Wednesday, January 31, 2018

WingFest Round 1 Winners


As new restaurants open up across Pyeongtaek, we are getting more and more places to chow down on our favorite foods. We now have the privilege of having a favorite place for burgers or burritos, instead of the ONLY place for a burger or burritos. Which is where the idea of WingFest 2018 was born. We are in love with having options decided to dig deeper into the wing-splosion that’s been happening in the area by gathering together a group of avid wing lovers to sample a cornucopia of wings. Originally we were going to do only 1 event, but after looking at the sheer number of wing options, we realized we would need to do 2 events to cover everyone and judge fairly.

So the first round of WingFest 2018 was held on February 27th at Jin Cafe (huge shout out to them for being amazing hosts. It can be hard to find a place for gatherings like this and they made us feel right at home). A mixed group of 16 Korean and American reviewers and 3 South of Seoul volunteers gathered together to review wings from:
  • Loft33 - Located in “The Ville” area of Anjeong-ri, Loft33 has been around for a number of years. They serve unique pub foods like the Jalapeño Ranch burger and Kimchi Fries. They offer a variety of wing flavors such as Buffalo, Extra Hot, Stupid Hot, BBQ, Hot BBQ, Salt & Pepper, Garlic Parm, Teriyaki, Honey Mustard, Lemon Pepper, and JB Sauce.
  • Wolfound Irish Pub - The newest kid in town, Wolfhound, opened up in Anjeong-ri only a few weeks ago. Their menu is classic Irish pub food like Fish & Chips and Irish Breakfast. They also have great wings. You have a choice of Mild Buffalo, Hot Buffalo, Salt & Pepper, BBQ, Honey Garlic, Carolina Mustard and Garlic Parmesan
  • Revolución - Not yet a year old, Revolución’s menu leans towards Cuban flavors with some fusion thrown in. Their menu is sophisticated and always changing. They serve a variety of wing flavors including Buffalo but like to try new things as well. They don’t serve Ranch but do have a homemade Blue Cheese for dipping.
  • Wings-n-Things - A few months old, this is Pyeongtaek’s only wing focused restaurant. Wings is what they do. They are taking it very seriously. You can order Buffalo, Fried, Honey BBQ, Special and Sweet/Spicy. You can also ask for Mambo sauce for dipping. It’s sweet and tangy. So good we forgo ketchup for the fries and just dip our them in Mambo sauce.
For the tasting we ordered Buffalo from each restaurant and then asked them to give us what they thought was their best/most unique sauce. The wing that - in their eyes- really stands out. We then organized the tasting into two categories; Buffalo and Specialty. Each tester was given a list of the 8 restaurants to be tested, but we did not tell them who we would be tasting during Round 1. They only knew we would try 4 of the 8 listed. We made every effort for this to be a completely blind test.

Each participant was asked to look at; juiciness of the meat, crispiness of the skin (which was hard to judge because of travel time), size of the wing, amount of sauce, and sauce quality/originality. They were also asked to judge based on facts not feelings. We wanted to just look at what each wing was. At this point we weren’t talking about who was best. We talked about our thoughts on each wing and different people shared what they like and didn’t like. It was a conversation and exploration.

Here is what we learned. First of all, no wing is the same. From size to sauce, each restaurant stands out on it’s own. This was honestly a shock. Since many of the restaurants have similar sauce lists and supply vendors are limited here, we expected more of uniform experience. Honestly though, everyone had a very unique take on what they were doing. In short, we realized that it’s truly worth it to go for wings at each place because you are always getting something unique.

We also learned that some people don’t like sweet, others want things more hot, some don’t like breading and others do. We can say that there wasn’t one wing we tried that was universally despised, but there were certainly wings that stood out from the rest. The winners in each category won with authority.  So who won? Well here it goes, the winners of Round 1 of South of Seoul’s WingFest 2018 were:

Best Buffalo Wings 
Best Ranch

Wolfhound’s Buffalo Wing and Ranch dressing were a perfect combo. The chicken was a nice size, there was a good amount of delicious sauce, and the Ranch was thick and full of herbs. In fact, their Ranch won unanimously. Their Parm wings came in second in the Specialty Wing category.



