Mèngxiâng 82 (몽샹82)

Hi, it's bone-chillingly cold in Korea right now. Let's go drink some ice tea!

So you're living in Asia: Bubble tea is delicious and plentiful so you've become a bit of a snob when it comes to tapioca and jellied beverages. THEN, one fateful day, the aroma of roses lingers in the air and you have no choice but to follow your trusty nostrils to the source. Then you discover the haven of Black Teas: Mèngxiâng 82 - what a fortuitous event!

Really, though, all jokes aside this is hands down my favorite tea/bubble tea establishment. They're actually famous for their Brown Sugar teas (which sound and look amazing), but I tasted heaven when I tried the Rose Tea so how could I ever choose anything else?

As you can see in the video, when you order the rose tea, it's even topped with a single rose petal. Because why not? And at the bottom there's micro rose pieces all muddled that adds a surprisingly pleasant texture to your drinking experience.

So obviously, I highly recommend the Rose Tea. You won't be disappointed.

If floral teas aren't your thing, then don't worry. They specialize in black teas, but they also have Coffee, Brown Sugar Teas, and Bubble Tea options.

Next to the register you can also buy these little tea cookies. I haven't tried them yet, but if they're half as good as the fabled Rose Tea, then I'm sure they'll be out of this world.

And I guess that's it! Check out Mèngxiâng 82 if you'd like to experience some quality beverages!

Address

Mèngxiâng 82

Seoul Mapo-gu

Seogyo-dong 358-124

몽샹 82

서울 마포구

서교동 358-124

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Hongdae subway station (홍대입구역)

• Go out Exit 9
• Walk straight until you get to the big intersection with Spao and Forever 21
• Cross the street and turn left
• Turn right and walk up the street towards the university
• Make a right when you get to the big intersection right in front of the university
• Turn right again and walk past the park (on your left)
• Walk straight and Mèngxiâng 82 will be on your right

Alternative Directions

If you have Naver or Kakao Maps, or Google Maps, just type in... the address above. This location is super new, like, brand-spankin' new- so it's not listed on the map apps yet. Just follow the directions!

There are many locations, so if you want to find a shop near you, just type in "Mengxiang" or 몽샹82 and you'll probably be able to find one close by.

Participants

Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Menya Sandaime (멘야산다이메)

Hey! Hey, you! Yeah, you! Today's your lucky day, because we're about to tell you about the best ramen shop in Seoul. Buckle up.

As you can probably tell by this point, we're a little on the pickier side when it comes to dining out. We've munched and grubbed far and wide and, through our travels, we're throughly impressed with this little ramen shop called Menya Sandaime (멘야산다이메) in Hongdae.

Okay, so here's what you need to know: it's a teeny tiny place, so if you come during prime time hungry time, it's likely there will be a little bit of a wait. But don't let that discourage you, though. They're really quick and efficient so people come in and out all the time. Since it's cold and frigid now in Seoul, make sure you're already bundled up just in case you have to *literally* chill out for a few minutes.

Once you're inside, they'll set you either at a table or right up against the bar. Being by the bar is pretty cool because you get to see the chef making dinner creations. Under the bar there's a little nook area where you can shove your jacket or bag, but, again, everything in this place is small so you can't really fit much under there.

The menu is written in Japanese, Korean, and English. Ashley can read Hiragana, so she's our secret weapon whenever we venture out for Japanese food. All hail Ashley!

Oh! and this is important - some of the words on the menu, even though they're written in English, are just the Japanese words written with the English alphabet. So, for example, Egg is written as "Tamago" or Pork is written as "Chasyu." Just FYI!

There are 5 ramen options to choose from, but honestly, they're all amazing. You can't go wrong here - Kimmy's favorite is the Karakuchi (ie. Spicy Miso) Ramen. Then you can customize your order with additional toppings listed at the bottom of the menu.

They also have insanely delicious gyoza that we 3000% recommend trying.

So what are you waiting for? Go fill your bellies!

Address

Menya Sandaime

Seoul Mapo-gu

Seogyo-dong 355-25

멘야산다이메

서울 마포구

서교동 355-25

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Hongdae subway station (홍대입구역)

• Go out Exit 9
• Walk straight until you get to the big intersection with Spao and Forever 21
• Cross the street and turn left
• Turn right and walk up the street (after Bershka and before Tonymoly)
• Turn right again (before the Trick Eye Museum) heading towards 마포갈매기
• Take an immediate left (right before 마포갈매기)
• Walk down the street for a minute or two
• The restaurant will be on your right (if you walk past Åland, you've gone WAY too far)

Alternative Directions

If you have Naver or Kakao Maps, just type in 「멘야산다이메」

If you have Google Maps, just type in "Menya Sandaime"

Participants

Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Misfits (미스피츠)

Last week, Ashley and Kimmy had a strong craving for burgers while strolling down the side streets of Dongjak. After some leisurely moseying for a few minutes in the frigid cold, they luckily came across Misfits (미스피츠) Burger & Pub! Man, was this ever a good find.

