Trip to Korea

2 Days in Tsushima, Japan – Fall Foliage, Ocean Views & Local Eats At the end of November 2024, I took a short but memorable 2-day trip to Tsushima with a colleague from work. Having lived in Ulsan previously, I had visited Tsushima multiple times thanks to its close proximity to Busan and affordable ferry rides. This time, our goal was simple: enjoy the last of the autumn leaves and unwind. 🛳 Getting There – The Ferry Experience We boarded the ferry from Busan to Hitakatsu, one of the two main ports in Tsushima (the other being Izuhara). Several companies operate on this route, including Beetle (Daea), Kobee (Mirejet), and Nina. Travel time ranges from 70 to 110 minutes depending on your destination. Reserve your ferry here . Unfortunately, the waves were rough that day, and I experienced severe seasickness. I hadn’t eaten anything, ...

  Hainan Day 5 – A Tropical Christmas and the Final Massage Spending Christmas in Sanya, Hainan, felt completely different from the snowy holidays I’m used to. The city was filled with Christmas decorations, but the weather was warm — almost too warm for holiday cheer. Palm trees and Santa hats? A strange but memorable combo. We started the day with a hotel breakfast and a short swim. Since our group package didn’t begin until noon, we had time to relax at the resort. At 12 PM, we met our guide and headed out to visit Luhuitou Park and Buxingjie Walking Street . Luhuitou Park – Romance and Scenic Views Luhuitou Park sits on a hill at the southern edge of Sanya. According to legend, a young hunter chased a deer, which then turned into a beautiful woman. The name “Luhuitou” means “Deer Looking Back.” This story has made the park a romantic symbol in the city. We took a shuttle bus up and down the hill, which made the visit easy despite the warm weather. From the top, we had a w...

Hainan Travel Diary: Days 3–4 of Food, Shopping & Ocean Breezes Days 3 and 4 of our Sanya trip were designated as free days in the itinerary. While other travelers opted for optional tours to scenic spots like Binglang Village or Nanshan Cultural Park, my sister and I had one thing in mind: food and shopping. We decided to skip the add-ons and roam freely. Day 3 – Markets, Souvenirs & Night Snacks We kicked off the morning by revisiting Pineapple Mall and Summer Station Mall, two of Sanya’s most popular shopping complexes. We wanted to explore the local supermarket again — the shelves were filled with unfamiliar snacks, exotic seasonings, and quirky instant noodles. I picked up a few Chinese spices for cooking, while my sister couldn’t resist grabbing coconut coffee and cookies. For lunch, we headed to the basement food court. I noticed something called "pin...

A Local Favorite in Yeosu: ‘Eome Kimchi Jjigae’ Serves the Best Kimchi Stew & Pork Duruchigi If you're traveling to Yeosu and searching for a truly local culinary experience, skip the tourist traps and head straight to Eome Kimchi Jjigae (어매김치찌개) in the Munsun (무선) neighborhood. This modest, no-frills restaurant is a favorite among Yeosu locals , especially office workers who line up during lunch for its hearty portions, self-serve perks, and authentic home-style flavors. 🥘 What is Kimchi Jjigae? Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) is one of Korea’s most beloved comfort foods. It’s a spicy and savory stew made primarily with well-fermented kimchi, slices of pork, tofu, green onions, and garlic. The stew is slowly boiled to bring out the deep, tangy flavor of the kimchi. At Eome Kimchi Jjigae, the broth is boiled long enough to concentrate the flavors, making it richer and more intense. The pork slices inside are generous, and the spicy broth pairs perfectly with steamed white ric...

  My First 48 Hours in Hainan, China (Sanya) In March 2025, my sister and I took a 6-day package trip to Sanya, a beautiful coastal city in Hainan, China. Known as the "Hawaii of China," Sanya is famous for its warm climate, tropical scenery, and affordable luxury resorts. We booked our tour through HanaTour, and here’s how our first two days unfolded. Day 1 – Arrival and Hotel Check-in Our flight from Incheon took about 4.5 hours. Upon arrival at Sanya Phoenix International Airport, we passed immigration relatively smoothly. Our local guide was already waiting and escorted us to our hotel, a 4-star resort with a beautiful view of palm trees and the ocean. The room was spacious and clean with basic amenities, a bathtub, and even a balcony. Though it was late at night, we could still explore the nearby convenience store and grab some Chinese snacks. Wi-F...

  Tasting Edward Lee x Mom’s Touch: Korean-Style Burgers You Can’t Miss If you’re planning a trip to South Korea and love trying local fast food with a twist, here’s something you don’t want to miss: a chance to try food designed by renowned Korean-American chef Edward Lee , without needing a reservation or fine-dining budget. Mom’s Touch, a popular Korean fried chicken and burger chain, recently launched a collaboration with the chef, and I had the chance to try it from the comfort of my hotel. Spoiler: It was unexpectedly good. Where Fine Dining Meets Fast Food Chef Edward Lee is a familiar name in the culinary world, known for blending global fine dining techniques with Korean ingredients. When I saw that he collaborated with Mom’s Touch to create a new burger, I was immediately curious. The collaboration is built around enhancing their beloved “Thigh Burger” — which already has a cult following — with richer, deeper flavors and premium ingredients. The concept is exciting...