Best Specialty Wing

The (appropriately named) Special Wings from Wings-n-Things won with authority taking home over half the votes. It tasted almost like a dry rub BBQ that went deep into the meat. One person even said it was like beef jerky. Honestly, this was an exceptional wing that made us all take note. There was a “wow” that went through the room. Wings-n-Things also had a strong set of votes for Best Buffalo.



Please note, that even though these two places stood out, the others were all greatly enjoyed. We want to draw attention to Revolución who breads their wings and plays with unique flavors like Korean plum. Truly unique wings that must be tried. Loft33 stood out because their wings were large and unclipped so they were quite filling and their sauces were easy to eat. A great set of standard wings you can eat often.

You can find all of these restaurants and many more in the South of Seoul app available for download from Google Play and the Apple App Store. 

Friday, January 26, 2018

5 Kids Cafes in Cheonan City


By Sarah Powell, South of Seoul Volunteer
Edited by Jessica Lister, South of Seoul Volunteer

Well, the weather outside is still frightful, so our listing of kids cafes continues, now with a focus on Cheonan (you can read the first article in this series HERE, regarding Pyeongtaek’s kid cafes).

Cheonan is a city with a lot to offer - from shopping, to eating, to sightseeing; kids cafes are in no short supply there, either. Its proximity to Pyeongtaek means that most of these destinations will be no more than 20 ~ 40 minutes away by car for many of our readers, and its various bus and train stations means it’s also accessible to those who do without a vehicle of their own (though, let’s face it, if you have to go anywhere with kids, the car is easiest).

This is not mean to be a “best of” list, or even a definitive list; more locations are available for perusal in the SOS app under Directories >> Cheonan >> Focus: Families.


Monello Premium Kids Cafe
Waze: Monello Premium Kids Cafe
Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm

Located in the March Avenue Mall, this is a sophisticated and sleek take on the average "kids cafe"! But don't let it's atmosphere fool you; it's still has all the staples of a good kids cafe: trampolines, kitchen sets, ball pit, climbing area ... the works. Its toy stations are supplied with “posh” versions of kids cafe staples: fancy kitchenettes, trendy scooters, a charming market area, cute little tents and camping sites. There’s a cute “go fish” game where kids use magnets to pick up little fish through a transparent floor. The cafe serves a variety of drinks and snacks, but no full meals; however, lots of family friendly dining options are close by within the March Avenue Mall itself. Parking is available both in a large underground garage, or street-side (and there’s plenty of space there, too).


Happy Nuri Kids Cafe
Waze: Happy Nuri Kids Cafe
Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm

A cute little kids cafe right across the street from Costco and right beside a Daiso (convenient shopping!). The cafe is on the smaller side, but it has a room with a cute knitted swing-tree that children can climb up into as well has hang from. It has two trampolines - one for big kids, and one for littler ones. There’s a ball pit, wooden block pit, and toy stations in a loft. They also have those rolling horses that move when the rider bounces on them, which were a hit with the children. The employees were very friendly and spoke basic English. Overall, it's a charming little place and is well priced. Serves snacks and drinks, but no full meals. Parking is available in a good-sized garage behind the building (the entrance is just past the Daiso); it wasn’t terrible busy on the weekday I visited, so larger cars shouldn’t have problems here.


Tiki Toc Land
Waze: tiki toc land
Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm

Tiki Toc Land is a massive indoor playground aimed at babies, toddlers and young children. They have a lot of open floor space, various playgrounds, trampolines, several different kinds of play stations, a train ride, a music room, a sand pit room, and a 4D theatre for the kids. There are remote-controlled robots and arcade games available for play (so bring some loose won!). They have equipment like bouncers for the small babies and plenty of high chairs. The cafe serves full meals in addition to drinks and snacks. The admission fee covers three hours of play on the weekdays and two hours of play on the weekends/holidays. Admission for babies under 12 months is free. Parking is available in the garage of the building.


