Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Gourmet cafés


Challenge accepted – to find delicious unique treats in Daegu!

First stop – shaved ice with toppings & syrup (빙수)

Korea is famous for its red bean bingsoo (팥빙수) and to me it is a very delicious cold summer dessert. But what about other bingsoos [aka sherbets] and their toppings? Let’s explore together.

Here’s one!


Even if it is a little difficult to find, Witches & Witch’s Kettle (위치스&위치스케틀) café is worth the trouble! A nice fragrance of delicious treats will fill your nose once you step through the door. The people greet you with a big smile and you automatically feel welcomed.

There are two parts for this café – daily treat & night treat. The daily café part, called Witches II – where our delicious bingsoo is at, is open until 10pm but you can enjoy your time in night part, Witch’s Kettle, until 12am.


My definite recommendation? – Cheese Bingsoo (치즈빙수)
It is not too sweet nor too sour, don’t let the word cheese scare you. It is quite delicious and the size portion is enough for 2-3 people. But if you are very hungry, it is good enough to finish all on your own.

How to get there?
The café is located south of KNU (경북대학교) campus, between Main Gate (경북대정문) and the small gate. Walk down south of the Main Gate and take the second road on the right. When you turn, you see the road splitting into two – the first road is the one to take. Walk down the road until you see the café on your left.

Working hours?
Witches II – 11:00 – 22:00
Witch’s Kettle – 11:00 – 24:00


Tip1: If you grave for western style food, that is a place to check out for lunch.
Tip2: It is a good place for dating, too.

Score: 4.5/5

Second stop bakery, roll cakes

Because I’m gluten intolerant and can’t eat anything with wheat flour, I had to ask my friends to be the test bunnies for me. Our desired destination – Mary Poppins (메리포핀스).


The coffee shop is cute and the decorations quite adorable, atop of the nice atmosphere - the service is amazing. That is the only café I’ve visited in South Korea, where the waiters and waitresses pay constant attention to their customers. Simplest example is – they never let your water glass get empty.

Mary Poppins is quite famous for its green tea roll cake and going there for first time it is a ‘must buy&try’. As turns out, you can only buy one piece of the cake per order – but it is so delicious you will not regret sharing it with your mates.


Even if I couldn’t try all of it, I sneaked some spoonfuls of the tasty cream inside. My friends and my conclusions combined about the cake are quite positive. The texture is pleasant and smooth. It is relatively easy to ruin a roll cake – it can be either too dry or too spongy, but it was just perfect! The taste is not too sweet, not too sour either and it actually tastes like green tea. Usually when you order something with green tea, quite often there is barely any taste of what you would call green tea. But this cake really is worth its name and certainly its fame.


The roll cake went well with the coffee we ordered. I took the chance to try the hand trip coffee and it was quite good, to my pleasant surprise.

How to get there?
Here's a map...



Score: 5/5

Monday, September 22, 2014

Dating in Daegu

While dating culture is quite a huge thing for Koreans, it might not be so for foreigners. Even if Korea is a conservative country, their dating culture is quite open. You can see couples walking down the road in similar outfits, hand in hand, or feeding each other treats with lovey-dovey looks on their faces in cafés and public parks. So, where to go for a date when you want some privacy?




Viewing points and parks.

One of my two favourite viewing points in Daegu are Chimsan park (침산공원) and Sunrise park (해맞이공원). They are higher hills inside the city in northern parts of Daegu, with well-kept nature scenery and resting points (pavilions). And the best part of it – there aren’t many people around! Be it day time or night time, the places have a romantic aura and a relaxing atmosphere.



Lakes, ponds and fountains.

What is the best way to keep cool in hot summer? Near any water, I’d assume. One very amazing place to take a stroll alone or with your date is definitely Suseong Lake in south-east part of Daegu. During day time you can enjoy the nice view around the area, perhaps even a romantic ride on the duck boat or take some rides in the amusement park next to it. Night time at the lake offers a very amazing laser water show that you wouldn’t want to miss out on. And if you feel too tired from all the walking, the place is surrounded by different types of cafes and restaurants – just pick one to your liking.



Timetable for laser water show.


If you’re in north-east part of Daegu, then Bongmu Leports Park is a nice and quiet place to take a stroll in with your lover. There are a lot of daily activities to do in a large area of land, but to just circle the whole lake, the walking/biking road is around 7 kilometres. However if you’re interested in some more physical activities, then you can also enjoy fun refreshing water activities on the lake - duck-themed motor boats, water skiing and banana boats.


Prices for Bongmu activities.


