Kiss My Kimchi

Kiss My Kimchi Needs You!

Phoenixstorm — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:00:38 +0000

Hello, dear readers, Kiss My Kimchi needs you! That’s right, I’m in need of a few good men and women who have been living knee deep in Korea or Asia and are now ready to share their experiences! It doesn’t matter if you’ve been here a week or a year or a decade.

I started KMK with an aim toward documenting my experience to share with others but there’s no way one man can do it all alone. I want new outlooks and perspectives and experiences I haven’t had or might not even dream of doing. I’m sure you all have stories to share of misadventures, late nights out, day trips to far coastal cities, or just day by day events that bring a smile or a smirk.

If I have your attention and you’re interested in submitting something then you should email your material to KMK. After reviewing it and contacting you I’ll post to the site. If you wish you could include a short bio about yourself as well as a photo to help flesh out the material or you could submit anonymously. After several submissions, if you’d like, you could become a regular contributor with access to the site to post your own material yourself.

You can post about any and everything ranging from poetry, essays, rants, raves, fiction, photo essays, reviews, shout outs, and even knock-knock jokes or dirty limericks. As long as it’s skewed toward Asia, particularly Korea, then it’s all good. Of course you’ll retain all ownership and copyright for your material.

If I’ve managed to win you over just click on the submission link at the top of the page.

Baby Starves, Parents Play Online Game

Phoenixstorm — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:56:01 +0000

: Image by MC MasterChef via Flickr

I’ve just read an article that left me shocked and saddened. Apparently a couple living in suburban Seoul have allowed their infant baby to die as a result of malnutrion. Now the baby didn’t die because they couldn’t afford food, no, it seems the infant died from neglect. This couple just couldn’t bother to leave the PC bang where they spent 12 hour sessions in the MMORPG Prius.

Wow. Just wow. I’ve known the addictive quality of MMO’s. I’ve experienced it a little bit myself. I’ve seen the crazed temper tantrum of people like This. Then there was the news of the man who literally died from exhaustion because of his online video game obsession. The recent Frontline Internet Addiction episode couldn’t be more timely.

Even more appaling is that the couple, in their online virtual world, cared for an online baby named Anima. I guess they couldn’t cope with the fact that their own real life daughter was born premature. That poor baby never had a chance. Where was the safety net for this family? If they were unemployed how did they afford an apartment? Where was the extended family? Cleary these two must have been triggering warning signs if they’re disappearing for 12 hours at an internet cafe!

I’m thinking that the PC Bangs, much like the bars back home in the USA, should start implementing a policy to protect their customers from their own self destructive behavior. Is that too much hand holding? Bars back home have become liable for their patrons who drink themselves blind drunk and then get behind the wheel. Maybe South Korean PC Bangs should make the rounds inside and kick out the customers who have been there over six hour or at least give them a piece of fruit and some water.

Of course these folks would probably just go to the PC bang across the street.

What do you think folks? What can be done about internet addiction? Sure, when kids deal with this the parents can step in and stop it, but when it affects adults I don’t quite see what can be done.

Were Game Addicts So Addicted They Starved Baby to Death? (abcnews.go.com)
South Korean Couple Lets Baby Die While Nurturing Virtual Child (1up.com)
Report: South Korean couple starved child while raising ‘virtual baby’ (cnn.com)

Jeju Island: O’Sulloc Tea Museum

Phoenixstorm — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:00:14 +0000

A few months ago in Seoul Ian and I popped into a nearby tea house after a meal of shabu shabu. I thought we were just grabbing a quick cup of tea. Never did I realize that we’d be entering a tranquil zen garden of contemplation. That’s what it felt like entering O’Sulloc tea house in Myeong Dong, so you can just imagine what the O’Sulloc Tea Museum in Jeju must be like.

The museum was founded in 2001. There are three tea gardens in Jeju. The museum stands surrounded by meticulously cultivated rows of tea bushes. Each stand about knee high. The museum itself is a modern structure of glass and stone that blends right into the natural beauty of the area. Outside there is a little park with a swining bridge and a staute of Seo Sung-Hwan who was the first owner of the company. Before him there weren’t any tea gardens in Jeju. He wanted Korea to join the other nations of the world in producing world class quality tea.

