spoonfuls of pumpkin porridge, seaweed soup and dongchimi (radish water kimchi).” She also uploaded photos of her plates, including empty ones, to show that she hadn’t wasted food. Owner co

Jul 10, 2025By Hankookilbo
Customer scolded for eating too much at Korean buffet sparks debate online

Traveler’s guide to staying cool in Seoul’s heat wave

Are you traveling in Seoul, or arriving soon? If so, brace yourself — the city is in the middle of a serious heat wave. On Tuesday, the temperature soared to 37.7 degrees Celsius, the hottest July day recorded in the capital since the weather agency began keeping track. And it’s not cooling down anytime soon. But don’t worry — here are a few easy and affordable ways to stay cool while exploring the capital. 1. Dress light When it comes to surviving Seoul’s sweltering summer, what you wear makes a big difference. Stick to breathable fabrics. Many fashion brands offer summer-specific cooling clothing. Among them, Uniqlo’s AIRism line is a solid choice and you’ll find plenty of stores around the city. These clothes are designed to keep your body dry all day. 2. Bring a portable fan You’ll see locals carrying them everywhere — and for good reason. These mini fans are lifesavers. You can pick one up at any convenience store or Daiso. For example, CU sells them for around 9,900 won ($7). Most are USB rechargeable, so you can use them easily. However, be cautious when temperature

Jul 10, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Traveler’s guide to staying cool in Seoul’s heat wave

Ultimate guide to Korean food souvenirs: What and where to buy

Souvenir shopping should be an enjoyable experience, but for foodies visiting Korea, it can be daunting. How many packages of spicy ramyeon (instant noodles) does it take to realize the K-dream? The little banchan, or Korean side dishes, are great, but packing each and every one of them is out of the question. The Korea Times asked professional chefs based in Korea if they had any ideas or inspiration. Is there really anything more than the classic gim (dried seaweed) and mouth-numbing ramyeon? Markets are food souvenir gold mines Any supermarket or convenience store can offer an array of food to pack up and take home as souvenirs, but when it comes to buying more authentic gifts, traditional markets are the place to go, according to chefs around the city. Not only do visitors get a more engaging shopping experience, these open air markets and arcades offer the best seasonal ingredients. “Gyeongdong Market is by far my favorite. It’s a great way to see what’s in season and they have a wide variety of dried goods,” Joseph Lidgerwood, chef of Michelin star restaurant Evett told The

Jul 5, 2025By Han Sang-hee
Ultimate guide to Korean food souvenirs: What and where to buy

Korea Beauty Festival returns, lighting up Seoul with latest trends

The Korea Beauty Festival has returned for its second year, turning Seoul into a bustling hub for international beauty enthusiasts and travelers eager to explore the latest K-beauty trends. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Visit Korea Committee (VKC), and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the monthlong festival is attracting both local and international attention as K-beauty solidifies its status as a must-experience attraction for visitors to Korea. At the heart of the festivities is the event’s welcome center, set up in front of Myeongdong Theater in Seoul’s iconic shopping district. Despite sweltering heat that reached 30 degrees Celsius by 2 p.m. Tuesday, the welcome center was bustling with foreign visitors eager to join the festivities. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through July 18, the center offers event information and multilingual tourism support. “This year, we’re focusing on interactive events to better engage a wider spectrum of international tourists,” a VKC staff member explained, noting the shift from last year’s shopping-f

Jul 3, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Korea Beauty Festival returns, lighting up Seoul with latest trends

Sol Beach Namhae serves up Mediterranean flair on Korean shores

NAMHAE, South Gyeongsang Province — Perched on the windswept cliffs of Namhae, a remote southern county, the newly opened Sol Beach Namhae commands sweeping views of emerald waters that stretch toward a horizon scattered with tiny islands. With its blend of Mediterranean-inspired architecture and nods to local culture, the resort is poised to help transform the region into a premier destination for travelers. Sono International, Korea’s largest resort operator by room count, opens the doors Friday to its newest luxury property, Sol Beach Namhae — a debut expected to invigorate the regional economy and draw visitors from across the country and abroad. The resort’s architecture evokes a sense of the exotic while remaining grounded in the local landscape. Its pastel-toned, terraced design draws inspiration from the iconic Italian village of Positano and the rice paddies that have long defined Namhae’s hillsides. Sol Beach Namhae features 451 rooms, including 366 hotel rooms and 85 themed villas, all designed to offer unobstructed ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Each r

Jul 3, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Sol Beach Namhae serves up Mediterranean flair on Korean shores

Michelin Guide adds 6 Seoul restaurants ahead of 2026 release

This week, the Michelin Guide has unveiled six restaurants in Seoul that will be newly included in next year’s guide. The Michelin Guide typically announces its full list of starred restaurants for Seoul and Busan every February. “After the official release of the Michelin Guide, a large number of visitors typically flock in, so we recommend people visit earlier before other gourmets start moving,” the guide said in a statement regarding the early release. The newly named restaurants include Doori, Bium, GiwaKang and Gosari Express, which all serve Korean cuisine, as well as Onyva, a French restaurant, and Sobakeeri Suzu, which specializes in Japanese dishes. Doori is known for its zero-waste philosophy, with dishes designed around sustainability — for example, tarts and soups made using tomato skins. Bium serves refined interpretations of Korean temple cuisine, using native vegetables and ingredients. At GiwaKang, traditional Korean cuisine is reimagined using French culinary techniques. Gosari Express is a rare restaurant dedicated to bracken, a wild fern that’s commonly eaten

Jun 28, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Michelin Guide adds 6 Seoul restaurants ahead of 2026 release
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