Winter in Korea

                                Play with snow ball..the girl in front of me is about to get the hit. hi3 

While waiting for my boarding call to Singapore, I read an article in an online site that contains the list of cities with the most beautiful women. I couldn’t stop smiling as I read “Seoul”as part of that list. Personally, I disagree, because in my opinion, I think Korean women, especially those living in Seoul, should be more appropriately called as “fashionable women”.

Most of the latest fashion trend can be found in Seoul, more precisely in the streets of Dong Dae Mun, Myeongdong all the way to Apgujong. During the winter season, Korean women will blow your mind with the chic and stylish boots and different colored coats added with catchy and sexy accessories. It seems that no one ever leaves the house looking sloppy, whether you are a fashion lover or fashion hater it is an absolute trip watching these ladies strut their stuff down the “catwalk” of their own streets. I enjoyed sitting in a coffee shop while ironically sipping hot chocolate (the coffee here is not suitable for my taste but the hot chocolate is like heaven) while looking at the streets and watching those skinny women pass by. Sometimes I wonder, how can they walk down the stairs at the train station wearing those heels. They bring the concept of “beauty is pain” to life. Besides the excitement of watching people dress up, winter in Korea has now been known for its indoor water parks such as Vivaldi Water Park. This boasts as Korea’s largest water park, located in the Gangwon Province or Caribbean Bay. This water amusement park will pump adrenalin into your system with their crazy rides as well as pamper your needs in the spa that is located inside the amusement park. It’s a one-stop place for excitement and comfort for the weekend warriors and the entire family.

 Even though I was born and raised in a tropical climate, and have either seen, tried and survived almost every water sport known to man, I can and will say that trying winter sports is really in a class of its own and something that I will not forget for the rest of my life. As the official host for 2018 Winter Olympic Games,

                           
                                                      

 

                                           I did slide from the top and my ass hurted like hell

Koreans are preparing themselves as the host for this international event. Yong Pyeong, the location for this event is already famous for its winter resorts and they also provide various winter sports activities. You can see young children and teenagers swinging and riding the ski so effortlessly. I told myself, I can do that and all I have to do is stand firmly on the board and ride it confidently. During my first try, I found my face buried in the ground, I dusted myself off and gave the excuse that it was only my first time. You know that saying, “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again?” well I did and I just fell again and again also. Standing on a ski board is not difficult, but balancing yourself when it is speeding on a slope is like riding a crazy roller coaster standing up. Two hours went by so fast and I must say that I had so much fun and it was all worth it (i.e bruises that I got from falling down.) If you have the opportunity to visit Korea, make sure that you visit Yong Pyeong area and try the winter sports game and enjoy every fall and down. Finally, as a self confessed foodie, the thing that I love so much about winter time in Korea is food., street food to be exact. I just love the winter street food in Korea.

MANDUNGUK

Myeongdong Kalguksa is one of the most popular restaurants in Myeongdong area. My friends and I literally stood in

line for about an hour in the cold before we actually got ourselves a table. We ordered one bowl of noodle and mandu

(Korean dumpling), which contains minced pork. Eating noodles that are hot in the cold made it more delicious indeed

and I have to admit that this is one of the best noodles I ever had the pleasure of eating and the kimchi here is topnotch and a lot more spicier than the norm.

             A cup of noodle for the tiring soul. Man...this noodle is sooooooo goood

HOTTEOK

For all foreign visitors, Insadong are known as traditional market where tourist can purchase traditional “stuff”.But for me, Insadong is the place where I can get the best Hotteok. Basically, hotteok is fried cake with brown sugar and nut filling. It’s the perfect snack to beat the cold weather.

                               Watching ahjumma making htteok. the smell is arousing. hungry..hungry..hungry

                                                               Htteok..htteok..htteok

ODENG

During the winter, my favorite breakfast is called Odeng (skewered fish cake served with gravy broth). It’s a common menu that you can easily find across Seoul.

 

BUNGEO-PPANG

This cake shape like fish filling with sweet red beans is probably the most popular street food in Korea. Koreans people believed that the way we eat this snack shows our personality. For example, when you start from the tail, it means you are romantic but insensitive. Whereas if you cut the snack in half before eating it means you are a stingy and stubborn person.

32 CM ICE CREAM

Ice cream lover will love this famous vendor in Myeongdong area. They serve various flavors with very cheap price (around 2.000 won). Ice cream during winter is ironically one of the best seasons to enjoy it. The ice cream will not melt as easily as it would in the hot sun of the summer. No Stained blouse, no sticky hands and melted ice cream dripping down the side of the cone. But that’s just me.

*as written on Venture Magazine on December issue*