GAEPAN REOPENED! I HAVE VISITED IT DURING MY 2019 SUMMER TRIP! WILL BE SHARING MORE AND RE-LINK HERE!!!

[!!!!] Gaepan have officially closed on 29 November 2016. It’s been a great 7 years for Minwoo’s family. Lots of memories created too. For me, I bring most of my favourite people there to have a meal as well. It’s been a total of 23 trips and many of them makes me a happy person because the food is just so yummy just so tasty. I missed the egg roll alot because I don’t think I can or able to find one that taste this good. Thank you Gaepan  

[Last Travelled in March/April 2016]

I have been wanting to blog about this “a-must-visit-restaurant-every-korea-trip” since my first visit in 2013. But, I thought, I must leave the best to the last. And, I really want many people to try their SUPER DUPER YUMMY Cheese Egg Roll and Chicken Stew, and yes even their Lunch Box is nicer than any other restaurants I visited!

(Note, if you have bought “Oppa! Take me to Korea!” travel book, I have guest-feature in the book on Gaepan too! I’m also 1 of the creative designers behind this awesome travel book too!)

Every Korea trip since then, is a must visit to Gaepan! I checked my swarm for the address and realise, I actually check-in for 19 times! Hence, you can imagine how many foods I have tried here before listed my favourite dish here! :p

DIRECTION TO GAEPAN 개판

(Sorry for the low and bad lighting for direction)

Gaepan 개판

Address:서울 강남구 신사동 647-4 1층
Contact: 02-515-8381
Operation Hours: 7pm – till last guest leave
Subway: Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5

*This restaurant belongs to SHINHWA’s Minwoo’s sister. She is often in the restaurant, and if you are lucky, you might meet celebrities there too. There’s once when I was there, I saw BEAST’s Yong Jun Hyung! Pretty much of lucks and love! <3<3<3

Hashtag #thankyouhellosihui if you visited this restaurant via my guide

I was trying very hard to find out more about 꼼장어 right after the drama air, and so glad to find out that we get to eat it at CN Blue’s drummer Kang Minhyuk’s Family Restaurant. Some of my friends actually asked about this place after I posted on my instagram. So, I thought I shall share a little bit more in my blog too

황가네 꼼장군

Address // 서울 영등포구 영등포동 3가 5-2
Subway // Yeongdeungpo Station Exit 3
Direction // Yeongdeungpo Station Exit 3, Enter Yeongdeungpo Rotary Underground Shopper Centre Exit 1. You will see the shop on your right after exit

– Thanks Minhyuk Dad for pointing out the underground exit because we were shivering and goes “wah, omg!” on the very first day of 2015 when we walked out of the restaurant. It’s really really cold that day, and Minhyuk dad told us to walk underground instead of the normal way via the traffic light. And, its our new way to walk over and this actually give us a little more excuse to shop at the underground shopping centre hahahahaha! Both my cousin and I bought a sweater each that day! Happy New Year haha!

I have problem with this entry because I can’t decide which title suit this entry totally. Here’s my choices

1. The oldest cafe in Seoul: Hakrim Coffee
2. You who came from the stars: Where Do Manager meet up with Jang Lawyer
3. 2 Days 1 Night (Season 3): Seollal In Seoul 2014, Oldest Cafe in Seoul

My title of this entry can’t be too long, hence, I can’t put all details inside though they are all fact and the truth. Basically, Korea is a place where everything is a story to tell, be it a filming location, be it a shop opened by Idol’s family, or even international brand endorse by local artistes.

I know of this Hakrim Coffee from watching You who came from the star, but I remember its just a few scene filming? (I might be wrong or was it just 1 scene?) And it was actually from 2 Days 1 Night – Seasons 3: Seollal in Seoul Part 1 (video here), where I eventually know that this cafe have many stories to tell. It’s actually the oldest cafe in Korea since 1956, a cafe of almost 60 years old. The cafe is very vintage looking, where the interior tells you a lot. I heard you shouldn’t miss the coffee

#i heard some of my friends love this cheesecake thingy and even went back for this, but sorry, I really can’t appreciate it haha!

