cafe series: aA design museum

May 19, 2011 sarah lee

aA design museum in hong-dae: cavernous. less is more. modern design.

aA Design Museum is one of those places where as soon as you step in, you're like 'am I in Seoul? really???' Hahahaha. So I've been in Seoul for over a year now, and yup, took me this long to finally get my foot in this design cafe! Embarrassing...

Why the aA? The lower-case ‘a’ in ‘aA’ stands for ‘art’, ‘architecture’, and ‘alive’, while the capital ‘A’ is “an unchangeable value, the best a person can get" (according to their website).

Story behind aA: owner Myung-Hwan Kim opened up this cafe to showcase his furniture collection. Globetrotter that travels to find the goods, and brings it back to his storage...I mean design museum cafe to share with folks like us! The interior has a rustic note to it, the negative space adds to the design, and the lighting parallels the furniture in perfect cohesion. The collection of furniture that range from scandinavian design to modern vintage, completes the marriage.

banyan tree seoul

May 12, 2011 sarah lee

Banyan Tree Club & Spa in Seoul doesn't fight rigidly for it's well earned 5 stars, but rather backstrokes among them in their private relaxation pools. This urban oasis is surrounded by Mt. Namsan, and rests in the former Tower hotel designed by Kim Swoo Geun in 1967. Their exclusive club includes private access to all of their facilities-which include their outdoor pool (hotel guests can access this as well), 12 refined restaurants and bars, golf driving range, tennis courts, and of course their impeccable service to their guests!

miss lee cafe-별다방 미스리

May 1, 2011 sarah lee

Miss Lee Cafe lies in the heart of 'Dae Hak No' (대학로) near Seoul University campus, and also known as the theatre district of Seoul. For decades, students and artists would flock to this area to watch everything from short plays led by university students, to mainstream musicals and comedy shows.

This cafe's concept is to 'take you back...way back', when school lunches were in little metal bento box like containers (aka 'do shi rak'). Their selection of vintage candy selection is a hard find elsewhere. Other favored items include the Korean dessert favorite-'pat bing soo' (shaved ice with red beans, fruits, rice cakes, ice cream), among other sweet eats.

To be honest, the food wasn't to write home about. The Kimchi fried rice was tasty, but can't beat Sarah's recipe:) However, it's the nostalgia of the good old school days in Korea, that can be shared with generations thereafter.

You'll leave with the memories...

culinaria 12538

April 24, 2011 sarah lee

Culinaria 12538 in Apkujung (technically the address is Sinsa-dong) re-defines modern French. Chef Darren and I thoroughly enjoyed a 7-course lunch at Culinaria for 40,000 won! (approximately $40, actually 5 courses, but if you include the palate cleanser, coffee and additional sweets-7). This just has to be the deal of the century in Seoul, because some of you may know that a plate of pasta usually ranges b/w 12,000-15,000 won!

With modest expectations, the meal was outstanding. Personally, I was impressed that lime and avocado was utilized in multiple courses (as it's a hard find in Seoul, and very $$). Presentation was inspiring, and service was respectable.

pork done well. period.

April 16, 2011 sarah lee

Korean style ribs. Need I say more??? 걸구네 왕 곱창 (Guhl goo nae wang gob chang) in Itaewon. I mentioned this spot a while back in another post, but I realized this place deserves an entry of it's own! I have had samgyupsal (pork belly) one too many times in Seoul, but this place will just blow you away...and the Korean style ribs with their special sauce is monumental. I'm still trying to figure out the chemistry behind the masterpiece!

This place was discovered by my former co-workers, who were so kind enough to take me here, hahahaha. Thus, the love affair began...

kyotofu seoul

April 14, 2011 sarah lee

Kyotofu- the award winning Japanese dessert and sake bar from New York has made its mark in Seoul!
This new family member in Hannam-dong (next to Itaewon) is one to be noted. I have developed a 'sweet addiction.'

Pure decadence: their signature sweet tofu=insanely delicious!

the world vine-seoul

April 12, 2011 sarah lee

'The World Vine' located in the heart of Samseong-dong, in the Samsung Financial Plaza, offer the most impressive selection of wines in Seoul! The World Vine is mainly a wine shop, that introduces an eclectic selection of wines from emerging areas. Their company goal- 'To provide the Korean market with a new paradigm: quality wines at reasonable prices.' The wines are handled properly, storing them in temperature controlled rooms equipped with air conditioning and humidifier systems, and with LED lighting.

korea's very own makgeolli

April 10, 2011 sarah lee

Alas, a chef friend Wonil Lee finally took me to the closest 막걸리 makgeolli brewery in Seoul! My jaws literally dropped the moment I stepped food into this brewery/shop! Korea's oldest traditional liquor has made an impressive comeback...

