December's things to do

Doesn’t matter if you’re still full from your earlier meal; you just have to go here early and grab a seat first. Once the clock hits 5:30, Yukjeon Sikdang is crammed with all hungry people and waiting for 30 minutes to 1 hour is nothing. Must admit, this is the best pork restaurant in Seoul. Thick-cut pork belly (samgyeopsal) is Yukjoen Sikdang’s signature menu, notably for its extremely tender and juicy meat. Though Samgeyopsal is one of the most beloved foods of Koreans, after a few servings, you feel the urge of stop eating from its greasiness, but put your worry aside for Yukjeon Sikdang. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop eating – you’ll know what “pigging out” truly means.

After receiving training from Michelin-starred restaurants as Nobu and French Laundry, the owner and head chef of the Bistrot de Yountville presents French cuisine without fuss. The restaurant opened in 2009, at a time when the trend of chefs-as-owners was on the rise in Cheongdam. This place has since garnered many devoted regulars and established a firm reputation for its quality French cuisine. The classic red exterior, which stands out among the sleeker designs in vogue these days, and its elegant interior coupled with lovely tableware lend to the feeling that you might be dining at a restaurant somewhere in Paris, rather than in Cheongdam. The sense of intimacy at Bistrot de Yountville is its greatest virtue. The lunch course with three to four dishes is a great deal at 30–40,000 won, the result of cutting down on superfluity and concentrating on the food itself. From the hors d’oeuvre to dessert, each and every dish is well worth your attention. Bistrot de Yountville is also a excellent place to take a date.

Following the availability of small American craft roasters including Intelligentsia and Stumptown Coffee Stumptown Coffee, we now have the Berlin-based artisan roaster Bonanza in Seoul. Even beyond Berlin, Bonanza Coffee is one of the fastest-growing roasters in Europe, with its original location selected by National Geographic as one of the “25 coffee shops around the world you have to see before you die.” This new international location is in Itaewon, but the surrounding area of Hangangjin (near Downtowner burger pub and Pizzeria D' Buzza’s Hannam Dong branch) is quite serene. Although the café is located inside novelty merchandise retailer Morethanless, its seriousness towards extractions has been attracting even professional baristas and humble home brewers alike. As I open its large glass doors and step inside, sturdy La Marzocco Linea machine first catches this aficionado’s eyes. A specialty coffee icon established in Florence, Italy, it grew with Starbucks’ early expansion, and since been an inspiration for most of the high-end espresso machine brands in the world including Synesso and Slayer. The overall atmosphere of the café is quite refined and modern (which is appropriate for its identity as a fashion retailer as well). The staff is kind and friendly, while the audio system involving a powerful amp and a fancy set of speakers are adding another tasteful element to the space. The star of the show is, of course, the coffee. The roasted beans selection available...