JumpingGO
Waze: JumpingGO 점핑고
Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm Sunday - Thursday, 10:00am ~ 9:00pm Fridays & Saturdays

One of several trampoline cafes in Cheonan marketing specifically to older kids, JumpingGO is a great option for preschool and elementary school aged children. JumpingGo has very large trampolines, playgrounds, ball pits with bulldozers the kids can sit in and man, bumper cars, a large cafe, and slides. They welcome birthday party reservations for their party room. They offer group discount rates for groups over 15 persons, but only for official institutions (schools, daycares, etc). The cafeteria portion is spacious and offers various snacks, drinks, and full meals. They also offer an attractive lounge area for parents. Parking is located in the garage beneath the building.


ZooZooPia
Waze: ZooZooPia 쥬쥬피아
Hours: 10:30am ~ 6:30pm (doors close at 5:30pm)

ZooZooPia is both an animal cafe and a kids cafe all in one, and it is great for both young and slightly older children (toddler to ~8 years). The entire facility is completely indoors and has several different areas, the primary being a zoo with mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds - some of which can be petted, and many of which can be fed (food purchased at front counter for 1000 won). There are lots of silly picture opportunities in a mural wing, and other areas have light displays, animal statues, and other colorful things for kids to look at. There's a cafe that sells snacks, drinks, and desserts (no full meals), a large play area with trampolines, an obstacle course, a block pit with toys, and ball pits. They have a train ride, bumper cars, and gundams to ride (with an additional fee), as well as arcade games and the like scattered throughout. Parking is available in the building's garage. It might be a tight fit for large cars, but there’s also plenty of space for roadside parking as well.

Now it's time to go try them all and leave your reviews in the South of Seoul app. Just go to the app, open the listing, and click the star in the banner. You can tell us all what you thought. Remember to include useful tips like where you parked, if they had chairs for kids, or other details you found important. Reviews help us build a beautiful life together. One Star reviews submitted with no comments may be rejected. Please explain 1 Star reviews without being crude or profane. Simply explain the situation. For example: "the food was not fully cooked, the waitress never brought my friends food, and the taste wasn't what I prefer." Korea has strong anti-defamation laws so keep explanations clear and fact based.

For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store. 




Why we do this:
We made the app to accompany the blog because it's easier to keep update with current information. In the past we've tried keeping the information on the blog but it's too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Delicious Food For Lazy Foreigners


By Lanae Rivers-Woods, South of Seoul Volunteer

Sometimes things like leaving the house and putting on pants are just too much to ask. Just because we are at home with nothing to do, doesn’t mean we want to cook. Our heads are exhausted from figuring out a new culture, the language, building new relationships, and our jobs. We want to walk into the kitchen and have delicious homemade food waiting to comfort us. Sure we love many of the new foods we are trying, but when we are home we just need food that tastes like what we know. Food we can pop it in the microwave or steamer and get right back into our heated beds to read books and write blogs. We want to be MAXIMUM lazy.

Thankfully we live in a magical land called Korea that makes this possible. There are always different expats cooking up new businesses to keep our bellies full. Need homemade tamales to live? Done. Some sourdough bread? Yah, they ship that. Hummus or pita more your thing? They have you covered.  Even lazy vegans can find what they need. This is a short list of a few places that you can order your comfort foods from, delivered right to your door.

Stop putting on those pesky pants and put in your orders today! Then go tell all your friends. These businesses often rely on word of mouth to be successful. We just had Oh Mandu for breakfast. YUMMMMM!!!

These businesses are listed in the South of Seoul app in the Pyeongtaek Directory > Businesses > Food. Makes it easy order without having to remember their websites and Facebook pages names. We add to it when new places we like pop up. Happy eating and tell them South of Seoul sent you.


France Gourmet
For all the fancy people who like to say charcuterie and make cheese boards. This company started as the first French sausage makers in Korea. They have grown and expanded to offer many imported items as well products produced in Korea.


Jack's Bean
This the first hummus and falafel delivery in Korea. They used to have a shop, but now they are committed to shipping right to your house. 


