About easykorean

Designers are a Semiconductor Robotics Instructor and a Fine Arts/Graphic Designer -'Easy to Learn Korean' newspaper series since 2009 (published in the Korea Times Englisher Newspaper Tues-Fri each week) -Monthly contributing writers to the Gangnam Newspaper

A Blizzard in a Bowl: Chogye Milmyeon in Yangjae

On a very hot and humid Seoul afternoon, I tried 초계밀면 (chogye mil-myeon) at Somyeon Sanghoe, a tiny local noodle shop in Yangjae-dong. The dish arrived beneath a small mountain of frozen broth, accompanied by wheat noodles, shredded chicken, crisp vegetables and boiled eggs.

초계밀면 (chogye milmyeon)
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Seoul After Dark: The City That Refuses Bedtime

Seoul already stays awake late, but the city now wants to turn nighttime into an attraction of its own.

Under Seoul’s new “24-hour city” plan, eight city-run museums and galleries will gradually remain open until 9 p.m., five days a week. A trial will run from September through November before regular operation begins in 2027.

Seoul never sleeps
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Press, Twist, Recover? Korea’s Two-in-One Hangover Bottle

Korea’s hangover-remedy shelves keep getting more inventive. Dong-A Pharmaceutical’s 모닝케어 프레스온 (Morning Care Press On) looks like an ordinary drink, but several tiny 환—traditional-style pills—are hidden separately inside its cap.

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Korea’s Cheapest Little Luxury: Takeout Coffee

Even on a rainy day, inexpensive takeout coffee is one of Korea’s easiest pleasures. Small cafés and budget chains are everywhere—often just steps from a subway station or apartment complex.

Chains such as Mega MGC Coffee, Compose Coffee, and Paik’s Coffee specialize in large drinks at small prices. An iced Americano generally costs around ₩1,500–₩2,000, while an iced latte is usually ₩2,700–₩3,500. Ordering is normally done at a counter or touchscreen kiosk, and drinks are prepared within minutes.

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A Bowl That Won’t Wait: Sweet and Nutty Kongguksu

Today’s lunch came from nearby 순리대로콩비지 (@sunridaero.kongbiji⁠): a refreshing bowl of 콩국수 (kongguksu), or noodles in chilled soybean broth.

The noodles arrived topped with shredded cucumber, sprouts, and a bright slice of tomato, with the thick, pale-green soybean broth packed separately. After pouring it over the noodles, everything becomes creamy, cool, and wonderfully 고소해요—a Korean word describing a rich, nutty flavor.

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Korea’s New Travel Map Runs on Bread

Korea has officially confirmed what many travelers already suspected: a good trip may begin with a train ticket, but it ends with a bakery bag and bakery tourism.

For the new “Korea Attractions Discovery 100×100” project, 40,145 people cast more than 1.53 million votes for nearly 10,000 attractions across 100 themes.

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Korea’s Latest Summer Fashion: Socks With Flip-Flops?

For years, wearing socks with sandals was considered a serious fashion mistake. In Korea this summer, young people are turning that rule upside down.

Open-toe socks designed specifically for flip-flops are becoming trendy, covering the top of the foot while leaving the toes exposed. They originally had a practical purpose: preventing flip-flop straps from rubbing against bare skin. Now they come in cotton, knit and even lace versions and are being worn as a deliberate fashion statement.

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