Updates: Where I’ve been

The past five months have been a whirlwind and now I can say I’m ready to get back on my blogging game. 

A lot of things happened along the way: including us moving back to Stuttgart from our six-month stay in Detroit, USA, us on the way of becoming a trio, feeling very, very sick because of that and traveling back and forth to Italy and Seoul. I’ve neglected my instagram accounts for a while but I’m back and very eager to start all over again and finally, decided that now it’s time to get back in front of my laptop and do some work.

In the meantime, here are some photos from Seoul, where I mostly spent time eating, drinking (mostly green tea lattes) and eating some more.

I ate a lot at home with my family, mostly with my mom since she’s always trying to teach me Korean recipes. It was also hell cold in Seoul (-18 degrees! Eek!), so it was nice to just cozy up, eat goodies and watch old movies.

I also spent a lot of time in Chuncheon, an hour bus-drive away from Seoul where my parents are from and also where most of my relatives, including my 98-year-old grandmother, live. I used to go there every summer when I was young; we would go to beaches, try out new restaurants (I believe this is a family favorite and tradition) and go hiking. So with Chuncheon, I have wonderful memories and anyone who really knows me already know it’s like my second home.

And, of course without fail, I managed to squeeze in some favorite eats while I was there this time too. Like coffee, cakes and green tea lattes…

Chinese food, which is technically more Korean than actual traditional Chinese.

And of course, Dakgalbi, which is a staple and nearly a mascot in Chuncheon. Always go for the udon noodles. Always.

My grandmother may be 98, but she still enjoys sewing, cooking and playing cards. (When we play cards, she wins every single time) She’s originally from North Korea but I think she’s made it pretty clear over the years that it’s the last place she would like to go back. Although sometimes she mentions that it would be nice to go back to the small town where she grew up but then she wraps up the story by saying that it may have disappeared over the years and how depressing it would be to see it all destroyed. While most South Koreans are hardly shaken with news about North Korea, let it be missiles or a military drill, she’s always worried something will happen and she’ll have to face war once again. I think it’s because she actually experienced it all, it doesn’t seem like such a far off legend or movie theme like me or other younger Koreans tend to believe. A sad, but true reality in her world.

We had some more food, like makguksu, which is very similar to naengmyeon (or cold buckwheat noodles) but with more of a kick and less soup.

And Korean Mexican. Because Mexican just has to happen once in a while.

And finally, lots and lots of Korean barbeque.

More on Seoul

• Making kimchi
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza
• Mexican and Thai
• Cafe Love

All photos by rachelsanghee. February, 2016.