TRAVELCUP [S.KOREA]: A must visit eateries in Seoul for Muslim!

Assalamualaikum (peace be upon you).

As I have promised, and while my home tv just broke after we just changed new Astro decoder, tonight I will blog on eateries that is permissible for Muslim to eat in Seoul! ^^

Who doesn't want to taste the sweet spicy savoury Korean dish right when you are in South Korea?
After thousands of dramas and variety shows that you have been watching. Smacking lips when you heard they slurping the ramyun, sweating while eating the spicy ddeokbokki (rice cakes) ... ah~  me and my food heaven ~

So here are fews eateries that I have tried in Seoul that have food that is permissible for Muslim to eat!

Let's start where to eat in Seoul for Muslims~ ^^

1. Chungmu Kimbab in Myeongdong!

This is my first favourite restaurant that I would find whenever I'm in Myeongdong! Well~ my love for seafood never dies! They serve you a plate of mini plain kimbab with spicy squid and radish kimchi. They made me fall in love with radish kimchi! The combination of the spicy squid and the crunchy radish together with the kimbab is just AWESOME!

They only sell chungmu kimbap with the side dishes there. No other meat!

And if you can't eat spicy, I would rather not recommend you to eat here because the squids burn your mouth :) *actually I can't eat spicy food but I like them, so to be in pain is a pleasure... crying*

this is just one serving  :D

One serving costs around 7000+krw . Couldn't remember the exact price the last time I visited -__-'

Address: 3-12, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

2. Yoogane 

This was suggested by my friend on my third time visiting South Korea. I have never try this before.*was so lazy to find restaurant to eat and love samgak kimbab too much*

Do note that this restaurant isn't certified as Halal restaurant.

Yogane is actually a restaurant that is famous with their chicken! But we are here not to eat chicken ok! The only thing on the menu that we could order was Seafood Fried Rice! If you have been dreaming or fantasying to see how Koreans cook in front of you, on your table, then this is your chance!

You have to order by portion. And I mean it by how many people are eating. 

The one I have visited was in Myeongdong and Hongdae. Both offer different price and don't ask me the reason why. I'm not working there ~.~

Price per person : Myeongdong 5500₩ & Hongdae 5000₩

They'll have the rice, yangyeom (seasoning), kim (shredded dried seaweed) and plate of seafood such as squid, shrimp etc on your table and they'll start cooking! ^^ After just a few minutes, it will be ready to eat~ Yummm~

This one was in Myeongdong :)

Psst, something to note is that .... you can add cheese and whatsoever (of course with additional price) in your fried rice. Just look into the menu! We added cheese and it's deli deli deliciouuuuusssss~       

3. Boa Travel House

Searching for halal jajangmyun? Or maybe halal ban ban chicken ( half half seasoned chicken)? Or even wanting to picnic beside Hangang (Han River) with dosirak (bento)?

Then, this is the perfect place for you!  

They offer halal food especially variety of dosirak and a lot more halal menu for you to fill up your stomach before or after exploring Seoul! This restaurant is actually at the ground level of Boa Travel House. It is located in Hongdae *but like at the end of Hongdae*. It is easy to find actually! 

Jjajangmyun come to me~

I went there for jjajangmyun. I've been dying to taste jjajangmyun in Korea T.T Finally I got it~ (burp)

The price is somehow affordable and I believe a lot of Malaysian had stayed there before *by looking at the wall full with thanks and Malaysian flag* . It's a worth to visit eatery! ^^             

4. EID




This one is known by most Malaysian I guess. It's EID ! ^^

This is a halal restaurant located in Itaewon. It offers a limited choice of food on the menu but it's worth to try out! I've went there once when I was on my solo trip. I ordered bulgogi and the portion is more than enough! Too much actually for me TT.TT but it is worth your money. Considering they offer halal dishes, the price is affordable. If you're on a tight budget once a blue moon would be good to pay a visit at this restaurant. 

The side dishes and my bulgogi were perfect. And just like normal Korean restaurant, nahhh don't be shy~ if you would like them to refill your banchan (side dishes)! I asked for more kimchi. I just love kimchi soooo sooooo much~

The staffs were lovely and most of them are Malaysian so it is easy to communicate (in Malay and English). It will be good to visit the restaurant on days other than Friday because there will be a lot of customers on that day. Heard this tips from the staff that was answering a pakcik question ~

EID .

5. Last but not least : Muree Muslim Food

This is the first Korean Halal eatery that I visited when I first in S.K. Naahhh don't ask me for the pictures cuz I couldn't find it. That's the era where I'm using Note2 and I don't bother to take food picture because grumbling stomach comes first!

