Nicole Jung, Amber Liu and Jo Kwon do not venture into a grocery store to have their daily cereal fix. Instead, they head themselves to Midnight in Seoul, Korea’s very first cereal café. The decor of the café, complete with electric pink walls and neatly stacked cereal boxes, has been featured on the social media accounts of many celebs. Initially opened by actor and singer Yoon Kye-sang and his artist friends, Midnight in Seoul recently changed ownership. K-pop fans will be familiar with the new owner of Midnight in Seoul- the singer Jo Kwon from the K-pop group 2AM. As for the menu items, over 40 different types of cereals and a wide variety of toppings including nuts, fruits, marshmallows and wine gums (what are wine gums? Is that the correct term?) are available. Choosing a cereal can be tricky but the friendly wait-staff is always ready to provide menu recommendations.  

                   

Opened in 1983, this restaurant serves delicious tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlet). The secret is in aging thick slices of seasoned pork fillet (150kg total) for three to four days making the meat more tender. The slices are then coated with egg batter and breadcrumbs, and fried in hot oil (160캜) for about seven minutes. Voila! A tasty tonkatsu, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Also mouthwatering are the miso soup and fresh vegetables served with it. The first floor layout is a bar and the second and third floors are like spacious halls. During lunch, crowds of loyal customers wait in line. The restaurant is a favorite for all ages, from young to elderly regulars.  

Hwangsaengga Kalguksu (formerly 'Bukchon Kalguksu’) is one of the most popular restaurants on Samcheongdong-gil. The street in front of the restaurant is always crowded with cars and there are almost always people lined up outside the restaurant. The main dish is Kalguksu (noodle soup) with rich, mild broth made from ox bone. Homemade ‘wang mando’ (king-sized dumpling) is another specialty and you can even see workers making them at the entrance of the restaurant. Other dishes such as Modeumjeon (assorted pan-fried delicacies) and Bossam (napa wraps with pork) are also available.      

Song Hye-kyo, one of the first-generation Hallyu stars, once again proved her talents last year in K-drama Descendants of the Sun. Recently, she has publically announced her plan to marry another Hallyu star Song Joong-ki in the coming autumn. Jackson Pizza located in Hannam-dong is known to be Song’s favorite pizzeria in Seoul and has appeared in several K-TV shows. f(x)'s Luna has also mentioned of Jackson Pizza’s Chicago-style pizzas and French fries on a K-TV show as “the food items of [her] life.” Song’s go-to choice at the restau  

Discover Retro Charm at JOYANGBANGJIK Café: A Unique Incheon Experience JOYANGBANGJIK Café: A Blend of History and Modern Art When planning your trip to Incheon, South Korea, one must-visit destination is JOYANGBANGJIK Café, located on Ganghwa Island. This extraordinary café was originally established in 1933 as the first rayon factory in Ganghwa. Over time, as the textile industry in the region declined, the factory fell into disrepair. However, it has since been brilliantly transformed into a spacious and stylish café, preserving the historical essence while integrating modern aesthetics. Historical Transformation The original building of JOYANGBANGJIK, which once lay abandoned, has been revitalized into a grand café. The dilapidated walls have been converted into an impressive art museum and movie theater. The long workbenches that once served the factory workers have been repurposed as coffee tables. The space, once bustling with machines and workers, is now adorned with antiques from China and Europe. Unique Décor and Atmosphere The décor of JOYANGBANGJIK Café is one of its most striking features. British-made doors with broken windows, round mirrors from old Czech trains, and Taiyaki machines that were used every winter are strategically placed as if they were always part of the building. This thoughtful arrangement allows the café to retain the essence of its historical past. The expansive factory site and the building's framework, spanning over 990 square meters (approximately 300 pyeong), have been preserved, adding to the café’s unique ambiance. Menu and Offerings JOYANGBANGJIK Café offers a wide range of beverages and cakes, ensuring there is something for everyone. Some of the standout menu items include: - Americano - Coconut Latte - Blueberry Hibiscus Tea - Mugwort Latte - Lemonade - Honey Ginger Tea Operating Hours - Weekdays: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Last order at 7:20 PM) - Weekends and Holidays: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:20 PM) Location and Additional Information JOYANGBANGJIK Café is located at 12, Hangnam Mokdo 5-gil, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. If you are using public transportation, you can take a bus from Ganghwa Terminal Station and get off at the "Girls' High School Entrance" stop, followed by a short walk of 195 meters. Final Thoughts JOYANGBANGJIK Café is a perfect blend of history and modernity, offering a unique and memorable experience for visitors. The café not only provides a place to relax and enjoy delicious beverages but also allows you to immerse yourself in a piece of Korea’s industrial heritage. When visiting Incheon, make sure to include this one-of-a-kind café in your itinerary to enjoy its retro charm and artistic ambiance.

Located on Yukhoe Street in Jongno, Buchon Yukhoe has a 60 year-tradition, offering inexpensive Yukhoe (beef tartare) and various other menus.  

Insadong Chatjip is a hanok teahouse that serves home-made traditional tea. Even the red beans used in the summer delicacy Patbingsu are carefully prepared at the restaurant.

Hadongkwan is a 70-year-old restaurant in Myeong-dong, Jongno-gu. This restaurant first opened in the 1930s, and serves only two items: Gomtang and Suyuk. And there are only two side dishes: kkakdugi (radish kimchi) and kimchi. Unlike other restaurants, Hadongkwan serves its soup in a brass pot. The broth of the soup seems thin but the taste is delicious and thick. The soup is made of 100% natural ingredients and free of artificial additives.