The Philippines: The ABC’s of Food in Cebu & El Nido

Anyone who knows me knows I love to experience local eats when visiting a new spot! I had heard that the food in the Philippines wasn’t anything to write home about, and to an extent it really wasn’t. There was so much grease in just about everything. They tell you about Bali Belly, but my…

5 Things That Might Surprise You On A First Trip To Ireland

5 Things That Might Surprise You On A First Trip To Ireland Ireland has a certain image and reputation that’s fairly widespread in the world. People have general expectations of what it’s like there and what there is to do, and to some extent these expectations can accurately inform what your experience will be like…

Seoul Food: Homeboy Seoul: Pop-Up Round II

The Toronto Seoulcialite team is a HUGE fan of HOMEBOY Seoul.  Tuesday April 17th they hosted their 2nd pop-up in Itaewon at Vatos Urban Tacos’ event space in Seoul: Urban Collective.  We recently interviewed HOMEBOY Seoul founder Matt Lee in advance of this pop-up.  Michael Jun-Hyuk Lee was on hand at the event last week…

Expats in Korea – Seoulcialites: Matt Lee HOMEBOY Seoul

 HOMEBOY Seoul (Part of Expats in Korea: Seoulcialites) Being an expat in Korea, we’re often pigeon-holed into 2 categories: Teacher or Military.  There are so many people doing original and interesting things in Seoul!  In this new series, I’d like to introduce you to some creative people I’ve been lucky to meet.  They may have started their professional journeys as teachers…

Seoul Food: New Burgers @ The Workshop & Hidden Cellar (HBC)

The Workshop & Hidden Cellar (Itaewon/ HBC) If you’ve been paying attention to the HBC/ Itaewon group or the Restaurant Buzz Seoul page on Facebook you’ll already know that the Workshop and Hidden Cellar in the Haebangchon area of Itaewon has been busy.  With the renovations finished, a new brunch menu, drink specials, and live…

Seoul Food: Gino’s Pizza – Gangnam (Apgujeong)

New York Pizza in Gangnam? Café Kudeta (카페쿠데타) in Apgujeong Rodeo area closed recently, much to my friends’ chagrin.  I work between the Apgujeong and Rodeo subway stations.  Even though we have an hour for lunch, it’s not always enough time to have a Korean meal.  We have grown tired of many of the Western-style restaurants,…

Bites & Bytes: Linus BBQ in HBC (Seoul Food)

Linus BBQ Arrives in HBC When I worked in hospitality back in Canada, I would always scoff at food bloggers who would visit a restaurant once, then review.  They’d try one entree and maybe a bite of a second, then make a decision which could make or break the opening of a business based on…

Seoul Food: Cry Cheese Burger, In-N-Out Burger done Gangnam Style

Cry Cheese Burger – Korea’s Answer to In-N-Out Burger Since moving to Korea back in February 2015, I’ve heard expats moan and groan about missing In-N-Out Burger.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the American mating call moan of “Animal Style Friiiiiies”.  If I had man won ($10) for each, I’d have…

Seoul Food: Surf’s Up Restaurant and Surf Shop – Apgujeong

Surf’s Up Restaurant & Surf Shop Aloha, Seoul!  Get ready for ‘Ono Grinds in Apgujeong.  Surf’s Up Restaurant and Surf Shop in Apgujeong has been around since I started working in the area back in March 2017.  Back then I had a vested interest in Hawaii and the laid-back life.  I popped in to check…

Seoul Food: Brera Italian Restaurant – The Pasta

There are a number of places which pop up time and time again on the Seoul Restaurant Buzz Facebook page (*ahem* M n’ M*ahem*).  An Italian restaurant just outside Itaewon near Beotigogae Station seems to get a lot of action, too.  Don’t get me wrong, they’re good.  More often than not I find these places…

Seoul-stagram Goals: 씨스루 C.THROUGH Cafe

Itaewon to Noksapyeong I moved to Kyunglidan (Kyungridan?) at the beginning of March, 2017.  Having spent so much time up in Uijeongbu I haven’t meandered the backroads of the hill between Noksapyeong and Itaewon.  There are so many incredible little surprises along those backroads!  We took a perfectly sunny Sunday in Seoul and set out to…

Seoul Food: Oh! Poutine – Itaewon

Oh Poutine: Canadian Comfort Food in Seoul, South Korea As a Canadian, I have a bias on how cheese curds have to be made.  They have to be slightly melty, definitely chunky, and above all: they have to squeak!  Thankfully, I share this bias with Ellie of Oh Poutine in Itaewon, Seoul.  She spends 6-7…