Kebab Plus Food Truck & Delivery
First of all, they have affordable (for Korea) homemade pita. This is super hard to find so keep these guys bookmarked. Secondly, they also have a wide variety of delicious hummus flavors that ship right to your house.


Bob's Bread
There isn't a place in Korea who does bread better. Plus, sourdough. A great place to order a few times a month for that authentic taste of home.


Waeg Farm Goat Cheese
If you love cheese, then you are going to want to order some of this. It can be nearly impossible to find goat cheese anywhere else. It's expensive, but it's also right from the farm so who cares. Free shipping on larger orders. Cheese keeps well in the freezer. (No Cheese available Dec-Mar due to birthing season)


Sprout Meal Kits
Delicious pre-made vegan meals. Highly recommended for the busy person who wants to eat healthy.


Mogo Meal Kits
Delicious pre-made vegan meals. We were actually able to share one box between 2 people and feel full. They are hearty portions.


Oh Mandu
Chinese Fusion mandu with unique and classic flavors. They have free shipping if you buy over 40 (which we always do because they are AMAZING). Highly recommend the Chinese pork and Mexican flavors. They have vegetarian options as well.


Tamales In Korea
Trained Mexican chefs that ship the best, authentic flavors of Mexico right to your door. They have a wide variety of items beyond tamales so be sure to search their website. They do small batch and large batch orders. Everything is made to order. They have gluten free and vegetarian items.

Now it's time to go try them all and leave your reviews in the South of Seoul app. Just go the app, open the listing, and click the star in the banner. You can tell us all what you thought. Remember to include useful tips like where you parked, if they had chairs for kids, or other details you found important. Reviews help us build a beautiful life together. One Star reviews submitted with no comments may be rejected. Please explain 1 Star reviews without being crude or profane. Simply explain the situation. For example: "the food was not fully cooked, the waitress never brought my friend's food, and the taste wasn't what I prefer." Korea has strong anti-defamation laws so keep explanations clear and fact based.

For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store. 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.southofseoulz

Why we do this:
We made the app to accompany the blog because it's easier to keep update with current information. In the past we've tried keeping the information on the blog but it's too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible. 


Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Welcome Columbia Dental


Written by Lanae Rivers-Woods, South of Seoul Volunteer
Edited by Jessica Lister, South of Seoul Volunteer

If you know Sam at Attractive Coffee, you have heard that his aunt is bringing her Seoul dental clinic to Anjeongri. No need to make a big trip to Seoul for dental anymore, it came to us.  The new clinic is called Columbia Dental and it's opening over the top of where Sam's new coffee shop will be next to Brown Stone Apartments. As you can imagine, he is super excited and asked us if I could meet his aunt and help welcome her to the neighborhood. Of course I can't say no to Sam, so we went to meet her and see the new space. All I have to say after my first visit is, "YASSSS! OMG so fancy." Yup, I'm so articulate.

Also, as it turns out, Sam's aunt has a name, Dr. Jina Lee Linton. She is extremely accomplished and went to what my sister and I call "fancy school". She studied dentistry at Columbia University in New York, with a specialization in Orthodontics, and received her D.D.S. and her Ph.D from Yonsei (a fancy Korean school). She is licensed in the US, Korea and China. Dr. Linton has also done plenty of research and published many articles. It's a ridiculously impressive resume. She has been running dental clinics for 26 years. Her English is also flawless and she was incredibly easy to talk to and welcoming. We are so lucky to have her here.

Her partner in the practice, Dr. Jung is also very accomplished and very friendly. His focus is on implant dentistry so the Dr's practices compliment each other well. We didn't get to talk much but he was super smiley and friendly and gave off a warm inviting vibe. His daughter also works at the practice with them and was lovely. Dr. Jung will certainly make you feel very comfortable.

Sunny getting oriented to the new office.
The other staff that I met at Columbia Dental were also really friendly. Dr. Linton and Dr. Jung know that many of their clients won't speak Korean so they have prepared well. A number of their technicians speak English and I also met their English speaking patient representative, Sunny. She will be helping foreigners when we come to the clinic. It's great that they have a designated person for this roll. I think it will make it much more comfortable. It's already scary enough going to the dentist, adding a language barrier to it can be too much.


