December's things to do

Our Bakery, located near Dosan Park, is without a doubt one of the hottest coffee and bread places on social media right now. The bakery began as a collaborative project of stylist Seo Hanyoung (known for her high-fashion styling work with several K-pop stars including Boa and 2NE1) and food culture brand CNP Food. Hence, it's no surprise that it first gained its fame through the many celebrities that came to check out and hang out at the place — after a while, however, it's become a hot spot among all types of Seoulites looking for great bread and coffee. Its selection of bread is quite wide — among which, the pastries may remind you of Le Alaska's, while some other types of bread are similar to what Hongdae's Paul & Paulina makes. The most popular items here are the Tiramisu with a great balance between fresh cream and pastry, the well-layered Dirty Chocolate and the Butter Pretzels made with gourmet butter. Our Bakery is also well known for their specialty coffees, which go perfectly with all the scrumptious pastry options, making the place stand out in the huge competition in the Dosan Park district (it’s still not easy to find a place with decently-priced coffee made from quality ingredients, especially in an area known to be quite ritzy). The coffee machine used here is of the Netherlands' Kees Van Der Westen (a brand known to take pride in its excellent design and functionality), while the grinder is from Compak. Different beans are selected during each season, with...

Tucked away in a hidden alley near Yaksu Station, Cheogajip doesn’t even have a sign. But people storm in as soon as the restaurant opens, including loyal customers who’ve been coming for more than 50 years. Built in a renovated private house, the restaurant specializes in northern Korean cuisine, usually known for its “blandness” compared to its southern counterparts. Their signature menu is braised chicken, cooked in the traditional Pyeongando way, with no seasonings but steamed chives. The spicy vinegarand-mustard sauce, on the side brings out the flavors of the meat and the vegetables, leaving a rich but clean aftertaste. For first-timers to northern food who prefer a kick to their taste buds, we recommend the spicy buckwheat noodles.

Wooraeok has been serving naengmyeon, noodles in icy cold broth, since 1946 and is one of Seoul’s most famous old restaurants. While many naengmyeon stores have relatively shabby exteriors, Wooraeok has a classier atmosphere and is quite pricey for a normally inexpensive dish. But with their reputation and flavor, it's worth it: Wooraeok's naengmyeon is known for its flavorful, rich broth. If you like the taste of buckwheat, try the "soonmyeon," which has a higher percentage of buckwheat content. As with other Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon houses, Wooraeok is always filled with senior citizens, nostalgic for the tastes of earlier times. Looking for someting more filling than noodles? Another popular menu item is their bulgogi cooked on a copper grill, known for its strong seasoning. The diverse menu also includes yukgaejang (hot spicy meat stew) and galbi (grilled short ribs). Koreans often finish a meal of grilled meat with a course of naengmyeon, so save room for their signature dish if you're ordering meat. Wooraeok is easily accessible by car or public transport: it has a spacious parking lot and is also located near the subway.