Time for Episode 2 of myyyyyyyyyyyy "Shop till you drop! Korea Trip!"
When you are in Korea, you will notice 2 things (1) the people there are pretty fashionable (you won't see them wearing berms + tee + slippers at the main shopping/happening areas) and (2) the people there, man or women are all pretty slim... T_T~~ which makes "plump" people like me feel like crap while walking through the streets of Korea!
I guess it's good though?~ Because after the trip it kinda made me feel more self-conscious of my face/skin and weight issues......... (i gained 2.5kg after this trip.. omg..).
Anyways, off we go for some exploration at Busan!
OOTD?? =X
If there is one thing that is similar between Korea and Japan, it would be the way they package their products. The details, aesthetics and the effort they spent to package 'small' things like tea leafs is just admirable. Singapore must really learn from them! in terms of packaging, being meticulous and providing good service.....
Damn cute right?! i didn't try any though... because its simply a sin to eat/destroy such a cute creation!
Here comes the pair of crocs that even China NBA player Yao Ming would not be able to fit into hahaha.
There are a lot of cafes in Korea, but the one that we loved most was...
Caffe Bene!!! And the reason would definitely be because of their "Park Bingsu" which is basically a shaved ice dessert that has lots of interesting stuff in it (view next few images =X). Coffee Bene is also probably one of the more comfortable and well decorated cafes that we have visited!
Doesn't this look like we are chilling at the streets of Paris/London? =) Love this photo hahha^^
The food there is great as well! Highly recommending their toast and more importantly... their.....
Park Bingsu! *pronounced as Park-Bing-Su* Check out the cheesecake and ice-cream on top!
Important thing to take note when you having Pat Bingsu in Korea. The ice has to be those "snow ice" kind, where its shaven till the ice is very very smooth. And not those kind where you would find in slurpees or crushed ice type. The taste/texture is just so so so different. And by far, Caffe Bene does the best Park Bingsu that we have tasted in Korea =)
Time to shop again~!
Taking a photo with our new found friend; Bronsy =X.
This is pretty cool. We all know that Korea is the taking the world by storm through its Dramas, Movies, KPOP and fashion. Even the army boys there have the luxury of using camo cream that is manufactured by cosmetic companies! No more pimples outbreak after field camp^^
Those of you who are fans of Korean drama series would definitely have watched the drama "You who came from the stars" and if you haven't... you ain't a fan of Korean dramas lolx!
In the drama, Jeon Ji Hyun basically created another trend in Korea, and that is Fried Chicken with Beer! While it may sound really simple, basic and normal.. It is just so DAMN GOOD! and nothing, absolutely nothing beats having Fried Chicken with Beer after a long day of shopping with friends!
This restaurant in Busan (the restaurant name is in Korean.. so.... .......) has a popcorn machine! LoLx`~ which i was veryyyyy attracted to hahhaa. As the place is always crowded, while waiting for your orders to arrive, you can help yourself to some popcorns and these are definitely a good match for beer as well!
Food is served!! Mamamia~!
We have had the so-called Korean fried chicken in Singapore, but it just doesn't come close to this! Yes its just fried chicken, but its so so so delicious! Absolutely fried to perfection =D~~
Another place you must go to in Busan is the Jalgachi Fish Market. This is where you can enjoy super super fresh and "interesting" seafood!
Check out the size of the clams here!
One of the many exotic seafood in Korea, Pineapple fish! We didn't try this though... because reviews from our friends wasn't exactly very good haha. We heard that it taste kinda salty and it wasn't a good experience for them lolx. But, if you are super adventurous go try them!
If you are planning to dine there, do not buy the seafood from the open space market. This part of Jalgachi Fish Market is more of a exploration, photo-taking place. Instead, there is an indoor area with many many seafood vendors where you can choose the seafood that you want and have them cooked upstairs^^
Dried sting-ray anyone? =)
If you have seen people eating live octopus in Korea, this isn't the kind where you would wanna stick it into your mouth LoLxx. Really not sure how many meals that one household make with just one of these octopus haha.
Korean marinated raw crab! *Gejang*.
We tried this in Seoul instead, with rice, seaweed and all that! woooooot~ Yummy!
