Talking about the location, there are four main areas that are spectacularly photographic if you’re all up for portrait photography: The Pool, The Greens, and The Bath House. If you ever wondered, it is an abandoned swimming complex tucked away in the mountains where the prestigious Seoul National University is located. Never before have I imagined the existence of such place in my Alma Mater — a place with a high concentration of the country’s most promising elite nerds students, hence probably one of the most boring campus in the country.

UPDATE 2020 July – Please note that the entrance to the pool is now closed due to safety reasons and the overwhelming response by the visitors.  

The Pool

The pool is one of my favourites out of all three major areas. It is also popular among fashion photographers and movie makers. The place feels different depending on season and weather. And I certainly love how the summer green and sunshine yellow wash over the place.

The Greens

There’s nothing more summery than the succulent greeneries in the forest. It was an early summer and the wildflowers were blooming. I picked the yellow wild flowers somewhere near the pool and made myself a fresh flower wreath. It was totally spontaneous, but the outcome was so organic and rustic and I love them! I think it matches well with my white sundress.

The Bath House

The bath house is located right below the pool — a very old-fashioned design. You can still see the remains of the shower cubicles, a hot spring pool, snack and drinks kiosks. Over the years, the place has turned from an abandoned swimming complex into a popular art/photography studio due to its quirky settings. Well loved by the art majors, fashion corporates, and entertainment companies, it appeared on many school assignments, fashion commercials, and even pop music MVs.

The place is truly one-of-its-kind due to its rustic charm of olden days. I don’t know when exactly did the pool went abandoned. But it stayed frozen in time. The remains of the pool are like a relic of a bygone age, mysterious and sometimes intimidating. I wouldn’t recommend to the faint-hearted, but I would say this location has so much to offer it is worth your trip down.

Also, I am taking in modelling/styling assignment for the time being. Although I am admittedly a modelling & styling novice, I am open to learn new things. So if you share the same passion, you may contact me, and we’ll see how we can collaborate.

Directions:

1. 1. Take Seoul subway line no.2 and alight at Seoul National University Station,  take exit no. 3.
   2. At the subway exit, walk to the direction of Paris Baguette. Walk pass Mc Donalds until you reach a 7-11, then locate bustop 5511 (See the photos below to navigate.)

      

      

   3. Take the bus, and alight at SNU Genetic Engineering Research Center. Semiconductor Research Center 유전공학연구소.반도체공동연구소.
   4. You’ll see the below building after arriving at the research center bus stop. Take the mountain trail at the left-hand side of the building. It will bring you to the abandoned swimming pool after some 5-10 minutes of hiking.

Reminder: Once again I wish to gently remind any unauthorized use of my portraits is prohibited. None of these pictures above may be reused in any form or by any means, without written permission from the photographers/ owner of the portrait. I am committed to protecting my intellectual property and will aggressively enforce my rights to the fullest extent of the law. 

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Update 2020:

This cosy bar is closed permanently in February 2020.

One of my favourite drink here at the bar is the Dow’s Port. The one I had was a 2007 vintage Port, one of the Portugal based wine that has been awarded a perfect 100/100 score on Wine Spectator magazine. Never mind the complicated score sheet, what I really like is the amazing full-bodied texture, the beautiful aroma of ripe blackberries, the crisp hint of floral hint at the background, and the syrupy but spicy finish. A refined, polished dessert wine I will definitely stock a dozen of these back home next time when I own a house. : D

What makes this bar stands out is the Absinthe fountain set standing elegantly on the bar. I bet it is one of the very few bars in Seoul that carries such a special appliance in making a Green Fairy, a legendary aromatic drink that was so widely (and wildly) consumed since the 18th century until it was banned in most of the Europe and US.

The notorious Absinthe, or more known as the Green Fairy, was once blamed for causing psychosis, or even murder. Even so, it was also a popular drink for renowned writers and artists such as Ernest Hemingway, Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso, to seek inspirations. We were excited to discover that the bar serves Absinthe, but it took us awhile to finally order one because this green colour, herbal-menthol scented liquor is known for its hallucinogenic effects.