Anyway, they gave me a lovely tour of the clinic and it was soooo friggin pretty. It resides on two floors and has elevator access. The 3rd floor of the building is where their reception and primary customer care areas are. They will eventually even have a little, covered play area for kids on the outside deck (It's not finished yet, but someday). The 4th floor has some work spaces, the sterilization room (as a germ freak I geeked out a little when I saw how nice it was) and staff offices.

Sterilization room is so pretty. The staff have a nice view.
The space has a modern, mixed western and Korean style; super clean and sharp. The equipment is all brand spanking new. Some of the dental chairs are in an open shared space with nice views of the area parks. This is where many of the kids get treatments. This open layout is very common in Korea where space can be limited. (When I first moved here it was shocking to me, but I've since realized it's a great use of space.)

I think it's important to point out that the clinic is excited about serving families. They like kids, they are looking forward to kids, and they took them into consideration in planning the clinic layout. Don't be shy about showing up with the little ones who need dental care.


When I asked about insurance they said they take Korean National Insurance and they also direct bill Tricare (which is great news for military). They have been direct billing Tricare since 2006 so they have tons of experience with it. When I asked about prices they said they follow the Tricare recommended costs and then often charge a bit less. So basically their costs are structured to make sure they work easily with the insurance carried by the majority of their clients. It was good to know they have a standard that they follow to keep things consistent. I always feel better when a business can tell me a clear system they use for pricing.

I honestly didn't know what to expect when Sam asked if I could meet his aunt and who wants to spend their free time at a Dental clinic when they could go home and cuddle with their puppies? However, after visiting, I'm glad I didn't listen to that voice in my head because I truly enjoyed my visit. I honestly like this group of people. I can see where Sam got his charm and warmth. I'm now looking forward to the dental work that I've put off an embarrassingly stupid long time.

In the past I have had dental work done in Korea and it was excellent. No pain, no stress, and affordable. The problem was that the clinic was in Seoul and it was too much of a hassle. I researched other dentist in Pyeongtaek and found some great options (which are in the South of Seoul app) but, for a variety of reasons, I just never went. Now I have no excuses. My ideal clinic has come to me. I will absolutely be booking my appointment at Columbia Dental.

You can call them at 031-692-3768 or 010-6692-3768 to make an appointment. There will be someone available to help you in English. We have also added Columbia Dental to the South of Seoul app. WAZE links (including where to park) and additional information available there.

Now it's time to go try them all and leave your reviews in the South of Seoul app. Just go the app, open the listing, and click the star in the banner. You can tell us all what you thought. Remember to include useful tips like where you parked, if they had chairs for kids, or other details you found important. Reviews help us build a beautiful life together. One Star reviews with no explanation may be rejected.

For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store. 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.southofseoulz

Why we do this:
We made the app to accompany the blog because it's easier to keep update with current information. In the past we've tried keeping the information on the blog but it's too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible. 


Monday, January 8, 2018

5 Kids Cafes in Pyeongtaek


By Sarah Hill-Powell, South of Seoul Volunteer

Edited by Jessica Lister, South of Seoul Volunteer

The New Year is here, and so is the cold weather! Though it may be a delightful break from the humid and hot summer season, with temperatures so low and winds so sharp, winters can be rough to ride out - especially for families with little ones, who end up bouncing off the walls in a cabin-fever-induced frenzy.

Fear not! Kid Cafes are abundant in Korea, with several indoor playground options existing within both Paengseong and Pyeongtaek City. This list isn’t meant to be a ‘best of’ list, but rather, one that boosts awareness of the choices available to the Pyeongtaek area. Note; most of the places detailed in this article are geared towards younger children (4 years and under). All listings can be found on the SOS app in the Pyeongtaek >> Spotlight: Families directory.

