Passion 5 is impressive. The desserts and breads are constantly pushing the envelope. Today I went with friends to get some coffee and some desserts. The espresso was dark and robust and the mini cheesecakes were delicious morsels. The strawberry tart was lovely as well.

Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 728-11 Hannam-dong

http://m.google.com/u/m/_TmRUZ

Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes I have received in the last few days.

It's been a great year and I am so happy that I have a great group of friends around me. I would like to thank all of my friends and family around me. I wish you all good health and happy fortunes in the new year.

Dan

I am at Gong Cha at Young Plaza. They specialize in bubble tea and they are really popular in Singapore and Malaysia. They are sorta like the Starbucks of Bubble Tea. So if you like chewy teas made your way then this is the place to go. You get to pick out your type of tea, your ice level, type of filling, and sweetness level. It sounds complicated but it isn't so bad.

I got the black milk tea with half ice and 50% sweetness level. It came out in a nifty cup that was sealed on top. When you drink it the cup collapses a bit and then refills after.

The tea tasted good but I felt a bit jittery from the tea. I find I get this when tea is made too strong or of ...not the highest quality. It was refreshing though and I think I will do it again (with another tea) in the future.

Gong Cha
** (2 stars. Clean, efficient and customizable milk tea)

Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 14 Namdaemunno 2(i)-ga

http://m.google.com/u/m/wJQ97u

http://m.google.com/u/m/wH0vIS






It is my birthday today so I decided to treat myself so I got a banana cream pie over at Lazy Sue's. The advert for it looked good.


In theory it looked good so I got a slice for 5,500 won. I think I got about 3,000 won worth of pleasure out of it. The pie crust was dry and more like uncooked filo dough than pie crust. The chocolate was non-existent and the banana layer was too thin to actually call this a banana pie. It should have been called a "whipped cream pie with banana accents." The saving grace of this was the custard. It was thick and nicely flavored with vanilla. Oh, my double espresso tasted a bit off. I think they need to get better beans.

Next time I will make my own pie

Lazy Sue
* (2 star) average
02-790-1912
Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 671 Itaewon 2(i)-dong

It might just have been what I ordered or maybe the chef was having a bad day but the food I had over at Layaly Dubai was bland and without character. I ordered the Laheum azine under the recommendation of the very nice owner. It is like flatbread with curd cheese on one and minced seasoned lamb on the other.

The bread was like and I could see where the chef was going with the flavors. There were hints of cumin and lemon there but the lack of salt just didn't bring it out. The lentil soup was just thick and didn't look very appetizing. The taste was alright but this had too much salt. (It is nice to know they do have salt in the kitchen.)

The mayonnaise dip sauce for the Laheum azine was insulting (and looked poisonous).

The interior looks mismatched and gaudy. The place is new yet looks like it is 15 years old. It is nicely located but they don't serve alcohol so the balcony location goes to waste.

Anyway, the restaurant seems to be going through a rough spell and I think the place has potential and they just need to get some business to get them there. They should make the food better so people will talk about it. Folks, I can't say the food is awful. I was just expecting more flavor. Maybe I will give their dazine a try next time. Maybe.

Layaly Dubai
* (1 star out of 4)
010-9967-6887
Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 586 Itaewon 2(i)-dong

http://m.google.com/u/m/-bmz9e

Dear Readers, Friends, Co-workers, And Family

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy holidays to all. It's has been a great year for me personally and professionally and I would not have been able to do it without all of your support. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and to believe in me.

I hope you all have a joyous holidays.

Love,

Dan

Ok so I am a tech nerd and I am always trying for better ways to streamline and get better photos. I thought it was the camera but then the software and then my ability to take photos and then I thought it had to do with extraneous equipment like flashes and light meters and such. It's too much. I don't know which camera is best anymore. I started ages ago with a Pentax optio and then got a canon point and shoot and then upgraded to a Canon Powershot g10. The powershot was terrible because I didn't know what aperture or shutter speed meant. Later I got a canon rebel dsl camera and then another one that did video. I then switched systems to a Panasonic micro 4/3rds. I like the 4/3rds for their size but I feel it's not as bright as my other cameras. Now I mainly shoot on my iPad mini and my iPhone. I don't know which is better but I do like that I can get my photos out quickly.



