While heading to our dinner spot, we were greeted by people selling water guns right near the entrance of the subway in Sinchon. Then we spotted so many people on the streets who were soaked from head to toe as we walked closer and closer to the main square. From the looks of it, there was some sort of big water gun fight that was sponsored by Sprite Korea.
Later on we found out (either through signs nearby or a Facebook event page) that it was the 2nd Annual Sinchon Water Gun Festival that weekend. We missed the appearance of the then hottest idol in Korea that summer, Suzy from Miss A, who filmed her part for a Sprite commercial in the morning.
But fear not, the event was a weekend only affair. Day 35 was only Saturday, so our Sunday plans were unexpectedly set that night.
Mammoth Grill 맘모스 고기부페 was our night's dinner destination. This was another All-You-Can-Eat type KBBQ place that was conveniently located in Sinchon. Just like the previous AYCE meat grilling restaurant we went to, Mammoth was relatively inexpensive. I believe it was around ₩10,000- ₩12,000 per person. I also remember the meats here being a bit better than at Chakhan Pig, especially the thicker cuts of pork belly! Oh what I would do to be able to eat at an inexpensive buffet KBBQ...
Of the things I wanted to try in Korea, visiting a dog cafe was high up on my list. I actually grew up not being particularly fond of dogs. The ones in my neighborhood always tended to bark at me every time I walked past the gates they "guarded". Nevertheless, I always admired the fluff balls whenever they appeared on TV and movies. How could I not? Those cute doggies! (Especially Buddy the golden retriever from Air Bud.)
In Seoul there were many types of animal cafes; ranging from the more common cat and dog cafes to even sheep cafes. It would have been a wasted opportunity to be around so many doggies.
After lunch at the Totoro restaurant, our big group split into two. One group visited the Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae and the other Bauhaus Dog Cafe 바우하우스 애견 카페 in Hapjeong.
This dog cafe was located in the basement of a tall building near the subway station. Once inside we immediately saw all the dogs yapping away or chilling in their own cozy spots. For most of these animal cafes, I've heard that there wasn't an admission fee. Instead visitors just have to order a drink each. Drinks tended to be more expensive here since it was the de facto admission ticket. There was supposedly a time limit at the cafe but it wasn't strictly enforced when we were there. We probably spent a good 3+ hours at the dog cafe that day.
We were first led to the big playing area with the bigger sized dogs. It was pretty overwhelming at first, so many big doggies walking around us. But we quickly discovered that these dogs were smart. Visitors who had snacks for them were their main targets friends. For those, like my friends and I, who didn't buy treats for the pets, we didn't receive much love.
Small dogs are cute and all but they also tend to be the ones (from my own observation) that bark the most. I was initially more excited to be with the bigger dogs, but that changed quickly. The little dogs at Bauhaus gave everyone attention no matter the presence or absence of doggie treats. We were able to approach them more easily and pet them. A few even let us sit them on our laps!
By the end of our visit, I was especially fond of the two corgis at the cafe. They were so cute, chubs, and stubbly! Ahh~ Makes me want to have a pet dog. But the responsibilities...
One Piece and Hello Kitty may have been slight letdowns, but we didn't completely give up on themed restaurants. Our next stop was to eat amongst Totoro and friends in Edae.
The particular restaurant didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary on the outside. Signs with menu photos and waxed foods were a pretty typical sighting in Seoul.
What set Botong Saram 보통 사람 or Average Person apart was it's interior. Seating and tables were designed to look like tree trucks and leafy vines looped all around the walls. Totoro stuffed animals, figurines, and posters were placed everywhere. Compared to the previous two themed restaurants we visited, Botong Saram seemed have put more effort into decorating.
It was always a treat when spicy rice cakes or ddeokbokki was given as a side dish at restaurants. This was also, I think, the first restaurant we had steamed egg or gyeranjim for banchan.
An interesting food that we ordered was the egg wrapped mini kimbap 겨란말이밥.
Botong Saram's menu had a variety of classic Korea dishes: bibimbap, donkatsu, soups, etc. Something I wanted to try after seeing it on the menu was jjol myeon 쭐면.
I've had it once or twice before at the Food Gallery 32 in Koreatown. I really liked how refreshing it was. The dish is similar to bibimbap but with very chewing cold noodles instead of piping hot rice. While there is a another dish called bibimmyeon 비빔면 or mixed noodles, the type of noodle used is completely different from jjol myeon's and there aren't as many vegetable accompaniments.
I was glad that Totoro didn't end up letting us down. Food was inexpensive and atmosphere was nice, what more is there to ask for?