# And there’s always a reason. No, not that they are idol or someone, but they were sitting at the most popular seat EVER! It’s where Doo Min Joon and his friend Lawyer Jang sat (You who came from the star). I went here twice, its still very popular and most people love taking this seat :p

#Overview of the cafe with Cousin & Myself

학림다방
Address // 94-2 Myeongnyun 4(sa)ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact // 02-742-2877
Website // http://hakrim.pe.kr
Subway Station // Hyehwa Exit 2 and cross the road to the opposite street and you will reached! (the original exit was renovating so i thought Exit 2 is clearer :D)

I always have friends asking me about Korea itinerary, Korea accommodation and everything in between. Yes, I love Korea, I been to Korea quite a lot. Lucky 7, yes 7, and all of them were Free & Easy. I have to thank all my travel companions to be really awesome.

There’s times, where my friends will made effort looking around for nice places to visit, while others did a great research on accommodation as well. Everyone plays a part in planning which I really think this is why a trip is successful.

During my 3rd trip to Korea, which was my longest trip ever – 6 weeks with my dory. We were a little worried about our accommodation because its a long 6 weeks for 3 pax. All thanks to Carol, who found our favourite accommodation till date – Chocolate Tree (CT) via some reviews online. We contacted CT via email, everywhere was pretty smooth since its all convey in English.

So, 3 months passed, and we were all ready to head for our longest trip ever. Definitely, we were a little worried about our guesthouse, because 1) Its our very first time staying in Sinchon and 2) If we doesn’t like the guesthouse, it will be a straight 6 weeks of discomfort. Many thoughts since we boarded the plane, but trying our best to look positive that nothing can be worst.

We reached CT without hassle, pretty happy that its not too difficult to get around Sinchon as well. CT is located pretty near the main road, which I really really like. Some of the guesthouses I stayed were really far away from the road, and took about 15minutes walk along the dark alley. Hence I really like the location of CT. Our guesthouse check-in time is around 2pm, and we were pretty early (10am). Hence, we won’t be able to do any check-in but CT offered us to keep our luggage so that we will able to come back later. 3 of us, actually were heading straight to the concert venue at Olympic Park and will be only back at night. So, we were really delighted after a crazy-high-session of 3 hours straight concert without any sleeps from our midnight flight to find our luggages seated in a all clean and neat room.

Look like, my previous worries were gone. The first impression was awesome enough that all these were taken of. CT wasn’t the biggest guesthouse I stayed, but definitely a comfortable and clean one. In the morning, we will definitely greet by the CT Staff (CTS) with a cheerful voice, and at the end of the tired shopping day… we will still greeted by them. How nice? Its my first time where guesthouse staff was so friendly and always bring smile to us.

Reason why I was back again in August 2013, December 2013, March 2014 and my most recent trip December 2014?

I remembered, a few times during my stay at CT, they really helped me a lot which not all guesthouse have such friendly boss and staff. I guessed CT trained their staff really well. They are all very proactive, helpful and always smiling That could be why, I don’t feel worried staying in a foreign country and always think they give their very best to help us. I remembered, we have a few problem the other trips when we need to book our sea train tickets, Thomas actually helped us to book, even paying in advance for us. Thomas even helped us with purchase of WOLFM cap hurhur~ And at times, late night, we actually asked help from Haein and Mei to call for delivery too *I miss eating Kyochon Honey Chicken & Chicken Mania*

-Chicken Mania: first meal of 2015 picture- 
I have to really praise Cho who helped us with the order and our ‘greedy’ request too. It was 31st December that day, my cousin and I was heading out in the morning and won’t be back so early because we were heading for Dongwan’s Starlight Concert that starts at 10pm. Since it is a countdown concert, I guessed we won’t be able to ask help from the staff when we are back. Hence, in the morning, I have ‘troubled’ Eric (once again) to help us order the chicken before they knocked off work and left it in the pantry. I will collect it when I came back from the concert. Eric offered to place it in the room, if we doesn’t mind (how nice, I mean, they doesn’t mind going up 3 levels and leave it there!). I also requested for a chicken mania calendar if possible. Back in our room at around 2am odd, we found the food smell deliciously on our dressing table, and Cho whom was really thoughtful to put the can of pepsi in the fridge to keep it cold! And, because of our greedy request for the calendar, Cho asked for posters for us since the store have run out of calendar. Thank you Cho, I didn’t manage to see you in person, but really thank you so much for helping and being so extremely thoughtful too!