I have played with Instagram most and I love it. Amaro (the first setting) seems to work with all photos. However I just got a SD card reader for my iPad mini so I thought I should import some of my photos from my Panasonic micro 4/3rds camera and do some editing. Here are the programs I downloaded:

Adobe Photoshop express
PE Foto Lr HD
Photo editor
Be Funky
Photo Toaster Jr.
Picshot light
Aviary
Camera!

Adobe photoshop and PicShot light suck. Interfaces are non-intuitive and you can't grasp the idea of what the image will look like afterwards. The auto enhance on adobe is better than some of the others though. Photo editor and Aviary seem to have the same interfaces, filters, and more. Both are all right but nothing special.

Photo Toaster has some good options and filters. You could do quite a bit without buying the upgrades. Be funky is fun but not so useful and the auto enhance made things look bad.

I really like PE Foto Lr HD. Too bad the lame is lame. It lets you do stuff like type text and color in or make parts of your photo black and white.

Of the, all I liked camera! most. It is intuitive and fun to use. Photos come out colorful and smart. It was a good weekend.

Dan

Yesterday I got to explore Gangnam with a coupe of friends and here are some pictures I snapped off during the day. I think the general consensus overall was that Gangnam isn't as spectacular as the video but the people are generally much better looking. Gangnam is a fun place to explore and eat and I would recommend it to all that are looking for a fun night out in Seoul.

Dan
Www.ongofood.com
Gangnam Style Tour

I feel that today is a special moment in Korea's History. My mother came over to Seoul to cook my Birthday dinner of Myeokguk (seaweed soup) and many of my favorite banchan. She is watching The news of Pak Geun-Hye on my portable TV. When I lived with my mother as a young child we lived in a small one room with a tiny TV that we had to fiddle with tinfoil to get the picture straight. She jokingly tells me that she starved so that I could eat well and now we have many different varieties before us.

We discuss about Pak Geun-Hye and my mother really admires her and mentions that she lived such a sad life since her parents passed away. She really admires her for her struggles she went through and that now it is her time as president. This is not something that was rushed. My mother says it is now her time. She says, very openly, that all the people in her village voted for Pak Geun-Hye. They all want her to be president because they feel she is Korea. She understands the people regardless of her party lines.

Last night in a taxi ride back to my house my taxi driver was loudly and comically belligerent that Park Geun-Hye was about to be president. He said, "How can a woman be president when she is not even married!" I think in korea that would be the only way that a woman could become president.

I have Korea in front of me as I eat. All the different products is food my mother has helped grow or make in some way. The kimchi is made from cabbage from her village and seasoned with the garlic, chili, and red pepper powder from her town. The pollock floss was hand shredded and seasoned. The grasshoppers she caught herself for another side dish. She made everything for she wants me to be healthy.

My mother and I are a funny pair. Today she told me she never had pizza before and I am just shocked. "How is that possible," I think to myself? She tells me that she didn't try many western food until she re-met me. In her village she shares the wine and coffee I bring with her friends and they like to call her the "luxury alumna" because now she knows the difference between different types of wine and cheese.

Today I will take her shopping. I asked her what she wanted. She said, "warm shoes." I know the Korean superstition about buying shoes for a loved one (she shouldn't because they'll run away). We laugh about this for a bit. We then come to a compromise. I will give her money as a present and she can buy whatever she would like. I really don't want her to go anywhere.

Dan

Hi Seoul Eats Readers,

If you miss reading magazines like I do, here is a chance that you can win a free subscription to a your favorite magazine from Zinio.com. To win all you have to do is to post a comment below this post and tell us what you want for Christmas. Your comment can be funny or serious, the truth or a lie. Just leave a comment and you can win!

I have 10 to give away and the deadline to comment is on December 26th!

