Category: Food

Korean Cafe Culture

Published on by stefaniepaikLeave a comment

Korea is well known for its cafes; from cute to extraordinary. In Seoul, every major neighborhood has its own neighborhood cafe vibe. For example, Myeongdong is a very popular tourist spot so the cafes are meant to be unique and eye-catching, while also being advertised as a place to rest from shopping. Gangnam is a very wealthy neighborhood in Seoul, therefore the Cafes are more expensive and upscale; blurring the line between bar and cafe. Hongdae is a neighborhood popular among young adults. The cafes here are trendy with a splash of unusual.

Harry Potter Cafe

Hongdae is home to various pop culture cafes like Hello Kitty, Kakao, and anime. In Hongdae, the cafe that is on every tourist bucket list is the Harry Potter cafe called 943 King’s Cross. This building has 5 floors; each with its own Harry Potter theme such as the banquet hall and wizards dorm. The first floor is the cafe, where you can order the popular Butter Beer; with or without alcohol. The non-alcoholic Butter Beer is a butterscotch iced coffee.

While I see why this place is popular, the drinks were pretty expensive. So for me, it is a cool one-time experience.

Cat Cafe

As I mentioned, Myeongdong is a popular tourist destination. So how is a cafe able to attract the attention of travelers? Easy; the answer is cats. To enter the cat cafe, you must change your shoes into cafe-provided slippers. Then you must put all your belongings in a plastic bag. Don’t worry if you have shopping items, the plastic bag is huge. Lastly, you purchase a drink that acts as an admission fee. Now you can be in Cat Wonderland. All of the cats have certain colored collars on them. This corresponds to what sort of cat it is. yellow represents the cats that love people; so they love to be petted. The blue-collar is for cats that are on the feisty side. While it isn’t safe to thoughtlessly pet them, you can interact with them. Lastly, the red collar is for cats that you should only look at. These cats tend to not like people as much or have certain reasons as to why they should not be touched.

Overall the experience was pretty nice. I wish I didn’t have a cat allergy, but that’s ok. I just took some medicine and looked at the cats, which was still pretty fun. The only true warning about this cafe is that the cats might pee where they shouldn’t. While I was at the cafe, the table across from me got their plastic bag peed on. So that is why the plastic bag is VERY important.

Record Cafe

Insa-dong is famous for its old Korean Architecture called Hanok. In the Hanok village area of Insa-dong, there are countless, beautiful cafes. The cafe that stuck out to me the most is the Record Cafe. The entrance fee is the purchase of a drink, which is pretty expensive because it is basically the price of an entrance fee plus the drink. I got a milk tea and it cost 18,000 won, which is about 14 dollars. The experience was super cool. If you are alone or in a group of 4, you can sit and relax while listening to the record player through the connected headphones. The cafe has so many records from both Korea and other countries, mainly American artists. The time period of the music is pretty diverse. I was able to listen to Dolly Parton, Troy Sivan, BTS, and Whitney Houston.

If you were to travel to Korea, I would highly recommend this cafe. It was such a nice way to relax and just sit and listen to the music. While the price was expensive, I believe that it was worth it.

24-Hour Study Cafe near KU

I’m not sure if it is smart or evil that KU has the dorms at the top of the campus, which is also the top of what feels like a mountain. So many KU students, they find it easier to just stay at the bottom of campus until they have to sleep, which is practically the only time they are in their dorm. Since many students don’t study in their rooms, they go to cafes or the library. Honestly, I tried to study at one of the various libraries. It felt super depressing to me, so I see why people prefer cafes.

While the cafe itself is nothing special, what it represents is exceptional. As long as you buy a drink, you can stay at the cafe as long as you need. My favorite item from the cafe is the waffle; it is so delicious.

Itaewon Cafe

One day, when I had class canceled, I decided to take a little trip to Itaewon for fun. My plan was to get lunch, and then find a random cafe to do homework. The plan was a big success because I stumbled upon the cutest cafe. This cafe is special because it sells drinks in bear or dog cups. It was such a fun experience to just walk around and find a cafe to study in. Definitely will do this again.

My standards for food are dangerously high now.