The food on menu is limited but they have stew~ that I wanted to try so badly! It is really yummy~

However, Muree is a bit expensive (for me). It costs around 10000+krw. And you can't refill the side dishes TT_TT. Not sure how much it costs now cuz the last time I visited was like 2 years ago. The chefs are Korean and no need to worry as all the food is halal there! This one is really yummy :) Recommended to visit if you have extra budgets for food :D

I guess these are the only eateries that I have visited. I won't post any eateries that I have never try. 

Well, money does matter and though I love food so much, I didn't eat a lot in S.K . Weird but that's the truth. I just use all the money to buy album ;_; and weirdly I don't feel hungry......weird.......

There is actually another eatery in Itaewon : Makan (if I'm not mistaken) but I have never pay visit to it. Maybe next time? ^^ 

Thank you for reading my informal bad English *cries* and enjoy your day in South Korea without feeling hungry ^^ xoxo
 




 

TRAVEL CUP [South Korea] : What you should bring and why to Korea ~

Assalamualaikum (peace be upon you) !

First of all I would like to apologize if there's any typos in the content since I'm typing in the dark .... the perks of not having a room and have to sleep in the living room -_-'

So on my third time to Korea, I started my bad old habit back : leaving travel essentials.

On this post I would like to remind you on things that you shouldn't forget to bring especially if you're on tight budget!

What I have to bring to South Korea for travelling purpose?

This is 3 top important essential bla bla bla that you need to have in your luggage!

1. A TRABEL not it's TRAVEL ADAPTER

Well~ since S.Korea is using a different type of plug ( the one like Europe ) and it is rare to find Malaysia and even England charger with that type of plug... better bring your own travel adapter. IN the UK, poundland might help you to save some money for a travel adapter. 

Malaysia? 

I recommend to find it online or.... ok I have never find one in Malaysia RM2 shop... but I bet there are some shops that sell it ... cheaper... maybe? You can comment below for shops in Malaysia that sell affordable travel adapter. Highly appreciated! 

 I just found the high quality one in computer shop which costs RM50+ T.T waaaa so expensive weh~

I bought once in S.Korea. The one I found in the convenience store costs me 6000KRW = RM24 = 4++quids! It is quite expensive considering you can just get it in poundland for a quid... Daiso also sells it! 5000KRW = RM20 = 4quids. 

For the UK, just get it in your own country which I believe will be more cheaper than getting it in S.Korea :)

2. Hot summer? Deodorant is a must!

Why am I saying this? If you need deodorant/antiperspirant on hot summer, better get one in Malaysia before departing! We know how low our currency is compared to Korean Won... and I was sighing while buying a new deodorant... It costs me 9900KRW = RM40. Weh~ that could afford me to eat twice in Yogane (with addition of 100KRW) TT.TT 

But I just spent on it cuz... I really need it :( So guys remember! If you need it, bring it ! Don't buy it there. 

And they have less choice considering they are a four seasons country. I just bought Bourjois (that is on promo) from France -__-;

Bought the purple one...

3. Halal instant food !

It is really really hard to find halal food in South Korea... like most of the time you'll only find kebab (which I don't fond after eating most of it in the UK and wherever in the Europe for 4 years) and proper halal restaurants are mostly in Itaewon. 

A day or two might be good to spend on the proper food. Proper food I mean a bowl of rice, banchans (side dishes) and main dish.

So bring your own halal instant food to save up some of your money for an extra goods!
I always make sure to bring Brahims ( a halal pack of main dish like chicken curry etc). However, a pack of Brahim costs you nearly RM7 and it is only for 1-2 servings... So, another option that I have found recently is Tesco brand ! However, the bad news is they don't have varieties dish yet! I just bought a pack of chicken curry that only costs me RM4 something if I'm not mistaken and it is wayyyyyyy more delicious than Brahim's !

Halal ramyuns are not sold in South Korea. So if you want to eat it, bring your own from Malaysia :) and buat lah fefeeling you all wanted to beside Hangang ^^

Only two options : Extra or not ~

 4. A proper selfie stick!

This is not only essential for a solo traveler ! A group would want too! Who would want to be left out from the picture right?

So bring your own selfie stick/ monopod! Why would you spend extra money in S.Korea when you can find cheaper one in Malaysia right? 

And for those who's like me, that loves to disassemble my monopod...please do not leave any of the parts behind~ Well I left out the phone holding part ... and I just bought a new one in Busan for ... 7000krw -_____-;

Not good.

