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# ZenKimchi Experiences: ZenKimchi Experiences is Seoul’s original English-language tour company, specializing in immersive food and culture experiences since 2012. Founded by Korea-based food expert and journalist Joe McPherson, we help curious travelers skip the tourist traps and experience the real Korea—through history, ghost stories, BBQ grills, secret markets, and underground bars.

Our flagship tour, The Dark Side of Seoul, is a globally recognized walking tour uncovering the city's hidden history, folklore, and ghost stories—rated in the top 1% of experiences on TripAdvisor. We also run critically praised culinary experiences like The Ultimate Korean BBQ Night Out, The Authentic Korean Chicken & Beer Tour, and Seoul’s Majang Meat Market Experience, guiding guests through Korea’s vibrant food culture with insider knowledge and zero fluff.

We operate across Seoul and Busan, offering public, private, and corporate tours. Each experience is hosted by passionate local guides, and we pride ourselves on avoiding cookie-cutter itineraries and kitschy performances. Our tours are designed to feel like hanging out with a savvy local friend—not a guide reading from a script.

ZenKimchi Experiences is headquartered in Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do, with tours launching from central Seoul neighborhoods like Jongno, Hongdae, and Itaewon.

We serve guests from North America, Australia, Singapore, the UK, and beyond—anyone seeking meaningful, authentic travel in Korea.

What sets us apart:

Insider-only locations and stories

Small group sizes for personalized attention

No shopping traps or commission stops—ever

Guides trained in cultural nuance, storytelling, and guest care

A free 15% discount code for returning guests

Languages offered: English (fluent), Korean (supportive/interpretive)

Service areas: Seoul, Busan, Andong (by request), Suwon (on select tours)

