21 Mar 2014 - 깐부치킨 for dinner

I went to Lotte Mart at Seoul Station after meeting 재. This time I used the EMS postal service inside Lotte Mart to post back my purchases right after I made my payment. I'm not used to leave a supermarket empty handed!  Lol I packed my things and sealed them in a box. However, the postal service counter staff told me she has to check the contents before they can post out. Therefore, you need not seal the box. Just tape the bottom and leave the cover untaped. They will seal the box after they have checked.

Did you notice I have not mentiion about food for the whole day?? Yeah cos I did not feel hungry at all. Told you right?? The amount of food which I have eaten in Tongyeong can last me for days ㅎㅎㅎ I was not hungry but I decided to buy fried chicken from 깐부치킨, which was near where I stayed. 

         

I took the Arex from Seoul Station back to Hongik University Station. I told 재 that I always get lost when trying to take the Arex from Seoul station to Hongik. I remember what he said, "Try one more time".  재, I made it this time ㅋㅋㅋ 

Don't be mistaken. Its not difficult but a bit confusing for me.

I turned left immediately after I came out from Hongik University Station, exit 2. Walk straight for about 3 mins and you will see the zebra crossing as shown. Cross the road and turn left again. Walk straight for about 2 mins and you will see 깐부치킨 Kkanbu Chicken.

Reached.

Take out for me.
Woww...even the carrier bag is so nice, like a shopping bag.

It was a new flavour but I can't remember the name.
Something lemon and garlic??

I couldn't finish all....

KRW16000

21 Mar 2014 - 고마워요

I met up with 재 at Seoul Station at about 6.35pm and we settled for this place.

Although it was a very short meet up, but I am so thankful to you.
Thank you very much for your precious time.
You said you did nothing much but it means a lot to me.
Time with you is always so precious to me, and I cherish every moment being with you.
I look forward to see you soon although I know you are very busy ㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎ

*Oh oh now I know what is 눈눈라떼 ㅎㅎㅎ

21 Mar 2014 - 지원's apartment in Hongdae

My accommodation in Seoul for this trip was booked thro BnbHero. I took the Arex and reached Hongik University Station at about 12.45pm. The nearest exit to my accommodation should be  exit 1. My host, Jiwon told me there is no elevator at exit 1 and suggested that I can take the elevator at exit 8. Check-in time was supposed to be 2pm but I requested Jiwon to let me check-in earlier where possible. She had guests checking out that day but she managed to clean up the place by 12pm and allowed me to check-in earlier. 감사합니다 언니 ^^ 

I walked over to exit 1 to meet Jiwon. It was about 7 mins walk from exit 1 to Jiwon's apartment, and about 5 mins from Jiwon's place to the main shopping street of Hongdae.

Jiwon will let you know the pin number to access into the building.
AP Seoul Guesthouse is on the 3rd and 4th floor.

Jiwon's apartment is on the fifth floor. Rather quiet. I wonder who are my neighbours. I did not see anyone of them during my stay. The apartment is installed with double door electronic locks with pin entry, where you can have your own pin number. Ermmm...Jiwon will know your pin number cos you have to tell her your preferred pin number so that she can change it for you. Frankly speaking, I felt a bit uneasy that somebody else knew my pin number even though she was my host.

This is Jiwon's apartment. It was love at first sight with Jiwon's apartment when I browsed through the list of studio apartments in BnB Hero website. I like this apartment becos it looks cosy and very accessible.  She briefed me on things that I ought to know before leaving me on my own. 

Jiwon added a sofa in her apartment, whereas there wasn't any sofa shown in the website.
Actually, I would prefer no sofa lol 

Only one small cabinet to hang clothings.
It will be enough for a short stay.

I like her well equipped kitchen ^^
Hmmm...when was the last time I use the washing machine?
Hahahaa..you will know if you have followed my blog since last time.
I love my mummy!!

I get excited when I see all these!
Ehhhh....I sound like an 아줌마 huh??
Nah...I don't intend to cook during this short trip
Probably in my upcoming trip ^^
Yes Yes. I have confirmed my upcoming trip. 
Everything is booked except for my air ticket.

Detergents to wash your clothing.