The process of preparing an Absinthe is like preparing rites. You need an Absinthe fountain, a special spoon, a sugar cube, and a glass to make the drink. The fountain contains of ice cold water and the tap on the fountain is tailored to drip the water slowly so as the sugar and the water can mix well with the liquor down in the cup. The whole process was quite bewitching.

I’d love to video the whole process, but the decision of ordering one came so sudden that I got so excited that I forgotten about recording it down completely. However, I found a really good short clip about the process of making a Green Fairy that I find watching it particularly fascinating, and strangely, it soothes my mood!

You can check out the video above if you are interested to know how a glass of Green Fairy was made. I don’t know why but I think it was the visually appealing ritual, the myths and the fact that it was actually banned for some time before resurfacing as a cultural or hipster icon that makes it an attractive drink.

This is what you get after dripping enough water into your glass– a beautiful shade of pearly mint green in your glass. You’ll get layers of mints, pepper, sweetness from the sugar cube and the bitterness from the nutmeg on your taste palette — Not exactly my type of drink but watching the process of making the drink from an Absinthe fountain was entertaining. This combination got me a little illusional effect that night though. I would say it is the whole package: the visual, the history, the tales and the mystical, peppery and minty taste that get you hooked.

혼자노는양 Sheep in Solitude in a midsummer’s night. One of the best place near the SNU campus that I would recommend anyone who needs a drink after an eventful day.

Below are the photos taken at the same bar another time during winter. It was much quieter compared to the above picture since it was the final exam season. I was there with one of my best girlfriends and best sul-chingu (술친구 drinking buddy) in SNU

Writer’s Note: One of the best bars around the area of Naksongdae/Sillim that offers you the variety, good atmosphere and non-dilluted, quality drinks. I love sitting at the bar, listening to the owners talking about the history of different liquors. The atmosphere is cosy and homey, an excellent place to wind down after a heavy artisan burger meal at 9ounce Burger just opposite the street.

Contact Details:

혼자노는양 Sheep in Solitude *Click to Link to FB* (Permanently Closed)
서울특별시 관악구 낙성대동 1625-25
1625-25, Nakseongdae-dong, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul. 151-818.
Tel. +82-2871-2789.

Directions:

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Be prepared to go in like a champ, walk out like a sinner.

Lol. That is a direct quote from one of my friends who recently went to the place with me. That sounds quite exaggerated, but I would say it captures the gist of how I felt on my first visit. So here comes my posting about 9 ounce Burger (나인온스버거) near Naksongdae Station (Line 2, 낙성대역). The photos in the post are a compilation of my various visits, ranging from 2 weeks ago (Spring 2015) to Autumn 2014.

For your info, it is also one of the matjibs (맛집, meaning restaurant that provides good food that is made famous by word of mouth) every student of Seoul National University has at least visited once in their uni life.

It is a small but cosy restaurant, with a capacity of 20 pax at one time. The picture is taken on a weekday before lunch peak hours.

You are given eight types of burgers to choose from — which I think the choices available is pretty decent for a small burger chain like this. You may choose to have ala carte (only the burger) that cost you KRW8,500-9,500 (OMG I AM SO HAPPY WITH THIER PRICING), or add another KRW4,500 to complete a meal (meals come with bigger serving of fries and a soda). English Menu is available. HOORAY!

Drinks wise, they serve soda, VERY-sinful milkshakes, beer and wine.

It takes about 20-25 minutes for your burger to be served. No complain — because all complaints will disappear without a trace when you see these lovelies being served right in front of you.

The 9ounce Burger was tender, juicy and flavorful, one of the best I have had so far. I am extremely picky when it comes to burger because it is just not worth it to take a lousy burger. More so if you take that heavy load of calories into consideration. I mean, if the damage is the same for taking a good burger and a bad burger, I will just take the good one, and groan in pain at the gym later.

Back to the burger — It was just some very simple combination: High-quality Wagyu beef, onion and cheese, but attention are paid to the detail. The juicy and cooked beef, the golden brown and perfectly caramelized onion, and the correct amount of cheese — I just can’t get enough. 9ounce is just taking it to a whole new level!