To be perfectly honest, we're a little picky when it comes to burgers. If we're going to go spend upwards of 10,000 won on a burger, it better be a damn good burger, amirite?

What first caught our eye was a banner waving outside of the restaurant that had pictures and prices of their burgers. The Misfits burger was only 8,000 won and everything else was under 15,000 won. They also had craft beers and multiple flavors of Moscow Mules available - and as they say in Jerry McGuire, "You had me at Moscow Mules."

We quickly scuttled inside and were immediately seated in a prime spot in the corner. Perfect for people watching and incognito filming for the blog.

When you order a burger, they bring it out to you on a plate with a clear lid on the top - inside smoke is spinning around, flavoring your meal. Next, they provide you with a sand timer. When the time goes out, you can release your burger from its glass prison.

That was definitely the coolest part and it got us so hyped to start eating.

The burgers are hefty, so you're guaranteed to feel pleasantly plump after you clear your plate. You have the choice of either ordering just the burger or opting for a set that includes fries and a drink (of your choice).

Oh! And we almost forgot to mention that they have an English menu if you need it! Yay convenience!

All in all, a great dining experience. Misfits burgers, you complete me~

Address

Misfits

Seoul Dongjak-gu

Sadang-dong 1008-1

미스피츠

서울 동작구

사당동 1008-1

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Isu subway station (이수역)

• Go out Exit 9
• Take an immediate left and walk down the street
• Misfits will be on your left

Alternative Directions

If you have Naver or Kakao Maps, just type in 「미스피츠」

If you have Google Maps, just type in "Misfits Burger & Pub"

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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OSULLOC (오설록)

If you're familiar at all with Jeju Island, you've probably heard that it's famous for oranges and black pork. BUT did you know that Jeju also produces some amazing green tea? Osulloc (오설록) tea really is something special!

So, first thing's first: there are a few Osulloc locations around Seoul, so chances are that you're likely to stumble across one when you're out and about. The one we went to was in Gangnam but there are other stores in Insadong, Myeongdong, and Hongdae.

Anyway, there's all sorts of things you can purchase during your visit if you're into tea and tea accessories. Free samples are scattered across the upper and lower level, so you can try out some of the more popular beverages before buying.

We 1000% recommend that you try the 세작 (Saejak) tea. It's basically traditional green tea, but DAMN is it GOOD! Juliana and Kimmy are partial to the iced version, but on a cold day, you can't go wrong with something to warm your insides.

If you plan to drink the tea there, they'll tell you how long to steep the tea before drinking so you can get the most primo flavors.

The green tea bingsoo and ice cream are also pretty amazing if you have a hankerin' for something sweeter.

The upper level in the Gangnam store is massive. It's pretty relaxed, too, so it's a good option if you want to take a few minutes to chill or get some work done outside of your humble abode. Also, since outlets are everywhere, laptops and other smart devices will be happy during your visit^^

Seriously, though, this tea is amazing. It's our favorite and hopefully you'll enjoy it, too!

Address

OSULLOC

Seoul Seocho-gu

Seocho-dong 1328-2

오설록

서울 서초구

서초동 1328-2

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Gangnam subway station (강남역)

• Go to Exit 5
• Once you get out of the exit, turn in the opposite direction and walk to the corner
• Osulloc will be on your left

Alternative Directions

If you have Naver or Kakao Maps, just type in 「오설록」

If you have Google Maps, just type in "Osulloc Gangnam"*
*remember! There are multiple locations, so you can probably just search"Osulloc" and find a location that's close to you! 

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Juliana (instagram) (twitter)

Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Cuchara (쿠차라)

Ask any American expat what they miss most about the motherland, and 9 times out of 10, you'll get the same answer... Chipotle. Luckily, the burrito gods have smiled down upon us bestowing the gift that is Cuchara (쿠차라). We are not worthyyyy *weeps in burrito*

Okay so here's what you need to know: They got tacos, they got burritos, they got burrito bowls, they got salads - all the usual vessels you would expect from Chipotle or a similar establishment.

They have white and brown rice, too. The consistency isn't perfect, but it's not bad. We like it.

