seoul cafe wrap up

Wrapping up my Seoul cafe hopping post!

Something that I always do while I travel, I cafe hop in foreign cities.
I find it exciting to visit local cafes and try carefully crafted coffee. This time, I planned to
try out at least 5 places but my schedule did not allow me so I only visited 2.
They were both very good in different ways.

First stop, 5extracts in Hongdae. The cafe, a 10 minute walk from Honggik university station, 

has a nice rustic decor that is cool but cozy at the same time. 

I tried a caramel latte, something I rarely have but I was glad to get a little sweet kick in my
coffee. The result was not disappointing, very warm and the latte art was beautiful!

My second stop was Coffee Lec. Located in a small alley in the fancy area of Garosugil, 

cafe owner Sean An was Korea's Barista champion from 2011. 

Coffee Lec reminded me of a Jazz bar with a 1920's vibe. I spent about a good hour or two chatting with my good friend
while taking a break from shopping. The mocha I ordered tasted wonderful and the service was amazing as well. 

Definitely had a great coffee experience in Seoul. I'm so glad to see people dedicated to making good coffee!
Please check back for more updates to come at Milk+Toast+Honey. I will cafe hop at local cafes in Tokyo again!

Spring salad

Inspired by my trip to Aroina Tabeta, a very authentic Thai restaurant around Yurakucho area, 

I made this spicy and fresh salad dish. The original was a spicy crunchy fish salad, 

but I tried to kick it up a notch by using calamari! 

 

Ingredients:

-red onions or shallots, thinly sliced

-leafs and soft stems of celery, thinly sliced

-halved mini tomatoes

-diced red or yellow peppers

-Fried or baked choice of seafood. I like using fish or calamari.

-sprouts

-handful of cilantro

-peanuts

-lettuce

Sauce:

- lemon or lime juice of 1/2 a lemon or lime

- 2 garlic cloves

-1 + 1/2 chili

-sliced ginger

-cilantro roots, thinly sliced 

(this is optional but it will make the salad more aromatic)

- fish sauce (nam pla) 1 +1/2 tablespoon

- brown or white sugar 1 tablespoon

directions:

-mix the dry ingredients together (except the fried seafood and lettuce), set aside

-crush the garlic and chili together, add the sauce ingredients and make sure to mix well

-add the sauce ingredients to the dry. mix thoroughly.

-layer the lettuce leaves and then decorate the plate with the salad. 

-add the fried seafood on top and voila! it's done!

Recipe and photos by Fern.

Souvenirs from Japan, V. 1

If you are travelling to Japan and not sure what get for your friends and family, why not check out some of my lists?

Hiragana bookmark for book lovers / Onzen bath salt / Greentea flavored KitKat is definitely a must! /

Sushi USB / Last but not least, Jagabee (I find this to be very addictive!)

You can find these everywhere in Tokyu hands, Loft and drugstores :)