Inside the museum you can discover the origins of tea in Korea as well as view the process of growing and harvesting the tea leaves. There are also exhibits of tea cups from around the world alongside tea cups from Korea’s Goryeo period which was before the Joeson Dynasty.

No museum would be complete with out a gift store and O’Sulloc is no exception. They offer up a variety of products far outside the expected blends of tea. You can purchase shampoos, lotions, facial creams, and perfumes all made from extracts of O’Sulloc’s tea leaves. You can also buy the dishware and utensils to brew and serve your own tea at home. The blends of hand for purchase include herb, mint, orange black, candy black tea, tropical dream tea and wedding dream tea as well as many others. We sampled a tea brewed from the youngest leaves harvested from the gardens. I’m not really a fan of green teas, but it was surprisingly not bitter and actually kind of refreshing.

Opening hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April to August. The museum closes at 5 p.m. from September to March. Admission is free. Tea classes must be reserved in advance. The museum is located an approximate 50-minute drive from the airport. For more information call (064) 794-5312 or visit www.sulloc.co.kr

Jeju Island: Mint Restaurant Phoenix Island

Phoenixstorm — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:00:34 +0000

My birthday lunch took place at Mint restaurant on Phoenix Island. Let me say that the atmosphere of mint is pitch perfect. The restaurant has an open airy feel with a sky high ceiling and a huge floor to ceiling windows that showcase the deep blue sea byond as well as the craggy seacoast. The interior is serene with yellow woods, browns and whites off set by strategic greenery, seashells and and bottled sand.

With all of that you don’t even need food. I’d have been content to just recline in a chair and watch the waves in the distance or the towering sunrise peak. Yet, food accompanies the experience and if you decide to dine at Mint I suggest the lunch set menu.

Here is Ian’s Orum Set:

Orum(오름) set 29,000원

- 감귤 살사와 문어
(Mandarin Salsa with an Octopus)

- 발사믹향 버섯 탕수
(Balsamic Fried Mushroom with Fruit Sauce)

- 산마구이 샐러드
(Grilled Pacific Saury with Salad)

- A. 안심 스테이크(호주산)
(Tenderloin Steak)(Australian Beef)

B. 마늘먹은 오겹살 스테이크
(Grilled Ogyep Pork Steak with Garlic)

- 연두부 잔치국수
(Hot Noodle Soup with a Soft Bean Curd)

- 디저트
(Dessert)

I had the Badang Set:

Badang(바당) set 35,000원

- 부채가재 남방스께와 단호박 퓨레
(Fried Slip Lobster with Smashed Pumpkin)

- 굴 라자냐
(Oyster Lasagne)

- 해산물과 사시미
(Seafood and Sasimi)

- 그릴야채 샐러드
(Grilled Vegetables and Salad)

- A 메로 스테이크
(Patagonian toothfish Steak)

B 안심 스테이크
(Tenderloin Steak)

- 부채가재 소면
(noodle Soup with Slip Lobster)

- 디저트
(Dessert)

The presentation of each dish is beyond fantastic. However overall my opionion was mixed. If the prices were a bit lower I would’ve been more pleased, but since they weren’t I would probably only go back for wine or coffee and the view. I do want to say that the toothfish steak was absolutely fab as well as the beginning dish and salad.

So, if you’re at the phoenix resort then Mint is not to be missed go for drinks and appetizers and take in that gorgeous view.

Nanta in Seoul

Phoenixstorm — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:00:35 +0000

I enjoy live shows. Whether it’s theater, a concert, or comedy performance I’ll book a seat, settle down, and enjoy the show. Sadly, I haven’t been able to do that recently, but that changed when my employer secured tickets for the teachers to see the Korean show Nanta.

If you’ve been in Korea for any amount of time you’ve had to have heard about Nanta. It’s one of the top Korean shows. It combines drama, comedy, dance, music, and even acrobatics into one super sized performance. Usually four out of five people you ask have seen it. If you’re that one odd man out then you need to find the closest performance and check it out immediately.

The show, in Seoul, is held at a number of different locations. The one I saw took place at the Designer’s Club in Apgujeong. There are different “teams” of actors that perform the shows: red, blue, black, purple, orange, white, green, and yellow. Each team has pre-designated roles the actors play. The Manager is the guy in charge who runs the restaurant and ensures everything is being done on time and correctly. The Head Chef is the lead chef who keeps everyone else in line. The Sexy Guy, is the third in charge and who oozes machismo. The Nephew is the newcomer to the kitchen whose uncle is the Manager. Then there’s Hot Sauce. She’s the spicy, kitchen temptress who wears the mid-drift apron.

