July 11, 2016

Innisfree Cafe Seoul, South Korea

July 11, 2016/ Roxy Hutton

If you've been following this blog for any time at all, I'm sure you'll know have come across a post or two sharing my love for the Innisfree brand.

Innisfree is known as the first, original South Korean all-natural brand, and is one of the few Korean brands that use organic ingredients certified by France's ECOCERT organisation. All of it's packaging is recyclable, and the ingredients in it's products are natural and not filled with a million and one chemicals.

What I love most about Innisfree is the fact that their products are reasonably priced, and they WORK! There are so many amazing Korean skincare and makeup brands, but a lot of them look a lot better than they work. Korean packaging is incredibly cute and will have you buying all sorts of products just because they will look pretty on your dresser.

You can imagine my delight when I found out that Innisfree has it's own cafe! There are two locations, one on Jeju Island (the home of Innisfree) and on in Seoul.

During the last weekend we spent in Korea (in case you're new around here, my husband and I spent 3 years living in South Korea and have only just returned home to South Africa) I was able to pop into the cafe and experience the beauty of Innisfreein it's 'cafe' form.

March 01, 2016

Racoon Cafe in Seoul, South Korea - Blind Alley Cafe

March 01, 2016/ Roxy Hutton

If you're from the US, chances are you're not a big fan of these furry creatures. You probably have visions of your rubbish being riffled through and your pets being harassed. But to us South Africans, this funny little creature is a complete novelty.

We don't have racoons in South Africa, the only thing we can compare to the US 'racoon' in terms of how much havoc they wreck around your house is the vermit monkey. Most South Africans (at least those from Kwazulu-Natal) have at least 1 story of a monkey (or even a troop of monkeys) breaking into their house, causing complete chaos with the dogs and cats and stealing any food they can get their hands on.

I'm not a big fan of monkeys, so I can understand some of my American friends and their aversion to these so-called 'pests' but I was quite taken with these two racoons that we spent time with at Blind Alley Cafe near Sookmyung Women's University in Seoul. Obviously, these racoons are pets and so tame, I wouldn't advise anyone running up to a wild racoon and try and give it an affectionate scratch (ouch...you'll be in for a nasty surprise).

These two racoons were very entertaining (especially the white one who was the braver of the pair).

October 30, 2014

Monster Cupcake in Itaewon, Seoul

October 30, 2014/ Roxy Hutton

If you happen to be anywhere near Seoul tomorrow, why not pop into Monster cupcake to get yourself a spooky Halloween treat.

Their red velvet cupcakes are literally the best red-velvet I have ever had. It tops the ones I've eaten in South Africa, as well as any other I have tried here in Korea. It has just the right combination of sweet and tangy, and the actual cupcake is light and fluffy. It was devoured in seconds. Yum!

Directions

Finding this place was a little difficult, as it's on the other end of Itaewon (walking away from Itaewon central towards the McDonalds, you carry on past the Noksapyeong Subway station and turn right just after the pancake cafe. It's quite a walk from Itaewon (about 15 minutes).

The easiest way to get there is to take the Seoul Metro Subway (brown line #6) to Noksapyeong station, and take Exit 2. From that exit you will have to cross the street and walk for a few minutes and you'll find the cafe on your left.

Monster Cupcake 몬스터컵케이크

Hours: 9am-11pm

02-790-1108

서울특별시 용산구 이태원동 305-7

September 03, 2014

The best brunch in Seoul... SuJi's Deli in Itaweon

September 03, 2014/ Roxy Hutton

Sujis diner in Seoul, best brunch in Seoul, things to do in Seoul, Places to eat in Korea, western restuarants seoul, pancakes seoul, brunch korea

A quick Google search for the ultimate places to brunch in Seoul will show you a decent number of places to get your fill of a good old fashioned greasy fry up. But, as Seoul is a long way away from our little town, we wanted to make sure we weren't going to be disappointed as we often are with breakfasts here in Korea.

Suji's seemed to be ranked as one of the original brunch spots. So, armed with a bunch of very hungry South Africans we headed off to stuff our faces.

We were delighted with what awaited us...

Prices were what we had expected for a restaurant that caters for the Western market, pricey but totally justifiable. I mean, look at the size of the pancake platter.

Their menu is extensive and has something for everyone.

Everything was delicious (except the tea...who premixes frothed milk into English Breakfast?!) but the orange juice and burger made up for that.

It gets full very quickly, so make sure to get there early if you are a large group. Or just to be safe, call ahead (Tel 02.797.3698) and make a reservation.

Directions

서울특별시 용산구 이태원로 134, 2층 & 3층
2nd & 3rd Fl, 134 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Take Subway line 6 and get out at Itaewon, Exit 4.

It's all the way on the end of the main Itaewon drag, close to the McDonald's and right next door to SkinFood which is what you'll see when you reach the end of the road walking towards Noksapyung Station.

Tel 02.797.3698

Website: Sujis Diner

Opening Hours

Deli Cafe: 8am - 9pm 7 days a week

3rd Floor Restaurant: 11am - 10pm weekdays & 9am - 10pm weekends/holidays

July 09, 2014

Blute Flower Cafe, Seoul South Korea

July 09, 2014/ Roxy Hutton

Blute Flower Cafe in Seoul South Korea Review by Roxy Hutton CityGirlSearching_Artboard 3.png

** EDIT** The cafe has moved locations and can now be found a short walk from Sangsu Subway Stationer. These photographs are from when they were based in Hannam**

This delightful flower cafe is tucked away on a small side street in the very fancy Hannam area of Seoul. Just as Cat and Dog Cafes are popular here, flower shop owners have come up with the idea of a flower cafe to bring in more business as the flower trade has seen a decline in sales over the past few years. Cafe owners hope that customers will be enticed to bring back the tradition of giving flowers as gifts, and so have a variety of bouquets on display that you can buy along with your coffee or cake.

This particular cafe also offers flower arranging classes.

The food was incredible, freshly baked panini bread with sun-dried tomatoes and salami for myself, and a medley of freshly roasted vegetables for my friend Dominique. The menu was small, but sufficient, and the cakes on display looked so inviting. However, we had a cupcake cafe lined up for dessert and so stuck to their lunch menu. The prices were average, ranging from w8 000 - w12 000 a meal, with their drinks menu more expensive than other cafes I have been to. But the atmosphere is well worth the extra price of a drink.