Cafe Sukara

This past weekend was a much needed holiday. The Korean holiday Chuseok fell on September 12 this year and I had a precious few days off. In the middle of my very relaxing time off, my boyfriend and I found this seriously cute cafe.

Everything is made in an open kitchen in the center of the cafe, and nearly everything is organic or free trade. The menu showed a wide range of teas and a decent offering of coffees. Some savory items - simple Korean dishes - and desserts were listed as well, and most of the other patrons were taking meals.

 From our seats, we could smell onions caramelizing. We watched as the barista made each of our drinks with surprising care. This is no Starbuck's where the barista moves in a flurry of motion, steamer shrieking and ice scoop clanging. My iced latte received a handful of frozen coffee cubes and a gentle pour of chilled espresso before getting topped off with milk. The iced soy chai latte my boyfriend ordered was finished off with a light dash of cinnamon.

Pots of water on the boil for hand dripped coffee.

 The eclectic collection of furniture is pleasingly arranged in configurations that hint at great dinner conversations and raucous laughter. The unfinished cement and brick walls provide a great backdrop for traditional art, too. As we left, the smell of something delicious curled about our heads. We'll be back at Cafe Sukara soon!


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Barbecued Fish in Hongdae

This little gem of a restaurant is one that I absolutely cannot leave out. I don't know the name of this restaurant in Korean - I'll try to find out - but among my friends it is simply called "The Fish Place." Located right outside Honggik University Station, it is very easy to find.

The restaurant offers two different types of fish barbecued on a charcoal grill right outside the establishment. The first fish on the menu is a bigger, drier fish with a more mild flavor, and the second fish on the menu is smaller, fattier and also more flavorful. In addition to typical Korean side dishes, each order comes with soup, wasabi to dip the fish in, rice and lettuce. (Their kimchi is always sour, perfect for cutting the fish flavor.) If you're lucky, some icy cinnamon tea will be available in the back of the restaurant for those who know to serve themselves!

I should add that the restaurant also serves some delectable donkatsu or pork cutlet.

Directions:

Take Exit 8 from Honggik University Station. Walk straight ahead, past the Lotte Cinema on the right, and turn right after the nearest Family Mart. It is next door to the Spanish tapas restaurant.



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