The theater itself is small, possibly able to seat about one hundred or so people. At first, the only people in the audience were all the teachers from Gangnam, but that changed as folks started to fill in. The show starts with a percussion driven drum session. The actors tumble, jump and dance across the stage banging on kitchen appliances, implements, and dishes. I’ll warn you now that the show is predominantly non-verbal. There’s some Korean that doesn’t really need to be translated to be understood and there’s also a smattering of English.

Once the opening number is over the conflict begins! The manager surprises his chefs with a wedding banquet they need to prepare by a 6 pm deadline. A ticking clock on the stage counts down the scant 90 minutes they have to complete the exhaustive menu. If that wasn’t hard enough the Manager’s Nephew gets assigned to their kitchen. He’s a bumbling dope and they have to show him the ropes or earn the ire of the Manager.

I have to say that I went into the theater a skeptic, but I became a convert quickly. Nanta brings together slapstick comedy, acrobatics, dance, and music with an easy going manner and light touch. It’s all about entertainment and making you laugh without any overdone costumes, fancy props, or funny French songs. They even go a step further by involving the audience in elaborate pranks, stunts, and routines that kept everyone clapping and asking for more.

Nanta truly is one of the best shows happening in Seoul. It’s even gone across the globe to play in other countries. Once you’ve seen it you’ll understand why. I plan on seeing it again in a few weeks myself.

Jeju Island: Trick Art Museum

Phoenixstorm — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:00:47 +0000

When I first heard about it I knew I just had to go to the Trick Art Museum. I’m a sucker for anything fantasy related. Whether it’s a novel, television show or a real live magician I’m there ready to be dazzled.

I still remember David Copperfield making the Statue of Liberty disappear and walking through the Great Wall of China. So when we arrived at the Trick Art Museum I had all my magical expectations waiting to be fulfilled.

I’m happy to say that they were. The museum itself is a huge building filled with paintings and exhibits all designed with illusion in mind. You can take pictures and even video that fools the viewer into thinking that you’re part of the painting. It’s all great fun. My favorite had to be the room that plays with height making one person seem like a giant while the other a little person. Another I liked a lot was the upside down room and the bodiless mirror box.

The museum is divided into several different zones including the parody zone, aquarium zone, Jurassic zone, animal zone, Egypt zone, magic zone and illusion zone.

I highly recommend giving the Trick Art museum a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Telephone: 064 787-8774

Website: http://www.trickart.co.kr

Hours: 9:00 to 19:00

48 reviews of David Copperfield (rateitall.com)

Naked Grill In Itaewon

Phoenixstorm — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:03:36 +0000

I’ve been hearing about Naked Grill in Itaewon for weeks from friends. I finally had the chance to go a few weeks ago with my friends Ian and Rebecah. I’m happy to say that all the good things I’ve heard rang true for the most part.

The first thing I noticed about the Naked Grill is the style. It’s done in purples and silver chrome giving it a dynamic modern feel. There’s also a stage and ample seating for performances which typically happen Friday and Saturday nights. In between there’s music spinning all the time. The best part being that they actually play the video to accompany whatever song is on.

Then there is the food. Burgers, wings, sandwiches as well as pastas and a surf and turf menu can all be had. My friends and I went with the burgers which were decent, but not among the best I’ve had in Korea. I’ll give another dish a spin next time around. Still, even though the burger didn’t wow me the drink menu did. There are so many delightful concoctions to try that you might wind up spending the evening here instead of heading down to B1.

This is especially true when you keep in mind their weekday specials:

Mondays: 1,000 won shooters

Tuesdays: Wing Night 10 for 5,000w

Wednesdays: Mojitos and Margaritas

Thursdays: Ladies Night!

If that doesn’t get you in there then maybe knowing that they stay open till 5 am the kitchen 4am will. They even have a midnight munchie menu. All of the above combines to make Naked Grill the perfect after hours spot to chill after a club and maybe before too!

You can find Naked Grill around the corner from KFC in Itaewon above B1 and below Buddha’s Belly.