As for the meats, they have the little steak nuggs, chorizo, chicken, beef somethin', and also a tofu option. Yay vegetarian meal choices!

Oh and did we mention that they have guac? THEY HAVE GUAC! *screams from the mountain tops*

The sauce is mighty tasty, too, if we do say so ourselves. They have hot and mild so you can request an additional side to go with your feast.

There's even margaritas on the menu. We haven't gone down that road, but boy, do we wanna!

Everything is right in front of you, written in Korean and English, so it's really easy to order. Or you could always point and nod aggressively to communicate your needs.

Maybe we've been in Korea for too many years, but to our tastebuds, this place is pretty legit. It's definitely on par with Chipotle-style burritos. You might as well give it a go and see for yourself!

Address

Cuchara
Seoul Seocho-gu

Seocho-dong 1320-10

쿠차라
서울 서초구

서초동 1320-10

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Gangnam subway station (강남역)

• Go to Exit 8 (you don't really exit the subway station)
• Walk through the revolving doors towards the Samsung Building
• Go up a set of escalators
• Cuchara literally will be right in front of you

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao or Naver Maps, just type in 「쿠차라」*

If you have Google Maps, just type in: "Cuchara Gangnam"

*we went to the Gangnam location, but there's another one in Hapjeong!

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Juliana (instagram) (twitter)
Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Veronica à Séoul (베로니카 아 서울)

Do you like s'mores? What about cupcakes? Then Veronica à Séoul (베로니카 아 서울) is likely to exceed your expectations in regard to the aforementioned goodies!

Located only a few minutes from the Guro Digital Complex subway station (구로디지털단지역), Veronica Seoul is a laid-back sanctuary.

The cafe wasn't difficult to find, but there weren't any signs outside to alert us to the location. So make sure you're using your GPS or following our directions closely!

We arrived only an hour after the cafe opened and were pleased to find that we were the only ones there. Yay anti-social behavior!

The cafe is beautifully decorated. Dried plants and pictures are in every corner with an open counter where you can place your order.

Coffee/food review: the coffee was delicious - we were both pleasantly surprised! Ashley ordered the s'more and Kimmy opted for the red velvet cupcake. The s'more came with not one, not two, but THREE graham cracker-cookies covered with melted chocolate and a single slightly gooey marshmallow. Perfect for when you are suddenly overcome with summer camp cravings. As for the cupcake, Kimmy lost her mind over the cream cheese frosting. It was legit cream cheese frosting. And the cupcake itself was super dense and (sorry, I hate this word, but I gotta use it) moist.

They also had other baked goods available that they seem to create daily as well as beer and other delectable things. Something for everyone!

All in all, a really great atmosphere with really great baked treats. Enjoy!

Address

Veronica à Séoul
Seoul Dongjak-gu

Sindaebang-dong 596

베로니카 아 서울
서울 동작구

신대방동 596

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Guro Digital Complex subway station (구로디지털단지역)

• Go to Exit 6
• Turn right and walk down the street until you get to the crosswalk
• Cross the street and turn right again 
• Walk up the street one block (past the GS25) and take the first left
• After a few feet, the cafe will be on your right

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao or Naver Maps, just type in 「베로니카아서울」

If you have Google Maps, you also have to type in the Korean name: 「베로니카아서울」*

*when we checked Google, it said that this cafe was permanently closed? But like... we were literally just there? Hmm...

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Cafe Grange (카페그랑주)

This week, we stumbled upon a recently remodeled cafe called Grange (그랑주) in Hongdae that looks ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS OMG

Okay, where to begin? Well, let's start with the entrance: the door is bubblegum pink with a gold handle, and on the floor, spelled out in penny-tiles, is the word, "hello." Um, precious much?

Immediately after entering the cafe, we knew this place was special. The inside is adorned with leafy-green plants and a beautiful dangling chandelier. Sia would be proud.

At the bottom of the curved staircase, you have the option of utilizing the large touch-screen menu (perfect for those ani-social social club days) or you can go straight to the counter and place your order with a human.

The barista/kitchen area is all marble, paired with diagonal subway tiles and neon lights. It's insane how wonderfully elaborate the entire cafe is. Like, the details don't even stop there! For example, even the floor is bedazzled!

Oh, and we can't forget the bathroom. Yes, the BATHROOM. Just go see it for yourself. It's awesome.

I know, it sounds like we're making this up, but I promise you, we're not.

Let's briefly switch gears and talk about what we ordered. We both decided on tea for the afternoon - white and chamomile. On the menu, they have a plethora of drink options (literally all sorts of things) but they also have an artisan tea collection. Desserts and brunch items are available as well.