Things to know before going to a kids cafe for the first time:
  • You’ll leave your shoes at the entrance - there’s almost always a designated space, sometimes with locking cubbies, to keep your shoes (and other belongings if you so choose). 
  • Children under 12 months are often free at many establishments, but you’ll need to bring visual proof if your child’s age isn’t obvious. This is also not a guarantee.
  • At most cafes, adult admission is either the purchase of a drink or a small flat fee. 
  • More often than not, you’ll pay everything you owe at the end of your stay, but sometimes, you pay the child’s admission first, before entering, and then any additional charges are settled before you leave.
  • Kids cafes are mostly kid-proofed, but not always baby-proofed; many of them have “wooden block” pits, much like a sandpit, and many kinds of small toys - perfect choking 
  • hazards for the curious baby - so keep that in mind.

  • Diaper changing areas usually coincide with rooms set aside for nursing mothers, though 

  • sometimes there will be space in the bathrooms.

The Fun Factory
Waze: The Fun Factory - Kids Cafe
Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm

Very close to Camp Humphreys' Dongchang-Ri gate, this large, spacious kids cafe shares a building with The Learning Tree Daycare. Teachers monitor their students when they play out in the main room (so, yes, the day care kids and the kids cafe patrons have opportunity to mingle). The Fun Factory opened at the beginning of December 2017, so at the time of writing this article (Jan 2018), it was brand new and squeaky clean. The play area is geared towards children aged 15 months to 5 years, and it has slides, trampolines, and even has a moderately sized rock-climbing wall for the slightly older kids. There are toys available for role-play (house, kitchen, costumes etc) and the cafe has a decent sized menu, which includes full meals in addition to the coffees and teas that are standard at kids cafes. The facility can be rented out for parties. Parking is available in the parking lot

as well as along the road.






La Cartata Kids Cafe
Waze: La Cartata kids cafe 차타타 
Hours: 9:30am ~ 8:30pm

La Cartata is a kids cafe with a fun spin (no pun intended). In addition to the usual play areas, trampolines, toys, and ball pits, this cafe boasts a long racetrack where children can drive their own cars, either steering themselves or with a parent operating the vehicle via remote control. The racetrack is separate from the majority of the play space, but you will have to be mindful of your smaller children as there’s no real barrier to keep them out of the car lanes if they wandered into them (however, an employee is always manning the car station, and the cars themselves aren’t terribly fast). Cartata is a bit pricier than the average kids cafe, but the novelty is worth it. Even without the added car aspect, the play area is very large, and offers multiple kinds of play to keep children occupied who aren’t particularly interested in the cars. The rates and menu items are displayed in both Korean and English behind the cashier’s counter. Their cafe doesn’t offer full meals but they have snack foods such as, ice cream, teas, juices, and coffees. Birthday reservations are available
. Cartata is located on the 8th floor of its building, which also houses the Ebadom Family Restaurant - a great place for Korean cuisine with a large play area of its own. Parking is available below

 the building.


Rubling Premium Kids Cafe
Waze: Rubling Premium Kids Cafe
Hours: Weekdays 11:00am ~ 08:00pm, Weekends & holidays 10:30am ~ 08:30pm

Rubling is a sophisticated, classy-looking kids cafe located on the 5th floor. Don’t worry, just because they’re a “premium” kids cafe doesn’t make them any more expensive than your average kids cafe. They have a menu that includes full meals and drinks, but none of it is in English. They have various toys, including a kid-sized piano and drum set. There’s a section to set your smaller babies in that is walled off from the rest of the floor. Play areas include ball pits, slides, trampolines, various role-play stations, doll houses, a block table area with Duplo sized blocks, a wooden block pit and


more. Parking is available in the garage below the building.


