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Cafe CF
Have you always wanted to find a desert cafe where everything looks as good as (or better than) the pictures? Well, we found it. Cafe CF in Songtan (main street in front of base, across from the bank) has amazing, giant desserts that are a feast for your eyes and your belly. Don’t come here if you aren’t ready to gorge yourself on sugar. To make it easier to order, they even have photo menus where you can see what each desert looks like. Usually these types of things leave…
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3 Fab Shabu Shabu Restaurants
Shabu Shabu (샤브샤브) is one of the most delicious things you can eat. Originally from China, but also famous in Japan, it is often called “hot pot”. In Korea it has many delightful variations that involve a fusion of different cultures. In the Pyeongtaek area we have eaten almost as much Shabu Shabu as we have eaten Budaejjigae so we’ve done our research. These are our favorite styles thus far, as well as our favorite place to eat each one. This list is in no particular order and summarizes our favorite…
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Review it Forward
This blog was created because I love living my expat life in Pyeongtaek. Love eating the food, doing the things, and going to the places. It’s also delightful to support my community and stay involved with the world around me. However, while typing away on my next novel I realized there is something you can do to support the blog. If you find South of Seoul enjoyable or useful in anyway, you can buy my novel Chasing Tales on Amazon. It just happens to be all about living the expat life, eating the food, drinking…
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ESL/EFL Educators Welcome Packet, International Student Welcome Packet, New Arrival Information, Tourist and Traveler Welcome Packet, USA Military Welcome Packet
How to Use the Subway and Where to Go
Want to learn more about using the Seoul Subway which goes south past Pyeongtaek all the way to Asan? Here are a few simple videos to get you started. This top is best learned visually for sure. 1: How to Use the Subway If you aren’t familiar with using the Seoul Subway System, here is a great video tutorial from YouTube. The subway system is very easy to use and if you use the app mentioned below, it’s almost foolproof… almost. The first few times can feel overwhelming but stick…
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3 Best Budaejjigae Restaurants
If you enjoy spicy, garlic-y, comfort food this is your jam. Budaejjigae (부대찌개), often translated into Soldier Stew, is a spicy meat stew originally made from base scraps during the Korean War. It is now a very popular, hearty meal very popular on cold or rainy days. In our house, it’s a huge favorite and we have tried it across Korea. In the five years that we have searched for the perfect Budaejjigae, we have never found anything better than these three versions in Songtan. Our top three choices are…
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December in South Korea, February in South Korea, Home Life & Maintenance Tips, January in South Korea, SOS South Korean Seasonal Guide: Winter
5 Ways To Stay Warm at Home in South Korea (For the Cheap Seats)
Complaining about the cold when you aren’t wearing the proper hat and gloves is as silly as complaining about the heat because you wore a snowsuit to the beach in Hawaii. Korean winters are easily managed with preparation and consideration for what is to come. You will find plenty of affordable cold weather gear being sold in street stalls, dollar stores, etc. So start preparing. Either that or you can continue to dress like it’s fall for the rest of the year and complain about it endlessly as if there…
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3 Great Places for Lamb
For all the lamb lovers out there, we actually have a few nice options in the area. I’m a huge fan of almost all of them. If you know of a great place for lamb in your area, please leave the address or phone number in the comments so that we can add it to the list. South African Braii Republic – Anjeong-ri Main Shopping Street Out Camp Humpherys Walking GateItalian Del Vino – Pyeongtaek Located near KB Bank Intersection. Indian Moti Mahal – Pyeongtaek, Anjeong-ri Swoyambhu – Pyeongtaek
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Anjung / Pyeongtaek Chili Cook Off
After a busy weekend of tests, Halloween, jjimjilbangs and friends we topped it off by attending the Chili Cook Off being held near Anjung-eup. Despite not actually attending the church, the BBQ’s, birthdays, Cook Offs and other intercultural events hosted by Deakwang Church of the Nazarene are a big part of our lives here in Pyeongtaek. We really enjoy the congregation and staff, many of whom have been close personal friends the entire time we have lived here. It’s a stable, supportive, and inclusive community. This particular Cook Off was…
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Mandu Restaurant: 엄정 자신있는 만두
If you are in downtown Pyeongtaek near the KB Bank intersection and need something fast, I heartily recommend this little “fast food” joint. It’s one of my favorite spots to grab something cheap and fast, usually the galbi mandu or the fried mandu – or both. The food tastes fresh, and if you are really busy to can just grab it to go and eat it on the road. A wonderful thing when you are feeling hangry. Sorry that I don’t have a photo of my actual meal as I…
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숯고개부대찌개: Budae Jjigae
In our lives, when it’s rainy or cold, there are two things we eat: Budae Jjigae and Kimchi jjigae. Thankfully, Songtan is one of the best places ever for Budae Jjigae / 부대찌개 (also known as soldier stew) since it’s where it all started. We have eaten this dish everywhere we go, but one of our all-time favorite places (maybe our favorite ever) is at the end of the shopping street in front of Osan Air Force Base. It’s on the left and you will miss it if you blink.…