So make sure you check twice that all the parts are together :D

Maybe these four are things that I could only thought right now... getting sleepy~ Why my eyes couldn't stand even for an hour nowadays.. aigoo~

Anyway enjoy reading this and I'll continue adding things if I remember anything! :D 

Have fun packing and don't forget to send my regards to Infinite Hoya if you see him! :p   
 

Reasons why you should visit SM Town COEX Artium !

Assalamualaikum (peace be upon you) .

I just got back from Seoul ^^ it's a loooong journey from London to Seoul T.T I still enjoyed it though!

Oh hello Taemin !

SM Town Coex Artium is situated in Gangnam right next to the COEX Mall. You're not gonna miss it if you're thinking of going to COEX Mall. Taemin just had his comeback promotion when I visited Seoul, so they had his album cover in front of the building!

What each floors (levels) in this mall have?

Reason why you SHOULD visit :D

I strongly recommend you to visit this place. It's a heaven for you (especially SM Town die hard fans!).


1. Photoshoot for your new profile picture !

All floors ( I mean levels ) have their wall filled with SM Artists' photos. EXO, TVXQ, SHINEE SNSD and Super Junior are the most common faces you can see on the wall. Mostly in black and white and different sizes! Just make sure you have enough memory in your phone or camera. I bet you'll take picture in every inch of the floor! I didn'--- cuz I went there alone -_-' Next time I will bring my friend~ Mian chingu~



If you still want to take picture with idols, then head to the 5th floor ! They have a photo machine where you can take pictures with them! I did took with Kai and Xiumin at first, but twice I got it ruined---moved at the moment when the camera took my photos -__-' So I just had my photos taken with Chanyeol and Sehun :D
 

I though someone was looking at me and when I turned, it's Chanyeol's life size standee kekekeke

 2. You wanted to experience life as a debuting idol / a real idol.

On the third floor, SMTown Studio provides make up and hair package for photoshoot, dance class, and audio/song/video recording! It's expensive, so starts saving up some money if you really want to do this! When I went there, it is written sold out. So in case you really want to attend it, book it online to secure your place as there are limited places and classes.

3. You want to have a sip of EXO ice tea.. or Super Junior maybe.. if not maybe SNSD :)

They have drinks, ice creams, macarons, cookies, jams etc there. The menu shows only drinks and ice cream if I'm not mistake. It ranges between 4000KRW to 99000KRW. When I went there, there's an event where if you buy EXO's food there (not including the SUM market I think, just the cafe) more than 10000KRW, you'll get a postcard to send to one EXO member. If you are chosen, then you'll get a reply from that member! It is interesting and we can see there a good business strategy in making sure they got some profits each day!  I would if I'm a die hard fan of EXO but sorry cuz I'm not. So, I did see the girls there buying EXO's drink (where you'll get a bottle with the drink) and ice cream so that it totals up to 10000KRW. They looks really excited, I would if I'm an EXO die hard fan :D

my EXO ice tea (actually it's just a peppermint tea :D)

4. Nothing to munch on while watching Red Velvet's performance or need to pop out air in your ears while in the plane with Super Junior nuts?

Shop with Chanyeol ~

These are what they have on the 4th floor! It's like a big cafe. A small part of it is the SUM Market where they sell these things ( below ) ...

They have a lot of things that I will list below!

 These aren't the only things they have in SUM Market! Here a list of what they have there.

•  Flavoured chips
•  Flavoured popcorns
•  Flavoured EXO laver snacks 
•  Super Junior Jjampong and Jjajang ramen
•  Fruits tea ( each flavour has different artists on it )
•  Nuts 
•  Flavoured sparkling water
•  Chocolates 
•  Pepero with EXO members name and face on it
•  Korean ginseng ( with TVXQ on it!)
• SHINEE sausages!
• F(X) gums!
• EXO honey tubes ( also in jar )

These are what I remembered. There might be other goods that I forgot to take picture and eventually forgot about it :)


5. Fill the whole day of your life with SM Artists songs and music videos :D

They'll be playing music video on the 5th floor on a huge LCD screen. It's satisfying; believe me~ You will listen to songs everywhere, like I was literally singing along all the time I'm in the building. I just hang out at their community hall where they have cube stools and some of them have autograph at the side, and watch SNSD's and Taemin's MV. You can just relax there, googling way to go back (since I don't have data) home :D

6. Haven't experience hologram concert or had but you wanted to see more?

SM Town Coex Artium has it ! During my visit, they have EXO Tokyo Dome Concert, Musical and another show which obviously I can't remember. They have it at different time. So make sure you go at the right time or just go there early and spend some time wondering around the mall ! :D

7. SM Official Goods collector !

products they're endorsing also are sold there.

