3rd Destination: Lee Jae Jin Sechskies & Yang Hyun Suk Restaurant

Another post regarding Sechs Kies.. Hehe mian~ I forgot that Jae Jin owns a restaurant as well..

Not until recently that I know Jae Jin's younger sister Lee Eun Joo is married to YG aka Yang Hyun Suk. I didn't know Lee Eun Joo was former member of Swi.T girl group. This means.. Jae Jin is YG's brother-in-law, but he said YG didn't call him hyung (older brother) but "Ya!" (hey) ㅋㅋㅋ 

According to those articles I found online, Jae Jin has partnered up with YG to open a restaurant in YG Entertainment-owned building located in Hongdae since 4 years ago.

(wow I spent almost 30 minutes searching for correct photo of the restaurant. will elaborate the reason why later)

pic credit to oliversmile

Name: SCHOOL FOOD @ 스쿨푸드
Location as seen: No. 138, 2nd Floor, 486 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Other branches: Here

Price: 4,000 ~ 12,000won
Website: www.schoolfood.co.kr
Menu: Kimbap, Tteokboki, Rice
*Unfortunately there is no specific directions available for SCHOOL FOOD & unsure of the Halal status as well*

I tried searching for Google Street View, but it was unavailable. Netizen on allkpop had discussed regarding the location & they said the restaurant is just located in the same building as NB2, a famous hiphop club.

Important hint from the discussions on the article:

secretlyvivid: "They'll probably open one a block away from Simon and Martina EatyourKimchi's studio haha"
Iro Mage: "Actually if you watch their studio tour video, you can see the NB2 sign across the street from them, so they are even closer than one block away."

YGfan25: It's across from their studio! :)

pic credit to YGfan25 (allkpop user) & yes it was Martina in that pic.

Simon & Martina even replied the comment thread.. Epic

Simon and Martina: Yep! That's it! We even ate there a couple of times :D

So based on their conversations, Simon & Martina's studio is located right across the restaurant. Their address is 73 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

pic credit kpoptourguide

Since I don't know how the restaurant looks like, I compared the picture given by YGfan25 to picture taken by oliversmile.

 Right pic by YGfan25 & left pic from oliversmile.

Based on comparison, it is the same location I am looking into. Look at the rectangle with lines in it.. Isn't it the same? Now, the whole building might have some changes as the pic given by YGfan25 was from 2013 & pic given by oliversmile was from 2014.

Phew.. This restaurant is indeed difficult to find online, especially for someone like me who don't understand Korean & never been to Korea.

Bonus..

Where's G1? :D Look, someone just bleached his hair haha. YG just posted this today..but don't read his comment sections.. It's full of hate on YG haha

"#젝스키스 #젝키 #SECHSKIES #여섯개의수정 #FOREVER젝키 #16년만의재결합 #REUNITEDAFTER16YEARS #은지원강성훈고지용장수원이재진김재덕#0430DINNER"
Based on his "touching" caption that was full with hashtags, he said he had dinner with Sechs Kies members on April 30. 
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BE4ycq0ruxl

All credit goes out to koreanclicks, allkpop, oliversmile for her awesome post & last but not least, KSHOWONLINE for translated Infinite Challenge episode.


All information are fully translated by me, G 지.

2nd Destination: Super Junior Restaurants

Super Junior!

I am a fan of Siwon and always will be.. Of course, all of the members, I love! They are just some irresistible oppars~ Haha.. In the past, I read & watched a lot of programmes that promotes their restaurants. Most of the restaurants are owned by their family members.. But still, they use Suju members to promote their restaurants..with a lot of their posters in the cafe/restaurant.. That's the only reason to visit their restaurants/cafes out of all in Korea. :D

Here's a list of Super Junior-related restaurants/cafes for me to check back ㅋㅋㅋ

Leader Lee Teuk's mother owned Kona Beans (Apgujeong) cafe

pic credit to taejusoul.tistory.com

"Kona Beans (Apgujeong) is a Hawaiian theme coffee shop that brews beans from Kona. It's known for being operated by Super Junior Leeteuk's mother. It used by co-operated by Leeteuk, Sungmin and Kyuhyun's mothers but the other two dropped."

Name: Kona Beans (Apgujeong) @ 코나빈스 (압구정점)
Location: 640-9 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Menu: Coffee, Tea, Smoothie, Cake
Price: 3,000 ~ 6,000won
Directions: Metro, Bundang line (yellow) at Apgujeong Rodeo station, exit #6. Walk straight and turn left to the alley in between Black Smith and Sinhan Bank. Go straight about a block and it's on your left.
*Unfortunately there is no website available for Kona Beans, unsure of the status as well*

Donghae & brother's owned restaurant Grill5taco

pic credit to vivi0713

"Grill5taco Cheongdam branch is owned by the K-pop star, Donghae (Super Junior). It's known for fusion Korean-Mexican style taco and Kimchi quesadilla with unlimited nachos."