The tea was served to us in delicate, clear glass mugs with the cafe's logo printed on the side. They looked great, they smelled great, and they tasted great, too.

It's the perfect atmosphere to work or study, so we recommend you bring the necessary equipment and plan on staying for a while. We think you'd enjoy it - we sure did!

So if you wanna fly like a bird through the night and feel your tears as they dry, then swing on over to Cafe Grange!

Address

Cafe Grange

Seoul Mapo-gu

Seogyo-dong 355-2

카페그랑주

서울 마포구

서교동 355-2

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Hongdae subway station (홍대입구역)

• Go to Exit 9
• Walk straight until you get to the big intersection across from Spao and Forever 21
• Turn left up the street
• Take the first right and walk a minute or two
• Cafe Grange will be on your left

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao or Naver Maps, just type in 「그랑주」

If you have Google Maps, just type in "Cafe Grange Hongdae"*

*it looks like there are a few cafes with the same/similar name in the area, so make sure you visit the Mapo-gu (마포구) one!

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Sarr (사르르)

Are you looking for a relaxing, ultra minimalistic cafe? Perhaps one that also serves you floofy pancakes and aromatic coffee beverages? Then let us introduce you to Sarr (사르르) in Hongdae!

Yet another gem found on a little side street parallel to one of the most chaotic areas in Hongdae - Sarr was a really pleasant brunch-time experience.

The entire front of the cafe is windows and the inside is populated by only grey chairs and tables. Definitely one of the most, if not the most, minimalistic and relaxing atmospheres we've had the pleasure of visiting.

So the way you order is by going up to the front counter. They have a little iPad there that has the menu on it. There's 4 or 5 pancake options as well as a decent selection of coffee and teas. We ended up getting the Buttercream Pancake and the Banana Pancake and paired them with an americano and a vanilla latte.

You have the option of having your beverage served to you first or you can have everything brought to you at once (and that's what we did). It takes a few minutes for them to prepare the pancakes, so that's why they ask.

The pancakes themselves were super fluffy and very much cake-like. They both came sprinkled with blueberries and syrup. The Buttercream Pancake had an additional dollop of actual buttercream and a little cup of vanilla ice cream on the side. The Banana Pancake, on the other hand, was presented with extra syrup and, of course, a banana.

We both agreed that everything was absolutely delicious, but be prepared for a sugar overload. Some people will be fine with this, especially for breakfast, but personally, I was really glad that I had ordered a plain coffee to help cleanse my palette between dainty little bites (also known as: shoveling everything directly into my face).

Just FYI: it was a little expensive. I think we each paid around 15,000 won for our meal + coffee. But, then again, you are getting a full meal, so overall it's not too bad.

Next time, we definitely want to try out some of the teas on the menu, too, especially now that the weather is getting cooler and cooler.

So check out Sarr to get your gourmet pancake fix!

Address

Sarr

Seoul Mapo-gu

Seogyo-dong 354-9

사르르 홍대점

서울 마포구

서교동 354-9

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Hongdae subway station (홍대입구역)

• Go to Exit 9
• Walk straight until you get to the big intersection across from Spao and Forever 21
• Turn left up the street
• Take the first right and walk a minute or two
• Sarr will be on your right

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao Maps, just type in 「사르르 홍대점」 or "Sarr"

If you have Google Maps, just type in "Sarr Hongdae"*

*there are multiple locations, so if you want to check out the same one we visited, make sure you choose the 홍대점 one!

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Woo Waa (우와)

If you're in the mood for a chill atmosphere with some insanely delicious okonomiyaki and yakisoba, then Woo Waa (우와) is the ultimate dinner destination for you!

Nestled on a secret side street behind some major clubs like Aura, Cocoon, and Zen is an okonomiyaki haven called Woo Waa.

Woo Waa is located on the second floor of an art studio with no signs or symbols of any kind. The first time Kimmy was looking for this fabled place, she walked past it maybe 15 times before she realized the El Dorado of yakisoba was right in front of her all along.

So with that being said, you can pretty much guess that this place is a bit of a secret (shhhhh~)

Some things to keep in mind when visiting this magical locale: 1) The menu is only in Korean 2) It's small, so if there's a wait, you'll need a Korean phone number for them to contact you at to let you know when your table is available.

Advice: brush up on your reading skills if you'd like to take on this adventure! You can do it! We believe in you!

Here's the low down: They have a recommended menu that we 100% recommend that you follow their recommendations because what they recommend is delicious and are good recommendations in our opinion concerning recommendations.