that GIANT posters ~.~

  Most of the goods can be founded on the 2nd floor where the SUM shop is ! ^^ They have everything there. Including shirts, tote bags, cups, bottle, necklace, rings and even dog's clothes!  For me who is not a die hard fan, the goods are considered as expensive. A tote bag costs around 25,000KRW. I was going to buy Taeyeon's tote bag and got shocked when I saw the price.... I rather spend my money on Ted Baker's shopping bag which is waterproof :) *my own opinion though*

SMTown Gallery which is located on the 5th floor has bunch of giant poster that can fill your room's wall. The price is high around 100,000KRW+ but if you have money and it gives you a big satisfaction to get to stare at it for your whole life, then buy it! ^^ It's not going to be hard to take back because they put it into a big poster tube. So don't worry about that :)


EXTRA : If you're lucky enough, SM Town might be having a free exhibition on 6th floor. Do go there and take a look. When I visited, there was a exhibition on SHINEE however I didn't manage to see the exhibition as I'm in a rush to get a bus to get back home before dark. Pay attention to all notices that they put on the wall and in front of the escalator :D


So that's the main reasons that I think you should pay a visit to SM Town COEX Artium, at least once if you're thinking of visiting Seoul soon ! You'll enjoy yourself! If you're traveling alone (like me), then bring a monopod/selfie stick/whatever you call it and just do whatever you want. You're not living there forever aren't you? Have a nice chat with other foreigners too. You might find new friends there ! ^^ Have a nice day .

"You're a girl and you're travelling alone?" What matters and what not?

Assalamualaikum.

Yes~ It has been long since I last wrote here. :)

So. A girl and you travel alone? Whisper of doubts you can hear and see from people around you. *sigh*

Is there a written rule on traveling that 'GIRLS can't travel ALONE'?
And guys CAN?

I've once had the 'wth shocked face' and ask a girl that went to travel alone to Scotland (she's staying in the same room as us) --- "You're here alone? Wow, you're so brave!"

She replied, "why people always think that women can't travel alone? Do we have to go everywhere with someone we knew?" . That shocked me. That's the moment that I realized, how narrow minded I am... I am a GIRL and I can do ANYTHING that I wanted to !

and therefore I decided to explore South Korea alone. I DID IT! I TRAVELED ALONE!

Several things matter in traveling alone though.. These are my experiences.

1. Your chosen country. 

For the paranoid people _ like me _ ; choose a country that you have been to. Countries that you are familiar with. For someone who would love it to be more challenging can choose a new country that you haven't explore. It is just a matter of how well you could adapt to the country's culture, food and people.

I choose Seoul, S. Korea because I have been there. Even if I haven't, I will still go : P It is such a nice country with nice people. I wanted to see their cherry blossom so much and decided to go from London even though it costs me like triple compared going from Malaysia T.T

2. Accommodation.

I choose a homestay where I stayed with the host. It is quite pricey as you'll be staying with the family and they'll give you breakfast everyday ( Korean breakfast too! Oh rice~~ We; Asian eat rice! ). If you were thinking to get more new friends, choose to live in a hostel ! It is cheaper and you get to meet new people ( or even a handsome oppa ) !

Since you are traveling alone, pay more attention on where are you staying as you might hanging out late at night :) My chosen accommodation this time is surrounded with cafes and pubs. So I prefer not to go out at night - since I need to walk into alleys that is SUPER SILENT after going through a lots of pubs ~.~.  And since my jet lag didn't get any better until the last day I stayed there -_-" I slept at 3pm once and 8pm other days ~.~

I also make sure that my accommodation is near to the subway station and even better if there's a airport limousine bus stand there! You won't have to spend money on taxi if you think you can't carry you luggage wayyyyy downstairs to the subway station :)

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These two factors are what matters for me :) Other things such as how weird they're looking at you when you're the only girl who wears scarf on the bus... Just ignore it. I've been through it since I'm in UK.

Traveling alone will make you realized about your surrounding more; the people, the food, the culture. I also made some new friends from around the world - plus Malaysian too! It is an opportunity for you to talk with people! Just to get to know them and if you wanted; stay connected through numbers of social media that we have nowadays :)

[KDreview] Reply 1988 : Thank you Junghwan !

Reply 1988, such a sensation in S. Korea right now that captures majority of Koreans heart :) On last Friday; the rating goes on as 18.6%! That's really high :D

Not to forget; us, the foreigners.
I'm a fan of Reply series. Actually I started to watch Reply 1997 because of Infinite's Hoya (imsuchabigfanofhim) then I just fall in love in the story plot; it is real, it is what they've gone through, it is not a fantasy. Not only that, love is not what they really focus on, sometimes it's about family, friends, and how's the life at that time. They're story-telling but it's not a tale.

