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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Urban Rabbit (어반레빗)

So for this week's spur-of-the-moment cafe adventure, we decided to head out to Gangnam for some fall-themed beverages at Urban Rabbit (어반레빗).

This was our very first visit to the cafe, even though we have passed it countless times before. Fun fact: it's not only a cafe on the upper floors, but it's also a restaurant in the basement level! We didn't know that before showing up, but next time you best believe we'll arrive with hungry eyes and empty bellies.

The cafe/restaurant is actually the whole building - so cool! So that means you have three floors to roam freely if you'd like to spend some time in the cafe part. How nice is that? There's also a super secret 4th(ish?) floor that only has two little tables. Unfortunately, there were two couples up there already... bummer. Next time, then!

We ended up sitting on the second floor near a window. That's usually our preferred place to plop down and nestle in, anyway.

Since its fall, we decided to order fall-eque beverages to compliment the weather. This resulted in an Earl Grey Apple Latte and a Mint Choco Latte.

The Earl Grey Apple Latte was full of teeny-tiny apple bits (I guess you'd call it that?) with little dehydrated apple slices as garnish. It was delicious. It tasted more like an Apple Cider than Earl Grey tea, but it was good nonetheless. 10/10: would order again.

The Mint Choco Latte was another smash hit, blending the perfect level or choco to mint. The only downside was: since we ordered this one as an iced beverage, it turned out to have wayyyy more ice than liquid. So as you can deduce, it was slurped up immediately. Again, it was very good, but on the other hand, we wish there was more.

Also - it's important to note that all of the drinks on the menu were a bit on the pricy-side (compared to other cafes in the area). So... just keep that in mind. You're 100% paying for quality, but it's something that we weren't too pleased about. Meh.

For a few hours we just chit-chatted and drew pictures in our sketchbooks before meandering out. The entire time the cafe was full of people, but it never felt overly crowded or too loud. Good acoustics, I must say.

That street in particular has a lot of restaurants and cafes, so we definitely recommend visiting the cafe and wandering around on your own, if you have the time. You'll probably stumble into a really cool place like we did!

Address

Urban Rabbit

Seoul Gangnam-gu

Yeoksam-dong 812-17

어반레빗

서울 강남구

역삼동 812-17

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Gangnam subway station (강남역)

• Go to Exit 11
• Walk straight for 3 blocks (past ABC Mart and before the CGV)
• Turn right up the hill and walk for another 2 or 3 minutes
• The cafe will be on your left

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao Maps, just type in 「어번레빗」 or "Urban Rabbit"

If you have Google Maps, just type in 「어번레빗」*

*this time, for Google Maps, you have to type the name in Korean or it won't show up ㅠㅠ

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Hoho Myoll (호호미욜)

If you're looking for an eclectic yet chill AF cafe to spend some time in, then look no further than Hoho Myoll (호호미욜) in Sangsu!

For those unfamiliar with Sangsu, it's actually a really cool area that's walking distance from Hongdae. Now that I think about it, we've found some of our favorite cafes and restaurants down the narrow, winding side-streets of Sangsu.

Hoho Myoll is hidden in plain sight. The front of the cafe has a little canopy and ordering window, complete with astroturf and handwritten chalk menus outside. I mean, could it be any more adorable?

The inside is just as endearing: knitted signs and banners hang above the colorful mis-matched chairs and tables occupying the rest of the cafe. There's even an old Volkswagen van smack-dab in the middle that you can relax in (just like we did!). The back portion of the cafe includes upper and lower sections that are also available for chillin'.

We've never had an issue finding a spot, either, so plentiful seating options is another plus.

They have drinks and desserts to nibble on, as well. The hot chocolate that we ordered (yes, they have hot chocolate!) was not only A) delicious but B) had a cute heart on top. Perfect for instagram. Gotta show off your Seoul adventures, amirite?

Pro tip: if you order a hot beverage during your visit, they'll likely serve it to you on precious/delicate teaware - and doesn't everyone want that?

So if you find yourself wandering around in Sangsu, you might as well treat yourself to an adorable cafe!