The California Burger, a less aggressive cousin of 9ounce original. Loaded up in fresh greens and creamy avocados, the California is clearly a healthier choice. (Burger is a cheat meal anyway but at least the greens made it healthier?) I have been to 9ounce many times and I must say California and original are what I always go for. I had their Chilli Burger once. Unfortunately, it was rather mediocre.

My first visit this year (2015) was in early spring. It was a weekday with lovely sunshine — the best reason for some real burgers? My date and I enjoy the place and shortly after a week, I visited the place again with K and another friend. Three of us couldn’t resist but order their signature 9 Ounce burger (Again!). I decided to go for 9ounce Junior, which comes in a smaller bun with four or five tiny fries; the guys have gone to great lengths to prove their masculinity. Two set meals, with regular fries, a burger and a soft drink each.

It doesn’t look like it would kill…but we three had a burger coma after stuffing everything in. The firm but juicy beef patty, accompanied by perfectly melted cheese, and the deep, rich and sweet flavour of their signature caramelised onion…I don’t mind getting that food coma again, seriously.

Other burgers in my camera, on other occasions that I thought of posting them up here for your information.

Argula Burger. The crispy bacon did a good measure for the dish. Perfect for bacon lovers.

Next, Chilli Burger. Personally I find it pales in comparison with their signature 9ounce burger. Not something I would order again. Oh well, if you happen to pop by, and feeling the need to boost up your energy to the max, try the milkshake. I ordered the Peanut Butter milkshake and Nutella Double Choco Milkshake on two different occasions. Both were thick, creamy-textured, without skimping on the ingredients. Yums!

Business is hot at night as well. So be early, or be sorry >.< as you may need to wait outside for at least 20 minutes for your turn, depending on the size of your group.

Writer’s Note:

Their 9 ounce Burgers are so good they’re rated “unfit for the faint hearted”  by my friend. Lol. As I mentioned earlier, this is the only place I go if I need a REAL burger fix. They do just as great or possibly even better compared to those at Itaewon!

Contact Details:

9 ounce Burger (Naksongdae) 나인 온스 
1606-20, Nakseongdae-Dong, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul.
서울시 관악구 낙성대동 1626-20
Tel. 070-8692-9020

Directions:

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It is such a common food that every household would serve on their dining table every now and then. And I happened to find one just nearby the Seoul National University station. This one here nearby the station by a Kimchi Jjigae specialist is however slightly different from what we consume at our Korean friend’s house, or at any bunsik-jib (convenient food store). This particular place that I am writing today serves hot and filling spicy soup, with big chunks of pork, and, of course in a gigantic big pot. If you are a committed carnivore, this place is exactly where you should check out.

And so here am I at this little Kimchi Stew Specialist located at the corner of the street near my house. K and I were there at 1230 noon sharp and got a shock. We didn’t expect a full house. So we joined the queue and waited outside for about 20 minutes before getting in.

The menu was written onto silver trays that hung against the wall. Beside it was a note by the restaurant chain owner that says:

Our kimchi broth is freshly prepared every morning. We would rather start our business later than re-using the leftovers from yesterday.

This explains why I always see kimchi broth packed in garbage bags for disposal outside the restaurant every morning. They really throw the leftovers away and prepare fresh ones every day!

Cute paper towel roll holder that looks like an oversized film box. According to some Korean bloggers, the young owner of the restaurant loves photography. Hence, the restaurant is decorated as a mini-gallery showcasing the owner’s work.

The restaurant is in a cosy size that fits six to seven tables for 4. So if you’re unlucky, you may need to wait outside for your turn. Mind you, they are good at their jjigae so, be prepared to queue for at least 20 to 30 minutes!

The menu is simple. You can choose between a basic pot (fit for 2-3 pax.) or upsize pot (fit 4-6 pax.). After making your choice of the size, you can then select add-ons like egg rolls (KRW6,500), Instant noodles (KRW 1,000), dumplings (KRW1,500) or seaweed (KRW 1,000 for two packs). Do take note that with every order of one kimchi stew comes one pack of free seaweed. : D

Since the two of us are not big eaters, we decided not to have any other add ons in the soup.  We ordered a basic pot, egg rolls, two white rice and additional seaweed packs. The piping hot pot was served a short while later. Okay, the stew doesn’t look photogenic but trust me, the look doesn’t do any justice to the taste. It is slightly pulpy and VERY rich in flavour.

