Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Darakjeong has been popular for a long time because of the simple taste of its traditional Mandu (Korean stuffed dumpling). Since its opening in 1991, tasty soup and scrumptious Mandu have been served. A fist-sized Mandu is fully packed with seasoned meat, bean-curd, and various vegetables. Its thick dough makes it chewy and delightful. For one person, “Manduguk”(boiled dumpling soup) is a good choice. The delicious and nourishing taste of Mandu goes well with the sweet, spicy, and fresh taste of the soup. Manduguk is served in a brass bowl which keeps the food warm while eating. For a large-size group, “Mandujeongol” cooked with various vegetables in a casserole is recommended. There are two types of Mandujeongol that have different tastes. The main characteristic of “Kimchi Mandujeongol” is its spicy flavor, which reminds people of the refreshing taste of Kimchi soup, and “Tojang Mandujeongol” expounds on the savory taste of bean-paste soup. Tojang means folk soybean-paste. “Nokdujeon”(a Korean pan-fried dish with green mung bean) is another famous dish at Darakjeong, which is pan-fried with a very light seasoning to emphasize the original taste of Nokdu (green mung bean). Salted oysters with hot pepper are served with Nokdujeon instead of soy sauce, which is a perfect match.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongdeok-gun)

Yeongdeok Sunrise Festival is an annual overnight event that begins on New Year's Eve. This year, the festival is set to take place at Yeongdeok Samsa Marine Park under the theme of "Bell of Hope, Light of Life." Moreover, there will be various New Year's celebrations featuring a music concert sponsored by Taegu Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), sunrise watching, and diverse hands-on experience programs.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Designated as National Park in 1975, Deogyusan National Park (덕유산국립공원, 1,614m) covers four counties. The ridgeline from the Hyangjeokbong peak of Mt. Bukdeogyusan to Mt. Namdeogyusan is 17.5km, and the altitude is 1,200m high. There are five peaks over 1,330m above sea level and eight large valleys. Mt. Deogyusan is one of Korea's tourist highlights and boasts temples, relics as well as a ski resort. Of the many wonderful sites, Mujuguchon-dong, the 25km valley range from Najetong gate to Baekryeonsa Temple, is especially noted as one of the 10 best tourist areas of Korea. Every valley has scenic spots and Gucheon-dong is particularly famous. Baekryeonsa Temple is located at the end of Gucheon-dong Valley. It is famous for the Stone Samjon Buddha, cerated during the Goryeo Dynasty and many monks came from this temple before and after the Injinwaeran War (1592~1598). Also, Jeoksangsanseong Fortress, Anguksa Temple, Guebul and many other relics are scattered throughout the park. Mt. Deogyusan boasts an abundance of beauty throughout all four seasons, and the 600 species of animals and plants, including the unique landscape of the yew trees are especially eye-catching. 


Jeollabuk-do(Wanju-gun)

Wanju Wild Food Festival was recently selected as one of the top festivals in Korea by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea. The 3-day festival is held across the beautiful city of Wanju, a city where you can experience cheonryeop (fishing by hand) and the gorgeous Korean wilderness. The festival also provides environmentally-friendly food experiences using local agricultural products, along with various wild plants and animals from Wanju. This festival aims to give visitors a feeling of sentiment for food from the past through partaking in the diverse experiential food programs surrounded by the beautiful natural environment.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Yeongdong-gun)

Songcheon Garden is famous for its stunning eco-friendly harmony of the resturant building with the geographic surroundings. This image is created by a lot of fountains and water falls made from the valley of Bakdalsan Mountain. The wooden house build with Japanese cedar offers a pleasant atmosphere. Also, a fishery in the restaurant using a mix of clean underground water and natural streams gives a fresh taste to the freshwater fish. Sliced raw freshwater and spicy fish stew are the main menus. The maeuntang (spicy fish stew) features a savory taste with green onion, garlic, and vegetables along with doenjang (soybean paste) and gochujang (Korean chili paste).


Chungcheongnam-do(Seosan-si)

Located in Mount Dobisan in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do, Buseoksa Temple was built in the Silla Era. The temple, which is also known as Seosan Buseoksa, is not as well known as Yeongju Buseoksa Temple in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province because of its size and lack of extensive historical documentation. The temple was built by the Great Monk Uisang in 677, the 17th year of King Munmu of Silla, and was later rebuilt by Great Monk Muhak during the Joseon Dynasty. The beautiful Geumdonggwaneumbosaljwasang, or seated gilt-bronze Buddha statue, which was housed in the Buseoksa Temple in 1330, is now located in a temple on Tsushima Island in Japan. The only remaining buildings of Buseoksa are the large Geungnakjeon Hall, Mongnyongjang (the monks' living quarters), Simgeomdang, and Anyangnu. Walking up from the main hall, visitors will find the Sansingak building, and a stone pagoda close to the entrance of the Mount Dobisan hiking trail. From the summit of Mount Dobisan, one can get an amazing view of the Seohae Sea beyond Ganwoldo and Anmyeondo islands, as well as Mount Gayasan. For this reason, the temple draws a large crowd of visitors despite its relatively small size.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Turning away from the conventional concept of a tea shop, Tea Therapy offers not only healthy tricks for home-brewed teas but also a relaxing foot bath experience. The shop aired on KBS's "Muhanjidae Q" due to its interior design and unique programs available where visitors can enjoy a tasty cup of tea but also rejuvenate by meditating, consulting with a professional dietitian, trying blending their own tea and more. The tea selections and dessert menu items are plentiful, providing international visitors with a chance to become easily acquainted with Korea's tea culture.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

I Love Sindangdong is a tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) restaurant opened in 2001 when seven tteokbokki restaurants with over 25 years of history joined together. A DJ plays music and tells stories of the guests. The restaurant also features a stage with an acoustic guitar for live performances. Order and delivery service is available via the homepage.


Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

The four-kilometer stretch from Hwapyoju (화표주) to Morundae Cliff (몰운대), surrounded with 100 to 150-meter high rock cliffs and thick forest, is called Sogeumgang River (소금강, small Geumgang River), meaning that its beautiful scenery is reminiscent of that of the breathtaking Geumgang Mountain.