5 Favorite Finds Tongbok Market Young Forest 청년숲

Last week a newly renovated area of the Pyeongtaek Tongbok Market opened to the public. Last night we finally had time to check it out and we are in LOVE! So romantic and prettyyyyyyy. One of the best dates I have taken myself on in a while (I adore eating alone).

This super clean, white, bright delightful little corner of the city is easily the hippest, most adorable place to be right now.  It's like walking onto the set of a drama where young dreamers have opened shops. You can sit and watch people all night long.

Keep in mind, this is not "for foreigners" although it's filled with things we all love. It's for Korean's so it's not filled with tons of English although most of shop keepers knew at least something. Just go and embrace the adventure. It's almost impossible to go wrong.

This area is NOT big. Maybe 1 block long by 1/2 a block wide. It's like a cozy little hidden paradise. It's so fun to walk through the history and comfort of the traditional market and then emerge here surrounded by a little hipster haven.

This is my new favorite place to be and it needs to be yours too. Grab your favorite boy or girl and get here for a date ASAP! It's very new which means it's only about 1/2 filled and yet it's still awesome. Right now there aren't lines and fights for tables. Go now before that changes.

Now let's talk about our five favorite finds at Tongbok Market Young Forest 청년숲

Fire Cooked Lobster

We want to eat all their lobster rolls. Plus that we only about 9,900 won each. Perfect. (read full blog here)

TacTac

Weird taco/burrito hybrids that we honestly kind of enjoy. Ok, we totally were happy but we also know lots of folks will judge us for liking something so totally not Mexican but called a taco. We don't care. It's a lovely change of pace from other places in the area. They also have Jarritos which is a selling point on it's own. A drink and a "taco" set me back around 8,500 won or something close (read the full blog here)

OMG Fresh Market

There is a lot going on here, but the most important thing happening is vegetarians can eat here. You can add your name to the cookbook and they will message you when the items are in season. Honestly, there is a lot more going on here and we will get a full explanation. It's so friggen hipster it's almost too much. Completely love it. Most likely a terrible business plan. We don't care. Looking forward to getting our text message about salads.

Sweet 1981

Mostly this is a bakery but it's also a coffee shop. Once you are finished stuffing all the food in your thankful faces, stop by to top yourself off with the necessary sugar and caffeine 

Board Game Cafe & Pub

Are you completely full? Now it's time to go drink!!! and play some games.

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Zip (delicious meat near AK Plaza)

For years now, I've been looking for a samgyeupsal restaurant near AK Plaza that made me want to come back. I'm not saying I haven't eaten meat downtown town and thought it was fine, but none made me dream of a return trip. (Yup, I'm a meat snob now. I never even saw it coming.) Not until now.

Which is why taking a vacation is so important. With more time to meet up with friends and just chill out, I found the motivation to give the city center one more try. While prepping for dinner with Jennifer and Sue of Pyeongtaek Korean tutors I did a bit of research on Naver and found this new gem.

Zip (as I'm going to call it since that's what is in English) is located next to the cute little park with the water feature a few blocks from the AK Plaza. The place is newish, bright and clean with tables and chairs so no sitting on the floor was required. Their grills are big and spacious with plenty of room for all the different items included in their affordable set menus. Since I like my kimchi and my garlic well grilled this system works for me.

The meal itself boasts a variety of balanced flavors, fresh ingredients, and quality meat cuts. The samgyeupsal is thick cut and gorgeous. There is only one other place in Pyeongtaek that I have round comparable meat quality (for a reasonable price) and it's not well vented so most folks wouldn't feel comfortable eating there.

One thing I can't remember.. if anything was in English. Don't worry though, any set you order will be delicious so just order for a price range and dig in.

As an added bonus, it's a great place for an evening date. You can finish up dinner and then go watch the water and lights dance out front before a stroll along the river walk a few blocks away.

*** This listing and all other restaurants reviewed by South of Seoul can be found in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store. ***

For the address and a map CLICK HERE for the MollaKorea.com Listing.

Japanese Ramen

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Although I've been to Japan, I've never been there with any money (long story for another time). This means I've never had authentic Japanese ramen in Japan. Sure I've tried a few random places in Korea, but nothing really stood out until I found this place in Pyeongtaek. It was delicious. A place I would go out of my way to eat at for sure.

Now, I'm not telling you this is 100% authentic, because I don't know what that even tastes like, I'm just saying I loved eating here and it tastes way more delicious than other ramen I've had. The menu is simple and the shop is small.  It's the perfect place to grab lunch alone or with a friend, but not for large groups.

I finally have my go-to place near AK plaza! It's been a while since I'd found a place I was really excited about for lunch.

It's also very easy to find, right near Del Vino on the other side of the street.

Address: 경기도 평택시 평택동 289-3

Naver Map Link: http://me2.do/xYlJAaMF

Arati Indian / Nepali Food

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Yesterday I stopped in at the new location of the Arati Indian and Nepali Restaurant. It's just opened a branch to Anjeong-ri around the corner from Louis' Bar and Grill and a few blocks from La Mesa.

Since I arrived very early in the day the dining area was nice and quiet, the sun was shining and I was able to really relax in the pleasant, bright space. The patio area is quite stunning and I'm thinking it's will be the perfect place for a mango lassi this summer.

For dinner I had the samosas, chicken biryani and aloo paratha. All three were spicy, rich and delicious. It tasted like I was back in Darjeeling. The flavors were unnervingly spot.

It tasted so much like eating in Northern India that I wondered if it would meet the expectations of people who are more accustomed to Westernized Indian food or food from another region. This is very specifically Himalayan food and it's where my taste preference wanders.

Now, online I had heard that the portion sizes were small, but I have no idea what they are talking about. What I ordered ended up being enough for me for dinner, breakfast, and two snacks and I'm a hearty eater. If I had ordered just one item it would have been more than enough for dinner. 

If you are a picky eater who doesn't like spicy food, don't even bother with going here. However, if you like food with a hearty kick in the pants you're going to really love this.

Anjeong-ri Location:

Address: 경기도 평택시 팽성읍 안정리 113-347

Naver Map Link: http://me2.do/54csdNo8

Pyeongtaek Location:

Address: 67-21 Pyeongtaek-dong,Gyeonggi-do ,South Korea

Pyeongtaek

 

That sauce, yummmm.

They make their own yogurt

This was a meal all by itself.

AK Basement Food Court

To Eat:  AK Plaza basement

Although I'm not a fan of fast food,

I am a fan of food on little plates going in circles.

So when I am in a hurry near AK PLAZA

I go down, down, down into the belly of the beast

and eat some sushi off the beltway.

In addition to sushi on rails,

you can find a variety of other options

including Krispy Kreme.

On a side note:

The also have an excellent high-end health supplement section.

I will let you decided if I am talking about the picture above or below.