Shallow and Sandy

Maps and beaches.

These are two of my favorite things.
Mostly because on leads to the other.
Often I take a map
and just go to places that seem
like they might contain magic. 

Usually I am well rewarded.

Recently this type of wandering 

led me to a little slice of paradise.

The water is shallow,

there are sand crabs to chase,

rocks to climb on,

trees to rest under,

and its away from the insanity.

Pro Tip: Leave Pyeongtaek by 9:00am for best results. 

And NEVER take the main toll highway to and from.

Address: 충청남도 태안군 근흥면 정죽리 산147-46,

Naver Map: http://me2.do/xomtp0gT

In the past we have gone to 만리포 or 연포

and we always love them,

but sometimes change is good.

Fútbol! Viva El Suwon!

While at work my friend messaged me to see if I wanted to watch a soccer game in Suwon. Since I've never had the privilege of watching a live soccer game in a stadium I was all for it.  After work I jumped on the subway from Songtan to Suwon.

Once in Suwon, since I hadn't had dinner, I thought it would be a good idea to swing by the food court and grab a few snacks.  Being the end of the day, I was delighted to find that the food had all been put on supper sale so I filled my large handbag with rice balls and three kinds of mandu.  After that I grabbed a taxi to the World Cup Stadium.  (About 9,000\ and 1hr 20min).  

I easily arrived by the 7:30pm start time and opened my handbag for a snack, at which point I realized that buying copious amounts of kimchi mandu and caviar filled rice balls might not have been the best idea.  I was nearly knocked off my feet by the intensity of the smell.  Now, I would have felt less foolish if this had been the first time I had made this mistake, but no, this is a lesson I refuse to learn.

Once inside the stadium our tickets allowed us to basically sit where we wanted, a benefit of the VIP entrance am guessing, but I don't really know since I had never been before. The stadium doesn't have a roof, so when the weather became a bit drizzly we raced inside for the complimentary rain poncho which came in an attractive XXXXXL.

As it turned out, despite the less than attractive smell that clawed it's way out of my handbag, I was supper happy I had purchased mandu in bulk since there weren't a lot of options for snacks at the stadium.  There was a small snack bar but the selection was minimal.  Thankfully they had drinks and chopsticks. The two things required to make my purse dumplings into something that seemed slightly less weird. 

Generally I'm not a fan of the stadium experience, but I found soccer in Suwon quite relaxing and fun. The truly excited fans were on each end of the stadium so the noise was enjoyable and not over whelming.  A friend of mine who loves soccer said that seeing a game at this stadium is actually on his bucket list because the US Men's Team did something really amazing here. I know nothing of this, but maybe somebody reading this does and will find it interesting.

Blue Wings Korean Schedule is here: http://fussball.wettpoint.com/en/matchschedules/200365-schedule.html

DUCK!!!!! duck, duck, no goose

Stupid grin, awesome food.

Pyeongtaek Restaurants

We love

Do you like duck? Do you love quirky traditional Korean foods with intense flavors?  Do you like to drink too much soju and eat until you are sick? Then the place is for you. As you might be able to tell, we are focused more on the duck and soju than taking pictures of the food.  I am now noticing this is often our habit when it's one of our super favorite places.

Now, this place is not for folks who aren't really sure about Korean food.  This restaurant is all in.  You will be eating lots of spicy foods as well as pig skin and jelly fish.  That said, all of the sides are excellent and we usually get refills on nearly everything.  I am a huge fan of their white kimchi and pickled items.  Also a fan of their pancake, fried squash, jelly fish.... ok fine, I'm a fan of everything except the salmon with a candied cherry and fake cheese on top. I have no idea what is happening there but I forgive them because the rest is excellent. 

Once again, this is a place where the food just keeps coming so be prepared to eat way more than you are comfortable with. Although they offer other things, we always order one of the duck sets where they bring you 4-5 courses of duck, each one different. I think we usually spend between $15-$20 per person depending on how many drinks we buy.

 This place does close pretty early, like 9:00 or 9:30 so arrive before 8 if you can. Oh, and it's located in the middle of an industrial area so it's a bit hard to find.  We usually stay for 2 hours at least. It's hard to move after eating that much food.

Address: It is near a Chinese restaurant 

and has one of those little traditional water wheels out front.

경기도 평택시 모곡동 (거리뷰)

Naver Map: http://me2.do/5OeF6usr

Scrumptious Fancy Pants Food

Are you a foodie who thinks Pyeongtaek doesn't really have much to offer?  Well, you are wrong and this place will prove it.  Tucked away in the hills behind a university, it will seem like you are lost just about the time you find this place.  Completely unassuming on the outside, inside is small bright space where reservations are often needed if you show up after 11:00am.  Many guests at this lovely destination come from far and wide to eat this exquisite food. 

The pictures in this blog do not do it justice.  You would think that I would have a zip drive full of good pictures because a) I go here all the time and b) the food is stunning.  Instead, however, I have failed each and every time to take good photos because I am too excited/overwhelmed by the food.  The presentation is just delightful and I get wrapped up in how lovely it looks and can't really think about anything else. So check out these Korean food blogs to get a better idea of the awesomeness.

http://m.blog.naver.com/jinsung6788/220351508686

http://m.blog.naver.com/gasumi00/220243220871

http://m.blog.naver.com/gluvc/40211103715

(Arg. Looking at the photos is killing me. Want - to - go - now!!!!!)

There are only two set options and everyone will need to order the same one.  They are between $14 and $18 if I remember right. To be honest, I am always thinking, "Here take all my money. I love this too much" so I don't remember exactly what I spend. That said, I have only order the cheapest option because it's always too much food and I'm not ready to level up.  The basic meal is something like 16 courses so pace yourself please.  Just when you think you are finished more is going to show up.

The food here is indescribable and everyone I have ever taken here has been in awe.  The flavors are fresh and each plate very unique.  If you are going with kids, there are also kids plates you can order like fried pork cutlet so that you can keep the best parts for yourself.

Address:

 Name: 산말을명가  

Address: 경기도 평택시 장안동 92-17

Never Map: http://me2.do/5aNFlluS

Date Night at the Cabin

Pyeongtaek Restaurants

We love

 

So, you need to wow your date with delicious Korean food and an intimate, cozy setting?  This is the place you want to go.  This shabu shabu restaurant is located in a stunning, log cabin on the side of hill. Inside its warm lighting and plants that wind through the space make the wide open room seem intimate and you muck more attractive.  It's by far one of the most romantic restaurants I have found in Korea.  Heck, even the pot you cook in is downright sexy.

 

To top it all off, the food is excellent. The fresh veggies, quality seafood, meat and noodles have impressed everyone we have ever brought here.  It's a rare person who isn't going to love this.  Shabu shabu is straight up fun to eat and at this restaurant the food is only as spicy as you chose to make it. That means even your kids, picky friends, and out of town guests are going to be able to eat themselves sick. As an added bonus, they even serve wine by the glass here.

Address: Big log cabin in the side of a hill.  

Name: 게으쭈루, 

Phone: 031-667-4946, 

Address: 경기도 평택시 이충동 123-4, 

Naver Map: http://me2.do/FOAiajAr