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Continue reading →: Let’s cook! Doenjang Jjigae 된장찌개ENG – If there’s one dish that feels like a hug in Korean cuisine, it’s 된장찌개 (Doenjang Jjigae). It’s not fancy and it doesn’t try to impress, but that’s exactly where its charm lies. It’s the kind of stew that gently bubbles on the stove while the whole house fills with a deep, comforting aroma—the kind that instantly makes you think of home-cooked food. This Korean classic is made with doenjang, a fermented soybean paste with a bold, umami-packed flavor. It might not be love at first bite for everyone, but once you get it, it becomes addictive. On top…
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Continue reading →: Activities: Hanbok and Gyeongbokgung PalaceENG – There are few more magical ways to immerse yourself in the history and beauty of Seoul than by wearing a traditional hanbok and strolling through Gyeongbokgung Palace. One of my favorite —and most photogenic— memories from my trip was renting a hanbok and living for a few hours as a princess from the Joseon dynasty. And if you’re worried that this might offend Korean people, let me tell you that it’s absolutely not the case. On the contrary, they appreciate it, as long as it’s done respectfully. I had already chosen the place to rent the outfit: Daehan Hanbok.…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: 서울서둘째로잘하는집 Seoulseo Duljjaero Jalhaneun JibENG – During my first trip to Seoul in 2024, I really wanted to visit this place, since many fans mention that RM from BTS visited it at some point, giving it a small “pilgrimage spot” status for ARMY. But beyond that, this place has something that makes it truly special: it is very famous for its patjuk (팥죽), the traditional sweet red bean porridge. Smooth and creamy, with a perfectly balanced texture. This dessert is not overly sweet, which makes it more elegant and less heavy than other versions. We paired it with sikhye (식혜), a sweet drink made…
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Continue reading →: Let’s cook! Tteokbokki 떡볶이ENG – If there is one dish that represents Korean street food at its finest, it’s tteokbokki (떡볶이). Spicy, comforting, and slightly sweet, this rice-cake–based dish is one of those meals that warm both body and soul, especially on cold days or whenever you’re craving something with that touch of Korean comfort food. Today I’m sharing my personal version of tteokbokki—a very simple and authentic recipe, but with one small variation: since I don’t like fish or seafood, I don’t add the usual fish cake (odeng). Ingredients (2 servings) 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp mirin 1 garlic clove, minced…
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Continue reading →: Activities: Visit Bukchon Hanok VillageENG – If you’re in Seoul, you simply can’t miss a visit to Bukchon Hanok Village. It’s located in the Jongno‑gu district, right between two of the city’s most iconic palaces: Gyeongbokgung Palace to the west and Changdeokgung Palace to the east. This neighborhood is full of hanok-style houses (traditional Korean homes), and what’s really special is that it’s still inhabited today — which means it’s very important to visit respectfully and in silence. In fact, just to give you an idea, there are signs (and even people working there) making sure tourists speak quietly and don’t disturb the residents.…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Camel CoffeeENG – On my first visit to Seoul, I went to Camel Coffee, located in the stylish Dosan‑ro / Apgujeong neighborhood. That day, I wanted to try something different, so I ordered their “misugaru” drink — a blend of mixed grain powders (rice, barley, beans, etc.) diluted in milk, which is served as a special beverage at this café. The flavor and texture were quite curious: it had a slightly earthy or toasted cereal note that I wasn’t expecting, and it was very filling. It wasn’t overly sweet, which pleasantly surprised me, and it paired wonderfully with the atmosphere of the…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Artist BakeryENG – During my stroll through the Anguk-dong neighborhood (Jongno-gu district) in Seoul, I decided to stop by Artist Bakery, a place I had heard a lot about and that was always packed whenever I passed by! I was in the mood for something simple yet special, so I chose the salt bread and a lemonade to accompany it. The first thing that caught my attention was the line: yes, there are quite a few people waiting to get in. But the system is well organized: you approach a machine to register for the online queue before entering the café,…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Summer RunnerENG – On a rainy day in Seoul, I found warmth and sweetness at Summer Runner, a café located in the Gangdong-gu district. The nearest subway station is Cheonho Station, and although it’s not in a central area of Seoul, I definitely recommend making the trip to visit it. The café’s aesthetic is retro with unique touches: light-colored walls, wooden accents, green details scattered around, natural plants, and a very original menu (which looked almost hand-drawn and featured some truly creative desserts). What caught my attention the most was their famous capybara dessert — a Nutella pudding served with a…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Dalim BreadENG – I visited Dalim Bread on my first day exploring the Seongsu-dong neighborhood, since it was already on my list of cafés to visit — and I really liked it. The first thing I noticed was that the ordering system is a bit different from other cafés. You first have to go to a self-order kiosk, choose what you want, and print out a ticket. It’s a bit confusing at first, but there’s a very kind staff member who helps you through the process. Plus, the machines are available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. Then, with that ticket,…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 12 Seoul | Tteokbokki at 3:00 am and Goodbye at Incheon AirportENG – This day started very early — I tried the Korean dish tteokbokki at 3 a.m.! And I’m so glad I did because I absolutely loved it! I skipped the fish cake though, since I’m not a fan of its flavor. A few hours later, it was time to head to Incheon Airport, so I took the airport limousine bus, which I find super comfortable. After checking in my luggage, I had my favorite cream bun and a banana milk for breakfast, did a bit of last-minute shopping, and (not very enthusiastically) boarded my direct flight back to Barcelona. I…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Chyap Chyap Cake ShopENG – On my second day in Seoul, I headed to this café located in the Seocho-gu district, near Seoul National University of Education Station (by the way, I had a little issue with the station name, since it appeared differently on Google and on the Seoul Metro app—so I got lost and ended up walking quite a bit!). But I finally made it to Chyap Chyap, a café with an aesthetic that combined retro charm and warmth: reminiscent of a 1950s American diner, mixed with soft pastel tones, vintage decorative pieces, warm lighting, and inviting chairs. The gentle colors,…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Koriko CafeENG – On my last full day in Seoul, I decided to visit Koriko Café, a place I had heard a lot about and that turned out to be the perfect ending to my trip. It’s tucked away on a quiet street in the Yeonnam-dong neighborhood, but as soon as you walk in, you feel that cozy atmosphere so typical of Korean cafés: warm lighting, charming details, and a calm vibe that makes you want to stay for a while. It’s housed in a two-story little building inspired by Kiki’s Delivery Service, and it even has an official merchandise shop…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Le Bon MariageENG – Almost at the end of my trip, and after seeing the cherry blossoms, I went with a friend to this French-inspired café to relax a bit. Located in one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city, this café feels like stepping into a French fairytale. The pastel tones, floral arrangements, and vintage-style furniture make every corner absolutely Instagram-worthy. I loved the variety of food they offered, and at the back there was a terrace with a beautiful fountain — so, taking advantage of the nice weather, we enjoyed our meal outside. I ordered a pecan pastry, while my friend…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Hello Kitty Apple CafeENG – During my trip to Seoul in April 2025, I was lucky enough to visit the new Hello Kitty Apple Café, which had just recently opened — and of course, as a Hello Kitty fan, I couldn’t miss it! The café is decorated with all the charm and kawaii style that makes Hello Kitty so iconic, with attention paid to every little detail. On the ground floor and second floor, you’ll find the café area and a perfect photo zone, filled with themed corners and decorations full of hearts, apples, and — of course — lots of red and…
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Continue reading →: Activities: Ramyeon in Han RiverENG – Today’s plan is to enjoy some hot Ramyeon in the Han River. I think it’s such an interesting thing to do, and the view is amazing. As you can see from the pictures, it’s a very popular thing among korean people. Also, if you ask someone to take your photo, they will take lots! There is a 7Eleven right there where you can buy lots of different instant ramyeon (I chose non spicy Jin brand), also other ingredients and even buy a single raw egg to add to your ramyeon while cooking. When you pay you receive a…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: London Bagel MuseumENG – If you’re a bagel fan, you can’t miss London Bagel Museum! On my second trip to Seoul, I went back to this café — and even though there’s usually a long line to get in, I was lucky this time because I didn’t have to wait too long. (On my first trip I went alone, so it was easier to find a seat!) On my second visit, I went with a friend who joined the virtual queue in advance, so while we waited for our turn, we checked out a nearby shop. Besides their delicious bagels (honestly, I…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Knotted