December's things to do

Salmon sashimi lovers, here’s one for you. Mibbeudong is famed for its tomato salmon noodles – a refreshing, cold tomato broth packed with vegetables and long strands of salmon sashimi cut lengthways to resemble noodles. If you’re a little less excited over this, another popular item on the menu here is the Mibbeudong itself, a rice moat topped with a tower of mixed sashimi, uni and ikura.

Where the sea (‘mer’) meets the sky (‘ciel’), Merciel offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience created by Chef Yoon Hwa-young and Park Hyun-jin. Prior to bringing the skillful fine dining establishment to the quaint spot on Busan’s dalmaji-gil, the owner chefs (who are also a restaurateur couple) have mastered authentic French culinary methods while learning from the renowned Jean François Piège and Pierre Gagnaire. The three-story building in which the restaurant’s housed is complete with two other unique spaces: Salon de Thé afternoon tea and dessert house on the second floor and BIS Gallery below it. Located on the top floor is Merciel offering what’s in its name: panoramic ocean views through the floor to ceiling windows as well as an open-air terrace.

Comments from our coffee experts SJ This place is owned by Coffee Libre’s Kim Byung-ki, a green coffee bean buyer; roaster Kim Do-hyun; barista Park Geun-ha; barista Song Sung-man from El Café; and the genius pastry chef Heo Min-su. It took almost a year for this coffee place to become one of the best places in Korea. David G. We Some people call this place the “Avengers of the coffee industry,” as people from diverse backgrounds got together to open this store. It is famous for its baked goods as well. Cho Won-jin Their fresh coffee and baked goods will satisfy you in every way.   Fritz is one of the few places in Seoul that will offer you the choice of paper or metal filters for your pour-over. It’s no mere gimmick: one of the five cofounders is Park Geun-ha, 2014 Barista Champion of Korea, and a 14-year veteran in the business of beans. They hold cupping sessions Thursdays and Sundays at 6 p.m. for those of you wishing to learn more about the finer points of coffee (sorry, Korean only). If the language barrier has you on the sidelines, console yourself with a pain au chocolat and enjoy the retro vibe of the converted traditional tile-roof house.