Korea Diary | Eating Through Edae (Day 30)

I was pretty absorbed with school throughout most of my study abroad summer.  It was pretty evident in the first couple weeks of classes when most my friends and I opted to order delivery or eat convenience store meals.

Bestie C and I were finally settled into our school routines by the 3rd week of classes. How do I remember? Our dinner outings became more frequent and further away from campus on school nights!

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Edae Noodle Kimbob Shabu Noodles Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Edae Noodle Kimbob
Shabu Noodles from Noodle Kimbob @ Edae

To be honest, I don't have much memory of this dish. It probably was one of those places we chose by chance rather than through research. (Those decisions can be hit or miss.)

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Edae Pastel de nata Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Edae Pastel de nata Portuguese Egg Tarts
Portuguese Egg Tarts from Pastel de nata @ Edae

If there is one dessert that I missed from home but didn't think I could get an equivalent of in Korea was the egg tart. Flaky layers of puff pastry filled with a creamy egg custard, love. When I spotted this little hole in the wall shop in Edae, I had to try one. I don't remember it being the best egg tart or Portuguese egg tart I've ever had but it helped fill the void. Plus having one was enough when it was ~₩2,000 a pop. So many other new things to try!

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Edae Solid Works Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Edae Solid Works Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Edae Solid Works Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Edae Solid Works Oreo Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Edae Solid Works Mango Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
Oreo and Mango Nitrogen Ice Cream from Solid Works @ Edae

I had seen liquid nitrogen being used on cooking shows before. It always seemed so cool on television. Pour, poof, and viola! Liquids seem to instantaneously become solid. When Bestie C said there was a shop in Edae that had liquid nitrogen ice cream, I couldn't wait to make a visit.

As one would imagine, Solid Works' deco was very much science themed. Both staff donned their lab coats and ingredients were in beakers and syringes. Everything was made to order by first pouring the liquid bases into the mixers and followed by the liquid nitrogen coolant. A few minutes, and maybe some toppings, later we were presented with our cups of ice cream.

Solid Works was a little special because of their serving design. The ice cream only sat in a half cup, which was perfectly nestled into a larger cup that acted as a mini cooling device. This was done by adding a small chunk of dry ice into some water to create a cold air circulation. Again, such attention to detail!

Depending on the flavor, the "ice cream" may actually be more of a sorbet. Either way liquid nitrogen ice cream does tend to veer towards the lighter side in terms of texture and flavor. It's an indulgence!...Or is it?

Spring Has Sprung

Oh...my love, hate relationship with this season called Spring.

At it's worst, everything green will cause a runny, itchy & stuffy nose, constant sneezing, itchy eyes, and pretty much most other season allergy symptoms that exist. If I had to go without meds I might as well have a permanent supply of tissues and a trash bag strapped to me. My trusty friends to help fight against the thousands if not millions of pollen particles circulating the air.

Otherwise what's not to like about the life and color that comes with the change in weather?

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Tiny Orchids

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Tiny Orchids

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Red and White Tulips

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Flowers

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Flowers

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Pink and Magenta Tulips

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Pink and Purple Tulips

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Hyacinth

Korea Diary | Last Day in Busan (Day 29)

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Dragons mural
Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Restaurant front Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown arch
Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown arch

We had a late start on our last day in Busan. Luckily our AirBnB host allowed us to check out later since she didn't have any prior reservations for the studio. Before our pre-scheduled afternoon departure train back to Seoul, the three of us wandered around Busan for more food.

Our first stop of the day was to Busan's Chinatown. It was conveniently located right near where we stayed, across the street of the Busan Station and near Choryang. Most of the shops and restaurants weren't open yet even though we got there around noon. I noticed that despite it being named Chinatown, there were also a lot of Russian (I think) shops as well.

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Japchae Jajang Rice Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Jajangmyeon Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Mandoo

Since the Korean tourism site stated that this Chinatown was built as a collaboration between Busan and Shanghai, I had an inkling of hope for somewhat authentic Shanghai-style Chinese food. While I cannot attest to all the restaurants there, most of the ones we saw some menus of served mostly Korean-Chinese dishes.

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Gukje Market
Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Gukje Market - Patbingsoo Danpatjook Vendor Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Gukje Market - Red Bean Porridge Danpatjook

We didn't have too much time left after lunch. Our final stop in Busan was back to BIFF Square. This time it wasn't to re-explore the square. Instead our actual destination was the nearby Gukje Market 국제시장. Everything someone might need or want can be found in this one market: clothes, accessories, homeware, old stuff, new stuff, and even all kinds of street foods.

I think the three of us probably had a bunch more snacks while at the market. But the one thing that I was most excited to see and try was the red bean porridge or danpatjook 단팥죽. I LOVE the Chinese version and I really wanted to try the Korean version as well. From my memory, the Korean version (at this particular vendor) was pretty watery and not very sweet.

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Korail KTX Busan to Seoul

And so that was the end of our 3-day weekend trip to Busan!