Name: Grill5taco @ 그릴파이브타코
Location: 627-12 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Menu: Tacos, Burritos, Quesadilla
Status: Non-halal
Price: 2,000 ~ 11,000won
Website: http://grill5.tistory.com/
Directions: Metro, Bundang line (yellow) at Apgujeong Rodeo station, exit #4, When you get to street level at Exit #4, walk straight for about 5 minutes & turn left when you see Burger King. Keep walking for a minute or two, and you will pass by Butterfinger Pancakes. The building behind Butterfinger Pancakes will be Grill5taco. 


I remembered watching Irene went to Grill5taco for K-Style EP 16 "Visiting K-pop Idols' Restaurants". I was drooling while watching her eating nachos & tacos OMG it sure looked good though although it's not a Halal-certified restaurant.

Yesung's brother & mother owned Mouse Rabbit cafe

pic credit to budgettravel2korea

"Mouse Rabbit is a special coffee shop run by Super Junior Yesung's brother and mother. It's located nearby the Kokuk University in Seoul. Yesung and his brother "Jongjin" participated in designing the logo and the interior together. Yesung's brother is a barista. You'll be able to taste unique coffee made by Yesung's brother as well as a variety of dessert and other menu items such as cake, honey bread, honey butter ball, burrito and muffin. Lime and lemon mojitos are also a specialty. Another special thing about this cafe is that the basement is like a rabbit cave where you can take off your shoes and sit comfortably."

Name: Mouse Rabbit Restaurant @ 마우스래빗 카페
Location: 5-14 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Menu: Coffee, Ade, Tea, Juice, Cake, Bagel, Bread
Price: 4,000 ~ 6,000won
Website: http://mouse_rabbit.blog.me/
Directions: Metro, Line 2 or 7 at Keodae Ipgu station, Exit #2. Walk straight and turn left at the alley next to Samsung Mobile Shop. Walk a little more and it's on your right.
*Unsure of the Halal status*

Heechul's sister owned K-Story cafe

pic credit to www.tourplus.my

"K-Story is a Hallyu themed cafe located in Myeongdong. It's owned by the sister of Super Junior's Heechul. It's one of the original cafes that provide Hallyu related theme. It sells K-Pop CDs, performance clothes and fan related items"

Name: K-Story Cafe @ 케이팝스토리
Location: 22 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Menu:Korean traditional food and beverages
Directions: Metro, Line 4 Myeongdong station exit 5.
*Unfortunately there is no price & website available for K-Story & unsure of the Halal status as well*

Siwon's 3 months pop-up store, Twosome Coffee Myeongdong (temporary CF)

pic credit to Siwon's Twitter

"Twosome Coffee is a franchise coffee shop in Korea and this Twosome coffee branch in Myeongdong is especially known for having various collaboration with Korean celebrities. It started its opening with the collaboration with Super Junior Choi Siwon in 2013."

Name: Twosome Coffee Myeongdong @ 투썸커피 명동올리브점 
Location: 9-20 Myeongdong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Directions:Metro, Line 2 at Euljiro Ipgu station exit 5 or 6. 
*Unfortunately there is no menu, price & website available for Twosome & unsure of the Halal status as well*

Sungmin's mother owned Wiki Cafe

pic credit to meinseoulution.blogspot.com

"Wiki Cafe is located in Samcheong-dong the northern part of Seoul owned and run by the K-pop idol Super Junior's Sungmin's mother. There is a photo zone at the entrance of the cafe where you can take a picture with Sungmin. If you go upstairs, there's a mailbox where you can send letters to Sungmin but it's not 100% guaranteed that it will be delivered to Sungmin."

Name: Wiki Cafe @ 위키카페
Location: 51 Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Menu: Coffee, Ade, Tea, Juice, Bread, Ice Flakes, Cake, Mojito
Status: Non-halal
Price: 1,500 ~ 6,500won
Website: http://www.wikicafe.net/
Directions: Metro, Line 3 at Anguk station exit 1. Turn right and go straight. Turn right again in front of GMA Gallery and walk straight. Turn right at Gallery ON and go forward. Turn left in front of a white building and walk straight until you reach Wiki Cafe.

Kyuhyun's parents owned Myeongdong Mom House @ Mom Cafe De'ete Espresso

pic credit to tripadvisor.com

"Opened in 2014, the hotel/guesthouse is owned and operated by Super Junior member Kyuhyun’s family. It has 60 rooms, a cafe (De ete Espresso) on the first floor and an outdoor park and a terrace on the top floor where Kyuhyun's hand statue along with his imprinted autograph and message. There is also a red mail box where if you put in a letter, it will be delivered to Kyuhyun directly."

