Hello, this is the Korean national souvenir center!

The weather is getting warmer, but I can not breathe deeply because of the yellow dust.
But The weather is getting better, so I hope you can go out freely.
Today, I would like to introduce the snack review in Insa-dong which was visited by the youngest person
 in Korean national souvenir center.

Why Insadong?

The Korean national souvenir center offline is located in Insa-dong.

Shall we go on an errand for snack in Insa-dong with the youngest staff?

Well, it is the peaceful afternoon in Insadong. Me and my boss are on the way back from work.
Boss : I'm hungry. Shall we go get some snacks?

Boss : Get all kinds of snacks with it!  You know I like Japanese food?
Be sure to get the change!

ME : ... (No, no) Okay^^!

Oh, that's a quest for the me, today!

(YEYYYY)

But ... what should I buy with this money?
The first thing that appeared in front of me was…

#1 Poo-shaped bread

Poo….shaped bread….?

The name and the shape resemble it.  It's a dong-bang.
I was curious to know, so I ordered one.

The time has come when you have to pay for your poo!
The price is 1,500 won. Here’s some pictures of bread ~!

With this,

the first snack,

clear!

# 2 Korean traditional Taffy-TA RAE

As I walk, I felt like I need some sugar

Soon I found shop with some white sugar snow!

It is also fun to see them making those snacks.

Korean traditional Taffy-TA RAE is a traditional snack with nuts in 16 million slices of honey, so I wonder what it will taste like!

 Traditional snack like Pumpkin taffy is sold all over the place for tourists!

#3 The national snack, fish-shaped bun

Ah, my boss said he likes Japanese food. What should I do?
For me, it was the most special Japanese food, sashimi with my budget.

Since the manager likes fish, let's go for a fish-shaped bun!

I'm sure everyone will like the two kinds of buns, filled with sweet redbean and custard cream!

# 4 Japchae hodduk:; Korean Pancake that is filled with Japchae

Last thing I saw was Japchae hodduk, very popular food of a long row of people.

It looks like a normal hodduk, a little chubby on the outside.
The fact that the inside is filled with japchae, not honey in usual!

They say it is getting popular for this unusual flavor.

It was fascinating that you can taste it better if you put some spicy sauce on your hodduk!

On my way back, I could return happily with delicious smell of those foods!
Shall we set the table now?

I set up a nice table and took a picture.

Don't call it them street snacks!

Can you feel this silky texture?

You can taste the crispy nuts at last!

It was more fluffy and sweet than I imagined.
With the hodduk, it was a well-balanced snacktime between sweet and savory taste.

Let’s take a photo together!

We spent a happy snacktime with everyone in the office!
I’ve got praised by seniors for delicious foods and leaving change(it was unbelievably cheap)!
Why don't you have fun with delicious, friendly street foods when you are in Insa-dong?

Visit the streets of Insa-dong, where Korean national souvenir center are located!

See you later!

‘Is this too much heavy?’ or,
‘Is this not good enough?’
•° •° •°(°`ㅁ´ °)°• °•°•

You might have thought like this when you buy corporate gift for your clients!

Neither ‘too heavy’ nor ‘too light’ is not good for client gift.

If it’s too heavy, your client might feel uncomfortable.

And your wallet can be in trouble.

But if it’s too light, your wallet is safe,

but your client can be disappointed.

So, I’m going to introduce some Luxury & Unique business gifts, but not very expensive.

Do you remember the last gift-recommendation-post?

It was below $25 and all the gifts were business card cases.

But this time, I'm going to show you some speciall things, too!

And if you click each picture, you can go to the shopping mall where you can buy it! :^)

Korean Luxury & Unique business gift (below $50)

: for your client and corporate office mates!

Hello, We are Korea National Souvenir Center. 

Operation of the second passenger terminal at Incheon International Airport began on January 18, 2018.
If you're planning a trip this year, I think you'd better know. 
That’s why I've prepared this post.