Reply 1988 does the same as the other Reply series; but seriously 1988 makes me cry a lot. Really a lot. They show how love is different for each person.

My most memorable scene was when Bora's mom was feeling so down when Bora's dad is not like other husbands. He is strict, he doesn't buy her cosmetics (because he's settling the debt), they always quarrel, shouting etc

 It is beautiful how Reply 1988 staffs deliver the message to the viewers by showing the scene where she took another umbrella because Bora's father left first and wait outside the restaurant.

Bora's mom was admiring other couples while eating with Bora's father. Then after her husband left first using their umbrella, she purposely said someone took her umbrella and choose a beautiful umbrella.

If I can't change my husband, why don't I change the umbrella.

When she open it in the rain, she just realised that the umbrella can't be used. There's a big hole.

There when Bora's father come and said ;

How perfect they look at the outside , each of them must has their own problem . 

Back to commenting on Reply 1988. Why am I thanking Junghwan? 

I was so sure at this time that Junghwan was going to be the husband T__T

Because he made me realised that everything won't come as you would want it to be. If there's a chance, grab it and let fate decides. Actually, I'm a #teamJunghwan. I thought that he will end up with Deokseon as how other Reply series goes. Or is it that I just focus too much on Junghwan that I don't realise Taek's chances :*

Junghwan totally wins a lot of girls heart. He is not that flower boy type; but he's charming! It's just I feel frustrated because he didn't confess to Deokseon like properly -- a real confession! Why did he turned the confession into a joke T____T Maybe it's just he and Deokseon aren't destined to be together :( For whatever reason, I thank Junghwan for bringing us tears and laugh. Although it's hard to accept that he is now broken hearted.... :((

Remember this? When he accidently elbowed Deokseon :D

Taek is infinitely adorable. Although he looks like a someone who need support all the time, but actually he's a genius. I keep denying that the husband will be Taek though I've seen the hints that the production team gave.

 Around ep 17-18, I knew it would be Taek. However, I still hoped for the plot to be changed. I've seen the hints that the production team gave;

• He smokes ; Taek is the only one who smokes
• He doesn't like to be interviewed; it is Taek!
• He took picture with Deokseon; either Taek or Junghwan
• He doesn't wear proper clothes in winter; Taek's the only one~

 However, 1988 does not only showed us how the love between main character going on; I totally ship Bora unnie and Sunwoo's relationship. Bora unnie who looks tough on the outside, she has a very warm heart. Like the scene where all their neighbors said Bora won't come and send them what her father wants ( I don't really remember; is it alcohol?) but she still came though she said like she won't ;) 

I'm so glad that she ended up marrying Sunwoo after lots and lots of obstacles \(0,0)/

Well~ That's a looooong review~ pheww... After all, I'm still on #teamJunghwan ;) Rye JoonYeol did a very good job on his character *big claps* I would love to see him on other dramas <3

I strongly encourage kdramas lovers to watch Reply 1988. It wouldn't be a typical storyline where you'd always hoped for. Again, thank you Junghwan!

-- notes : I just bought Reply 1988 Director edition OST -.-' there you go again my money~ I'll do the unboxing when it arrives and will update the link here :D

[pre-order] SM official goods// anything KPOP related goods :D for those who residing in UK - EUROPE too

Hi guys !
I'm going to Korea on 29th of March until 5th of April 2016. So, I'm going to take pre-order on SM official goods. I going to visit SMTOWN COEX building ( been dying to go there ) and I think I can help you guys if you would want anything from there.

Sadly I don't have the list of the goods, but if you find anything that you want, just tell me. i'll try to find it for you.

Actually, if you guys would want to order any artist album//unofficial goods//official goods , I am willing to buy it as long as it will fit my luggage :D and I don't have any idea where to visit, so i think shopping will be my priority :)

Just email me if you would like to order anything at - creepynoona@outlook.com . Then I'll send you the price! ^^

I will close the pre order on 20/03/2016. However, if the order floods in and I don't think it will fit my luggage, then I will close the order early!

[UPDATE] : I will still accept order on the dates I'm in Seoul as long as you guys notify me through email or my kakaotalk: Farynm

I can only help you buy goods after I received bank transfer or paypal transfer. I can always check my bank acc and paypal acc as long as I have internet *pray that I have internet* Anyway just message me on the date I'm travelling !

Meet up available other than Royal Mail 2nd class ! 

You can pay me trough account transfer or paypal. The deadline for the payment is 27/03/2016.

You can follow me on twitter @farynn01 or instagram @hyoire on my traveling dates ;)

Don't follow me on normal day cuz all my posts are just trash ;p