Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Hoiana Residences ready to meet needs of visitors

Hoiana Residences is a luxury hotel apartment complex of Hoiana Resort and Golf. Courtesy of Hoiana Residences By Kang Seung-wooForget about Da Nang, one of Vietnam's top holiday destinations for Koreans.Here comes Hoi An, a culturally rich heritage town that can satisfy the needs of travelers here in Korea who have suppressed their urge to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic and are itching to explore new hideaways.Vietnam has been a very popular a tourist destination for Koreans until the breakout of the pandemic. Since the relaxation of COVID-19 measures, the Southeast Asian country has seen a resurgence of visitors, with the number of Koreans traveling to the country reaching 173,000 in August alone ― third-largest after the United States and Cambodia ― as the world reopens once more.Hoiana Residences, part of a $4-billion super project by Hoi An South Development, to build four luxury hotels along with a serviced apartment, opened its doors in November aiming

Dec 1, 2022By Kang Seung-woo

Hoiana Residences ready to meet needs of visitors

'Kimchi ambassadors' recognize Korean staple food's global ascent

Kimchi made out of salted and fermented cabbage / gettyimagesbankKorea seeks to promote kimchi furtherBy Dong Sun-hwaKimchi, a traditional Korean food of salted and fermented vegetables, is a staple in Korea, eaten at almost every meal. For Koreans, it is more than just a side dish loaded with diverse nutrients; it is also an emblem of the country's unique culture and identity. In 2013, kimchi-making or “kimjang,” was inscribed in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Koreans are eager to promote kimchi worldwide. For a long time, they have attempted to delight the taste buds of people from overseas with this staple food, which dates back to sometime around 37 B.C.E. to 7 C.E. in the early days of the Three Kingdoms period. For this goal, the World Institute of Kimchi appointed six “global kimchi ambassadors,” who have been actively introducing the dish around the world since earlier this year. The ambassadors are: Kalidas Shetty, a professor and director of the Global Institute of Food Science at North Dakota State Univ

Nov 24, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa

'Kimchi ambassadors' recognize Korean staple food's global ascent

Celebrating Kimchi Day

Laotian village's timeless beauty, quiet charms entice travelers

Buddhist statues and a colored glass mosaic at Wat Xieng Thong, the Temple of the Golden City, in the UNESCO World Heritage-designated town of Luang Prabang, Laos / Gettyimages Before pandemic, tourists outnumbered locals at UNESCO World Heritage site Luang Prabang By Lee Hae-rinLUANG PRABANG ― “Here. This is an example of why the town of Luang Prabang was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site: a sublime juxtaposition of Laotian traditional architecture with a Western touch from the colonial era,” said Seo Jeong-seog, a veteran tour guide who has lived in Laos for 10 years. He pointed at the exterior facade of Wat Xieng Thong, or the Temple of the Golden City, one of the largest and most magnificent Buddhist temples in the region.“This colored glass mosaic in the shape of the Buddhist Tree of Life is one of the most famous and enchanting features of this temple. The European technique from the Gothic era is fused in traditional Laotian architecture and tells of the local way of life,” Seo said. Created in 1960 by a Lao craftsman, the tree portrays the tal

Nov 23, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Laotian village's timeless beauty, quiet charms entice travelers

Celebrating Kimchi Day

Courtesy of World Institute of Kimchi Today in Korea, people are celebrating Kimchi Day, to mark the staple dish of Koreans.Napa cabbages marinated with red peppers is only one type of kimchi. In fact, there are more than 200 types of kimch in Korea, according to experts. Ingredients, for one, make a difference and so do regions where the type of kimchi is made.With the help of the World Institute of Kimchi, The Korea Times looked into different types of kimchi. Cucumber kimchi with pheasant Water parsley kimchi Dandelion kimchi Jeolla Province whole radish kimchi with gizzard shad Water kimchi wi

Nov 22, 2022

'Kimchi ambassadors' recognize Korean staple food's global ascent

Korea Airports Corp. eyes deal to expand int'l airport in Laos

Hong Jum-peo, left, Korea Airports Corp.'s director in global business office and Thongvanh Sisouphakone, the director of Luang Prabang International Airport inspect the airport in the UNESCO World Heritage site on Thursday, local time in Luang Prabang, Laos. NewsisBy Lee Hae-rinLUANG PRABANG ― Korea Airports Corp. (KAC), which operates 14 airports nationwide, seeks to sign a partnership with the government of Laos to develop and expand the international airport in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and enter the Southeast Asian market for airport management.KAC announced the results of a third feasibility study on the expansion of Luang Prabang airport, Thursday (local time), with Laotian government officials and airport authorities. The company has conducted the feasibility study jointly with Dohwa Engineering since last December to stay ahead in an international bid for the public-private partnership (PPP) with the Laotian authorities.The Laotian government and airport authorities seek a private partner in a 200 billion won ($150 million) project to expand and manage Lua

Nov 20, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Korea Airports Corp. eyes deal to expand int'l airport in Laos