Address

Hoho Myoll

Seoul Mapo-gu

Sangsu-dong 93-44

호호미욜

서울 마포구

상수동 93-44

Directions

Just follow the directions below - you literally can't miss it:

~from the Sangsu subway station (상수역)

• Go to Exit 2
• Turn left out of the exit towards the big intersection
• Walk down the street (와우산로) for a minute or two
• The cafe will be on your right

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao Maps, just type in 「호호미욜」

If you have Google Maps, just type in "Hoho Myoll" 

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Cafe Burano (카페부라노)

Just like most 20-something women, when Sunday rolled around, we were feeling basic and in the mood to brunch. Luckily for us, there are a lot of options when it comes to Sunday-Funday-related shenanigans - and Cafe Burano (카페부라노) in Hongdae is one of them.

Oh... the joys of buttery pancakes dripping with maple syrup and panini sprinkled with almonds, overflowing with gruyere...

This was the first visit for both of us and we were pleasantly surprised by the plethora of grub that was available to order.

They've got it all - you name it! *cue the "Be Our Guest" music from Beauty and the Beast*
I'll just quickly break down the menu as follows: brunch, sandwiches and panini, pasta, salad, red wine, espresso, variation (ie. coffee-based drinks), latte (ie. milk teas), and tea.

The menu is in Korean and English so you won't have any trouble ordering. Also, there's plenty of seating and we had no issue finding a spot to post up - and we even arrived at prime time on a Sunday!

We sat inside, but you have the option to sit outside and enjoy the last bit of warm weather.

The food and coffee itself was good, too. Our bellies were appeased after this excursion and we definitely plan on returning in the future.

It's 100% worth the visit if you're craving an American-style brunch!

Address

Cafe Burano

Seoul Mapo-gu

Donggyo-dong 201-16

카페부라노

서울 마포구

동교동 201-16

Directions

Just follow the directions below:

~from the Hongdae University subway station (홍대입구역)

• Go to Exit 1
• Walk straight out of the exit until you get to the first big intersection
• Make a right
• Go down the street two blocks
• Turn right again
• Go down the street a little further
• Take the first left and walk some more until you see the cafe on your right

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao Maps, just type in 「카페부라노」

If you have Google Maps, just type in "Cafe Burano" 

Participants

Ashley (instagram)
Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Tone & Manner Cafe (톤앤매너)

Welcome to our blog! For our first post and first adventure, we decided to stop by Tone & Manner (톤앤매너) in Hongdae.

Located on a quiet back street a few blocks away from the insanity of Exit 9, Tone & Manner is a little oasis. After a flight of brightly colored steps, you enter into one of the most aesthetically pleasing atmospheres. 

There are plenty of seats and tables, so you don't have to worry about hawking over a poor couple until the awkwardness becomes unbearable and they're finally forced to leave. One thing we really love about this cafe is the indoor and outdoor seating. There's even a rooftop terrace available that's actually really lovely.

Also, there are twinkling lights everywhere and an assortment of plants strategically placed near each table or dangling beautifully from the ceiling. 

As for the menu, they've got the typical cafe beverages that you'd expect. So if you're in the mood for a simple Americano, they've got you covered. They also have some interesting teas that are perfect for the newly arrived cold weather.

Next to the register there were also little cake slices in a few different flavors.

And before you leave, there's even a little boutique downstairs with everything from crazy scented candles to postcards to handmade gifts.

This isn't part of the video, but on a previous visit, we went just to drink some coffee and doodle on our tablets. It was really peaceful and a nice break from the usual bustle of the Hongdae area.

(AN: Don't get us wrong! We love how lively and exciting Hongdae is! It's just, sometimes it's nice to find a quiet place... you know?)

Anyway, this is a cafe that you should definitely check out if you have the time. Take some artsy pics for the gram while enjoying this awesome space.