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://zenkimchi.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Andong Isn’t Trying to Impress You](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/the-real-korea-culture/andong-hahoe-village-korea/): The first time I arrived in Andong, it was by train. There is something about coming into a place that way that strips out all the usual arrival theater. There is no highway signage building manufactured anticipation, no heavily branded rest stops trying to sell you the region before you have even seen it. Just the train slowing down, the platform, and a town that has spent the last five hundred years being exactly what it already was, whether anyone showed up to look at it or not.
- [What Is Hanwoo Beef, and Is It Really Worth the Price?](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/hanwoo-beef-vs-wagyu-majang-market/): There is a moment that happens on almost every beef tour I lead.
- [The Fish Versus Ducks Problem in Korean Tourism](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/fish-vs-ducks-problem-korean-tourism/): This specific absurdity perfectly illustrates why so much of the Korean tourism industry feels disconnected from reality. The government and media constantly push the same heavily marketed spots. Yet travelers arrive and discover many of these places feel strangely hollow.
- [9 Best Korean Chicken Joints](https://zenkimchi.com/top-posts/best-korean-fried-chicken-joints/): My rule of thumb is this. To tell a good chicken place, look at the people inside. If it's full of beautiful young women taking selfies, likely isn't good chicken. If it's full of middle-aged men who look like life has kicked them in the teeth--GREAT CHICKEN!
- [Why Your Galbi Experience Might Be a Lie (Unless You’re Doing it Like This)](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/korean-food-101/galbi-korean-bbq/): Most people think they’ve eaten galbi because they sat at a grill, flipped something shiny, wrapped it in lettuce, and left smelling like smoke. That assumption is common, understandable, and usually wrong.
- [Where to Stay in Seoul (So You Don’t Accidentally Live in the Gift Shop)](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/where-to-stay-seoul-neighborhoods/): Which area of the city is the best for rest? Seoul hotel areas, including Myeongdong, Hongdae, Bukchon, Dongdaemun, Gangnam, and Jongno.
- [Green Seoul: How to Travel Sustainably in Korea’s Megacity (Without Giving Up BBQ)](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/green-seoul-how-to-travel-sustainably-in-koreas-megacity-without-giving-up-bbq/): Let’s be honest: “eco-travel” isn’t the first phrase that pops into your head when you think of Seoul. Maybe it’s K-pop, neon signs, or grilled meat on a sidewalk—not bamboo toothbrushes and compost toilets.
- [What Kind of Traveler Are You? Here’s How to Do Seoul Right](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/what-kind-of-traveler-are-you-heres-how-to-do-seoul-right/): Seoul is not a one-size-fits-all city. It doesn’t care why you came here. Want temples? It has those. Want to eat until your pants beg for mercy? Done. Want to drink makgeolli in a neon dive bar inside an abandoned print shop? That’s Thursday night in Euljiro.
- [How Much Does Seoul Really Cost? A Budget Breakdown for Every Type of Traveler](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/how-much-does-seoul-really-cost-a-budget-breakdown-for-every-type-of-traveler/): Seoul’s got a rep. People think it’s ultra-cheap (“street food everywhere!”) or wildly expensive (“plastic surgery and rooftop bars!”). The truth? It’s both.
- [Seoul Survival: How Not to Look Like a Total Tourist](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/how-not-to-look-like-a-tourist-in-seoul/): We’ve got you covered with apps, cultural etiquette, and food tips to help you blend in and navigate like a local. 🗺️🇰🇷
Want to know how to order food, use subway apps, and survive like a pro? Find out more in our latest guide!
- [What to Actually Do in Seoul: A Real Top 10 List (With Zero Bullsh*t)](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/what-to-actually-do-in-seoul-a-real-top-10-list-with-zero-bullsht/): Let’s skip the tourist checklist garbage.
- [How to Survive Arrival in Seoul: Transportation, SIM Cards & Subway Hacks](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/how-to-survive-arrival-in-seoul-transportation-sim-cards-subway-hacks/): You’ve landed at Incheon International Airport. You’re sleep-deprived, dehydrated, and possibly questioning your life decisions. Congratulations—you’ve made it to Seoul. Now what?
- [Seoul Travel Guide: Skip the Tourist Traps and See the Real City](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/seoul-travel-guide-skip-the-tourist-traps-and-see-the-real-city/): This Seoul travel guide doesn’t play nice. It tells the truth. We’ll drag the tourist traps, show you where the real Seoul is hiding, and help you avoid wasting your limited time and unlimited curiosity on things that were tired ten years ago.
- [What Cultural Etiquette Should You Be Aware of When Visiting Seoul?](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/what-cultural-etiquette-should-you-be-aware-of-when-visiting-seoul/): Visiting Seoul? Excellent choice. You’ll find more neon lights than a Las Vegas nightscape and enough Korean BBQ to clog your arteries twice over. But to navigate the city without stepping on toes—or being scolded by an elderly auntie on the subway—you’ll want to brush up on local etiquette. Here’s your crash course, sprinkled with my usual sarcasm and a few indispensable tips.
- [Samgyeopsal Day: The Most Delicious Marketing Ploy You Never Knew You Needed](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/korean-food-101/samgyeopsal-day-the-most-delicious-marketing-ploy-you-never-knew-you-needed/): Move over Valentine’s Day; there’s a new Hallmark holiday in town—only instead of candy hearts, we get sizzling strips of pork belly. March 3rd is Samgyeopsal Day in South Korea, and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: an entire day dedicated to grilling fatty pork in all its glistening glory. If you’re surprised this is a thing, trust me—it’s as real as Korea’s obsession with four seasons once was.
- [Overrated Tourism Spots in Korea: Looking Beyond the Hype](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/overrated-tourism-spots-in-korea-looking-beyond-the-hype/): Korea’s tourism scene is on fire. K-pop. K-dramas. K-something. Everyone wants a slice of Hallyu, so the government, media, and countless “parachute influencers” keep pushing the same handful of tourist overrated tourism spots—whether they’re actually any good or not. Problem is, they’re often about as satisfying as cotton candy: sweet, airy, and completely hollow. Here’s a breakdown of some notoriously overrated spots, complete with scores (1 = “Don’t bother,” 10 = “Must do”), plus better alternatives to help you experience more than just crowds and overpriced street food.
- [Discovering Buam-dong: Seoul’s Hidden Gem](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/discovering-buam-dong-seouls-hidden-gem/): Buam-dong is one of Seoul’s best-kept secrets, offering a peaceful escape from the bustling city center. Tucked into the hills near Gyeongbokgung Palace, this charming neighborhood is a perfect blend of nature, history, and art. Though not well-known among tourists, This hidden Brigadoon holds a rich cultural and historical significance, making it an unmissable destination for those looking to experience a quieter side of Seoul.
- [Majang Meat Market: The Ultimate Guide to Seoul’s Hidden Meat Paradise](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/majang-meat-market-seoul/): Enter Majang Meat Market —Korea’s largest and most famous butcher market, supplying over 60% of the country’s beef. If you love Hanwoo beef (한우, pronounced Han-oo) and want to experience authentic Korean BBQ in a unique, local setting, this is the place to go!
- [3 Korean Diet Foods To Help You Lose Weight](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/korean-food-101/3-korean-diet-foods-help-lose-weight/): Discover 3 healthy Korean diet foods—Tofu Steak, Acorn Jelly, and Barley Bibimbap—that are low in calories, nutrient-rich, and great for weight loss!
- [Is Seoul Safe for Female Travelers?](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/is-seoul-safe-for-female-travelers/): Seoul is one of the most vibrant, modern, and exciting cities in the world. With its blend of rich history, cutting-edge technology, and mouthwatering food, it’s no wonder that it’s a top destination for travelers from all walks of life. But if you’re a solo female traveler wondering, Is Seoul safe for women traveling alone?—the short answer is yes.
- [Korean Christmas Drinks: Beverages That Feel Like the Holidays](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/korean-food-101/beverages/korean-christmas-drinks-beverages-that-feel-like-the-holidays/): Korea’s Christmas traditions may not have the same historical weight as in the West, but they’ve come a long way since the late 19th century, when missionaries introduced the holiday, even installing a Christmas tree in the palace by request of the queen. I'm not sure if any Christmas drinks were included in these early celebrations. We cover the history of modern Christmas in Korea on The Dark Side of Seoul Podcast.
- [Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Korean Food & Culture Gifts](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/holiday-gift-guide-the-best-korean-food-culture-gifts/): Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the Korean food lover or culture enthusiast in your life? Whether they’re obsessed with kimchi jjigae, exploring Korean traditions, or crafting their own bibimbap, this guide has you covered. Here’s the ultimate 2024 holiday gift guide for Korean-inspired gifts, all conveniently available on Amazon. Bonus: by shopping through our affiliate links, you’re helping support our blog while ticking off your holiday list!
- [Why You Need This Korean Sweet Potato Recipe in Your Life](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/recipes/modern-korean/why-you-need-this-korean-sweet-potato-recipe-in-your-life/): If you’ve ever tasted a bam goguma 밤고구마 (Korean chestnut sweet potato), you know they’re not your average spuds. Creamy, nutty, and naturally sweet, they’re the MVP of Korean winter snacks, often enjoyed roasted and piping hot. But what if I told you there’s a way to turn those humble sweet potatoes into something even better? Enter: Sweet Potato Hashbrowns—the ultimate Korean sweet potato recipe.
- [What is the difference between Han-woo and Kobe Beef?](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/what-is-the-difference-between-han-woo-and-kobe-beef/): Hanwoo beef is known for several distinguishing features:
- [The Unspoken Rule of Korean Fried Chicken Joints](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/korean-food-101/chicken/the-unspoken-rule-of-korean-fried-chicken-joints/): There's an unspoken rule in the world of Korean fried chicken joints that many food enthusiasts have come to recognize. It's a rule that may seem counterintuitive to some, but it's one that has proven to be true time and time again. The rule is simple: the worse the cabbage slaw, the better the chicken.
- [Born & Bred: Is It Worth It?](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/born-bred-is-it-worth-it/): Type: Fine Dining Korean BBQ