Baesangmyun Brewery is one of the leading makgeolli producers in Seoul. Their flagship store-느린마을 양조장's (Neurin maeul-so not spelling this right) is in Yangjae-dong (near the Yangjae station line #3). Their formula: never use artificial sweetners like aspartame, and makgeolli is brewed fresh daily. Tastings are available upon request.

starting my spring in nyc

April 3, 2011 sarah lee

New York City was the last leg of my U.S. trip, prior to heading back home to Seoul. A long list of restaurants were running through my mind...but due to lack of time, I was only able to hit a few spots that I have been dying to check out! So before you guys even read further, you could probably guess which restaurants I might be talking about?

Chef David Chang's Momofuku Clan: Ko, Ssam, Noodle Bar, Milk Bar & Ma Peche. Well, I was only able to dine at Ko and Ssam bar. However, I am safe to say that after dining at Ko, my palette has reached a new level after diving into their shaved frozen fois gras with pine nut brittle, grape wine gelee, & lychee!

Inside Momofuku Ssam

Santa Barbara Uni with Nori @ Ssam

year of the rabbit

February 12, 2011 sarah lee

The year of the rabbit!!! Another decade has gone by under my breath, and I think this will be an amazing year as everyone hopes! It was my first lunar new year in Seoul (February 3rd), and it was exciting to be part of this celebration with family and friends. It was a bit strange seeing the city shut down for a week! Everyone has a long holiday during this time...but what do people really do when everything is closed??? Really? Really...

Always a treat seeing my relatives, since we really don't get to spend a whole lot of time due to our crazy schedules. Everyone's favorite part of the lunar new year (at least for me) was the home cooked meal! Truly grateful that I have family that knows how to cook, I totally milked it for all its worth :)

a little bit of paris in seoul

February 7, 2011 sarah lee

Who would have known that there is a 'little bit of paris' in the heart of Seoul??? Also known as '서래마을' or the Seorae French village. I recently enjoyed a decadent brunch with good friend Eunice Cho at this French Atelier. The Green Table is a collaboration of 3 sisters that form a culinary dream team-style, pastry, and all things food!

You will see the demeanor of Paris as soon as you step foot into this space, and your immediately greeted with a warm smile. The main dining hall is on the first floor, and brunch is served daily on the second floor. Daily brunch is definitely a hard find in Seoul, since it's usually offered on weekends elsewhere.

hongdae...where the fun begins...and ends.

January 31, 2011 sarah lee

food shots from 삼거리 포차

How many times have I been to Hongdae? Definitely not enough! Friends always tease me about how I never leave Sinsa, let alone go across the Han river. However, this is really where it's at. If you can dismiss the fact that this area is catered towards the 'younger crowd' since it is afterall near Hongkik University...you might not want to leave! Endless restaurants, bars, bargain shopping, live music, clubs, street vendors, fortune tellers (사주's) and in the summer you'll see musicians performing on the streets every other corner! A bit of a trek for me, but to digest everything, you'll need to make a few trips...

This post is a compilation of 3 different trips, with 3 different groups of friends...but I'm itching to go back to soak up all that Hongdae has to offer...

january bites...

January 26, 2011 sarah lee

Welcome to Seoul in the City!

I would like to thank my avid readers and followers since 2009! I'm absolutely blessed with all the encouragement and continuous support that inspires me to keep up with my journal. I will abide with my fellow partners, and hope that 'my love affair' with food, travel and design will never cease...

As my first official post for my new site, I would like to re-introduce one of my favorites-Coffee Bangatgan-커피 방앗간 in Samchungdong. It's a treat when I go to this spot, since it's a bit far for me. Their novelty: to leave your mark, you can write notes or doodle on their custom napkins, and just tape it anywhere in the cafe...literally.

Whenever I go back, I try to look for the notes I left behind the previous time...but never can find it! Perhaps it blew away...or someone loved my note and snatched it away? hahaha...