Name: Myeongdong Mom House @ 명동 맘하우스
Location: 13-21 Namsandong 3(sam)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Guesthouse Price: 30,000 ~ 198,000won
Website: http://mom2014.co.kr/KR/main/main.php
Directions: Metro, Alight at Myeongdong Station (Line 4), and get out from Exit #2.
*Unfortunately there is no menu available for Mom Cafe De'ete Espresso, but you may check out the cafe's website http://deete1626.mireene.com/ & unsure of the Halal status as well*

Eunhyuk's parents owned Chocolat Bonbon cafe

pic credit to english.visitseoul.net

"It used to be Tous le Jours franchise bakery but it was renovated as a new bakery in August, 2014.  It bakes different types of bread and cakes everyday and there's a time table listing the time when the bread comes out. The price is relatively inexpensive compared to the ones from the usual franchise bakeries such as Tous le Jours and Paris Baguette." 

Name: Chocolat Bonbon @ 쇼콜라봉봉
Location: 235-2 Guro 3(sam)-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Menu: Coffee, Smoothie, Tea, Bread, Tart, Ice Flakes
Price: 1,000 ~ 6,500won
Website: https://twitter.com/chocolat_bonx2
Directions: Metro, Line 7 at Namguro station, exit 4.
*Unsure of the Halal status*

All credit goes out to https://www.trazy.com/theme/celeb_places & some informations are fully translated by me, G 지.

First Destination: Jang Suwon Sechskies Restaurant

As seen in MBC Infinite Challenge Episode 477/478 (Totoga 2 Special Sechs Kies Final Episodes)

From the screenshots I took, Jang Suwon's restaurant's name is not visible though (look at 4th pic)

After some 10 minutes spent on searching Jang Suwon's restaurant's name while writing this post, I finally found it! The keyword is... you need to google in Hangul & I inserted "장수원 레스토랑" (Jang Suwon Restaurant)..

Totoga 2 Episode 477

Totoga Episode 478

Totoga Episode 478

Totoga Episode 478

Totoga Episode 478 (Did you see that tiny bit of logo behind there? if only Mudo let me see OMG. I saw Yuk something Jang haha my eyes were obviously blind)

Totoga Episode 478

Full information in Korean: http://blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn?blogId=jela87&logNo=220680173252


The Korean girl named jela87 had published a review about this restaurant on Naver. Now we know what's the restaurant name is. It's "Yummy Kampong". I don't know why did Jang Suwon had decided to name his restaurant as Yummy Kampong but Kampong in Malaysian language means village, so it automatically translated to Tasty Village? After searching for some infos, I found out that this restaurant is offering Singaporean/Malaysian seafood dishes. This explains the reason behind it's name huh.

pic credit to jela87

Name: Yummy Kampong @ 야미깜퐁
Location as seen: Dongdaemun Hyundai City @ 동대문 현대시티아울렛
Other branches: 28, Seorae-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Status: Non-halal
Menu: Cereal Prawn, Sweet & Sour Fried Pork, Chili Sauce Lobster, Fried Chicken W/ Dried Chili & Garlic Sauce, Crispy Chicken W/ Soya Sauce, Sambal Chili Prawn, variety of rice & noodle dishes..
*Unfortunately there is no website available for Yummy Kampong*

According to jela87, she ordered laksa & char kuey teow, which was expensive. Each cost 9,000 won (RM30.75) & 8,000 won (RM27.33). Even I think it is expensive for a bowl of laksa, where I can get for RM4.50 in night market LOL.
For me, although it is a non-halal restaurant, I just want to go there & take picture. That is my motive ㅋㅋㅋ 

Credit goes out to 젤라 (jela87) for her Naver's blog post, KSHOWONLINE & ikshow for translated Infinite Challenge episodes & raw Infinite Challenge episode 478. 



*******Updated on May 3

Screenshot from Totoga 2 Sechs Kies EP 478 see that big & clear Yummy Kampong logo ㅋㅋㅋ 

SEE HOW BLIND I WAS.. I said I couldn't see the logo clearly & spent my precious time searching for his restaurant.. Mian~ I was too focused on Suwon until I don't see that logo behind him XD

BONUS:

Suwon caught looking at the camera ㅎㅎㅎ

All information are fully translated by me, G 지.

Intro

I am not going to say hello although this is my first post because I expect that nobody will be reading my blog post. HOWEVER, if any, annyeong~

I have been planning to create a blog just to list down the places I want to visit in Korea. I might be sharing more informations about it. Just FYI readers, I am staying Kuala Lumpur (capital city of Malaysia) since I was born and never take any flights in my life. I just went to several states before and for now, it's been years years and years since I travel to other states with my family (never went for solo trip though).

You can see how lack of experience me in travelling.

There are a lot of places around Korea that I want to visit, those places that I saw are mostly from variety shows & local K-POP magazine (rarely).

I think I will also post some mini clips (I will edit accordingly to fit the post) of the destinations. This means, my blog will be a blog of destination wishlist compilation. :D

So I hope this blog can help me more in planning my trip to Korea soon, because it will take time to gain all informations at once! Heads up, since I am a Muslim, any non-halal restaurant post in my blog, my motive is just to take picture there. Hope this is clear enough..

BTW.. I am G 지, 24 ('92) & I cannot speak/understand Korean. Whatever translations in my blog, I get it from Google Translate.