- [The Starfield Library | Is it worth it?](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/the-starfield-library-is-it-worth-it/): A fake library full of fake books for fake people
- [Nanta | Is it worth it?](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/nanta-is-it-worth-it/): Nanta: Korea's "Stomp" with a side of kimchi. Enjoy non-verbal antics, a dash of cringe, and awkward foreigner participation. It's a bootleg of a bootleg—Seoul, you're better than this.
- [Petit France | Is it worth it?](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/petit-france-is-it-worth-it/): Petite France: Korea's identity-crisis Epcot. Fly halfway around the world for fake French vibes and bad spaghetti. No baguettes, no berets, just a faux Francophonic fantasy. Go if you dare, regret if you do.
- [Nami Island | Is it worth it?](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/nami-island-is-it-worth-it/): Nami Island: Korea's faux paradise. Dodge Instagram Couples™ on pedal-powered chariots of narcissism while pondering art made of recycled soju bottles. A garden with a zip line—yawn. Skip it.
- [14 Must-eat Korean Foods In Seoul and Where To Eat](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/must-eat-korean-food-in-seoul-and-where-to-eat-it/): Trying to figure out what to eat in Korea? We give you the must try dishes and where to eat them.
- [Recipe: Cilantro Kimchi](https://zenkimchi.com/top-posts/recipe-cilantro-kimchi/): If you read most Korean food blogs, they will tell you that Koreans don't eat coriander, aka cilantro. They'll tell you straight to your face that cilantro and Korean cuisine have never crossed paths before. As the Ask the Korean blog reported a couple of years ago: "Korea has never grown cilantro, and cilantro is not a part of Korean cuisine. ... But Korean people's cilantro-hate is nonetheless interesting, because it is a nice reflection of Korea's insularity."
- [Trending in Seoul: Bagels](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/trending-in-seoul-bagels/): Bagels have hit it big in Korea with a distinct Korean style. Don't expect a New York bagel here, but you won't be disappointed.
- [What is the best time of year to visit South Korea?](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/what-is-the-best-time-of-year-to-visit-south-korea/): Discover the ideal time to visit South Korea with our seasonal guide. From vibrant cherry blossoms in spring to snowy wonderlands in winter, find out when to plan your visit for an unforgettable experience.
- [Discover the Beauty of Springtime in Korea and the Best Cherry Blossoms, Festivals and Tours to Enjoy](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/discover-the-beauty-of-springtime-in-korea-and-the-best-cherry-blossoms-festivals-and-tours-to-enjoy/): Up-to-date information on cherry blossoms, tulips, and the tons of festivals in Korea
- [10 Unique Souvenirs You Should Get In Seoul](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/10-unique-korean-souvenirs-seoul/): If anything, Insa-dong is the best place to get all your souvenir shopping done in one go. After over a decade living here, I still do my Christmas shopping for overseas family in Insa-dong. Stay away from the official souvenir shops, unless you like "Made in China" on your Korean souvenirs. The antiques are kinda iffy, and you may have trouble getting them on the plane. How about these suggestions?
- [Top 8 Korean Food Tours With Prices & Crucial Details](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/top-10-korean-food-tours-with-prices-crucial-details/): Korean food tours, especially Seoul food tours, daunt travelers with all the choices. There is no one-size-fits-all experience. As I said on a previous post, TripAdvisor/Viator tours and others like them tend to be reposts of other companies' tours with 15-30% sucked out for commissions.
- [Things to Do in Seoul | The Ultimate Checklist](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/things-to-do-in-seoul-checklist/): So many times, I get the question, "What are things to do in Seoul?"
- [The New Guide to Noryangjin Fish Market](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/noryangjin-fish-market-new-guide/): One of the best places to visit in Seoul is Noryangjin Fish Market. It's like an aquarium where you can eat the exhibits. Unlike a lot of fish markets around the world, many of the fish are still alive in tanks. Because of that, it doesn't smell as rank as other markets.
- [Tour Story: A Detour for a “Bizarre” Food](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-stories/tour-story-a-detour-for-a-bizarre-food/): By request, we made a detour to a pub specializing in fermented skate. One of the dishes was a new one for me.
- [ZenKimchi’s Korea Travel Tips](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/zenkimchis-korea-travel-tips/)
- [The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Insa-dong](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/the-curmudgeons-guide-to-insa-dong/): Insa-dong is one of the top tourist destinations in Seoul. It's been one of my favorite places since I moved here in 2004. I've watched it go through a ton of changes, and it's currently going through another makeover. Many of us pine for the lost Insa-dong of yore. Yet I have some tips on how to get the most out of Insa-dong, along with some background.
- [Filet-O-Fish is back in Korea](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/news-media/filet-o-fish-is-back-in-korea/): https://youtu.be/cMncXqyS2RY
- [“Minari” is Personal](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/minari-is-personal/): I rented "Minari" last week and watched it a couple of times. I'm still thinking about it. I love books and films that linger and don't vanish like cotton candy. The film focuses on a Korean-American family settling in the American south in the 1980s. I grew up in that region, and I have been an immigrant in Korea for almost two decades. I saw a lot in that film, and I need to punch it out on the keyboard. So bear with me.
- [9 Great Korean Restaurant Franchises (and bad ones)](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/restaurants/great-korean-restaurant-franchises/): There's something I'd say for Korea that I wouldn't say for America--there are some freakin' good restaurant franchises that I'd recommend even over independent restaurants. Their quality is consistently good. These Korean restaurant franchises would also be great brands to export.
- [Korean Pork Belly Recipe](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/korean-pork-belly-recipe/): With this recipe, you can bring all of the beautiful Korean pork belly flavors to your kitchen! 
- [The Koreans Eating Dog Meat Meme is Racist](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/2018-koreans-eating-dog-meat-meme-racist/): This is long past due.I'm getting so tired of ignorant people associating modern Korea with eating dog meat. Or even worse, portraying the entire country as dog eaters.
- [Parasite Filming Locations](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/parasite-filming-locations/): If you're in Seoul and are a film of the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," you will be interested in visiting some filming locations. Most of the film was shot on a sound stage. Half the Parks' house was digitized, so it's not available. Yet there are a few iconic shots that were filmed in different parts of Seoul.
- [Cultural Details You Missed in “Parasite”](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/commentary/cultural-details-you-missed-in-parasite/): I have watched "Parasite" a few times now. During one viewing, I broke out my laptop to take notes. There were a lot of cultural details in "Parasite" that people outside Korea wouldn't get. Darcy Paquet (Hi, Darcy!), who translated the subtitles into English, as he's done for many of Bong Joon-ho's projects, worked hard to make the script more international. Translation isn't just about robotically changing one word for another. A good translator translates cultural cues. On top of Darcy's great effort, I noted a lot of things that would still get missed. Here are my notes.
- [Kimchi and Cheese: How crisis made dairy dominate Korean cuisine](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/kimchi-and-cheese-how-crisis-made-dairy-dominate-korean-cuisine/): The spicy stewed pork ribs emerged from the kitchen. Two attractive TV hosts gawked at them in wonder. They gazed at a dish of decadence. A dish that broke all the rules. A dish that was Korean but smothered in mozzarella cheese. With small tongs one woman grabbed a meaty rib and wrapped it in stringy ribbons of dairy.
- [Driving in Korea: Video podcast about Korean food and travel](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/driving-in-korea-video-podcast-about-korean-food-and-travel/): Do you want inside news about the Seoul restaurant scene? Do you want tips for traveling in Korea? Do you want watch a clueless middle-aged man drive in Seoul?
- [Hong Kong Trip: Getting There](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/hong-kong-trip-getting-there/): I found out a couple months ago that I had a four-day vacation coming up. This was the year I decided to live a little. We've concentrated so much on saving money for housing contracts and other things that we have never taken a vacation together as a family in Asia. In 2012, we visited family in the U.S., but we'd never just gone on a vacation.
- [2018 – Well, that didn’t go as planned](https://zenkimchi.com/diary/2018-well-that-didnt-go-as-planned/): Generally this year has not been bad, but it didn't go the way I thought it would at the beginning. Specifically, the dropshipping stuff was about as much of a dud as my swing trading was in 2017 and my restaurants were in 2016.
- [Nashville Hot Chicken in Seoul: Rocka Doodle vs. Brave Rooster’s](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/restaurants/nashville-hot-chicken-seoul/): For those of you who don’t know, hot chicken is a Nashville specialty, where crisp battered chicken meets fiery chili-infused butter and lard. Unlike buffalo wings, it lacks the acidic tang from vinegar-based hot sauces and stands in stark contrast to typical Korean fried chicken, where most flavors are variations on sweet and syrupy coatings. Hot chicken truly is a distinct preparation of the popular meal. It has incredible flavor when done right.
- [Clumsy Instagram Attack on Tom’s Pizza](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/commentary/clumsy-instagram-attack-on-toms-pizza/): Tom's Pizza in Hongdae has been making the rounds in the foodie community because of its high quality New York style pizza. It's now my go-to place for business meetings. It's just a small operation with Tom and his wife running the place.
- [Thanksgiving 2018 – An Appetizer-ey One](https://zenkimchi.com/diary/thanksgiving-2018-an-appetizer-ey-one/): Tomorrow's our third annual neighborhood Thanksgiving.
- [Korea Still Treating Foreigners Like Children (and Criminals)](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/commentary/korea-still-treating-foreigners-like-children/): Foreign teachers told 'Don't molest students'
- [Pop-up with British Celebrity Chef Jay Morjaria](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/93512/): This weekend, after a quick few beers & Korean fried chicken the night before, I went to Chef Jay Morjaria's (Twitter, Instagram) pop-up event at Vineworks. If you haven't watched Chef Morjaria's episode on Million Pound Menu (BBC2 & Netflix), you should check it out.