Special areas – Keimyung University & Herb Hillz

Keimyung University campuses are pretty unique areas in Daegu. The style of the buildings and campuses is quite western and in my opinion, quite romantic. But perhaps not only for me, since Korean drama Love Rain was shot in the grounds of Keimyung University (Daemyeong Campus & Seongseo Campus) while the drama talks about – romance and everlasting love. Check out more information about Love Rain filming locations here.




Herb Hillz – It’s an eco-themed park, offering many attractions to its visitors in a lovely nature filled atmosphere. In addition to the herbs and flowers, this quaint nature theme park comes complete with bumper cars, a swinging ship, a family-oriented zoo, and a variety of cute stores. It’s a perfect hangout for couples and even families. The peaceful atmosphere is filled with sweet fragrance of the various plants growing in that area, accompanied by soft water sound in the background. However, it can be quite crowded during peak hours.



Operating Hours
Weekday: 09:30 - 19:00
Weekend & Holiday: 09:30 - 20:00

Admission Fee (Individual)
- Weekday: Adults 7,000 won / Children 5,000 won
- Weekend & Holiday: Adults 8,000 won / Children 6,000 won

More information about Herb Hillz is located here.

Fun fact!
Currently airing Korean drama “It’s Okay, It’s Love” () filmed an episode in Bongmu Leports Park and Herb Hillz as well.


Hope this information was somewhat useful.
Only thing left to do is to - enjoy your date!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Buk-gu Rock Spirit since 1999



Ever wondered where you could find like-minded people in Daegu and enjoy good selection of music the same time? If you like to listen to the classics of rock and metal music, enjoy jazz or any western instrumental music created in this century – then there is just a perfect place for you!

  What?
Gypsy Rock짚시랔 is a “rock bar” with long history, located in Buk-gu area, just at the North Gate of Kyungpook National University in Daegu. Operating since 1999, the bar currently hosts its 5th owner – Cho WooChon 조우전.

 How to?
Finding your way to KNU’s North Gate is the easy part. The second step is to locate the underground beauty.
If you are across the road of the North Gate of KNU, facing the gate – turn to right and walk down the road until you see flower shop (향기가득) at the corner (on your right hand). Turn to right and you’ll see a road that splits into two. Take the first of the V road on the left and walk until you see a GYPSY ROCK sign on your right. It takes about 1-2 minutes from the gate to there.

 When?
Gypsy Rock is operating 7 days a week, but closed for inventory 1st Sunday of every month.
Weekday – 6:30PM ~ 02:00AM (varies)
Weekend – 6:30PM ~ 4:00AM (varies)



 Why? Why not!
The pub is one unique place in Daegu and one of my favourites, too. It carries the spirit of many for more than 10 years, their emotions and feelings graved into the walls of the bar. Whenever you visit you’ll be greeted by a very friendly owner and the regular customers. Many of its old customers in their 30’s and 40’s keep coming back to this place due the friendly atmosphere and they are very welcoming towards foreigners and newcomers.

 Not only!
Gypsy Rock is favourable place for locals and foreigners (students, professors, travellers) alike who enjoy going there on the weekends. If you have time during the week, it’s a good place to go to listen and watch one of your favourite music videos. From Monday till Thursday you can request your own favourite songs.
Tip: Be prepared with a list of songs to request when you go there.



 Beverages.
There’s a long list of choices for beer, foreign and local ones. Long list for delicious cocktails, too. And draft beer is quite cheap!
It is possible to smoke there, like in many of other places in South Korea. But as a non-smoker I find it OK to be there. The ventilation is good and not so many smokers around.

 By the way…
The place is haunted!

…just kidding. Visit it one day, you will not regret.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Korean chicken & beer in traditional style

One thing that Koreans love the most is to eat fried chicken (양념 치킨) and drink beer (맥주). No matter the occasion, they always find a reason to gather their friends for good food and good drinks. In Korean this tradition is called ChiMaek (맥) for short. This time me and my friends visited Wonjutongdalg (원주통닭), a traditional Korean style chicken restaurant located in the heart of Daegu downtown.

How to get there?
Perhaps this map will be helpful.

 

Once you've reached there. 



 During the affordable nice meal and awesome company, you can enjoy the traditional atmosphere with smiling people around you.


Gluten intolerance?
No worries! Even if you can’t join your friends for fried chicken and beer, you will regret not joining their company. Koreans are happiest when they eat and drink and it’s never boring! There are restaurants that offer oven baked and grilled chicken next to the usual fried chicken. And if you like your alcoholic beverages, then Korean drink soju or wheat-free makgeolli is also a good option to consider!