Glamour & Grace

The 100-year-old house located in Gyeonggi Province, with its unique traditional traits, has been transformed into a sustainable Korean food restaurant. The restaurant is strongly committed to serving homemade, humble, and plentiful dishes that create special moments and offer comfort to its visitors. Recently, eight members of our family had a special reunion at a place called Mabang Jib, situated on a hill surrounded by forests. The name "Mabang Jib" literally translates to "Horse House." Interestingly, this house was initially used to serve horses during the Joseon Dynasty. Simultaneously, it provided shelter for traditional merchants who travelled long hours from various regions of Korea before entering Hanyang (the old name of Seoul) to sell their regional products. During those times, the Horse House offered merchants a space to rest, enjoy alcohol, and savor homemade food while their horses rested after enduring long hours of walking. Nowadays, the restaurant...

Norigea   Norigae is a traditional ornament in Korea that is attached to clothing or accessories or used as a home decoration. It is typically made with colourful silk threads and beads and is believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits. Norigae is usually handmade, and it comes in various patterns and designs. Some examples include ancestral norigae, which is worn to honour ancestors; wedding norigae, which the bride wears during the wedding ceremony; and hanbok norigae, which is attached to traditional Korean attire called hanbok. Norigae holds deep roots in Korean culture and tradition and has played an important role in people's rituals and events throughout history. It is considered a beautiful accessory and represents Korean culture's unique beauty and symbolism. How can you combine Norigea with modern fashions for daily look? It is indeed a traditional gadget, but it doesn't mean outdated. You can have a creative mind to use Norigea nowadays in various w...

  As the rainy season comes to an end, I reflect on the past few days of non-stop rain. The continuous downpour has left me feeling soaked to the bone. Seeking comfort, I decide to visit a traditional market. Walking through the busy market, I'm struck by the cozy atmosphere created by vendors who run their own stalls. Unlike fancy displays, their personal touch makes the place feel welcoming. Since it's a rainy weekday, there aren't many people around. It's a good time to buy ingredients for a simple vegetable soup, perfect for this dreary weather. I'm attracted to the colorful and fresh produce on display. As the rain keeps pouring outside, I find solace in the warm and lively market. The bustling sounds and friendly interactions of vendors and customers create a sense of community. While exploring, I notice a television crew filming near a famous beef soup restaurant. They capture interviews with the owner and the fragrant aroma of the soup fills the air. Nearby ...

 Continuous hot and humid weather has hit Korea since last month. A few days ago, many chickens were served as Samgye Tang (Chicken soup) in many restaurants and homes. Samgyetang is one of the popular healthy foods you can eat throughout the seasons in Korea. Particularly in the summer season, the dish is sold in large numbers. On this particular day, we call "Bok Nal" People use this term to describe a day when humans feel like they are being knocked down like dogs due to the oppressive humidity. "Nal" simply means a day.   In the olden days, when most people worked as farmers and had to spend their days toiling outdoors, they couldn't afford to be knocked down like a dog, as it would ruin their yearly efforts. Thus, Samgyetang emerged as an ideal gastronomic choice that promotes good health.   During the summertime, many far-eastern Asian countries experience the three hottest days, and the exact dates change yearly as they follow the lunar calendar. This yea...

  International Digital Nomads, Where do they typically stay in Korea for an extended period?    Nowadays, living without a computer is unimaginable. Instead of toiling away for meagre earnings, young people are engaging in money-making activities through creative content and active involvement. They can earn in a few days what others make in a year, marking a significant turning point in their lives. As the number of high-earning individuals in their 20s 30 s continues to rise, their lifestyles are also undergoing changes. With newfound financial and additional freedom, the trend of experiencing life in different locations for a month has gained popularity nationwide. People are not only travelling within the country but also venturing abroad. Even digital nomads from overseas are visiting various Asian countries, including Korea. When they stay for a short period, Seoul tends to be their base. However, finding suitable accommodation for their brief stay in Korea poses a...

Travelling to different countries or immersing oneself in a foreign culture is often emphasized as a valuable way to broaden our understanding of the world. It involves being in a place where your native language is not understood and where customs and practices may differ greatly from what you're used to in your country. In today's interconnected world, the globe is more closely linked than ever before in various ways. Learning and exploring through new experiences is a highly regarded ongoing journey. When living in Korea, you may come across things entirely new to you but considered ordinary by Koreans due to their familiarity with them. I would like to share some anecdotes from when my friend from Germany visited me in Seoul. As we walked around the city, she was often amazed by things I had never considered remarkable. Right from the moment she arrived at Seoul Station, she was speechless. As we ascended from the underground train station using the long automatic escalator...

매일 어김없이 4시 가 되면 배에서 신호가 온다.  점심에 정말 많이 먹는다고 해도,  오후가 되면,  느껴지는 허기짐이  마른침이 꼴깍, 달달한 도넛츠 생각이 간절해진다.  요즘 이 공복을 살짝 달래기위해, 과일이든 쿠키든 빵이든 초콜릿이나 넟츠같은것을 조금씩 챙겨가기 시작했다.  매일 장을 보러 갈수 없고,  오늘은 기분좋은  일요일이고 하니, 강동 생태공원근처에 위치한 자연속 브런치 카페에서 파는 빵을  사오기로 했다 30   분쯤걸어 도착한 sweetsalt Cafe, 13 :00 쯤 도착 했다.  역시  일요일은  카페 장소의 매력을 아는 사람들로 시끌벅적했다.     여기서 파는 에그 베네딕트 추천한다.  가장조용할때는  일요일오전 9시 -10 시 이때 방문하면,  손님이 거의 없고, 가장 평화롭게 커피를 즐길수 있다.  보통 위치만 좋고 맛이 별로인 카페나 베이커리가게가  많은데, 이 빵집은 그 위치부터,  내부 인테리어 ,  서비스,  맛과  종류들이 빵 덕후들이 정말 좋아할만한 곳이다.  빵 한개 한끼 식사 가격웃돌지만, 일요일 나들이 하기 좋은 곳으로 추천하고 싶다.  이곳에서 일주일동안 나의 오후 간식을 담당할 빵들이다.  개봉  한번에 먹으면 너무 달아 당조절이 안되니,  다 조각을 내어 용기에 나누어 담으면, 냉동고에 며칠간 두고 먹을수있고, 간단하게 한입거리가 되니 편리하다.