- [Korean Food Tours | What You Need To Know First](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/korean-food-tours-what-you-need-to-know-first/): Korean food tours are one of the top things to do in Korea. When you're putting together a Korea itinerary, do a food tour or cooking class early. It's relaxing. It gets you oriented. Best of all, the guides and instructors will give you tips on where to eat for the rest of your stay.
- [Chuseok 2018](https://zenkimchi.com/diary/chuseok-2018/): Lately Chuseok and Seollal have been my "Bachelor Weeks." I usually get tours booked, so I have to stay in the Seoul area during the holidays while the girls go visit the family in Gyeongju.
- [Today’s Dosirak: Deodeok Gochujang Samgyeopsal](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/todays-dosirak-deodeok-gochujang-samgyeopsal/): There's a Bon Dosirak franchise near my day job's location. This is the latest concept from Bon Juk and Bon Bibimbap. I've had a few of these dosirak (lunchboxes) before. I particularly like the way they pay tribute to regional cuisines, like the Andong Jjimdalk dosirak, the Sokcho Spicy Octopus dosirak, and the Chuncheon DalkGalbi dosirak.
- [Even Kids Are Better at Promoting Korea (Than the Korean Government)](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/even-kids-are-better-at-promoting-korea-than-the-korean-government/): A few things have bring floating around this week. The big one, even getting tweeted by the Blue House, is this jaw-dropping video of Seoul by independent filmographer Brandon Li.
- [New Korean-American Web Drama: Eating It](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/new-korean-american-food-drama-eating-it/): Kevin is a second generation Korean-American student contemplating dropping out of medical school as his passion for the culinary world increases, much to the dismay of his traditional parents. I'm sure Chef Hooni Kim could relate.
- [Moving Across the Street](https://zenkimchi.com/diary/moving-across-the-street/): It has already been four years since the last move. That move in 2014 was a big one. I had lived in that apartment and in Anyang longer than I'd lived anywhere in my adult life. So much history had happened there, including my marriage and the birth of my daughter.
- [[Test Recipe] Temple Food Series: Baby King Oyster Mushroom Gangjeong 아기 새송이 버섯 강정](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/recipes/korean-food-recipes/test-recipe-temple-food-series-baby-king-oyster-mushroom-gangjeong-%ec%95%84%ea%b8%b0-%ec%83%88%ec%86%a1%ec%9d%b4-%eb%b2%84%ec%84%af-%ea%b0%95%ec%a0%95/): TEST RECIPES ARE WORKS IN PROGRESS AND NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME.
- [[Test Recipe] Temple Food Series: Deulkkae Kalguksu 들깨갈국수](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/recipes/korean-food-recipes/test-recipe-temple-food-series-deulkkae-kalguksu-%eb%93%a4%ea%b9%a8%ea%b0%88%ea%b5%ad%ec%88%98/): TEST RECIPES ARE WORKS IN PROGRESS AND NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME.
- [Developing Thoughts on Bourdain](https://zenkimchi.com/diary/developing-thoughts-on-bourdain/): A week has passed.
- [Recipe: DakBokkeumTang 닭볶음탕 (Otherwise known as DakDoriTang 닭도리탕)](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/recipes/korean-food-recipes/recipe-dakbokkeumtang-%eb%8b%ad%eb%b3%b6%ec%9d%8c%ed%83%95-otherwise-known-as-dakdoritang-%eb%8b%ad%eb%8f%84%eb%a6%ac%ed%83%95/): DakBokkeumTang is a spicy, almost creamy chicken stew with potatoes. It's also known as DakDoriTang, but that's a somewhat controversial name because it sounds too Japanese. Some say it's Japanese while others claim it's derived from a southwestern dialect version of "jorida," pronounced, "dorinda." Japanese-Korean etymology is a stink bomb I avoid. On some Korean radio stations, I can't say Japanese words. Instead of "sushi," they tell me to say, "raw fish with vinegared rice."
- [Anthony Bourdain: Patron Rogue To the Restless](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/anthony-bourdain-patron-rogue-to-the-restless/): We will hear a lot of tributes from the restaurant community about Anthony Bourdain. He's always been identified as a chef first. That's his tribe.
- [Restaurants in Myeong-dong: A Quick Guide](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/restaurants-myeong-dong-quick-guide/): Where are the good restaurants in Myeong-dong?
- [Our PyeongChang 2018 Experience](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/pyeongchang-2018-experience/): I wouldn't have done this if not for my daughter, Jian.
- [The Surprising Korean Burger Foodies Are Crazy For](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/the-surprising-burger-koreas-foodies-are-crazy-for/): There's a Korean burger that has been the must-try in Seoul's foodie community. And it comes from a surprising place.
- [Restaurant Review Fraud: Caught Red-handed](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/seoul-restaurant-review-fraud-caught-red-handed/): I was disturbed when a member forwarded me this email from a restaurant that was soliciting reviews in exchange for gastronomical compensation. By request from the recipient, I'm paraphrasing and not quoting directly.
- [Recipe: Korean Tofu “Steak”](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/recipe-korean-tofu-steak/): A larger variation of many traditional Korean pancakes, Tofu Steak was trendy for a while in dieting circles. The "steak" in this sense is supposed to resemble the Korean and Japanese versions of Hamburger Steak. It's basically Tofu Meatloaf.
- [Recipe: Acorn Jelly Salad (Dotorimuk Muchim 도토리묵무침)](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/recipe-acorn-jelly-salad-dotorimuk-muchim-%eb%8f%84%ed%86%a0%eb%a6%ac%eb%ac%b5%eb%ac%b4%ec%b9%a8/): This Korean vegan recipe--oh, why do I even bother saying it's vegan? It's just good.
- [2017–A Year of Reflection and Big Questions](https://zenkimchi.com/diary/2017-year-reflection-big-questions/): This is one of my personal posts. Super personal, so don't expect any Korean food talk here. It's also going to get a bit bleak.
- [Michelin Guide Seoul: Why You Shouldn’t Rely On It](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/michelin-guide-seoul-vs-korean-food/): I'm trying to figure out how to focus my thoughts here. I've already written my feelings about the Michelin Guide Seoul in this blog and in Vogue Korea. There are so many arguments shouting in my head. Mostly, it's this guy.
- [Why I Won’t Open Another Restaurant In Korea](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/wont-open-another-restaurant-korea/): The copycat culture is getting more and more shameless.
- [Top Things To Do In Seoul: Palaces](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/top-things-seoul-palaces/): Palaces are one of the top things to do in Seoul. If you're coming to Seoul for a short time just go to one palace.
- [10 Ways to Survive a Korean Summer](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/food-porn/10-ways-to-survive-a-korean-summer/): These are the foods we cling to that makes the blistering Korean summer bearable. Let's pop open the ice chest and share the goodies.
- [Has Korea’s E-Mart Policy Hurt More Than Helped?](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/koreas-e-mart-supermarket-policy-hurt/): Korea's traditional grocery stores are struggling. They have been struggling for decades, since the first E-Mart "super-supermarket" opened in 1993. According to a recent article by Korea Exposé, between 2000 and 2011, for every one store like E-Mart opening, 22 smaller mom-and-pops have gone out of business. Since people's needs for groceries haven't waned, it's logical to suggest that these big box centers have sucked the market from the smaller guys.
- [Travel Blogger or Media Coming to Korea? We Can Help.](https://zenkimchi.com/tour-tips/travel-blogger-writer-media-coming-korea/): Before you plan too much, or even if you find yourself coming here on a whim, CONTACT US. Seriously.
- [Beware Korean Food TV Scams](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/commentary/beware-korean-food-tv-scams/): This was posted recently on Facebook:
- [Seoul Food Festival 2017: Picnic on the Bridge](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/seoul-food-festival-2017-picnic-bridge/): The Seoul Food Festival was a microcosm of the current state of the Seoul food scene, especially regarding food trucks--and gender politics?
- [Isaac Toast? Seriously? That Shite is AWFUL!](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/commentary/isaac-toast-awful/): Why are rubes standing in line for Isaac Toast? It is one of the worst sandwiches one can get in Korea. It is only good if your drunk, stupid, or both.
- [“If you’re gonna spew, spew into this.”](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/commentary/if-youre-gonna-spew-spew-into-this/)
- [Promoting Korean Food, Chapter 5: Taste vs. Well-being](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/promoting-korean-food-chapter-5-taste-vs-well-being/): Just because it's healthy doesn't mean people will buy it. It's gotta taste good too.
- [Impeachment, Robert Kelly, and Whoa F*&% Korea!](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/impeachment-robert-kelly-and-whoa-f-korea/): I arrived in Korea in 2004. I already had an interest in the country because of a couple courses in Korean history I took. The plan was to stay a year, but when that first year was up, I looked at all the change happening around me. This was a part of the world where history was happening in my lifetime. I decided to stay and witness it.
And my, what I've witnessed!
There are lots of smarter people than me commenting on Park Geun-hye's impeachment. I ended up witnessing the whole demonstrations from beginning to now. This wasn't because I wanted to go out and see them. See, I run The Dark Side of Seoul walk every weekend. It's like a mix between Jack the Ripper tour and a haunted tour. It's gotten fairly big lately. The route starts at Anguk Station, near the north part of Insa-dong, and winds its way through north Seoul, ending up near Seodaemun Station. That ended up being precisely where all the demonstrations were. I watched it grow from the usual spatter of professional protesters. I mean, we joke that protesting is one of Korea's past times. Summer and fall are protest seasons. The year before, people were protesting the government co-opting of history textbooks. I had to work around that on the tours. One couple I had from Singapore ended up getting some spray from a water cannon. I apologized to them, and they said, "No, this is great! We don't have anything like this in Singapore."
This past season, when the protests started, I had some experience with this, so I prepared alternate routes. Our peak season starts in October, which was precisely when I had my seizure and fractured my back. I did my best to get back on my feet and do the tours with my lobster shell back brace.
The protests grew and grew. The hard part was that I couldn't predict where they would be. They usually centered in Gwanghwamun, and we'd just cut through the crowds to continue the tour. Other times, they'd block the north part of Insa-dong or Sam-il-ro. So every weekend, I was in the middle of the crowds. The guests on the tours loved it. I noted that the tenor was changing when I saw families attend the protests. Children walked with their parents with a candle in one hand and an ice cream in the other.
This is a CRUCIAL learning moment for protesters around the world (are you listening anti-Trump peeps):