Here is some more info on Zinio

We have 300 magazine titles available at up to 50% off our already-discounted prices. Here are just a few sample titles: LA CUCINA ITALIANA, VEGETARIAN TIMES, FOOD ARTS, CLEAN EATING. And here's where you can find out more and send your readers to get 50% off: http://www.zinio-deals.com/december12/

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Not familiar with Zinio? We have thousands of top magazines from around the world and you can browse and purchase subscriptions or single issues instantly from your computer or mobile device to read wherever and whenever you like. Our Explore section lets you read - even without a subscription - thousands of articles from your favorite magazines and share them with friends.

















S

Dear Friends,

I am happy to announce that Volume 1 of the comic has finally been released. In this volume you'll find 48 pages of fun and informative illustrations on Korean food.  You'll follow the adventures of Jia as she eats her way on her journey to explain all about Korean food. There is also a bonus etiquette section. Plus, in honor of the Christmas Season, we will be pricing the book at $1.99 (normally $4.99) for a copy. You can win a free copy of the book by commenting on the post below and telling us your favorite Korean food! You can write more than 1 and I will choose 5 people at random.

You can follow the link below to see the book in the itunes book store. It is a book appropriate for all ages. Its for people that love comics, love food, love Korean food and just love life. Some people have also reported that reading the book can even cure the common cold (just kidding). Download it today!

Learn about Korean food through fun comics!Say Kimchi! Korean Food Comic has been released for iPad https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/say-kimchi!-korean-food-comic/id581645601?ls=1

Thank you!

Daniel, Heejong and Jia

This is one seriously funny commercial. I love how he whips the noodles up with his mouth at the end. Nicesu! Eat Paldo Namja Ramen because the commercial is so dang funny.

I think the best part about dating ( yes, folks, I am dating someone) is that you get to cook for someone and try to come up with dishes that will impress while... impressing the guest. Cooking for a date needs to have a time limit, a budget and a bit of a show. If you can work together to cook the meal it makes it even better. For my first meal for my date I made steak. I pan seared it with butter and then oven baked it. I seasoned it with salt and pepper and ground coffee (this will add a charcoal flavor to it). It only took about 10 minutes in the oven at 200 degrees but I could have done it for less for medium rare (mine came out medium well as suggested by my date).

I made some mashed sweet potatoes, a cucumber and carrot salad and orange and sesame spinach as sides. Overall it was a success, but next time I would make a pan sauce from the steak.





On another night I made oven roasted chicken with sweet potatoes (my date likes them a lot). I just seasoned the chicken with salt and garlic powder and then overhead the chicken with olive oil and baked at 220 Celsius for 25 minutes. It turned out well and the skin was crispy.

 

Silly Christmas Hats

On first day of Korean Christmas, my true love gave to me a Santa that bows at me.

If you are looking for a unique gift for friends and family currently living in Korea or planning on visiting soon, a perfect present would be a Korean Cooking Class or Dining Tour. Our company, O'ngo Food Communications, has expert, knowledgable staff that give an experience that will last a lifetime.

You can learn how to cook Korean food in our fully equipped kitchen with the help of a Korean chef in English. Our chefs have taught thousands students over the last two years and can give you insight into Korean cuisine and teach you proper techniques. Plus you might even get to benefit from your gift via a dinner invite. Our cooking classes start at 65,000 Korean won for beginners, 120,000 won for intermediate levels, and 250,000 won for professionals. It is a perfect gift for foodie individuals and couples.

For those who would prefer to eat, we offer our highly rated food tours. Our taste tour introduces guests to street food stalls and then Korean barbecue. Our night dining tour is a multi-restaurant food and alcohol tour that will introduce Korean culture through cuisine. We also have private options such as our ultimate food tour. Tours start at 57,000 won a person

Contact us at ongofood@ongofood.com to make an inquiry about a gift certificate.

Our tours and cooking classes are recommended in the Frommers guide, Lonely Planet, Time Out Seoul and more. Our tours have been featured in Politiken, Sydney Herald, USA Today and Elle Asia and other publications. Our guides have also appeared on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, the Kimchi Chronicles, and National Geographic. O'ngo's Food Tours are rated the number 1 activity in Korea on tripadvisor.