Traditional Korean Alcohol Guide: Beyond the Green Bottle

Premium distilled Soju and beef, the high-end side of the Traditional Korean Alcohol Guide.

If you just finished a delicious market food tour, you are probably looking for something to wash it down. Specifically, many visitors think the famous green “chemically diluted” Soju is the only option in Korea. However, Korea has a rich, 2,000-year history of artisanal fermentation made from rice, water, and “Nuruk” (a fermentation starter). Consequently, … Read more

Hiking in Korea Cheat Sheet: Top 3 Mountains & Survival Tips

Alice struggling with hiking in Korea while locals pass her easily.

If you think hiking in Korea is just a casual walk in the park, you are making a dangerous mistake. In reality, hiking is a national sport here. Specifically, it involves professional gear, steep granite rocks, and a lot of Makgeolli (Rice Wine). Many tourists underestimate the mountains. Because they look small compared to the … Read more

The Bukhansan Trap: Why Hiking in Korea is Not a “Walk in the Park”

If you look at a map of Seoul, you will see a big green blob at the top. That is Bukhansan National Park. To a naive foreigner, it looks like a cute nature spot. A place for a casual Sunday stroll to breathe some fresh air. Stop right there. Korean mountains are not “hills.” They … Read more