If you want the regular folk to support your cause, you need to make your protests a safe space. No smashing windows. No firebombs. No fights. Make it a festival that people would want to bring their kids to. Make it something where the elderly would want to join. Otherwise, it just looks like a bunch of 20-somethings getting their rocks off.
The riot police were good and polite the whole time. They're mostly kids doing their required public service. They're in little phalanxes, each with a pennant with a different color and number. It's amusing to watch these guys run into action whenever a radio pipes up, telling their leader to move to a different location. It's like a human-sized chess game--or Twister. In fact, the only time I was approached by the police was last Saturday when I was starting the tour. He told me (in Korean) that the area we were in was about to be blocked off. I told him we were going to leave in five minutes and pointed where we were planning to go. He said that that direction was already blocked off and told me an alternate route. He smiled and said he was sorry. I said it looked like a fun route, and we laughed.
The protests started interfering with the tours when the parliament voted for impeachment in early December, and the hearings moved to the Constitutional Court. That is RIGHT AT THE START of our tour. It's usually empty when we go there. But after that, it was impossible. All the protests and police moved there. Before it got completely blocked, I moved the group to a Starbucks stairwell, where we could observe the building, while I told my stories.
Since it's an outdoor walk, I close down the tours during the winter. Last Friday was the start of our new season. And like an idiot, I planned it on the day the court was announcing its impeachment decision.
IDIOT!!!
I had a few people signed up for that tour, but I knew it was going to be crazier than it had ever been. I watched everything closely. Pro-Park conservatives finally started demonstrating. They were an ornery bunch and kinda late to the party. There was a lot of speculation that they were paid to be there, as when journalists asked why they were protesting after all the things President Park had done, they drew blanks. It got violent. (Note, it didn't get violent until the Right got involved.) It got worse and worse, and I watched it closely. Then the news came out that a couple of protesters died right where we meet for the tour.
Cancelled.
I can work around protests, but I can't put my guests in dangerous situations. That may sound callous. I mean, people DIED. But that was a point also. I learned from doing the tours soon after the Sewol ferry disaster that it's hard to do a ghost tour when real life is darker. It was disrespectful to continue with the tour that evening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh4f9AYRCZY
The next day, as I was checking Facebook, one of my journalist friends posted a video of Robert E. Kelly and what is now his famous video-bomb by his kids on the BBC. Just like "Gangnam Style," we all sat there with our mouths agape as this thing blew up all over the Internets. I've never met Professor Kelly in person. He is way down in Busan. But we run in the same circles and have interacted with each other on Twitter. That's another thing I love about living here. The expat and international Korean community is small and tight knit. We all know each other. We're an odd family.
It was cute. And as expected when something goes viral, there was the pushback. It was much, much smaller than I anticipated. Just some stuff about patriarchy and crap. I get how the video can be a metaphor for patriarchy. But the reason he didn't get up was that he was wearing jeans, we later discovered. I don't disagree with the sentiments behind patriarchy awareness. It just loses people when you look like a naked opportunist, hijacking a popular cute video to promote your cause. The backlash against the patriarchy stuff was stronger. What did bug me was the nanny thing. This was personal,  and I was aware of it. People were assuming that Robert's wife was the nanny. They said it looked like someone who was worried about their job and other excuses rather than admit that they were going on stereotypes of Asian women with non-Asian men. As one Twitter person stated, just admit that you had a latent racist moment, learn from it, and move on.
It hit me personally because there are so many racist stereotypes about western men with Asian women. "Yellow Fever" and all that. Angry Asian men who don't live in Asia dismiss mixed race couples. Still perpetuated in clandestinely racist posts with outdated facts and hiding inside a cloud of freshly learned academic jargon while saying absolutely nothing. There's the stereotype about Asian wives being subservient, WHICH IS DEFINITELY A MYTH. In Korea, the mainstream media does whole news segments about the dangers of foreign men to Korean women.
Those of us who married for love and have children find this disgusting. I mean, how dare these people feign moral superiority while trashing our marriages. Our kids have a hard enough time dealing with a place as homogenous and, yes, as racist as Korea. We don't need them feeling even more isolated because of stereotypes people have about their parents.
When a lot of Korean kids are getting ready to enter elementary school, they are busy learning to read, basic math, some foreign language. My wife and I? Our priority was preparing our daughter for the inevitable racism she'd have to face. My wife stresses so much over her social skills, which I think are fine. We made sure she developed her social intelligence early. And really, she's done well so far. She's been in the popular groups through play school and kindergarten. Other friends' kids have had more problems. She started elementary school March 2nd. She seems to be fine there, but I do worry. The older kids, especially the groups of boys that want to impress each other, can be mean. Yesterday, I picked her up from school. As we were leaving, a group of older boys noticed the foreigner (me), and one said, "Holy shit" in English, trying to get a reaction out of me.
He got a reaction, and I don't think he liked it.
So I worry about this. Maybe this is why the nanny comments bugged me. People are dismissing our families with their narrow assumptions.
Whatever. I'm talking out my ass as always.
In other news...
Since my injury, I've kinda closed off socially. I was busy with the tours, which have been growing like crazy. Other than that, I've been concentrating on my health. I'm eating better and exercising. I'm 85% vegetarian these days. Can you believe it? It doesn't mean I'm eating tasteless food. The opposite. Eating some amazing foods these days.
Last year was tough, as you know. After meeting Anthony Bourdain in October 2014, I've had a hard time steering my career boat. I've realized that I've lived my life the reverse of other people. Most people concentrate on their jobs and making money. Then they check off their bucket lists. After Bourdain, I noted that most of my bucket list had already been checked. Last year with the restaurants, I checked another one off. This year, I know what is working, and I'm concentrating on that. I'm consulting for a restaurant on the Cruise 378 boat in Apgujeong, moored off of Hangang Park. I'm concentrating on tours and the occasional writing gig, and I have gone back to teaching part time to fill in the gaps. Later this year, I hope to join an old friend of mine setting up his new business in Korea. I'm not chasing any spotlights. I'm just doing my thing now.
Peace.
- [What Is Korean Buddhist Temple Cuisine?](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/what-is-korean-buddhist-temple-cuisine/): A quick rundown of temple cuisine and eating meditation
- [Happy New Year! Saehae bok manhi badeuseyo! 새해복많이받으세요 ^^](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/happy-new-year-saehae-bok-manhi-badeuseyo-%ec%83%88%ed%95%b4%eb%b3%b5%eb%a7%8e%ec%9d%b4%eb%b0%9b%ec%9c%bc%ec%84%b8%ec%9a%94/): Happy YEAR OF THE ROOSTER from the ZenKimchi household.
- [Coming to Seoul? Your plans aren’t complete without a full immersion food tour](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/coming-to-seoul-your-plans-arent-complete-without-a-full-immersion-food-tour/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8HWwhF1RVQ
- [2016. Crappy Year. Maybe.](https://zenkimchi.com/diary/2016-crappy-year-maybe/): Everyone's talking about how 2016 was such a bad year. I agree with that. In my personal/professional life, I didn't have a great year as well. I've been silent about some of these stories because it's taken me a long time to process them. I'll go ahead and get them out now.
- [My Controversial Michelin Guide Piece in Vogue Korea](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/my-controversial-michelin-guide-piece-in-vogue-korea/): You may have heard that I and a lot in the Seoul food community are not happy with the new Michelin Guide for Seoul. It so obviously reeks of either corruption or lack of experience with Korean cuisine and the Seoul restaurant market.
- [Where Progressivism has failed (and where it will win)](https://zenkimchi.com/diary/where-progressivism-has-failed-and-where-it-will-win/): People are still wrapping their heads around the Trump win. Yes, Clinton won the popular vote, but even that was by a razor thin margin.
- [Proof that the Seoul Michelin Guide is corrupt to the bone?](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/proof-that-the-seoul-michelin-guide-is-corrupt-to-the-bone/): The first starred restaurants for the first Michelin Seoul Red Guide have been announced. HT to Thierry Berno for this.
- [Michelin anounces first “Bib Gourmand” for Seoul](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/michelin-anounces-first-bib-gourmand-for-seoul/): Leaders in Korean government and corporations have for years been trying to lure the Michelin Red Guide to Seoul. Just consider it another gold star for their sticker charts in their neverending quest for status, along with international sporting events, ads in Times Square, and putting hanboks on foreign celebrities.
- [Broke my back–literally](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/broke-my-back-literally/): It's already been a, well, challenging year. I've had two life-learning experiences in running restaurants in Korea. I'll go into details about those later. My consolation was that my tour business started booming this year. October is peak season. On October 1st, I had 19 people signed up for our popular Dark Side of Seoul Tour. I went to Daiso with my daughter Jian to get some supplies for that tour. We climbed the stairs to the second floor.
- [Promoting Korean Food, Chapter 4: Y2Y Marketing](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/promoting-korean-food-chapter-4-y2y-marketing/): A few years ago I was asked to write a small book on promoting Korean food. I finished the manuscript, but it never got published. The publisher ended up going out of business. Here is the old manuscript for your enjoyment, posted in segments. Keep in mind that this was written in late 2011, but some parts are still relevant today.
- [Crispy Onions Rings made with SOJU!](https://zenkimchi.com/featured/you-wont-believe-how-we-make-our-onion-rings/): One night, I noshed on a multi-hour old onion ring. It was still light and crispy. Not greasy. It came from our new little experiment that we’ve implemented at OK Burger on the Cheonggyecheon.

