Seoul 2012

 Hi there. I know it's been forever since I last wrote anything here, and I know it was really abrupt where I had left off (in the middle of my trip to Paris, 2011..). I apologise for the MIA-ness. I just can't find the energy to carry on from where I had left off. Hence, I guess I shall just pick up from wherever I am, alright? hehe.

Okay, a slight recap. So after my Paris trip last year, I returned to Singapore recharged and worked like a bee for the rest of 2011, in a Japanese patisserie-on-a-hill. And due to major platonic shifts in manpower in the kitchen, I have been (most unceremoniously) upgraded to a leadership position, despite my obvious lack in age and experience, thus I have been leading the kitchen since the start of 2012. Pretty strange huh.

Fast forward six months, I'm finally due for a vacation. This time round to Seoul, Korea. A 5 day, 4 night, do what you like trip.

Seok, my Le Cordon Bleu classmate and good friend, came to pick us up from the airport and brought us to our hotel, The Classic 500, at Konkuk University station. The car trip took us nearly 2 hours! Thanks to Seok's father for keeping up at the wheel. 

The Classic 500 is a brilliant hotel that combines luxury and value. We stayed in a suite which is huge at 125 square metres (a little too big for two persons), complete with a kitchen, separate living room and high-tech facilities; all for about S$250 per night.

I did my proper homework, listing down the few bakeries and patisseries to try. My research brought me to Paul and Pauline, which is famous for their flaky, buttery croissants. Wonderful pain au chocolat, well worth the trip.

344-6 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu (마포구 서교동 344-6);+82 02 333 0185

 Lunch at a Japanese ramen hole-in-the-wall. Cold ramen.

 Lovely isn't it, being able to see Kim Soo Hyun just about anywhere, despite his over-the-moon expression.

 Michaya, known for its Green Tea Tiramisu. We got the tiramisu and a fromage blanc. Both cakes were pretty blah..

446-59 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu (마포구 서교동 446-59); +82 2 3143 3579

 However, their red bean bingsu made up for the disappointment in their cakes with its super fine ice crystals.

 At a really cute cafe at Ssamziegil, Insadong.

 With Seok, our host cum carry-boy.. haha. Thanks Seok!

 Second accommodation at KunDaeMunJip guesthouse, a traditional Korean house (Bukchon).

 Lunch at a noodle house near our bukchon.

 The pickles.

 The pork ribs stew.

 Really spicy cold noodles.

 Seoul is literally littered with cafes. One of the many cafes in Anguk area, Remini's Cafe. Coincidentally, the owner of the cafe graduated from Le Cordon Bleu.

 Cake and coffee set. Despite the latte art and all, the coffee is only so-so. An occurrence for too many coffees I had in Seoul, sadly.

 The sweet potato tart. A creative combination.

 An almond tart base, topped with sweet potato cream and fresh cream, and a ball of caramelised sweet potato. Nice!

 I can't help but to want to capture forever in my memory this simple arrangement of common flowers sitting so beautifully by the window sill.

 Samgyetang, Ginseng chicken soup. Truly unmemorable.

 Korean breakfast prepared by our hosts at the bukchon. Simple, but really comforting.

 Crossing a canal.

 Onward to Bangsan Market

 The most satisfying lunch in my humble opinion of the entire trip. The common Korean ramyun, Gimbab (rice roll), and cold noodles. Ooh la la.

 Another cute (but of a completely different style compared to Remini's) cafe near our bukchon in Anguk area: Gondry Cafe.

 Orange honey tea. The small canister labeled Honey is actually sugar syrup. ._.

 This is how I see my mum whenever we sit down at a cafe.

 A space for local artist to sell their creations. In this case, it's a button-related accessory shop. Good idea.

 Green tea cake with a red bean cream center.

 Red bean bingsu.

 Korean bath house! Jimjilbang! The experience of the trip where we got a scrub-down, complete with cucumber face mask and an oil massage by two semi-naked ahjumas. haha.. tickles..

 Pork trotter for dinner.

 At the airport before leaving.

Bulgolgi bibimbab

Playing dress-up at the Korean culture centre. In the picture, I am wearing a traditional hanbok for single ladies.

 Goodbye Seoul.

End.