(from : Incheon International Airport)

The second passenger terminal was built to give passengers a pleasant lounge,
premium service, smart and convenient.

S. Korea's main gateway opens up new luxurious passenger terminal

(from. http://www.ajudaily.com)

From the above article, we can see that the airlines covered
by the first and second passenger terminals are different.

The first terminal is equipped with several other airlines,
including Asiana Airlines, Jeju Airlines, Jin-Air, T-way, Esta Airlines and Air Seoul.

For the second passenger terminal, Korean Air, Air France Airlines,
KLM Airlines and Melta Airlines are equipped.

There are three ways to move from one to two passenger terminal :
It takes about 15 minutes to get on the shuttle bus, 15 minutes by taxi, and 6 minutes by air line.

I hope you enjoy your trip.

Thank you.

Hello this is Korean Souvenir Center. (♡' v '♡)

‘Is this too much heavy?’ or,
‘Is this not good enough?’ (◔‸◔ )

You might have thought like this when you buy corporate gift for your clients!

Neither ‘too heavy’ nor ‘too light’ is not good for client gift.

If it’s too heavy, your client might feel uncomfortable.

And your wallet can be in trouble.

But if it’s too light, your wallet is safe,

but your client can be disappointed.

So, I’m going to introduce some Luxury & Unique business gifts, but not very expensive.

Those gifts are Business Card Cases that you've never seen before!

Yes, what I’m going to introduce is Korean traditional-but-modern things.
And if you click each picture, you can go to the shopping mall where you can buy it! :^)

Korean Luxury & Unique business gift (below 25$) : for your client and corporate office mates!

:-D

1. Business card cases /11.77 USD

▲ Business card Case (Design: Lotus)

▲ Business card case

(Design: Irworobongdo - The painting of Sun, Moon and Five Peaks)

▲ Business Card Case (Design: Hangul - Korean character)

▲ Business Card Case (Peony Flower)

2. Business card cases made by Iron /14.71 USD

▲ Business card case made by Iron (Design: Three-legged crow)

▲ Business card case made by Iron (Design: Dragon)

▲ Business card case made by Iron (Design: Korean goblin )

3. A set of business card case and pen made with

Mother-of-pearl lacquer /24.51 USD

▲ A set of business card case and pen with Mother-of-pearl lacquer

▲ A set of business card case and pen with Mother-of-pearl lacquer

Hope my information was useful for you,

Thank you! :^)

Hello. We are Korea National Souvenir Center. 

Free transportation is being used in Seoul. Because fine dust concentration is
forecast to be ' poor ' Public transportation is free until Wednesday, following yesterday's Tuesday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said that they will efforts to reduce ultra-fine dust.

Commuters during the morning (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and evening (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) hours
won't be charged for using buses or trains. 

Unfortunately, as the province of Kyung-gi and Incheon do not participate,
people who use public transportation in Gyeonggi-do and Incheon must pay
the public transportation fees.

Here a article that will be help you to understand this situation.

"We cannot just blame China for ultra-fine dust. We should do something to solve the issue. It is better to overdo than do nothing," Deputy Mayor Yun Jun-byeong said.

The city spent about 4.8 billion won ($4.5 million) for Monday's waiver of public transport fees. The traffic volume on roads that day was reduced by 1.8 percent.

(from.http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

Fine dust is a compound that is caused by the release of most of the car's exhaust fumes. Exposure to particulate matter can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and increase the mortality.

Prevention includes staying out, not exercising on the road, wearing a mask,
and washing your nose and hands after going out.

※  Even though public transportation is free, they say that you must take 

a transportation card or credit card. 

Thank you. 

When in PyeongChang,
pair wine with Gangwon food

(from. koreatimes.co.kr)

It will be a great opportunity for foreigners and locals alike to sample the culinary delights the region has to offer,
in addition to exploring the natural surroundings. 

When in Gangwon, however, one should try exploring the flavors of the region with wine. Not many people pair Korean food with wine or know they go surprisingly well together - but in fact, they do. 

