December's things to do

A traditional Korean meal is not made up of twenty different dishes on one table for everyone to share. Instead, according to food critic Hwang Kyoik, a Korean table is originally only composed for one. Kwonsooksoo is a modern Korean restaurant that abides by this strict Korean custom. Neungi mushroom with capellini noodles, steamed abalone on top of sea strings held together with pine nuts and tofu, tteok galbi that melts in your mouth are just some of the many well-prepared and unique flavors that could all be considered signature dishes without exaggeration. Other stand outs include the sweetfish ayu that is cooked right in front of you, as well as the snow crab hot pot rice that you can eat like bibimbap with the garnish that comes on top. Not only is the food delicious, but it is also made from fresh and natural ingredients, making a calorie count unnecessary. Another advantage is not having to worry about cooking the meat or getting enough of the side dishes, especially if your friends have big appetites.

During a warmer season, the wide open rooftop terrace of Café Onion is popular spot for the trendy Seoulites enjoying coffee and the wind blowing through the area. It isn’t much of a view, actually, as the rooftop is located only on the second floor of the building. Still, it’s enough to watch the scenes filled with surrounding factories and people walking by, while listening to the not-so-distant, strangely calming tunes of that trains passing by.  The building in which the café's located has a long history of its own; built in 1970's, it was previously a supermarket, a restaurant, a repair shop and most recently, a metal factory. While the whole space has indeed been restored with ultra-modern features like wide windows, minimalistic furniture, and a well-curated garden, the café's wide-open interior retains all of its old, rustic and broken-down elements. Just like any trending spot in Seoul, Onion is often seen on the social media and usually busy with young crowds. But because it's got so much space and many available seatings, you won’t have to worry about waiting to get a table (even if you do end up waiting a little, there's a bit of atmosphere you can enjoy in the meanwhile).  Their most popular drink is the Flat White. It might not be as strong as you'd expect, but it's certainly smooth. There are also good pastries, which are all made in-house, at the newer branch of Bread 05 located on the second floor (many of those who stop by the café are only here to pick...

Looking for the cafe with the biggest garden to relax in? Lee Jae-hyo's sculptures planted there may look like spoiled donuts, but artwork aside, it’s a nice garden cafe that sits in the middle of Sungok Art Museum sculpture park. The trees don new colors, creating a million-dollar scenery of nature and art.  Those doubtful might question whether it’s really worth it with an entry fee of 4,000 won, but trust us, there’s something to be gotten out of it. The ticket includes a free beverage (although we can't guarantee the quality of coffee), so we'd say it's a pretty sweet deal.