Address

Tone And Manner

Seoul Mapo-gu

Seogyo-dong 337-10

톤앤맨너

서울 마포구

서교동 337-10

Directions

It's pretty easy to get there. Just follow the directions below:

~from the Hongdae University subway station (홍대입구역)

• Go to Exit 8
• Make an immediate right down the street
• Walk to the round-about and turn left
• Walk to another round-about and turn right
• Walk down the street for a hot minute until you get to Mustoy (무스토이) and make another right
• After a few feet, Tone & Manner (톤앤매너) will be on your left

Alternative Directions

If you have Kakao Maps, just type in 「톤앤매너」

If you have Google Maps, just type in "Tone And Manner" 

Participants

Juliana (instagram) (twitter)

Kimmy (instagram) (soundcloud)

Renee (instagram) 

Seoul Casserole (instagram) (twitter) (youtube)

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Your ARC is important and you need it for everything

Hello! It's Kimmy! I'm here to tell you about ARC stuff.

Seriously, though, you need to have your ARC before you can sign up for anything.

Luckily (from my personal experience), a lot of the registration shenanigans were taken care of by my employer. That will most likely be the case for you, too, if you also have an E2 Visa.

Let's get started!

So... what's an ARC?

ARC stands for Alien Registration Card. It's basically your Korean ID.

Why is it important?

Like I said, it acts as your Korean ID. It has your Foreigner Registration Number (외국인등록번호) on the top, followed by your name, country of citizenship, and your visa information. Therefore, you can use it like a regular ID to buy alcohol or go to bars/what-have-you. Adulting.

*After renewing your visa for another year*

When you go to the Alien Registration Office for the second time, instead of updating the visa sticker in your passport, they'll just re-stamp the back of your ARC with your new duration of stay (ie. whatever the timeframe your contract is - usually about a year).

That last part is important because if you go on a trip to a different country, the airport may ask you how long you plan on visiting - you know, basic flight stuff when you're traveling abroad. I've had an experience where the clerk at the airport was so shook that my passport visa was "expired." I had to show him my ARC and explain that the card gets updated but not the sticker on my passport. It was fine, but it was something stupid that I figured other people may also have to deal with. 

So, to sum that last bit up, remember to always carry your ARC when you travel and print out/screenshot your itinerary to be safe.

What do you use it for?

• Are you trying to set up a bank account? You need your ARC. 
• Would you like to have a working cell phone? Yeah, you need your ARC for that, too.  
• Perhaps you want to go to the doctor? You guessed it! You'll need your ARC to utilize your health insurance. 
• Maybe signing up for a credit card sounds appealing? That's a whole other can of worms, but yes, you need your ARC for that one as well.

Again, for me personally, I've had to use my ARC for everything listed above. I even needed it when I had to call my health insurance company. You need your ARC information if you're setting up mobile banking or mobile payments, as well.

Also, side note, having a Korean phone number is crucial because most of the things I listed above require phone number verification. 

How do you get one?

Well, first thing's first, you have to have a visa to work in Korea. You probably should get that squared away first before doing anything else.

Then you have to go to the immigration office within the first 90 days that you've arrived to the country. The locations vary based on where you live. You need to reserve a time slot online beforehand. I'm not sure if you can just show up, maybe they'll have you take a number or something, but I wouldn't chance it. 

You need a bunch of documents with you, so make sure you come prepared. Or even over prepared - just to be safe!

This is what I needed:

• Passport
• 2 color passport photos
• A copy of your contract
• Your address and your company/school's address
• Your application
  (fill this out beforehand, you may need help from your employer)
• Fee of ₩10,000

If you're lucky, someone that you work with or a person who's fluent in Korean will go with you. But again, if you're like me, you'll probably have to go by your lonesome. It's okay, though! You're brave and independent! You can do it! 화이팅~!

After you survive all of the aforementioned, all you have to do is wait! It will be mailed to you within a week or so. I had to sign for it when it arrived, so if you're not home, they might end up leaving it with your security office or return the next day for delivery.

Summary

I know it seems like a lot of information to process, but long story short, when you get to Korea, ask your employer about getting your ARC. See if they'd be willing to help you get an appointment set up or even have a kind soul take pity on you and accompany you to the immigration office. Give them all of the documents mentioned above and you should be golden! Worry about the other stuff later.

The next thing you'll need to do is get your bank account set up, but now you have an ARC so anything's possible! 

Good luck!

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