Gangwon food characteristics

Before we try the food from Kangwondo and wine,
Understanding features and components of Gangwon-do should be the first priority.

Gangwon Province is the coldest region in Korea. Situated in the northeast, it is a mountainous region - 80 percent of the province is covered by mountains - which explains the chilly weather. Cutting through the middle of the province from north to south is the Taebaek Mountain Range. The east part of the range is higher in elevation while the west is lower with gentler slopes and bigger temperature gaps.

Due to its geographical location, Gangwon Province is where to find Korea's best ski slopes and resorts.
The Winter Olympics this year will take place across PyeongChang, Gangneung and Jeongseon.

Its chilly weather has resulted in ingredients such as potatoes, corn and buckwheat growing most abundantly in the region. In the past, they used to be hardy plants eaten to relieve famine but are now representative ingredients of the province. Gangwon Province is particularly well known for foods cooked with potatoes.

The province is also known for its abundance of greens foraged from the mountains and forests such as doraji, gosari, dooreup, chamnamul, chinamul and gomchi. These are often stir-fried and transformed into a dish called "namul." 

The foods of the Gangwon region are characterized by a clean taste, maximizing the original flavors of the ingredients as they use very little spice. 

Pairing wine with Gangwon food 

When discussing the experience of drinking wine with Gangwon food, this reporter wanted the discussion to come alive with a real pairing experience. So we sat down at a restaurant in Seoul that serves Gangwon food and tried pairing them with three kinds of white wine - two French and one Chilean. 

We ordered gamjajeon (potato pancakes) with gamja ongshimi (potato ball soup) and tried them with the three wines which were Le Petit Caboche (2015), La Cour Pavillon (2016) and La Joya (2014), the latter which was Chilean.

 Hello. We are Korea National Souvenir Center.

Following the previous transportation, I prepared the second part, 

Pyeongchang Olympics restaurants, and accommodation.

If you're curious about transportation,

All about Pyeongchang's Olympic

Pyeongchang Olympics is only one month away. 
I think I have to get full before I can enjoy the Olympics. 
Pyeongchang, Gangneung and Jeongseon, the host city of Pyeongchang's Winter Olympics, 
are also one of the most delicious cities in Gangwon-DO. 
It would be fun to visit various restaurants during the Pyeongchang Olympics.

1. restaurants.

Oh, my god, Is this jjambbong?

Bongpyeong China, located in Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, 

Korea has galbi jjambbong) that sell only 50 bowls per day. 

The jjambbong with beef ribs and whole hills on top of the mussels piled high in a bowl is said
to have a clean and aromatic flavor.  Every Wednesday is a regular holiday !

In Hoenggye-ri, you can enjoy a sweet and sour pork named Jintaewon.
The sweet and sour pork of this house is freshly fried. I'm impressed with the heaps of leeks and cabbages
that are stacked on top of the pork.

If you went to Pyeongchang Olympics, wouldn't it be basic to visit Pyeongchang restaurants??

Do you want to feel the traditions of Gangwon-do?

These days, the Cirsium setidens are becoming popular as more and more health-conscious people.
Jeongseon is a district famous for its Cirsium setidens. Located in Jeongseon-eup, ' ArI Dinner ' is a local beloved Cirsium Setidens restaurant. Here the food is prepared in advance and is not served to customers. As soon as the order is placed, fry the Cirsium setidens in oil to make rice. So it is more delicious. In addition to rice with a cup of rice, ' Yeongyangdolkobap, ' with a jujube, a chestnut bank, is also popular. How about tasting both? ?

There is a restaurant famous for its ' buckwheat soup ' as well as a rice dinner. It is a small restaurant next to the supermarket with only three tables, called Beonyeong Restaurant. Even the name of the buckwheat soup is unfamiliar to people but it is a traditional dish. To make buckwheat soup, we have to steamed buckwheat with dried,
boil the rice, potato tofu, and bean sprouts in the boiled water to complete. My mouth is already watering.