## Pages
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- [Where Korea Keeps Its Roots](https://zenkimchi.com/journeys/andong-gyeongju-tour/): Slow down for two nights in the Korea most tours skip
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- [Noryangjin Fish Market Private Seafood Buying Guide](https://zenkimchi.com/get-immersed-in-korea/zkx/noryangjin-fish-market-private-seafood-buying/): Noryangjin runs fast. Seafood is weighed, priced, and moved in minutes. If you are unfamiliar with the system, it is easy to hesitate, overorder, or spend more than you intended. We bring structure to that pace. Learn how pricing works, choose seafood that fits your group and budget, and move upstairs smoothly for cooking. Once everything is arranged, we step away so you can enjoy your meal with confidence.
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- [Share, Savor, and Sing: Vegetarians and Carnivores Unite](https://zenkimchi.com/get-immersed-in-korea/zkx/share-savor-and-sing-vegetarians-and-carnivores-unite/): Specially made for groups of vegetarians and meat lovers.
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- [The Majang Meat Lovers Experience](https://zenkimchi.com/get-immersed-in-korea/zkx/meat-lovers-premium-market-bbq/): Explore Seoul's visceral meat market, buy some premium Hanwoo Beef, and grill it on site!
- [Dark Side of Seoul: Behind Locked Doors](https://zenkimchi.com/get-immersed-in-korea/zkx/dark-side-of-seoul-behind-locked-doors/): Are you ready to explore the chilling mysteries and haunting tales that lurk beneath the surface of Seoul's vibrant cityscape? Welcome to "The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk," an extraordinary walk designed exclusively for our esteemed corporate clients seeking an unforgettable and spine-tingling adventure.
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- [About Our Company](https://zenkimchi.com/about-our-company/): Our journey started from frustration.
- [The Anthony Bourdain Korean BBQ Experience](https://zenkimchi.com/get-immersed-in-korea/the-anthony-bourdain-korean-bbq-experience/): Replace Stress with Fun
- [The Authentic Korean Chicken and Beer Experience](https://zenkimchi.com/get-immersed-in-korea/the-authentic-korean-chicken-and-beer-experience/): Dive into this cultural phenomenon with an evening pub crawl through Seoul. Visit a local market, savor iconic chicken dishes, and sip on Korea's beloved beers in lively, authentic settings.
- [ZenKimchi Korean Food Journal](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/): The Original ZenKimchi Korean Food Journal
- [ZenKimchi iOS App Privacy Policy](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-ios-app-privacy-policy/): Privacy PolicyThis Application collects some Personal Data from its Users.SummaryPersonal Data collected for the following purposes and using the following services:Access to third party services' accountsAccess to the Facebook accountPermissions: In app registration, Likes and Publish to the WallAccess to the Twitter accountPersonal Data: In app registration and Various types of DataContent commentingDisqusPersonal Data: Cookie and Usage DataInteraction with external social networks and platformsFacebook Like button, social widgetsPersonal Data: Cookie, Usage Data, Profile informationFull policyData Controller and OwnerTypes of Data collectedAmong the types of Personal Data that this Application collects, by itself or through thirdparties, there are: Cookie and Usage Data.Other Personal Data collected may be described in other sections of this privacy policy orby dedicated explanation text contextually with the Data collection.The Personal Data may be freely provided by the User, or collected automatically whenusing this Application.Any use of Cookies - or of other tracking tools - by this Application or by the owners of thirdparty services used by this Application, unless stated otherwise, serves to identify Usersand remember their preferences, for the sole purpose of providing the service required bythe User.Failure to provide certain Personal Data may make it impossible for this Application toprovide its services.The User assumes responsibility for the Personal Data of third parties published or sharedthrough this Application and declares to have the right to communicate or broadcast them,thus relieving the Data Controller of all responsibility.Mode and place of processing the DataMethods of processingThe Data Controller processes the Data of Users in a proper manner and shall takeappropriate security measures to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, orunauthorized destruction of the Data.The Data processing is carried out using computers and/or IT enabled tools, followingorganizational procedures and modes strictly related to the purposes indicated. In additionto the Data Controller, in some cases, the Data may be accessible to certain types ofpersons in charge, involved with the operation of the site (administration, sales, marketing,legal, system administration) or external parties (such as third party technical serviceproviders, mail carriers, hosting providers, IT companies, communications agencies)appointed, if necessary, as Data Processors by the Owner. The updated list of theseparties may be requested from the Data Controller at any time.PlaceThe Data is processed at the Data Controller's operating offices and in any other placeswhere the parties involved with the processing are located. For further information, pleasecontact the Data Controller.Retention timeThe Data is kept for the time necessary to provide the service requested by the User, orstated by the purposes outlined in this document, and the User can always request thatthe Data Controller suspend or remove the data.The use of the collected DataThe Data concerning the User is collected to allow the Application to provide its services,as well as for the following purposes: Access to third party services' accounts, Creation ofthe user in app profile, Content commenting and Interaction with external social networksand platforms.The Personal Data used for each purpose is outlined in the specific sections of thisdocument.The camera is used if the user wants:- Upload photo/video to supply content to the app- Update the profile picture- Scan QR Codes (no picture is taken in this case, and no data is sent over the network)In these case, the data is sent to servers via HTTPS protocol, after validation of the user.Facebook permissions asked by this ApplicationThis Application may ask some Facebook permissions allowing it to perform actions withthe User's Facebook account and to retrieve information, including Personal Data, from it.For more information about the following permissions, refer to the Facebook permissionsdocumentation (https://developers.facebook.com/docs/authentication/permissions/) and tothe Facebook privacy policy (https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/).The permissions asked are the following:Basic informationBy default, this includes certain User’s Data such as id, name, picture, gender, and theirlocale. Certain connections of the User, such as the Friends, are also available. If the userhas made more of their data public, more information will be available.LikesProvides access to the list of all of the pages the user has liked.Publish to the WallEnables the app to post content, comments, and likes to a user's stream and to thestreams of the user's friends.Detailed information on the processing of Personal DataPersonal Data is collected for the following purposes and using the following services:Access to third party services' accountsThese services allow this Application to access Data from your account on a third partyservice and perform actions with it.These services are not activated automatically, but require explicit authorization by theUser.Access to the Facebook account (This Application)This service allows this Application to connect with the User's account on the Facebooksocial network, provided by Facebook Inc.Permissions asked: Likes and Publish to the Wall.Place of processing : USA – Privacy Policy https://www.facebook.com/policy.phpAccess to the Twitter account (This Application)This service allows this Application to connect with the User's account on the Twitter socialnetwork, provided by Twitter Inc.Personal Data collected: Various types of Data.Place of processing : USA – Privacy Policy http://twitter.com/privacyContent commentingContent commenting services allow Users to make and publish their comments on thecontents of this Application.Depending on the settings chosen by the Owner, Users may also leave anonymouscomments. If there is an email address among the Personal Data provided by the User, itmay be used to send notifications of comments on the same content. Users areresponsible for the content of their own comments.If a content commenting service provided by third parties is installed, it may still collectweb traffic data for the pages where the comment service is installed, even when users donot use the content commenting service.Disqus (Disqus)Disqus is a content commenting service provided by Big Heads Labs Inc.Personal Data collected: Cookie and Usage Data.Place of processing : USA – Privacy Policy http://docs.disqus.com/help/30/Interaction with external social networks and platformsThese services allow interaction with social networks or other external platforms directlyfrom the pages of this Application.The interaction and information obtained by this Application are always subject to theUser’s privacy settings for each social network.If a service enabling interaction with social networks is installed it may still collect trafficdata for the pages where the service is installed, even when Users do not use it.Facebook Like button and social widgets (Facebook)The Facebook Like button and social widgets are services allowing interaction with theFacebook social network provided by Facebook Inc.Personal Data collected: Cookie and Usage Data.Place of processing : USA – Privacy Policy http://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation.phpAdditional information about Data collection and processingLegal actionThe User's Personal Data may be used for legal purposes by the Data Controller, in Courtor in the stages leading to possible legal action arising from improper use of thisApplication or the related services.The User is aware of the fact that the Data Controller may be required to reveal personaldata upon request of public authorities.Additional information about User's Personal DataIn addition to the information contained in this privacy policy, this Application may providethe User with additional and contextual information concerning particular services or thecollection and processing of Personal Data upon request.System Logs and MaintenanceFor operation and maintenance purposes, this Application and any third party servicesmay collect files that record interaction with this Application (System Logs) or use for thispurpose other Personal Data (such as IP Address).Information not contained in this policyMore details concerning the collection or processing of Personal Data may be requestedfrom the Data Controller at any time. Please see the contact information at the beginningof this document.The rights of UsersUsers have the right, at any time, to know whether their Personal Data has been storedand can consult the Data Controller to learn about their contents and origin, to verify theiraccuracy or to ask for them to be supplemented, cancelled, updated or corrected, or fortheir transformation into anonymous format or to block any data held in violation of the law,as well as to oppose their treatment for any and all legitimate reasons. Requests should besent to the Data Controller at the contact information set out above.This Application does not support “Do Not Track” requests.To determine whether any of the third party services it uses honor the “Do Not Track”requests, please read their privacy policies.Changes to this privacy policyThe Data Controller reserves the right to make changes to this privacy policy at any timeby giving notice to its Users on this page. It is strongly recommended to check this pageoften, referring to the date of the last modification listed at the bottom. If a User objects toany of the changes to the Policy, the User must cease using this Application and canrequest that the Data Controller erase the Personal Data. Unless stated otherwise, thethen-current privacy policy applies to all Personal Data the Data Controller has aboutUsers.Definitions and legal referencesPersonal Data (or Data)Any information regarding a natural person, a legal person, an institution or an association,which is, or can be, identified, even indirectly, by reference to any other information,including a personal identification number.Usage DataInformation collected automatically from this Application (or third party services employedin this Application ), which can include: the IP addresses or domain names of thecomputers utilized by the Users who use this Application, the URI addresses (UniformResource Identifier), the time of the request, the method utilized to submit the request tothe server, the size of the file received in response, the numerical code indicating thestatus of the server's answer (successful outcome, error, etc.), the country of origin, thefeatures of the browser and the operating system utilized by the User, the various timedetails per visit (e.g., the time spent on each page within the Application) and the detailsabout the path followed within the Application with special reference to the sequence ofpages visited, and other parameters about the device operating system and/or the User'sIT environment.UserThe individual using this Application, which must coincide with or be authorized by theData Subject, to whom the Personal Data refer.Data SubjectThe legal or natural person to whom the Personal Data refers to.Data Processor (or Data Supervisor)The natural person, legal person, public administration or any other body, association ororganization authorized by the Data Controller to process the Personal Data in compliancewith this privacy policy.Data Controller (or Owner)The natural person, legal person, public administration or any other body, association ororganization with the right, also jointly with another Data Controller, to make decisionsregarding the purposes, and the methods of processing of Personal Data and the meansused, including the security measures concerning the operation and use of thisApplication. The Data Controller, unless otherwise specified, is the Owner of thisApplication.This ApplicationThe hardware or software tool by which the Personal Data of the User is collected.CookieSmall piece of data stored in the User's device.Legal informationNotice to European Users: this privacy statement has been prepared in fulfillment of theobligations under Art. 10 of EC Directive n. 95/46/EC, and under the provisions of Directive2002/58/EC, as revised by Directive 2009/136/EC, on the subject of Cookies.This privacy policy relates solely to this Application.