Only one spoon and one pair of chopsticks ㅋㅋㅋ

Oh! Even umbrellas are provided!

하나의 작은움직임이큰기적을

하나의 작은움직임이 큰 기적을

Couldn't control my tears as I read this article from koreaherald.com. It was a tragedy that can be prevented. I really hope such incident will not happen anywhere in the world ever again. 제발. It is too heartwrenching just by watching and reading the news. They must be feeling fearful and helpless as the ship started to sink. I cannot bring myself to think of that fearful moment of "waiting", and how they clung on desperately for their lives till the end. 

My heart is aching so badly as I wrote this..I pray that the survivors, families and friends of the victims be blessed with the strength and guidance to move on with their lives. I pray for those who have passed on, be guided to a better world and rest in peace. I pray for safety to all who are out there in the sea, risking their lives in search of survivors. Together, we pray for a miracle. 옴 마니 파드메 훔 옴 마니 반메 훔

21 Mar 2014 - Back to Seoul!!

Fear of height? 

Yeah but I love looking at the blue sky and white clouds cos they remind me of someone whom I miss dearly. I checked out the hotel around 9.30am, took the Airport Light Rail Transit to Gimhae Airport and reached the airport at 9.55am. My flight from Gimhae Airport to Gimpo Airport was supposed to take off at 11am but there was a slightly delay. So happy and excited today becos I can see 재 later!! Omg!! I can't wait to get back to Seoul!!

My attempts to cook ㅋㅋㅋ

Here are some outdated posts on my attempts to try a few dishes over the past two weeks ㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎ

잡채 Japchae. I browsed through a few online recipes and tried this dish. Omg...Korean Japchae requires a lot of work compared to our Chinese version of fried tanghoon! Wahahahaa I still don't understand why Koreans prepare the ingredients separately and mixed everything together in a separate bowl using hands. Why don't they mixed everything in the wok/frying pan and serve it hot? I need enlightenment on this ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Actually, I wanted to take the easy way out by mixing all the ingredients with the dangmyeon aka tanghoon in the wok. I didn't do that in the end. I stick to the Korean way of cooking Japchae and I was pretty satisfied with the end result ^^

I tried cooking 북어국 Dried Pollock Soup using the recipe from Maangchi. It was not difficult at all!  Much more easy than cooking Japchae ㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎ I added a lot of sesame oil becos I love sesame oil. 

Satisfied ^^

Fried Chicken?  그래 ^^
Recipe is taken from Maangchi. 

Preparing the sweet, spicy and sticky sauce.

Done!

Mum and sis said not bad but I find there's a lot to be improved!

Stir frying Kimchi in a pot. 
Oh, any idea to what I was trying to cook??

Next, I added some rice.

Followed by the broth which I cooked earlier(using anchovies and kelp), together with some kimchi broth as well.

I added some chopped squid a few minutes before I switch off the gas so that the squid taste chewy. Last but not least, some sesame oil and a bit of 멸치 액젓 anchovy sauce to add flavour.

오징어 김치 죽 My Kimchi Squid Porridge.
I added some dried laver, sesame seeds and spring onions as garnishing.
Actually, I always prefer my porridge to be more watery but I love my 오징어 김치 죽 ㅎㅎㅎ
A big thanks to Aeri for her wonderful recipe on Kimchi Juk for reference.

You can guess what dish is this, isn't it?

Browsed through a few online recipes.
I used pork belly, onions and potatoes.
Basically, I prefer my 짜장면 to be simple.
 Don't like 짜장면 with too many ingredients and don't like my 짜장면 to taste sweet.

Added the sauce, a bit of brown sugar and some water mixed with corn starch.
This picture was taken before adding 3 cups of water.

I cooked the noodles and ran through it with cold water several times.

Somehow I feel my 짜장면 is more like spaghetti LOL
My parents said it tasted fine but I am so very NOT satisfied.
Something is not right somewhere but I am not sure where!!
It lacks the oily texture that I like; not that oily if you know what I mean.

Ermmm...now it feels like our black Hokkien mee LOL
Foreigners, if you want to know how our black Hokkien mee looks like, click Black Hokkien Mee for a better idea.