Published on by Claudia CutlerLeave a comment

I’m sure you’ve already heard, but the food in Florence is really good. I will try my best to explain but I hope you read this on a full stomach, for your sake! I start most days at the cafe across my street and cough up a couple euros for a fresh-baked cornetto paired with a delectable latte. People-watching outside with my quintessential Italian breakfast is always the perfect way to kickstart my day. But lunch is where the magic really begins. Even if I stumble into a spot I’ve never been before, I can always count on a 5-star focaccia sandwich or pasta dish. My favorite pasta right now is probably pappardelle al cinghiale, wide ribbons with wild boar ragu. Recently I discovered a classic Tuscan bread soup called ribollita, which I think I’m going to email the DU dining hall about soon. I have yet to brave the lampredotto that locals swear by, a street food specialty made from cow’s stomach. I’m going to try it before I leave, it just hasn’t been screaming my name. On the contrary, I have officially consumed the bistecca alla Fiorentina! Their T-bone steak here is famous for a reason. I’m not sure how to explain it other than a meat lover’s dream come true, seared to perfection. Although it is on the more expensive side, it is WORTH it and an experience to remember. 

Of course, dining in Florence’s tourist hubs can be a tad pricey. But I’ve found when I venture a bit off the beaten path, there are local trattorias and osterias that offer authentic, inexpensive, all the while mind-blowing food! It’s actually ridiculous compared to cheap food in America. It’s funny how a McDonald’s trip used to brighten my entire day, but now I just laugh when I pass it. Even at nicer sit-down restaurants, you can find pasta for 12 euros which would probably double in price in America considering the quality. And quantity! I was pleasantly surprised to find portions to be just as big, if not bigger. Eating out all the time is a luxury that no one in any country can afford though, so I’m grateful for Conad just a minute’s walk from my apartment. Conad is a fairly large grocery store chain with reasonable prices for all kinds of food. I’ve made such cute little discoveries like stracciatella yogurt, cheeses paired with specific jams, and multiple aisles dedicated to wine. While there are organic street markets I could stop and shop at, I appreciate Conad for its extensive produce section. The one thing about Italian restaurants is that vegetables are a rare sight to see. However, I’m not ashamed to admit that I take advantage of several Americanized restaurants like Shake Cafe, which I can rely on for a cheap and healthy meal. It was tough to weed out the overpriced tourist trap spots, but after some exploration and time, I can safely say my meals have never been more satisfying.

Something truly special about eating out is the authenticity of the service. Even though there’s no tipping system, all of the waiters I’ve had have been kind while remaining straight to the point. There are no fake laughs, unnecessary apologies, or check-ins. The ones with big personalities have no problem concealing it, joking that they won’t hand over the check; “what do you mean you’re full? No such thing!”. When we do bond every once in a while, I feel like they actually want to get to know me and my friends. Once we asked for the check at dinner, I noticed the waiter would wait for a long period of silence to arrive with it. The first time I noticed it had been 20 minutes since I asked for the check, I was confused and a little annoyed. But it’s happened almost every time now, and I realized that however long I have a dinner with someone is a direct reflection of how much fun we’re having. It’s a simple concept that dinner is a social experience, but eating in Florentine restaurants has trained me to slow down and truly enjoy myself, my company, and my food. It’s also an unspoken rule that ordering takeout, while an option, is actually not an option. The rudest glares I’ve received were for this reason, from cashiers to locals on the street. It makes sense though; why would you diminish dining or the people who put effort into your food? Food and wine are meant to be appreciated as a holistic experience, not just consumed. I think I’m beginning to understand la dolce vita – the sweet life.

I want to end with a quick love letter for my favorite gelato place, My Sugar. My Sugar won the best gelato in Florence competition in 2016, which is an insane accomplishment considering there is gelato on almost every other block. I’m surprised they haven’t won all of the years. I’ve probably been to 20 different gelato places since I arrived, and My Sugar is the only one I actively crave. It tastes like heaven fluff cream, and each flavor is designed to its fullest potential. I didn’t believe in perfection until I met My Sugar. If I could have one dessert for the rest of my life it would be My Sugar. Okay, I think I’ve gotten my point across. All in all, Florence is delicious.