Would you like to try Korean food properly?

If you want to enjoy Korean traditional cuisine, let's visit ‘과객’ located in Geumsan-ri, then learn how to enjoy the dishes. 
The restaurant, decorated with traditional Hanok, is fresh using local ingredients based on the market of the 500 year old and older Kangnung Kim's restaurant. More than 20 different types of side dishes including grilled pollack and beef,
boiled with dried pollack and wheat plaice are placed on one table and closed on Sundays.

If you want to enjoy fusion food, why don't you go to the Wolhwa Pungmul Market? 
I put pizza, spicy Jeyuk bokkeum, and Gangneung specialty, dureub as topping.

What is the Olympic athletes village menu?

The rest areas of the Yeongdong Expressway via Pyeongchang and Gangneung are busy preparing z

to host an Olympic guest via massive renovations by the end of last year.
In particular, the nearby areas of Hoengseong, Pyeongchang, and Gangneung Daegwanryeong Rest Area have turned z

into " restaurants on the road. "

1. Gangneung Daegwallyeong Rest Area (2-way) 

Customers and experts can enjoy premium dishes that are best in the country : tofu and poolside.
It is the selected Best food at the national lounge. I tried it, too, but it tasted great. 

2. Pyeongchang Rest Area (2-way) 

At the Pyeongchang Rest Area, you can taste the Olympic athletes village's diet. Shinsegye Food, the branch office of Pyeongchang rest stop, is in charge of running the athletes village cafeteria. 
If you are curious about the athletes ' village's diet, it would be a good idea to stop by and try it. 

3. Munmak-eup Rest Area (Pyeongchang, Gangneung) 

Gonu Steak, a Korean beef steak sushi restaurant, also offers entertainment and board game rental services. If you are curious about it, I think it would be a good idea to stop by.

2. accommodation.

If you are not watching the Olympics on a day, you should definitely reserve a place to stay in Pyeongchang. 
There is good news for these people. The National Olympic Office in Gangwon said, " The price of accommodation is dropping in areas near Pyeongchang's Olympic Stadium. "
According to Gangwon Province, pension rates in Gangneung, which used to soar to reach 500,000 won, have now dropped by half to 240,000 won. The price of pension in Pyeongchang dropped from 400,000 won to 200,000 won, and pension in Jeongseon area dropped from 250,000 won to 130,000 won. Did you all finish your reservation? ?

Gangwon-do has operated a special call center for the 1330, Pyeongchang Winter Olympics since last month
to help make accommodations with the Korea Tourism Organization.
When you make a request to call the call center counselor, call local authorities to find a suitable location. 
Even dialogue between the owners of the hotels is translated into foreign tourists.
The call center will operate free of charge 24 hours until the end of the Pyeongchang Paralympics on March 18.

THANK YOU. 

Hello. We are Korea National Souvenir Center. 

With Pyeongchang's Olympic Games just around the corner, interest in the Games is growing.

It would be more convenient to know about Pyeongchang than to go there 

without knowing anything. I'm ready for you who knows nothing.

Here are all about transportation.

The road to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is more convenient than ever.
With the Kyung-gang Line KTX being opened on July 22, it took about two hours and 12 minutes
from Incheon International Airport to Gangneung, where the ice rink takes place, and from Seoul Station
to Gangneung Station in one hour and 36 minutes. Even if you live in Seoul, you can take the train
to Gangneung in the morning and return home in the late evening after watching the Olympics.

A complimentary shuttle bus

It is said that the city of Pyeongchang and Gangneung are free bus services during the Olympics.
The Pyeongchang Organizing Committee plans to use 700 large shuttle buses every day to draw passengers
and deploy 44 low-powered buses for the disabled and the elderly who are unable to move.
Three train stations (Pyeongchang, Ulsan, Gangneung) and four bus terminals (Jeongseon, Jangpyeong, Jangpyeong,
Jinbu-myeon, and Gangneung) are equipped with shuttle buses, each with an interval of 5 to 10 minutes between trips.
And there are 27 routes. It is also available free of charge without trains or bus tickets.