- [ZenKimchi Android App Privacy Policy](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-android-app-privacy-policy/): Privacy Policy
This Application collects some Personal Data from its Users.
Summary
Personal Data collected for the following purposes and using the following services:
Access to third party services' accounts
Access to the Facebook account
Permissions: In app registration, Likes and Publish to the Wall
Access to the Twitter account
Personal Data: In app registration and Various types of Data
Content commenting
Disqus
Personal Data: Cookie and Usage Data
Interaction with external social networks and platforms
Facebook Like button, social widgets
Personal Data: Cookie, Usage Data, Profile information
Full policy
Data Controller and Owner
Types of Data collected
Among the types of Personal Data that this Application collects, by itself or through third
parties, there are: Cookie and Usage Data.
Other Personal Data collected may be described in other sections of this privacy policy or
by dedicated explanation text contextually with the Data collection.
The Personal Data may be freely provided by the User, or collected automatically when
using this Application.
Any use of Cookies - or of other tracking tools - by this Application or by the owners of third
party services used by this Application, unless stated otherwise, serves to identify Users
and remember their preferences, for the sole purpose of providing the service required by
the User.
Failure to provide certain Personal Data may make it impossible for this Application to
provide its services.
The User assumes responsibility for the Personal Data of third parties published or shared
through this Application and declares to have the right to communicate or broadcast them,
thus relieving the Data Controller of all responsibility.
Mode and place of processing the Data
Methods of processing
The Data Controller processes the Data of Users in a proper manner and shall take
appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, or
unauthorized destruction of the Data.
The Data processing is carried out using computers and/or IT enabled tools, following
organizational procedures and modes strictly related to the purposes indicated. In addition
to the Data Controller, in some cases, the Data may be accessible to certain types of
persons in charge, involved with the operation of the site (administration, sales, marketing,
legal, system administration) or external parties (such as third party technical service
providers, mail carriers, hosting providers, IT companies, communications agencies)
appointed, if necessary, as Data Processors by the Owner. The updated list of these
parties may be requested from the Data Controller at any time.
Place
The Data is processed at the Data Controller's operating offices and in any other places
where the parties involved with the processing are located. For further information, please
contact the Data Controller.
Retention time
The Data is kept for the time necessary to provide the service requested by the User, or
stated by the purposes outlined in this document, and the User can always request that
the Data Controller suspend or remove the data.
The use of the collected Data
The Data concerning the User is collected to allow the Application to provide its services,
as well as for the following purposes: Access to third party services' accounts, Creation of
the user in app profile, Content commenting and Interaction with external social networks
and platforms.
The Personal Data used for each purpose is outlined in the specific sections of this
document.
The camera (use of android.permission.CAMERA) is used if the user wants:
- Upload photo/video to supply content to the app
- Update the profile picture
- Scan QR Codes (no picture is taken in this case, and no data is sent over the network)
In these case, the data is sent to servers via HTTPS protocol, after validation of the user.
Facebook permissions asked by this Application
This Application may ask some Facebook permissions allowing it to perform actions with
the User's Facebook account and to retrieve information, including Personal Data, from it.
For more information about the following permissions, refer to the Facebook permissions
documentation (https://developers.facebook.com/docs/authentication/permissions/) and to
the Facebook privacy policy (https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/).
The permissions asked are the following:
Basic information
By default, this includes certain User’s Data such as id, name, picture, gender, and their
locale. Certain connections of the User, such as the Friends, are also available. If the user
has made more of their data public, more information will be available.
Likes
Provides access to the list of all of the pages the user has liked.
Publish to the Wall
Enables the app to post content, comments, and likes to a user's stream and to the
streams of the user's friends.
Detailed information on the processing of Personal Data
Personal Data is collected for the following purposes and using the following services:
Access to third party services' accounts
These services allow this Application to access Data from your account on a third party
service and perform actions with it.
These services are not activated automatically, but require explicit authorization by the
User.
Access to the Facebook account (This Application)
This service allows this Application to connect with the User's account on the Facebook
social network, provided by Facebook Inc.
Permissions asked: Likes and Publish to the Wall.
Place of processing : USA – Privacy Policy https://www.facebook.com/policy.php
Access to the Twitter account (This Application)
This service allows this Application to connect with the User's account on the Twitter social
network, provided by Twitter Inc.
Personal Data collected: Various types of Data.
Place of processing : USA – Privacy Policy http://twitter.com/privacy
Content commenting
Content commenting services allow Users to make and publish their comments on the
contents of this Application.
Depending on the settings chosen by the Owner, Users may also leave anonymous
comments. If there is an email address among the Personal Data provided by the User, it
may be used to send notifications of comments on the same content. Users are
responsible for the content of their own comments.
If a content commenting service provided by third parties is installed, it may still collect
web traffic data for the pages where the comment service is installed, even when users do
not use the content commenting service.
Disqus (Disqus)
Disqus is a content commenting service provided by Big Heads Labs Inc.
Personal Data collected: Cookie and Usage Data.
Place of processing : USA – Privacy Policy http://docs.disqus.com/help/30/
Interaction with external social networks and platforms
These services allow interaction with social networks or other external platforms directly
from the pages of this Application.
The interaction and information obtained by this Application are always subject to the
User’s privacy settings for each social network.
If a service enabling interaction with social networks is installed it may still collect traffic
data for the pages where the service is installed, even when Users do not use it.
Facebook Like button and social widgets (Facebook)
The Facebook Like button and social widgets are services allowing interaction with the
Facebook social network provided by Facebook Inc.
Personal Data collected: Cookie and Usage Data.
Place of processing : USA – Privacy Policy http://www.facebook.com/privacy/
explanation.php
Additional information about Data collection and processing
Legal action
The User's Personal Data may be used for legal purposes by the Data Controller, in Court
or in the stages leading to possible legal action arising from improper use of this
Application or the related services.
The User is aware of the fact that the Data Controller may be required to reveal personal
data upon request of public authorities.
Additional information about User's Personal Data
In addition to the information contained in this privacy policy, this Application may provide
the User with additional and contextual information concerning particular services or the
collection and processing of Personal Data upon request.
System Logs and Maintenance
For operation and maintenance purposes, this Application and any third party services
may collect files that record interaction with this Application (System Logs) or use for this
purpose other Personal Data (such as IP Address).
Information not contained in this policy
More details concerning the collection or processing of Personal Data may be requested
from the Data Controller at any time. Please see the contact information at the beginning
of this document.
The rights of Users
Users have the right, at any time, to know whether their Personal Data has been stored
and can consult the Data Controller to learn about their contents and origin, to verify their
accuracy or to ask for them to be supplemented, cancelled, updated or corrected, or for
their transformation into anonymous format or to block any data held in violation of the law,
as well as to oppose their treatment for any and all legitimate reasons. Requests should be
sent to the Data Controller at the contact information set out above.
This Application does not support “Do Not Track” requests.
To determine whether any of the third party services it uses honor the “Do Not Track”
requests, please read their privacy policies.
Changes to this privacy policy
The Data Controller reserves the right to make changes to this privacy policy at any time
by giving notice to its Users on this page. It is strongly recommended to check this page
often, referring to the date of the last modification listed at the bottom. If a User objects to
any of the changes to the Policy, the User must cease using this Application and can
request that the Data Controller erase the Personal Data. Unless stated otherwise, the
then-current privacy policy applies to all Personal Data the Data Controller has about
Users.
Definitions and legal references
Personal Data (or Data)
Any information regarding a natural person, a legal person, an institution or an association,
which is, or can be, identified, even indirectly, by reference to any other information,
including a personal identification number.
Usage Data
Information collected automatically from this Application (or third party services employed
in this Application ), which can include: the IP addresses or domain names of the
computers utilized by the Users who use this Application, the URI addresses (Uniform
Resource Identifier), the time of the request, the method utilized to submit the request to
the server, the size of the file received in response, the numerical code indicating the
status of the server's answer (successful outcome, error, etc.), the country of origin, the
features of the browser and the operating system utilized by the User, the various time
details per visit (e.g., the time spent on each page within the Application) and the details
about the path followed within the Application with special reference to the sequence of
pages visited, and other parameters about the device operating system and/or the User's
IT environment.
User
The individual using this Application, which must coincide with or be authorized by the
Data Subject, to whom the Personal Data refer.
Data Subject
The legal or natural person to whom the Personal Data refers to.
Data Processor (or Data Supervisor)
The natural person, legal person, public administration or any other body, association or
organization authorized by the Data Controller to process the Personal Data in compliance
with this privacy policy.
Data Controller (or Owner)
The natural person, legal person, public administration or any other body, association or
organization with the right, also jointly with another Data Controller, to make decisions
regarding the purposes, and the methods of processing of Personal Data and the means
used, including the security measures concerning the operation and use of this
Application. The Data Controller, unless otherwise specified, is the Owner of this
Application.
This Application
The hardware or software tool by which the Personal Data of the User is collected.
Cookie
Small piece of data stored in the User's device.
Legal information
Notice to European Users: this privacy statement has been prepared in fulfillment of the
obligations under Art. 10 of EC Directive n. 95/46/EC, and under the provisions of Directive
2002/58/EC, as revised by Directive 2009/136/EC, on the subject of Cookies.
This privacy policy relates solely to this Application.
- [Diary](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/diary/): Personal Journal
- [Korean Food 101](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/korean-food-101/): Korean Food 101
- [Recipes](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/recipes/): Recipes
- [Restaurants](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/restaurants/): Location: Namsan Cuisine: Italian Price: $$$ Reservations: Recommended Suggested Items: Gnocchi with Smoked Mozzarella, Antipasti
- [Korean Food Recipes. The World’s #1 Korean Food Blog | ZenKimchi](https://zenkimchi.com/korean-food-recipes-worlds-1-korean-food-blog-zenkimchi/): Top Posts
- [Advertise with us](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/about-zenkimchi/advertise-with-us/)
- [Paid Review Disclaimer](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/paid-review-disclaimer/): The restaurant in this review has given the reviewer complimentary food or other products. This has in no way influenced the reviewer's opinion. The restaurant in question has been made aware of this beforehand.
- [Brushes with Fame](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/diary/brushes-with-fame/): Famous peeps I've had encounters with over the years.
- [Press](https://zenkimchi.com/press/): Articles, TV shows, and radio shows that we have made or have been featured in
- [Korean Dad Jokes](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/korean-english-jokes/): Here is my collection of really bad Korean-English puns. Some original. Some from other places. Feel free to add your own in the comments.
- [FAQ](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/faq/): In college I got a bartending certification and worked as a short order cook, a Tex-Mex cook, a bad waiter, a pizza driver, a diner manager, a sandwich artist, an oyster shucker, a dive bar cook, a better waiter, a bar back and a bartender and took some courses in hotel and restaurant management. But I never went to cooking school. I still want to. My brother, though, he went to cooking school and is a pretty darn good chef.
- [Privacy Policy](https://zenkimchi.com/privacy-policy/): This privacy policy sets out how ZenKimchi International  uses and protects any information that you give while using www.zenkimchi.com
- [About ZenKimchi](https://zenkimchi.com/zenkimchi-korean-food-journal/about-zenkimchi/): Also check out our Press page

