December's things to do

Chinese dim sum chefs at Mongjungheon put their heart into the creation of each bite-sized portion, stuffing thinly rolled dough with filling. There have been attempts to create proper dim sim in Korea since the 1970s, but these attempts were never able to overcome the hegemony of popular Korean-Chinese dishes such as jjajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) and tangsuyuk (sweet, sour and crispy pork). And as the pan-fried dumplings of Korean-Chinese cuisine came to be widely regarded as something that came free with large orders, dim sum also suffered, as a fellow member of the dumpling family. Things changed in the 2000s as overseas travel became more common. Korean diners who’d fallen in love with the taste of dim sum in Hong Kong found a close match at Mongjungheon in Seoul. Mongjungheon is famous for its delicious shrimp dim sum and its shrimp and scallion dim sum but also has its own signature dish—the Cantonese-style seafood stir-fry. It’s a dish widely acknowledged to be invigorating for the body, filled with various seafoods—including abalone, sea cucumber, shrimp, and octopus—and vegetables, including shiitake and matsutake (pine) mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and asparagus. The interior of Mongjungheon is also striking, recalling the ambiance of an old mansion as might be found in Shanghai or the Guangdong region.

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.

This vintage flea market is located near Dongmyo, a shrine built in honor of Guan Yu, a Chinese military commander. Exit Dongmyo Station exit 3 and walk straight for about 30 seconds until you reach the entrance of this bustling market. Hundreds of street stalls open up along the stone walls of the shrine, all the way to Cheonggyecheon Stream. This flea  market literally has everything you need— from second-hand clothes to antiques, vinyl records and miscellaneous goods. Clothes are only 1,000 won a piece, with leather jackets in the autumn and faux fur in the winter. This traditional market has become an unusual hot spot in Seoul, with people carrying around their newly purchased items in black plastic bags and sellers pushing around carts full of antiques. We advise that you bring a lot of 1,000 won bills with you, as it makes bargaining easier. Another tip is to go early when the market opens in order to dig through the piles to find the best items. Dongmyo Flea Market opens at 2pm on weekdays and 10am on weekends. They close before sundown and on every 2nd and 4th Tuesday.