Anyway, we ended up ordering the Classic Yakisoba (클래식 야키소바) and Tomato Okonomiyaki (토마토 오코노미야끼) - you have the choice of three meat options: Pork (돼지고기), Chicken (닭고기), and Seafood (해산물). We went with the chicken for both and were both more than satisfied with that decision. The chicken was super flavorful and juicy!

They also have soda, beer, and cocktails on the menu, if you wanna get fancy.

If you arrive with only two people in your party, you can be seated next to the chefs and they will cook the food on a hot plate right in front of you. It's a really fun and intimate experience where the chefs will explain the eating etiquette when they serve you - so cool!

Try to get there a little after they open so you won't have to wait in line and can grub right away.

Definitely one of our most favorite dinner places in Hongdae that we visit regularly and we hope you will, too!

Address

Woo Waa

Seoul Mapo-gu

Seogyo-dong 364-10 2F

우와

서울 마포구

서교동 364-10 2층

Directions

This one is a little more difficult to find:

~from the Hongdae subway station (홍대입구역)

• Go to Exit 9
• Walk straight until you get to the intersection with Spao and Forever 21
• Turn left and walk up the hill 
• When you reach the intersection in front of the university, turn right
• Walk past The Body Shop (on the right side of the park)
• Keep going until you pass Lucky Factory (on your right - if you passed Artbox, then you've gone too far!)
• Make a left down the street after the yellow Vietnamese restaurant
• Keep walking and you'll see a white building - and you're there!

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao Maps or Naver Maps, just type in 「우와 홍대」*

*this time, we couldn't find the location on Google Maps... we tried English and Korean, and it's only coming up in Kakao Maps or Naver Maps ㅠㅠ

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Bistopping (비스토핑)

This past weekend, we left Kimmy to her own devices on a solo-mission to Bistopping (비스토핑) in Hongdae.

Hi! This is Kimmy and I'm here to tell you about my recent adventure to Bistopping.

Okay, so full disclosure: sometimes I like to do things on my own. You know, to do things at your own pace and not feel like you're in a rush or inconveniencing other people. I just wanted to wander around, drink some coffee, and listen to moody-indie playlists on SoundCloud (also: if you're looking for some Korean Indie gems, click here. I got chu~).

Anyway, I've had this cafe on my mind a lot recently - not only because I was creeping on their instagram for a month, but also because I was in dire need of chocolate-y brownie goodness.

Maybe it's just me, but it's a little difficult to find super dense brownies in Korea. I feel like, most of the time, the brownies tend to be more cake-like and fluffy. What I've been craving is that super rich, kind of bitter ganache that glistens like Edward Cullen in the Twilight movies. And yeah, I just went there.

Needless to say, this hankerin' brought me to Bistopping. I knew their ice cream and baked goods looked great prior to my visit (thanks to the internet), but I didn't know that the cafe itself would be absolutely charming.

It's the tiniest thing with all open windows facing the street. You can people watch all you want while the sun is setting (ie. twilight). And yeah, I just went there again. Come at me!

They have the decorated cones on display and menus in multiple languages explaining the steps on how to assemble your custom creation. Since the weather was cold AF, I made a b-line to the baked treats and immediately snatched up a brownie. I also ordered a latte, too, because I could tell from the size and heft of the brownie that I was going to need something to cut the impending sweetness.

So here's the brownie review: It was good.

Again, the issue I had with it was that it was more cake-like than I personally prefer. However, the brownie was drenched in chocolate sauce and sprinkled with truffle-like chunks that were AMAZING. This truly was the saving grace of the brownie and the reason I fell into a dessert coma not long after consumption. I would definitely go back and order it again. I hope it's a year-round thing! *fingers crossed*

The latte was definitely a good choice and made a great compliment to the brownie.

Also, the women working there were so nice! Maybe they felt bad for me because I arrived alone and ate a brownie to the face (that was most likely meant for more than two people). Regardless, I appreciated it and felt really comfortable and welcome.

Long story short, Bistopping has some really great desserts/beverages and the atmosphere is A+

Address

Bistopping

Seoul Mapo-gu

Seogyo-dong 401-16

비스토핑

서울 마포구

서교동 401-16

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Sangsu subway station (상수역)

• Go to Exit 1
• Walk straight down the street until you get to the first big(ish) intersection
• Turn right for one block
• Turn left and walk two more blocks
• The cafe will be on your right

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao Maps, just type in 「비스토핑 홍대점」

If you have Google Maps, just type in "Bistopping"*

*there's more than one location, so make sure you pick the Hongdae (홍대) one!

Participants

Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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