02-794-4225

Prices: 40,000W and below

10 Magazine Blog Poll Vote KMK

Phoenixstorm — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:25:10 +0000

So, you may or may not have heard about this poll going on at 10 Magazine. It’s such a little thing, really, to click that link scroll through those names, find Kiss My Kimchi, and click that little circle. I mean, I bet you could do that in less that 3o seconds…

If you do you’ll have my undying love and affection and, well, maybe you just want a thank you. Mother always said never to come on to strong or you’ll scare them away.

See, I was right!

Thanks!

Jeju Island: Teddy Bear Museum

Phoenixstorm — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:00:45 +0000

Who doesn’t love teddy bears? You’d have to be some giant sized curmudgeon or ultra fascist wing-nut not to love the adorable fuzzy wuzzy wittle bears from childhood. Can’t you remember your best toy from those formative early years? Was it a Care Bear? Paddington Bear? Perhaps you had Winnie the Pooh or maybe you were more traditional with a regular old Teddy Bear?

No matter the case the folks at the Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju will have you reminiscing about the adventures with your long lost best friend. The entire complex is dedicated to the glory of Teddy Bears from their origin to the places they’ve found in our hearts and culture.

Ian and I were skeptical. Could two grown men really find anything remotely interesting in a Teddy Bear Museum? Well, we did and you will too if you visit. I thought it would be a dry and boring history lesson about the beginnings of Teddy Bears, but there’s much more to the museum than that.

Just take the first gallery for example. There you’ll find a floor full of history. They have display cases showcasing early Teddy Bears and follows the evolution of the Bear through the decades. It doesn’t stop there. They also throw the Teddy Bear into the major historical and cultural hot spots in history. These reenactments substitute people for Teddy Bears in the reenactment the first moon walk, the Hong Kong liberation from Britain, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, and even Ali’s triumph over Frazier.

The second gallery continues the substitution theme but this time with a more artistic bent. Here you’ll find a Teddy Bear Mona Lisa. Vincent Van Gogh reborn as a one eared Teddy Bear. There are even statues like Rodan’s Thinker and the great Achilles re-imagined as Teddys. This floor also has Teddy Bear wedding scenes from around the world. My favorites were the South African and South Korean weddings.

At the gift shop I made a few purchases for my nephews. I didn’t really think I would enjoy a Teddy Bear Museum, but I found that the museum really did reconnect me, however briefly, to my childhood romps with my favorite bear. It was nice to remember even though my affair with my bear only lasted a little while as he was quickly replaced by my He-man action figure.

But that’s a tale for another time.

Prices

Adults 7,000W/Teenagers 6,000W/Children 5,000W/Seniors and disabled 4,500W

Times: 9:00 to 20:00

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My Best Friend Is A Teddy Bear (slideshare.net)
A Giant Stuffed Panda Makes The Perfect Teddy Bear (slideshare.net)

Moderato in Myeong dong

Phoenixstorm — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:00:01 +0000

If you love cafes then living in Seoul means you’ve hit the sweet spot. This city has a stupefying number of cafes all devoted to bringing you their own little special something to keep you coming back. Some pour their energy into a perfect cup of coffee, others work their mojo on a magical cup of tea, while some provide tasty food to put butts in seats.

Still, with all the huge number of cafes out there I haven’t been able to come up with one that serves a decent piece of cheesecake.

Until now that is.

A few weeks ago I wandered into Moderato in Myeung-dong while shopping with my brother Chris and my friend Ryan. Really, from the outside the place doesn’t look like much. Inside, the same non-distinct vibe continues up until you spot the display case chock full of cakes, most notably the cheesecakes.

Sadly, I the only place in Korea I’ve been able to find a real slice of cheesecake has been Costco. Yet, the folks at CAFE served me a slice of blueberry cheesecake so sublime that they might have me waiting outside their doors every weekend. This little bit of heaven is even more delightful because you can have it as part of a two for one special if you order a cup of tea or coffee.

I’m afraid though that directions might be a bit problematic. Myeong dong is a maze within a maze of criss crossing streets. It is on one of the outlaying streets right off the main streets that box in Myeongdong. Hopefully you can recognize it from the picture. Good luck, and report back!

National Cheesecake Day at Cheesecake Factory (timesunion.com)
Icebox Banana Cheesecake Recipe Review (thekitchn.com)