Transfer Parking Lot and Vehicle Quadrain

I'm sure there are spectators who want to tour the Olympic area as well as the games.
Those people can easily get a look at it by car! The Pyeongchang organizing committee will run seven transit parking lots,
totaling 10,300 cars. Transfer parking lot hours are from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. If there is a night competition, i
t will be extended to the end of the competition 2 hours. The second subhead of the car is also planned for the Olympics.
On even date, a vehicle with an even number plate end point may be driven.
Pyeongchang will voluntarily host a second subhead. Visitors who do not go to stadiums
during the Olympics will have to pay a penalty if they do not follow suit.

Other things to be careful !!

For the smooth movement of athletes and Olympic officials, the Olympic bus lanes will run for one month 

from February 1 to 28. The private lanes will restrict the movement of general vehicles other than Olympic vehicles and buses.

The final news is ' Go Pyeongchang, ' a transportation application planned for release next week. The app provides an opportunity to check the best route to the stadium, bus routes, and time to get to the stadium by reservation, payment, and so on.

THANK YOU. 

If you walk on the streets these days, you may have seen pictures of dogs,
promotions about dogs, and products.

I'm sure many people are curious about this phenomenon.

That is why.

'Year of Golden Dog' 

(from. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

There is an annual Korean rite at the beginning of the year, based on Chinese astrology,
they predict the characteristics of the New Year and what the year will be like.

Predicting the New Year based on the characteristics of zodiac animals is unique to East Asian culture. Chinese astrology experts predict what will happen in the New Year based on the presumed characteristics of the animal. 

2018 is the "Year of the Golden Dog," a characterization derived from the "Year of Musul."

In Chinese character, "mu" means yellow while "sul" refers to dog.

Yellow or gold is the color of royalty. So Chinese astrologists said babies born this year will grow up to be leaders. People born in the Year of the Dog are reliable and thoughtful.
They are deep thinkers and will have a good reputation. They may be gentle and quiet, but they tend to explode when agitated and their anger is hard to control.

In the Year of the Golden Dog, some experts said the nation's fertility rate will rise because of positive interpretations. The birth rate also rose significantly in the year of the pig in 2007,
when experts said babies born that year would become rich.

Korea is now mired in year of " Musul " and  " golden dog " .

What about YOU ?

Hello, this is Korean national souvenir center :-)

 On January 5^th, it was the coldest day of the year in Korea. Did you guys prepare for the cold?

Now we have only one Korean solar term left during 24 terms of the year, that means winter is coming to an end.

Sounds good that there’s no more cold weather from now on, but I don’t know why it feels a little bit sad to say goodbye to this winter :-(

So today I'd like to share with you some information about winter snow travel, where you can enjoy the winter untill the end!

Let's find out how to enjoy the winter!

# 1. Taebaek Snowface Festival to Go by KTX Snowface Train

How about taking a winter train, what we call a snow train to see enough snow?

The area of Gangwon-do where you can see winter sights has a variety of winter festivals around this time.

Among them, I will tell you information about Taebaeksan Snow Festival.

Taebaek Snow Festival runs for 10 days from January 13 to 22, from a snow sledging for children to a starlight festival in the HwangjI Pond,

showing off igloo, ice sculptures and beautiful night views!

Since there are plenty of things to see and experience,

why don’t you spend your holiday at the festival with your family?

Here’s a link

http://festival.taebaek.go.kr/snow/

For those of you who love mountain climbing, hiking snowy Deogyusan in winter is well known by all!

It is the best time to feel the real taste of the winter in Jeollabuk-do, which is called the Snow Country.

The view from the top of Mt. Deokyu Hyangjeok is magnificent, also it must be very beautiful to see the white peaks while climbing!

 In addition, gondola to the top of the mountain will help you take a rest and go up the mountain to enjoy the winter.