Yoohoo Jumping Club
Waze: Yoohoo Jumping Cafe
Hours: Weekdays 11:00am ~ 8:30pm, Weekends 10:00am ~ 9:00pm

Located in a family friendly area of Anjung, right across the street from Hyeonhwa Park, is the Pyeongtaek branch of the Yoohoo Jumping Club - a popular kids cafe chain. This location’s admission fee is inexpensive compared to other kid cafes, and the food menu is cheap. Yoohoo has a very spacious trampoline area - perfect for older kids; they also have a baby-only trampoline. There is an actual sandpit in addition to the wooden block pits (they have boots for your kids to wear specifically for the sand and there’s a washing station nearby to minimize mess). There’s a swinging pirate ship ride (for little ones) and some arcade style games meant as a space for middle school aged kids. A Party Room is available for rent and it includes karaoke/norebang. Menu items include full meals (fried rice, pasta, pizza, etc), ice cream, snacks, sodas, coffees and teas. All menus are in

hangul.



Nori Park Kids Cafe 
Waze: Nori Park Kids Cafe - Parking
Hours: Weekdays 12:00pm ~ 8:00pm, Weekends 10:00am ~ 8:00pm

This charming, cozy, well-priced kids cafe rests above The Flat White Cafe. The facility is a good size - it’s not so big that you lose track of your little ones, but it’s big enough to keep them exploring. All the regular toy fixtures are present - kitchens, train tables, dolls, dinosaurs, dump trucks, blocks, and so on. There’s a baby trampoline for the littler kids that is well-separated from the large trampoline for the older kids. There’s also a moderately sized party room with a karaoke machine and it's tucked away from the main dining area making it easier to delineate party traffic. The bathrooms and changing areas are easily accessible. They have a wii. All menus and admission information is in hangul, but they were easy to parse, and rates are average. Parking is below ground, in the building, but it's a tight fit for American sized cars. There's a fair amount of parking on the alley street behind

 the building.


Honorable Mentions


Jump Nori in Paengseong
Waze: jump nori
Hours: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm, usually closed Tuesdays

A favorite of the community surrounding Camp Humphreys - for both locals and foreigners alike. The owner is very friendly and speaks great English. The menus and signage are in both English and Korean, and there is a good variety of food; pizza/pasta, rice options, snacks, bread, coffees and teas. Rates are very reasonable, which is always a plus - but especially if you have multiple children. I also like the size of the playground. It’s big enough to keep kids occupied, but not so big that you can’t easily keep an eye on younger children. Jump Nori can host birthday parties and has a small separate room available for such occasions. Parking is usually easily available behind the building in front of the grocery store.


Paengseong Welfare Town (2nd floor playground)
Waze: paengseong welfare town
Hours: Weekdays 10:00am ~ 6:00pm, closed on Weekends

Another great option in the Paengseong area is the playground on the second floor of the Paengseong Welfare Town (go up the elevators or the stairs and keep heading towards your left). Best thing about it? It’s FREE. And you can stay as long as you’d like. Just show up, leave your shoes at the door, and start playing! There are slides, padded floors, a diaper changing room, and plenty of seating (no tables, though). This location is very young-baby-friendly, with no small toys or sharp corners, leaving lots of space for your new walkers or avid crawlers to get around. They also offer a toy rental service for children aged 5 and under (for 10,000 won a year, you can rent two toys for two weeks). This includes LARGE baby items like bouncers, rocking horses, tricycles, and so on, making it a great alternative to buying those items outright. Be sure to bring proof of Pyeongtaek residency when you sign up for toy rentals. There’s a coffee shop on the first floor of the building and you can bring food and drink into the playroom as long as you are responsible for your items.There is a parking lot in front of the building, but sometimes, space can be scarce at high-traffic times of the day.
Now it's time to go try them all and leave your reviews in the South of Seoul app. Just go the app, open the listing, and click the star in the banner. You can tell us all what you thought. Remember to include useful tips like where you parked, if they had chairs for kids, or other details you found important. Reviews help us build a beautiful life together. One Star reviews submitted with no comments may be rejected. Please explain 1 Star reviews without being crude or profane. Simple explain the situation. For example: "the food was not fully cooked, the waitress never brought my friends food, and the taste wasn't what I prefer." Korea has strong anti-defamation laws so keep explanations clear and fact based.

For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store. 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.southofseoulz

Why we do this:
We made the app to accompany the blog because it's easier to keep update with current information. In the past we've tried keeping the information on the blog but it's too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible. 