Laos seeks to acquire Korea Airports Corp.'s ESSG management know-how

Laotian government officials and airport authorities' personnel attend the Korea Airports Corp.'s training session on airport pavement management at Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane, Tuesday. Courtesy of Korea Airports Corp.Korea Airports Corp. provides training program for Laotian government officials, airport authorities on ESG and safety managementBy Lee Hae-rinVIENTIANE ― The Southeast Asian nation of Laos plans to enhance its airport services by implementing Korea's airport management know-how in environment, social, safety and corporate governance sectors and prepare its travel infrastructure for a post-pandemic tourism boom.The Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) held a training program for the Laotian Ministry of Public Works and Transport's Department of Civil Aviation and airport authorities starting from Nov. 9. About 50 government officials participated in the last day of the five-day training program, Tuesday, at Lao Plaza Hotel in the Laotian capital of Vientiane to acquire KAC's airport management technology and policy knowhow.Since its establishment in 1980, the company has operated

Nov 17, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Laos seeks to acquire Korea Airports Corp.'s ESSG management know-how

Hong Kong becomes battlefield for Shine Muscat grapes among Korea, Japan, China

Shine Muscat grapes / gettyimagesbankBy Park Ji-wonHONG KONG ― Shine Muscat grapes ― developed in Japan ― are popular in Hong Kong. Despite their high price, the fruit is eaten for special occasions or given as a sign of respect. Hongkongers' fascination with Japan and its produce helped it dominate the market for this fruit. But with an increasing number of producers from South Korea and China now offering high-quality grapes at better prices, the Shine Muscat market is changing.For Fiona Mok, 29, an office worker in Hong Kong, eating Shine Muscat grapes was once reserved for special occasions ― bringing them as gifts when visiting a friend's home for a meal ― but now she enjoys them as an everyday fruit.“My boyfriend bought me a bunch of Japanese Shine Muscat worth about HK$400 ($51) as a gift. But for me, they tasted similar to Chinese ones,” she said. If it was up to her, she would choose the cheaper grapes, she added.For price-conscious Hongkongers, Shine Muscat grapes' high price ― Japanese grapes can cost anywhere between HK$100 and HK$500 a bunch, while Korean var

Nov 15, 2022By Park Ji-won

Hong Kong becomes battlefield for Shine Muscat grapes among Korea, Japan, China

Farmers' decades of hard work transform rugged Gangwon terrain into scenic alpine village

This undated photo taken with a drone shows an autumn view of the Meong-ae lookout point and cabbage field after harvest. The lookout point was built with the rocks and pebbles removed from the fields to prepare them for cultivation. Courtesy of the Korea Tourism OrganizationHome to quality alpine cabbage, ideal spot for stargazingBy Lee Hae-rin GANGNEUNG ― As its name suggests, the highland village of Anbandegi, which stands 1,100 meters above sea level in the eastern coastal city of Gangneung, is known for its unique landscape. The name was coined from its distinct topography. Anbandegi is a combination of the Korean word, “anban,” meaning the concave wooden support used when pounding out rice cake dough and “degi,” Gangneung dialect for “a wide and flat piece of land.The region is home to quality alpine cabbage. Along with its crunchy texture, the cabbage's relatively thin leaves taste good for a year if it is made into kimchi, a Korean staple side dish.There is another defining characteristic of this cozy village: Anbandegi is one of the nation's bes

Nov 10, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Farmers' decades of hard work transform rugged Gangwon terrain into scenic alpine village

Korea's melting pot community of Itaewon wary of fallout from deadly crowd crush

White flowers and notes of condolences are placed in memory of the victims of the crowd crush during Saturday's Halloween celebrations at Itaewon Station in Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Lee Hae-rinJessy Crawford, a 29-year-old Canadian office worker, was on her first trip to Korea and Asia. For her and her Korean friends alike, the tragic crowd crush that claimed 156 lives on Saturday night was the last thing they imagined would happen during Halloween weekend. With five days left in Korea on Tuesday night, she paid a visit to the memorial site at exit 1 of Itaewon Station, just a few meters from where the crowd surged, to pay her respects to those who lost their lives.“I wanted to experience Halloween in Itaewon because I thought it was really cool. I've seen past videos of everyone all dressed up in the streets, celebrating. I love Halloween so I planned my trip to be here for Halloween,” she told The Korea Times. She said she has been fascinated by Korean culture and studied the language for six months. She heard that Korea is a safe and English

Nov 3, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Korea's melting pot community of Itaewon wary of fallout from deadly crowd crush

Thai chefs hope to represent Asian cuisine on global stage

Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, left, and Chef Pichaya “Pam” Utharntharm of Thailand / Courtesy of S. PellegrinoBy Kwak Yeon-sooBANGKOK ― Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn and Pichaya “Pam” Utharntharm are the world's foremost Thai chefs who are reinterpreting classic Thai dishes. Both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), they returned to their homeland to create innovative Thai cuisines that use modern cooking techniques. Chef Ton had worked in many Michelin-starred restaurants in New York, including Eleven Madison Park, The Modern and Jean Georges before opening his restaurant Le Du in Thailand nine years ago. Originated from Thai word meaning “season,” Le Du is ranked No. 4 by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.Chef Pam trained at three-starred Jean-Georges restaurant in the U.S. She was selected in Forbes 30 Under 30 before becoming a judge of Top Chef Thailand, a cooking competition show. Her restaurant “Potong,” which translates as “simple,” serves imaginative Thai cuisine that focuses on sea

Nov 2, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Travel & Food