StudioENG – During my trip to Seoul, one of the sweetest stops I made was at Knotted Studio — one of the most popular donut shops in the city. I went to the branch located in Gangnam district, and honestly, I loved it. The shop is in a very central area of the neighborhood, surrounded by modern cafés and super stylish boutiques. I had already seen it all over social media, so I was really excited to visit. I ordered the classic custard cream–filled donut, and I have to say — it exceeded my expectations. The dough was incredibly soft…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 11 Seoul | Ghibli Café, Gluten-Free Pizza & Last-Minute Shopping in MyeongdongENG – In the morning, I went to the Hongdae neighborhood with a friend to visit the Studio Ghibli café inspired by the movie Kiki’s Delivery Service. Around noon, we headed to Itaewon looking for a place to eat and found a gluten-free pizzeria — I totally recommend it because the pizzas were delicious! We wanted to visit The Truffle Bakery in the same area, but the wait was too long, so I went back to Myeongdong to do some last-minute shopping at a 12-floor Daiso!! Not without having a mini heart attack first — I lost my credit card…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 10 Seoul | Part Two | Cherry Blossoms, Banpo Bridge & Han River RamenENG – If you missed part 1 of day 10, here’s the link. After changing clothes and before heading to see the cherry blossoms, I needed to buy a bigger backpack because everything I’d bought for my trip back to Spain didn’t fit anymore. So we went to Doota Mall, in the Dongdaemun area. From there, we took the subway to Jamsilaru and walked to the Olympic Road, where there’s a super long avenue lined with cherry blossoms — and not too crowded. It was the perfect spot! After taking lots of photos and videos, I went to a café with…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 10 Seoul | Part One | Cafe hopping in Myeongdong: Bready Post, Hello Kitty Café & MetchaENG – In the morning I went to Myeongdong to visit Bready Post because I wanted to try their pretzels. Then I stopped by the new Hello Kitty café, which is absolutely adorable. Of course, I took lots of photos and videos there. I also discovered a few new cafés along the way, but I couldn’t miss visiting my favorite matcha spot, called Metcha — this time I went to their largest location. After that, I went back to the hotel to change and put on my floral dress to take some photos with the cherry blossoms. But I’ll tell…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 09 Seoul | Cafe Hopping Anguk & Ikseon-dong + Street Food in MyeongdongENG – Today I had planned to take photos with the cherry blossoms, but the weather wasn’t great, so instead I went to the Anguk area to try the salt bread at Artist Bakery. I also strolled around Ikseon-dong, tried some rice cakes and a delicious strawberry mochi. I came across a clothing market and ended up buying a dress! In the evening, I had fried chicken in Myeongdong, tried mandu (dumplings) at a very popular restaurant, and for dessert, I had a Hotteok, one of my favorite Korean sweets. You can watch the full Seoul Series on my YouTube channel: WhatGabrielaLoves 💕…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Cafe SoodalENG – This café is located in the Jongno‑gu district of Seoul and stands out for being set inside a renovated traditional Korean house (hanok) that’s been turned into a café. I actually found it by chance while wandering around the Insa-dong area, and it was perfect for taking a break and grabbing a refreshing drink — it was a really hot day. What surprised me was how quiet it was, especially compared to other popular cafés like Onion or Artist Bakery. I really appreciated being able to relax without having to wait in line. Their menu offers a wide…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: MetchaENG – As many of you who follow me on Instagram already know, a good matcha has become a must in my morning routine. I normally like to have it just with oat milk, but lately also tried several flavor combinations (mango, banana, lemonade, etc.). But without a doubt, my favorite combination has been the one with fresh strawberries (not syrup or jam). That’s why, on my trip to South Korea, I couldn’t resist trying the strawberry matcha at METCHA. I had already been to this place on my first trip and was looking forward to having it again. Here…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Bready Post (CLOSED)ENG – During my last days in Seoul, I stayed near Myeongdong, so one morning I decided to visit Bready Post, a super popular café that I’d been wanting to go to for ages — I’d seen their famous pretzels all over social media and couldn’t leave without trying them! The café is small but very cozy. On the first floor, you choose your food and drink — they also have a small merch corner where you can buy cute items (I really liked their totes and postcards!). On the second floor, there’s a seating area where you can relax…