## 
- [Jeonju Hanok Village Winter Week](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352488): Jeonju Hanok VillageTraditional craft workshops, small music performances, night markets, and hanbok photo zones running all week.
- [Pyeongchang Alpine Winter Market](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352486): Alpensia Resort, PyeongchangSeasonal market with craft vendors, hot winter foods, and ski-season kickoff events.
- [Gyeongju Winter Light-Up](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352484): Bomun Lake Resort, GyeongjuThe lakeside promenade and surrounding parks glow with winter illuminations, ideal for evening strolls.
- [Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink & Christmas Tree](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352481): Outdoor rink and winter village at City Hall area
- [Seoul Lantern Festival: Journey of Light](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352232): Cheonggyecheon and Gwanghwamun, SeoulLanterns line the stream and plazas in a beautifully lit night walk through downtown. A classic Seoul winter tradition.
- [Haeundae Light Festival](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352227): Light-up hours: 18:00–23:00 nightly. Coastal setting, installations, media art and a serene but festive winter seaside vibe.
- [Seoul Winter Festa](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352225): City-wide winter celebration featuring light installations, pop-up markets and themed trails across central Seoul.
- [G‑Dragon “Übermensch World Tour (Encore)”](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352214): The grand finale of a global tour by one of K-pop’s biggest icons—high-impact for fan-culture tie-ins. https://kpopofficial.com/event-month-year/december-2025/
- [Melon Music Awards 2025](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352212): Korea’s flagship year-end music awards showcase the biggest K-pop acts and industry highlights.
- [Winter Lights at Garden of Morning Calm](https://zenkimchi.com/?p=1352210): The garden turns into a massive winter light show with themed zones and glowing pathways. It’s one of Korea’s most popular winter night experiences.