And, of cos, Eric the boss of CT really have been the nicest host ever during all my Korea trips! Eric have really helped us at all times – from carrying the heavy luggage up, and down the stairs when we leave for airport. Eric even helped us with the 4D movie booking, and, keke, the photo card ticket as well. You know your guesthouse owner doesn’t need to help you to this extend, but ERIC did! Thank you Eric. Thank for being such a nice host See you soon!

(I’m glad to introduce CT to some of my friends. They loves it and become a regular too ^^) 

Chocolate Tree (Guesthouse)

Address: 서울시 마포구 노고산동 109-91 초콜릿 트리
Nearest Subway: Sinchon (Line 2) / Seogang Univ (Gyeongui Line)

Overall Rating: 6/10
Booking: http://www.chocolate-tree.co.kr

HELLOSIHUI’S TIPS:

• Their receptionist can speak english and chinese well
• Make your own free-breakfast daily

Follow me: IG @superstarhui
#hellosihuigoeskorea for Korea travels
#hellosihuigoestravels for any travel destination! 

Myeongdong is a street of skincare and fashion, where you will definitely visit whenever you head over to Korea. But, in between the shopping, I am very sure that your hungry stomach will growl and you need a meal. If its at night, street food is usually your number 1 choice, how about when its lunch time? The answer will be Myeongdong Kyoja! I love the place when Im visiting there in group of 3-4 persons, so I can get to order all 3 items from the menu.  And with no fear, the kalguksu’s noodles and rice are available for free refill! Omg! How I wish, the soup does come for free refill too, its too tasty with flavourful broth that you can’t stop tasting it. hehe.

Direction to명동교자 Myeongdong Kyoja

명동교자 Myeongdong Kyoja

Address: 서울특별시 중구 명동10길 29 (명동2가)
Operating Hours: 10:30AM – 9:30PM
Website: www.mdkj.co.kr
Subway Station: Myeongdong Station

A very typical small store located just outside the sinchon subway exit was pretty much convenient for many. And, more over, its located pretty near to our guesthouse too. I love sinchon so much that I think I will stay there often

즉석생만두
Subway // Sinchon Station
Direction // Exit 5, you will see the store on your right.

(I can’t believe I actually typed this in June, and have missed this out totally. I was still talking about busy with beast promo haha and thats Good Luck comeback when they already ended their 12:30 comeback haha! I insist, I have been really busy with work. Despite being busy, I love the fact that I am really busy especially this very year. Let’s continue to be busy and blessed

Caffe Bene is a cafe house chain in Korea that have the largest number of stores. I visited Caffe Bene thrice out of my 6 trips to Seoul, and usually they were my last or 2nd last breakfast of my trip. Its always awesome to have a sweet meal before you leave. And this conclude a sweet holiday that you never wish that its going to end.

Cafe Bene in Sinchon

#the waffle is so nice that you wish you could have more, but 1 is always enough

Cafe Bene in Myeongdong
I went to this outlet twice

#the strawberry waffles was soon good. In fact, this set of myeongdong photos (above) were my first visit to caffe bene!

#the bowl of salad is really really very big!

#we didn’t expect the portion to turn out so big. its too much for two of us~

#we shopped a little, the clothes here are slightly more expensive than hongdae, but quality wise, its all worth
and we saw this little cute lion looking dog. so cute that, I need to snap a photo of it

도리키친(DORI KITCHEN)
Tel // (02) 790-1553
Address // 서울 용산구 보광로59길 25홈페이지
Web // http://blog.naver.com/dorikitchen
Subway Station // Itaewon Exit 4

I can’t say I don’t eat pork, just not a pork lover though I really like ham and sausage haha. But, not a lover for pork belly at all till I thought I met my rival right here in Guri. Proven me that pork belly can be delicious and its went up to another level when I eat together with the octopus. Oh yummy!