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Continue reading →: Gabriela Loves: Atomy, mi nuevo imprescindible de skincare coreanoENG – During my last trip to South Korea, I had the chance to discover a skincare product that, honestly, I hadn’t known about until then: Atomy’s foam facial cleanser. It was a gift from a friend who works for the brand, and I was pleasantly surprised from the very first use. Thank you my friend^^ This facial cleanser has completely changed my daily cleansing routine. Before, I often felt too lazy to remove my makeup at night, but since I started using it, it leaves my skin so incredibly fresh and comfortable that I can’t skip it a single…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 08 Seoul | Moving Hotels, Myeongdong Shopping & Korean Fried Chicken NightENG – Today it was time to change hotels, so in the morning I took a taxi to Myeongdong and checked in at StayB Hotel, my favorite from my last trip. At lunchtime, I tried Japanese-style Tonkatsu, and for dessert, I had a hojicha latte at Blue Bottle. I took the chance to do some shopping at several stores and even practiced a bit of Korean. Later, I went back to the hotel to rest and get changed for Korean fried chicken dinner. On my way back, I got lost and ended up walking more than expected 😅. Before heading…
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Continue reading →: Cafes of Seoul: Cafe Far BenENG – I must admit this cafe was on my list as it belongs to the sister of RM, member of famous k-pop group BTS. But after visiting Cafe Far Ben, I have to say I was surprised by its aesthetic, music choice (almost no kpop or BTS references), and delicious food. So it became something special on its own. That day I felt adventourous and wanted to try something new, so I chose the Hojicha Latte. Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that is distinguished from other green teas by its roasting process, giving it a characteristic roasted flavor…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 07 Seoul | Hanbok Experience, Gyeongbokgung Palace & Michelin-Star BBQ NightENG – On this day, I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace with my friend and her family, and we wore the traditional Korean outfit, the Hanbok. It was such a special experience! I also had vegetable Bibimbap for lunch (though I wish it didn’t have seaweed — I’m not a fan of that ocean flavor 😅). In the evening, I went for the best Korean BBQ at Samwon Garden, a restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide, and ended the night with a cocktail at Six Night in the Gangnam area. Hope you enjoy this vlog! You can watch the full Seoul Series…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 06 Seoul | New Hotel, London Bagel Museum & Korean BBQ Night!ENG – It’s Sunday, and today it’s time to change hotels — we’re heading to the Riviera Hotel, a classic and comfortable 4-star stay near Gangnam. Around noon, I met up with a friend for lunch at London Bagel Museum, a super popular spot that always has a waiting list. Afterwards, we grabbed coffee at Camel Coffee Dosan and took a walk around Dosan Park. In the evening, after a last-minute change of plans, I had Korean BBQ for dinner with friends and tried Somaek (a mix of soju and beer) for the first time! Before heading back to the…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 05 Seoul | Rainy Day, Café, Capybara Cafe and Dakgalbi!ENG – It was raining a lot in Seoul today, so I went to a café famous for its creative desserts. I tried the Capybara pudding — not only was it super cute, but it was also really delicious! I also went shopping at Lotte Mall and Itaewon, but I couldn’t find the shoes I was looking for. For dinner, I had one of my favorite dishes: Dakgalbi with melted cheese — 10/10! And to finish off the night, I had a frozen yogurt with fruits and red bean paste. This vlog turned out shorter than usual because it was…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 04 Seoul | Exploring Seongsu & Korean BBQ NightENG – Today I explored the Seongsu neighborhood, famous for its cafés and pop-up stores. I tried the most delicious fruit mochis at Han Jung Sun, the cute bear-shaped buns at Daelim Bread, and visited the Dasique pop-up store. I also went to Gangnam to meet up with a HelloTalk friend, who introduced me to a new skincare brand — one that I now use every day in my cleansing routine! Later, I went back to Seongsu to try the apple cake at Thousand, and ended the day with a Korean BBQ dinner! Hope you enjoy today’s vlog! You can…
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Continue reading →: Vlog: Day 03 Seoul | Moving to a New Hotel & Cherry Blossoms at Seoul Forest, Tonkatsu and Bingsu!ENG – Today it was time to leave my Airbnb and move to a hotel near Seongsu. Before check-in, I took the chance to visit Seoul Forest and see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. For lunch, I went to a Korean-style Tonkatsu place near Namsan Tower, and I also tried traditional Bingsu for dessert. In the evening, I went shopping at Lotte Mall in Jamsil, and even took a photo at the Totoro store! This vlog is a bit longer than the previous ones — You can watch the full Seoul Series on my YouTube channel: WhatGabrielaLoves 💕 ESP – Hoy…