Eggroll was huge. It is not like those finely made tamago egg rolls you probably will get at some fancy Japanese restaurant. Rather, it feels more like home here.

The selling point of this place, I would say it is their enormously huge pot, with 3 big, fat, juicy chunks of pork belly (for two-person).  No kidding. Look at my pictures below.

Each piece of the belly was at least 1.5 to 2 cm thick. Customers got to help themselves with the cutting before eating. It was quite fun though K was the one who did most of the cutting.

I wasn’t prepared to be on the blog that day so here are some edited pictures of mine with the funny cat head app. Well, you can have a clearer picture of how big the pot is.

The sizzling porky kimchi stew is ready to eat. Look at the vibrant orange colour broth! Isn’t it lovely? I must say nothing beats a bubbling hot Kimchi stew on a chilly winter-like autumn night in Seoul. Fiery hot, hearty and full of flavour, this is certainly my type of comfort food — in a  luxurious way. Look at the amount of meat we consume for this one single meal. It was good nonetheless, one of the best kimchi jjigae places in Seoul I’d say.

Tips for ordering: 
Look at the leftovers we had should give you a brief idea of how to order your kimchi stew with them. Everything was nice, but the portion is a tad too big for regular eaters like us. However, I think it will make it just right for 3 people to order a regular pot. A gigantic pot of kimchi stew with huge chunks of pork belly at KRW13,000, I think is very reasonable.

Contact Information:

Nang Pung Kimchi JJigae (Seoul Nat’l University Station)
883-11, level 1, cheongryung-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul.
서울시 관악구 청룡동 883-11, 1층.

Nang Pung Kimchi JJigae (Hongik Univ. Station/Sangsu Station) 
409-10 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
서울시 마포구 와우산로 15길-28. / 서울시 마포구 서교동 409-10

UPDATE 2015 :

I noticed Nangpung has ceased its franchise business at the Seoul Nat’l University outlet. However, you can still get kimchi jiggle at the same location. The restaurant is no longer called “Nang Pung” but it sells the same dishes.

How To Get There: 

1. Coming out from Line No. 2 (Green Line) Seoul Nat’l University Station (서울대입구역) Exit No.4, walk straight.
2. Walk down 3 blocks. You’ll pass by Woori Bank, Mr. Pizza, Tous Les Jous, Cafe Bene, IBK bank and Hi Mart (all at your left-hand side) before reaching the correct junction.
3. Turn left right after Hi Mart, you’ll see a cosy little shop house with navy blue colour banners. That’s Nang Pung, the Kimchi Stew Specialist.

You can see low-rise shophouses, traditional markets that ooze historic charm in the alley that you least expected, and the little carts selling delicious street food around the area. It just looks straight out of a Korean drama from a foreigner’s lens. Famous for its majestic autumn scenery at the nearby Gwanak Mountain and also the fact that it houses the prestigious Seoul National University, the area consist of some really quiet cafes, popular brands and some quality eateries.

Update 2020:

This quaint neighbourhood has developed into a hip and trendy 샤로수길  (Sya-rosugil) as of the year 2020. The surrounding described in the blog and this particular store may not be available. However, you’ll still find a lot of cute cafes, mat-jibs or pubs around the area as it is where students from the Seoul National University hang out after class.

I came to notice that despite staying for a considerably long time here, I didn’t write any review/ blog post about my area yet. So I decided to come up with a series of “SNU Station Gourmet” introducing good eateries around the school area. The first post for this series will be a cosy little Japanese Izakaya nearby the Seoul Nat’l University Station. To be precise, it is just 6 minute walk away from the station.