The photos below will make you hungry...such a tease...Enjoy:)

solbin's superdog in apkujong

January 10, 2011 sarah lee

tina and i getting excited to eat our 'midnight' snack at superdog-in apkujong

One of my favorite late nite snacks in Seoul-Solbin's Superdog in Apkujung! Introduced by my friend Tina last summer, I don't know if it's a curse or a blessing! Hahahaha...both I guess. Tina and I always make a stop before heading to Sahm bar...sometimes we'll even go twice (before and after Sahm). Yes, 2 crazzzzy ladies can never get enough of these dogs!

sahm

January 2, 2011 sarah lee

the beautiful bar

I'm about to reveal this hidden treasure in Apkujung...

Good friend Tina and I have discovered this bar this past summer, making a pact that it would be our 'secret' bar. Sahm. Needless to say, it's THE perfect spot for us! There is simply no other bar like this in Seoul! They opened their doors late spring of 2010, mainly attracting folks in the bar/entertainment industry. It's tucked away in the alleys near the famous Rodeo drive in Apkujung, so it's hard to spot stragglers just dropping a visit.

The owner and former model Jonghwan Shin, has been working in the industry for over a decade, and brings his honed skills to create 'his sanctuary'. Not to mention the 2 other bartenders are currently models as well...uh hum. Well, this isn't the sole reason why Tina and I make this our second home, as everyone teases us about. To me, Sahm is where 'The Green Mill meets The Violet Hour'. Two Chicago bars that are truly dear to me, and absolutely miss!

The lure: making your perfect drink.

a love letter to audrey

December 29, 2010 sarah lee

audrey at her 1st birthday-february 2010

This is a love letter to my beautiful niece Audrey Haeun Lee. A letter long overdue...for my close friends, you guys know how crazy I am about this little bean! There hasn't been one get together where I wouldn't go online and showcase her photos! kkk.

Unable to run around with her, since my arrival in Seoul 10 months ago, was pretty brutal. Thanks to skype and facebook, I feel that I'm somewhat living her life vicariously through the images posted by my brother Ray and his wife Jiye. Not to mention in the earlier days (my family claims this), her baby photos resembled me when I was young! Of course over time, she is an absolute mirror image of Ray, along with Jiye's sweet femininity and charm! Hahahaha...

My heart skips a beat every time I think of her...

my first christmas in seoul

December 27, 2010 sarah lee

sally bought this christmas cake for party, but we ended up bringing it home! and i've been eating it ever since...oh geez...

Missing home like crazy this holiday season...must say it really didn't feel like Christmas here in Seoul! The traffic-road and foot- was absolutely crazy on the 24th and the 25th. Everything was pretty much open both days, and all of Seoul was out and about. I stopped by Myung-dong on the 25th with my roommate, I just about died in the crowd...plus the weather was quite brutal this past week! All in all, I'm very blessed to have close friends around me, who have made my first Christmas in Seoul amazing! Would not have have spent it any other way!

To my devoted readers out there-thanks for keeping up with my blog, I am truly grateful for your encouragement as well as your continuous support. You guys are my true kindred spirits!

some of my favorite things...

December 14, 2010 sarah lee

: amazing hand drip coffee at 'cafe may' in garosugil

For my readers out there, you may have noticed that I have so many 'favorite' spots around Seoul...but I wanted to blog about a few spots that are truly dear to me, and love taking my close friends to! I was tempted 'not' to blog about this for a while...but oh what the heck! Sharing is caring :) This is to my fans out there...perhaps I'll bump into you at these spots one day!

german food in seoul?

December 10, 2010 sarah lee

open kitchen at barlin german restaurant

Barlin (pronounced Baerlin)-a modern, mid-range German restaurant located in Susong-dong, heralds a glimpse of Europe to Seoul. I recently stumbled upon this place with Chef Darren, and we both looked at each other and said 'finally, proper sausages in Seoul!' Authentic German Cuisine is truly a hard to find in Seoul. Although I wasn't a huge fan of their starter bread (nothing like The Spice's bread!) and their sauerkraut...it was just okay. However, their sausage mains were spot on, and the service was deserving. Loved their open kitchen concept with the custom mural above it, which added a refined element to the space. Definitely would like to revisit soon to try their sausage schnitzel!

seoul food week 2010

December 5, 2010 sarah lee

Seoul Food Week 2010 was held at Coex on November 18th-21st. Over 600 companies participated in the exhibition, with more than 80,000 domestic and overseas visitors! The purpose of this exhibition was that at least 6 kinds of food fairs will be held simultaneously so that exhibitors and visitors will be able to learn a variety of information about general food, agro stock, rice, food packing, kitchen machinery, hotel & restaurant, etc. under one roof.