December's things to do

Sitting right in front of Sangsu Station, Mère Picon has already captured the hearts of many foodies. Having worked at a renowned French restaurant in Korea, the owner/chef Aly (Jiyeon Jeong) prepares easy bites that wonderfully go with wine and beer.  Mère Picon’s fish & chips was simply... perfect. The meat was particularly thick and juicy, the fried batter light, soft and crispy, while the potato sticks and wedges served on the side really complimented the whole dish. I give this a big thumbs up.  The Gorgonzola Mère Pizza with apple slices on top was a great light dish too. It uses citron honey instead of regular honey, so you get that little sweet and sour kick with it. We also ordered Squid Ink Paella in Mom’s Stone Pot and Mulle à la Bellgium as well, and they both were delicious. The best part of it was that the prices are reasonable compared to other bistro pubs in the area.  Mère means mom in French, and Mère Picon “Picon’s mom.” Just like its name, the ambiance here is is warm and comforting. The chef welcomes guests with a bright smile. Though it was a random Tuesday night, the bistro pub seemed pretty busy with more than 10 people chatting and sipping wine. As I was leaving, I looked around the pub and without hesitation I knew Mère Picon will be my pick for my end-of-the-year gathering.

The Royal Saddle Equestrian Club located in Ilsan is only 30 minutes away from Seoul. Although a short car ride away, it’s an entirely different world as a serene forest that blocks out all the noises of the city envelops the club. This luxurious equestrian club boasts picturesque European style riding grounds with soft sandstone floors. In addition, the coaching team includes an Asian Games gold medalist and other elite professionals-turned-instructors. You may also recognize the club from Psy’s “Gangnam Style” music video.

Walk past the Namyeong Station in Yongsan into a small alleyway and you’ll see a hanok (traditional Korean house)—or just look for a house that stands out from the rest. It is at this 100-year-old house that Gangwonjung set up shop to serve its signature samgye-tang all year-round. Founded in 1978, the restaurant is now owned by Ham Ho-sik, the son of the founder. The quality of the samgye-tang is definitely one of the main reasons the restaurant has stayed open for 39 years. The commitment of the restaurant can be felt in a single bowl: using domestic poultry that is more fully grown than other restaurants, the broth is boiled for up to two hours to create a rich flavor. Be sure you get your fill for lunch or dinner (there is a break between three and five o’clock in the afternoon).