Izakaya Cho (아자카야 초) is located down in the alley between Angel-in-Us Coffee and Olive Young at SNU Station Exit No.2. People have been raving about this whole stretch of shophouses because of its unique charm. Stepping into the alley, you will find all kinds of different little bars/ restaurants along the way, just like a mini Itaewon. Although less polished than Itaewon ones could be, this stretch of mini shophouses (each could only accommodate 4 to 5 four-seater tables) is more localized with an exotic touch.

Interior of Izakaya Cho. As a mini izakaya, it sits very limited guests. A little squeezy as it can be, especially when it is a full house. However, if you come slightly earlier (about 6 pm in my case), you can pretty much enjoy a cosy pocket of personal space with your friends together. ^^ They bring in various kinds of sake in a different range of price. Look at the gorgeous display of the colourful boxes of sake at the izakaya!

For those who know the least about sake, fret not. The menu comes with a comprehensive introduction about the taste of the sake they carry for the season. More of a fan of dry and rich texture? Check the index box printed below each item. Prefer it sweet and light? No problem. Check the index and I am sure you’ll get something you like even if you are a total sake dummy! Do check their promotional sake as well!

View from the inside. Now you can imagine how tiny the izakaya is? Anyway, I also noticed the nice little makgeolli (Korean Rice Wine) place right opposite Izakaya Cho. I am definitely going to try it out very soon!

The atmosphere out there on the street feels a little like a movie scene. Relax, laid-back with the young and hip characteristics, this neighbourhood is definitely a place worth exploring if you happen to be somewhere nearby.

Before we start the night, the boss came with this big tray of a variety of porcelain sake cups. It was for the customers to choose a cup that he/she would like to use for the night. Quite gimmicky but I like the idea. ; )

My pretty little porcelain sake cup for the night. Pardon my chipping nail colour ><

Our iced Junmai sake for the night, as the boss recommended it to be served cool.

The sake tasted smooth and light, with a faint sweet scent. It leaves a light vanilla and rice fragrance after you swallow the cup down. A very pleasant drink with the sashimi and seafood udon hotpot I would suggest.

Chicken Karaage. It was very crispy on the outside, with the juicy-tender meat on the inside. The chicken was well marinated in some sauce which taste similar to ngoh-hiang (Malaysian/ Singaporean 5 spices). Somehow it tastes like home so it is good?

The 2nd dish of the night was Tuna Tadaki (たたき). Tuna fish is briefly marinated in vinegar and seared lightly on the outside. The generous peanut sauce was a nice match with the tuna. As it was minimally cooked, the fish still retains its melt-in-your-mouth texture.

I was pretty delighted to see the freshly grated wasabi served together with the dish. As more and more Japanese restaurants are serving their sashimi with processed, bulk-produced wasabi paste, you will definitely appreciate the effort put in there by the chef upon seeing the freshly grated wasabi here.

Beef salad. Tender grilled beef cubes with fresh vegetables in vinegar sauce. A simple and pleasant dish to savour with this huge packet of sake.

Writer’s Note:

If you feel like having a night out with a small group of friends, this little Izakaya is probably a good choice. The dishes go pretty well with the sake. I really like this stretch of shophouses with a variety of themed minibars and cafes nearby the SNU subway station. For some reason, the minibars along this street have cosy outdoor seats that are really photogenic too!

Pricing is on the higher side considering it is around the campus area. The 4 of us spent KRW 20,000 each for the night (The total bill was KRW 80,000). The sake itself was KRW 40,000.  

Contact Details:
Izakaya Cho.아자카야 초
1604-8, Naksongdae-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul.
Tel. 02-882-1239
6pm-3am daily.

Korean version of the address:
서울시 관악구 낙성대동 1604-8

How to Get There: (click map to enlarge)
1. Coming out from Seoul National University Station 서울대입구역 (Line No.2) Exit 2, walk straight.
2. You should pass by a few big brands at your left hand side like: ABC Mart, Paris Baguette, Subway, Nong Hyup Bank (NH Bank) and finally, Angel-in-Us coffee.
3. Turn left into the junction. Take note that this junction should be in between Angel in Us Coffee and Olive Young drug store.

4. The below picture is what you will see once turning into the junction. Go straight down for approx.157 metres and you will reach Izakaya Cho.