This is what i'm talking about, the indoor seafood vendors at Jalgachi Fish Market. Take your time to slowly browse through, although they may try to "persuade" you into buying from them, they are quite okay if you were to reject them politely. Don't try to ask for a discount unless you are planning to buy a lot from them, it ain't expensive though if you were to ask me.
Ta-da~ Welcome to Jalgachi Fish Market!
This fish was mimicking my wife's signature "mouth pose" LoLXxxx! **i think she's gonna kill me hahahha**
You MUST definitely try the Abalones over there! And the best way to cook them would be.. BBQ! Yes, BBQ Abalones! Super fresh, super juicy, super soft, super delicious, SUPER GOOD!
Sadly, we forgot to order this interesting looking fish =___+ Its known to be one of Korea's signature seafood dishes!
One of my favourite dishes for the day! Puffer Fish Soup! Its probably the best comfort food in my opinion, there wasn't a lot of seasoning used as the fish itself is soo soooooo sooooooo fresh!
Fan Shells anyone? This was pretty normal actually. But we had to try it cause it just looks so damn awesome! heeeheeee~
This fish is so cool! hahaha it's called the Penis Fish! and i don't have to explain why... lolx, it simply just looks like one hahahahha. It kinda "erects" when you touch them haha and it even squirts water when you lift them out of the water LoLxxxx.
Time to eat! There is a fee to pay for every dish that they cook for you as well as per pax that is going to dine there. Yep, it is on top of the cost that you've paid for the seafood. Don't get turned off by it though, because it's simply WORTH IT!
How the Penis Fish looks like after they have cooked it (it fact, it's raw and was just being cut up into slices ahaha). It kinda taste like some clam seafood thingy if you ask me. not too bad and the texture is pretty "crunchy" too. Don't order too many though haha, just for the experience, to taste will do LoLx =)
Since we are at a fish market, i guess it is inevitable that we give this local delicacy a try! Live octopus! I was told that Korea no longer serves the full/whole live octopus, instead, they will cut them up before serving for fear that consumers may choke on it. Nonetheless, the octopus are still wriggling around even though they have been chopped up haha. This dish plus a little beer is heavenly!
The Fan Shell was not that fantastic though.. it taste a little bit 'plasticky?' i don't know how to describe it lolx, but definitely not my kinda thing =X
Here goes the live octopus!
Jessie was struggling with the live octopus as it was stucked onto her lips haha. Even though it is chopped up already, you hafta make sure you chew it thoroughly before swallowing!
This is perhaps the highlight of the day! BBQ Scallops and Abalone! It is so so so damn juicy, soft and fresh! There is no need to add any kinda sauce to it, as it already taste so awesome^^ Korea Abalones are not expensive but they definitely do not lose out to other countries such as Australia or Mexico.
WooooLaaaaLaaaaaAAaa~! Super tender! OMG.... i wonder if there's a way to buy Korea Abalone in Singapore lolx!
The Puffer Fish soup was not supposed to have the chilli flakes that you see below. But we requested for it because we love spicy food! The soup is so good! Like i said earlier, this is perhaps one of the best comfort food out there^^ I guess the freshness of the seafood found at Jalgachi Fish Market just makes everything so tasty and healthy. No msg, or any other kinda condiments is required to prepare these dishes!
Wifey didn't really dare to eat the seafood at Jalgachi Fish Market, such as the Penis Fish, Live Octopus, Puffer Fish .... *all the "exotic" kinds* so she was still feeling kinda hungry after that. At the Jalgachi Subway Station, it is hard to NOT notice the fragrant smell that is coming out from this stall!
This snack is pretty old school and i believe almost all Asian countries will have their own version of it. It is basically a small "cake" with custard or red bean in it. And the taste is as good as it smells! =D~~
One interesting thing about this shop is that they are pretty high-tech LoLx. Usually the person preparing these cakes will have to flip it themselves to make sure that both sides of the cake are baked evenly. But for this store, this process is fully automated! Cool ya~ =)
And last but not least, eating this lovely tasting cake in this manner just makes it taste even more sweeter^^
Stay tune for "Shop till you drop! Korea trip!" Episode 3!