Thursday, January 4, 2018

5 NOT Spicy Korean Soups for Winter


Although the spicy food in Korea gets a lot of the attention, not all the food here has the spice cranked up to 11. The truth is, there are many dishes and restaurants where the only spicy food on the table is the kimchi. They just aren't as sexy to blog about. Sadly, this means many people who hate to eat spicy hot foods think there are no good choices for them. Don't worry, we've got your back.

Let's take a look at 5 of our favorite non-spicy soups during the winter. Please note, these are not ALL of the non-spicy soups. It's just a list of our winter favorites (even though local folks tend to eat a few of these only in the summer, as waeguks we take liberties to love them year round).

Just like we did with the 5 Best Korean Stews/Soups for Winter we will include a place in Pyeongtaek for you to try the dish and a recipe vlog by a famed Korean food vlogger if one is available.

All right, lets get started...

1. Beef Short Rib Soup (Galbitang) 갈비탕
The bone broth soups are our big favorites. They are filled with nutrition and very easy on the stomach. Perfect for people who aren't big on strong flavors or spice. The dish is often filled with glass noodles and served with rice. Even though it doesn't look like much, you will go away full. Getting the meat off the bones can be tricky, but don't be shy. Scrape them clean.

Where we like to eat it:
Gariheon Galbitang가리헌갈비탕
Direcotry: Pyeongtaek


Maangchi shows you how to make it at home:


2. Ox Bone Soup (Seolleongtang) 설렁탕
This is another bone broth, but less bones and meat. Instead there are just thin slices of meat and lots of broth and noodles. Honestly, if you eat a lot of this, you will look quite radiant. It gives your skin quite the boost in the cold winter months.

Where we like to eat it:

Maangchi shows you how to make it at home:


3. Chicken & Ginseng Soup (Samgyetang) 삼계탕
This is a very light soup that includes a whole chicken stuffed with rice. You often have to order it ahead or plan on waiting because it takes a little while to cook. This dish is totally opposite of what you might associate with Korea food. The strongest flavor is the salt. Great for if you aren't feeling well.

Where we like to eat it: 
Ji Ho Samgyaetang 지호한방삼계탕
Directory: Pyeongtaek


Maangchi shows you how to make it at home:


4. Chicken Noodle Soup (Dalk kalguksu) 닭칼국수
If you have a hankering for old fashioned chicken (dalk) noodle soup (kalkjuksu), you will find this Korean dish will hit the spot. Hearty, thick homemade noodles in a light broth, and pulled chicken, will leave you feeling like you have found home again. There are also seafood and mushroom versions of this soup. Please note that not ALL kalguksu is non-spicy.

Where we like to eat it:
Chicken and Duck Restaurant 남도닭오리한마당
Directory: Pyeongtaek 
Food+Fun: Anjung, Cheongbuk 안중, 청북


Maangchi shows you how to make it at home:



5. Mushroom Chicken Soup 버섯백숙
If you are feeling like a little seafood, this is the BEST! Thick, hearty noodles covered in shellfish is one of our all time favorite meals. Usually the bowls are so huge you can barely finish them. Don't even feel bad if you can't.

Where we like to eat it: 
Mushroom Chicken Soup 나능이능이버섯백숙
Directory: Pyeongtaek
Food+Fun: Ichung 이충, 장안, 가재

Now it's time to go try them all and leave your reviews in the South of Seoul app. Just go the app, open the listing, and click the star in the banner. You can tell us all what you thought. Remember to include useful tips like where you parked, if they had chairs for kids, or other details you found important. Reviews help us build a beautiful life together. One Star reviews with no explanation may be rejected.

For address and WAZE directions to anything on this blog download the South of Seoul App from either Google Play or Apple App Store. 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.southofseoulz

Why we do this:
We made the app to accompany the blog because it's easier to keep update with current information. In the past we've tried keeping the information on the blog but it's too hard for us to maintain the information in two places at once over time. Since we compile and write blogs around a full time jobs without compensation, we need to do it the most efficient way possible with as few steps as possible.