I didn’t planned this, really but its an impromptu decision to go Guri, and I never never regret that long journey! It was like 1.5hours subway ride from Gimyujeong Station (I was doing my rail-biking before that)

The reason because of the impromptu decision was because of my friend – Sharm. If she didn’t texted me again to encourage me to fit it in my itinerary if there’s time allowance again, I guessed I won’t visit it. Because she texted twice during my trip that I thought THIS MUST BE GOOD, hence, find a way… despite we gonna have a heavy dinner that day.

Inchang Octopus at Guri, which is slightly out of Seoul. You might have notice Dongwoo (infinite) photo there. yes, it’s his family restaurant. but to people in Guri, they are just a 쭈꾸미 restaurant because, its was already there before Dongwoo debuted.

The restaurant is filled with lots of Dongwoo photos, and of cos, there’s a lot of fans’ gift as well. It’s quite thoughtful that his family placed all the gifts from fans in the restaurant too.

We were welcomed by Dongwoo’s dad (they look alike, hence its not difficult to know hehe) and he spoke english to us knowing that we were from Singapore. Look like many many oversea fans visited here. haha!

We went during afternoon, slightly after lunch time, and probably the reason why there wasn’t much people. Or maybe because its really not infinite promotion period? I dunno?

I always said, I’m a changed person whenever I went for a trip. I don’t eat clam shell food, but I ate this! It’s delicious haha, told you, I’m indeed a changed person every trip. I love myself that way so I won’t be a troublesome travelmates whenever I’m on a trip. but sorry, no seaweed still. I tried my best.

Services from Dongwoo’s father! (Services = Freebie)

The dish came like that, it looks really appetizing. Look at the octopus, its really my favorite!

Look how delicious the octopus were! The moment we all had a mouthful of the octopus and pork belly, we goes like “OMG! Whoa, whoa…!” word can’t explain, expression does. This is when I thought the host of food variety doesn’t lie when they really had good food. haha. I felt touched especially because I am able to get to eat SEAFOOD. Maybe is the seafood, maybe is the food, I dunno, but this dish really taste good.

Clarice and I probably forgotten we just had a cuppa of latte each, and Jacintha probably forgotten about her Issac Toast that very morning. We actually ordered another share of pork belly and octopus. No joke, its really a lot for us, and its only lunch -.- good food aren’t to be miss. And its a long journey haha.

Well, Beast’s Doojoon mentioned in Let’s Eat (TVN Drama), good food should be served hot and eat while its still hot. Hence photo on blogs/portal shld be only the after-eat photo. Here’s the photo of after-eat. We finished everything, every single thing. OMG.

I have to repeat this over and over again. It’s not about Idol or Idol family restaurant, its good food that worth every visit. I know some of my friends does feel rejected because at times when I introduce some restaurant that could be opened by idol/idol’s family. Its not about KPOP or Idols, its more like, good food are worth sharing and to be widely introduce to people like you and me who love great food

Address: 경기도 구리시 인창동 671-1
Contact: 031-551-7004
Direction: Guri Station

the station that looks really traditional

less than 5 mins walk away from the subway (its pretty easy to navigate)

The building is construct in a library of books concept. It’s interesting how it actually look like in real.

There’s timing for our railway, so make sure you won’t be late for it.
(we booked everything via online – with help of our guesthouse owner ^^)

As we ride, we got to see the pretty scenery along the railway track.

and we got to into the ‘happening’ tunnels~

Stopover for a good 5minutes for a toilet break or grab some snacks

Railway biking that cameos in either 2 or 4. Hence family of 4 gets to ride together too~

and there’s a free shuttle bus to send us back to Gim Yu Jeong Station.

Here’s the video I took via Instagram.

Address:
1385, Gimyujeong-ro, Sindong-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
강원도 춘천시 신동면 김유정로 1385 (신동면)