Monthly Archives: January 2010

Gyeongju restaurants tips for tourists

Restaurant Review #7: Boo Yong (부용) Chinese Restaurant

01/31/2010 – 00:32

Boo Yong (부용) Chinese Restaurant

Boo Yong (부용) Chinese Restaurant

Ever since “China Cook” changed owners and slid down hill, I’ve had an aching void in my life where great Chinese food should be. As the fates would have it, last month some kind folks at work turned us on to a new Chinese joint in town: Boo Yong (부용) Chinese Restaurant. It’s just across the river in Guemjang-ri (금장리); a little bit out of the way, but well worth the effort. We’ve been there about 4 times last month and we’re slowly working our way through the menu. So far there’s not a thing on it we haven’t liked. read more »

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Outside Gyeongju Sites to see tips for tourists

Jasujeong Amethyst Mines (자수정 동굴)

01/28/2010 – 01:19

Jasujeong Amethyst Mines (자수정 동굴)

Jasujeong Amethyst Mines (자수정 동굴)

Okay, that’s it: today I died and went to cheesy tourist kitsch heaven (or hell depending on your sense of taste).   Today we took a rainy  afternoon to check out the Jasujeong Amethyst Caves (자수정 동굴), just 30km south of here in Eonyang (언양).  I’d read online that they’re one of the schlockiest tourist sites in Korea (yeah, there are more than a few contenders for that title) and believe me, they didn’t disappoint. read more »

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Buddhist culture East Sea Gyeongju Statues & carvings Temples & shrines tips for tourists

Golgulsa Temple (골굴사)

01/26/2010 – 01:38

Sakyamuni Buddha, Golgulsa Temple (골굴사)

Sakyamuni Buddha, Golgulsa Temple (골굴사)

Though it’s not quite Korea’s answer to the Shaolin Monastery of China, Golgulsa Temple (골굴사) is one of the more unique temples in the Gyeongju area and it’s pretty darn cool. If you’re on your way over to King Munmu’s tomb (문무대왕릉) on the East Coast, it’s well worth taking an hour or so to stop off here and check it out. read more »

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Downtown Food & drink Gyeongju restaurants tips for tourists

Restaurant Review #6: Dweaji Sanyang (돼지사냥) Samgyeopsal

01/22/2010 – 01:36

Dweaji Sanyang (돼지사냥) Samgyeopsal Restaurant

Dweaji Sanyang (돼지사냥) Samgyeopsal Restaurant

So I’ve been in Korea for a while now and honestly I’m a bit over the whole fried meat thing.  One samgyeopsol (삼겹살) joint taste like another to me anymore… but then there’s Dweaji Sanyang (돼지사냥) .  It’s downtown, just a stones through from the Daerungwon tombs and if you’re looking for a different experience with Korean barbeque, I suggest checking it out. read more »

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Book Reviews Korean culture

Book Review: The Portable Library of Korean Literature

01/13/2010 – 23:18

“Three Days in that Autumn” by Pak Wan-seo (cover)

Okay, so maybe it is a bit ambitious to review an entire series of books for my first book review.  But if you are interested in exploring a deeper side of Korean culture than the superficial dross pumped out by Arirang TV , you should check out the Portable Library of Korean Literature , put out by Jinmoongdang Press.   read more »

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Gyeongju Shamanism Stories, legends & people tips for tourists tombs

Underwater Tomb of King Munmu the Great (문무대왕릉)

01/10/2010 – 00:57

King Munmu’s tomb (문무대왕릉)

With friends visiting for the New Year, we decided to make use of our new set of wheels and go exploring a bit.  On New Year’s day we made the 45 min. trek over the mountains to Bonggil Beach (봉길해수욕장) on the East Sea, though were a bit too late to catch the sunrise, as is the custom for a lot of folks on New Year’s morning in Korea.  It was sunny and warm (for January anyhow), so we had a lovely time bumming around on the beach by King Munmu’s tomb (문무대왕릉)  . read more »

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Food & drink Korean culture links websites

More Links

01/05/2010 – 22:47

It’s been a little while since I’ve updated the links, so here’s a run down of a few websites and blogs I’ve dug up in the last month or so.

If you’re new to Korea or want to learn more about Korean food, my friend Pete hooked me up with a link to TriFood.com. It’s focus is on promoting Korean food in the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, but it’s got a very thorough glossary of Korean Cuisine.  Not to mention, there’s a bunch of recipes worth trying out if you’re handy in the kitchen.

Speaking of Korean food, One fork, One spoon is a pretty awesome food blog by Grace Meng.  Grace covers Korean cuisine along with a fair mix of Mexican, Spanish and Argentinean.  She’s got dozens of posts including Korean recipes and restaurant reviews.  Keep an eye out for her Korean cookbook coming out soon. read more »

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Food & drink Gyeongju Gyo-dong restaurants tips for tourists

Restaurant Review #5: Ha Yeon Ji (하연지) Lotus Restaurant

01/02/2010 – 16:28

Ha Yeon Ji (하연지) Lotus Restaurant

As promised in my recent post Nak Cheon Won Temple (낙천원사), I got back to Ha Yeon Ji Restaurant (하연지) last Saturday with some friends, and this time I did actually  remember to bring my camera.   Ha Yeon Ji Restaurant (하연지) is part of  Nak Cheon Won Temple (낙천원사) complex , which is new, private temple that’s home to a huge golden Buddha in the front courtyard. read more »

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