[카테고리:] English Picks

Simple English posts and tips for global readers.

A Christmas Family Gathering After Almost a Decade
Hosting a Warm and Meaningful Christmas at Home

Photo credit: Author

My family lives in Korea.
Yet somehow, Christmas has passed year after year without all of us being together. Life gets busy, schedules don’t align, and before you know it, time slips by.

Photo credit: Author

This year was different.
For the first time in over ten years, our family gathered together for Christmas.
And this time, I decided to host.

Photo credit: Author

Preparing for Christmas, One Table at a Time

I brought back a set of beautiful Christmas dishes from the United States some time ago.
They had been sitting quietly in the cabinet, saved for a “special occasion.”

This felt like the right moment.

I took them all out and used them generously, without holding back.
There’s something about setting a Christmas table that instantly changes the mood it makes the day feel intentional, warm, and meaningful.

Photo credit: Author

A Simple Lunch Before a Festive Evening

We met earlier in the day for a simple lunch.
Nothing fancy just kimchi stew and rice.
Somehow, that kind of meal feels perfect for a family gathering.

After lunch, we stopped by Starbucks for coffee, chatted for a while, and took a leisurely walk through the streets.
The city was already dressed for Christmas, and there was a quiet excitement in the air.

Photo credit: Author

Photo credit: Author

A Homemade Christmas Dinner

In the evening, it was time for the Christmas feast.

On the table:
- Beef tenderloin steak
- Lamb shoulder rack
- Whole wheat campagne bread
- Fresh salad
- Butter mashed potatoes with bacon
- And a rich chocolate cake
As each dish came together, I felt grateful.
It didn’t need to be perfect.
What mattered was that we were all sitting at the same table, sharing the same meal.

Photo credit: Author

Photo credit: Author

The Beauty of Gathering as a Family

Hosting isn’t always easy.
There’s shopping, cooking, timing everything just right, and of course, cleaning up afterward.
At moments, it can feel tiring and overwhelming.

But as the night went on, I found myself thinking,
“I’m really glad I did this.”

Memories from years ago came back when the children were still babies, when life felt very different.
Time has passed, but family somehow stays the same.

Photo credit: Author

Remembering the True Meaning of Christmas

This day wasn’t just about food or celebration.
It was also a moment to pause and reflect.

Christmas reminded me of Jesus, who came to this world for us.
In the rush of everyday life, it’s easy to forget the deeper meaning of this season.
That evening, gratitude came naturally.

It wasn’t a flashy or extravagant Christmas.
But it was filled with warmth, love, and thankfulness.

Photo credit: Author

Looking Back

Hosting a Christmas gathering takes effort.
But the memories created are worth every bit of it.

A family reunited after ten years,
a table filled with food and conversation,
and a heart full of gratitude.

This Christmas will stay with me for a long time.

Photo credit: Author

Beef Tenderloin Steak (Ordered from Coupang)

Because I was short on time, I ordered the beef tenderloin from Coupang.
The reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and I chose one on the higher end of the price range, expecting good quality.

Each piece arrived vacuum sealed, neatly shaped, and portioned at 150 grams per steak, which looked promising at first.
Unfortunately, the taste was very disappointing.

We eat tenderloin steak quite often at home and have tried many varieties Korean beef, U.S. beef, Australian beef, across different grades.
Among them, the U.S. Prime beef from Costco has been consistently the best (shown in the photo above).

As for value for money, I’m still not completely sure.
Since I haven’t been back in Korea for very long, it’s hard to tell what’s considered reasonably priced here.

Lamb Shoulder Rack (Ordered from Coupang)

The lamb shoulder rack was also ordered from Coupang.
I chose an A++ grade, based on strong reviews, and ordered about 900 grams.

This one was very satisfying.
While proper seasoning certainly helped, the quality of the meat itself was excellent tender, flavorful, and well worth the purchase.

Seasoning

Both the tenderloin and the lamb were seasoned the day before and left to rest in the refrigerator.

The order was:
olive oil → salt → butter garlic herb seasoning → black pepper

Simple, but effective.

Cooking Method

About three hours before cooking, I took the meat out of the refrigerator to bring it to room temperature.

Both the tenderloin and the lamb were cooked in a well heated cast iron pan, seared for 1 minute and 30 seconds on each side over high heat.
After searing, the meat was rested for 20 minutes.

This method locked in the juices beautifully, resulting in meat that was moist, tender, and perfectly cooked.

Campagne Bread

The campagne bread was also purchased from Coupang.
If you look carefully, Coupang actually carries quite a good selection of quality bread.
12월 26, 2025
🎄A Weekend Holiday Visit to Seoul Finance Center (SFC)
🎄 Weekend Holiday Visit to Seoul Finance Center (SFC), Map link

<Source: Official photos of Seoul Finance Center (SFC)>

On a weekend evening just before Christmas, I visited the Seoul Finance Center (SFC) to enjoy some fresh air and the holiday atmosphere.
Located right next to Cheonggyecheon, SFC is a great place to enjoy both indoor comfort and outdoor scenery, especially during winter.

Photo credit: Author

✨ Christmas Decorations & Festive Mood

As soon as I arrived, I noticed the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the building.
The lights and ornaments created a warm, cozy atmosphere without feeling overwhelming.

It’s a great place to take photos and enjoy the holiday season with family or friends.

Photo credit: Author

☕ Restaurants & Cafes Underground

Most of the restaurants and cafes are located on B1 and B2 levels.

You can find a wide variety of options, including:
- Steak houses
- Premium Korean beef restaurants
- Traditional rice pot (Sot Bap) places
- Vietnamese and Thai restaurants
- Dakgalbi and shabushabu
- Cozy dessert and chocolate shops
We stopped by Coffee Bean, ordered our favorite drinks, and sat near the indoor terrace to enjoy the Christmas vibe while staying warm indoors.

Photo credit: Author

🚗 Convenient Parking

One big advantage is that many restaurants and cafes offer parking discounts.
Even during the busy holiday season, this made our visit much more convenient.

Photo credit: Author

🌉 Cheonggyecheon Walk & Performances

From the first floor, you can walk directly to Cheonggyecheon Stream.
During our visit, there was a musical performance featuring a man wearing traditional Korean clothing, along with festive lights, traditional style figures, and Christmas decorations.

With so many people around, the area truly felt like a holiday festival.

Photo credit: Author

💭 Nostalgic Memories

I also remembered visiting this place more than ten years ago when my children were babies.
It felt like yesterday, bringing back warm and nostalgic memories.

Some places stay special no matter how much time passes.

✅ My Review

Seoul Finance Center is a wonderful place where you can:
- Stay warm indoors
- Take a short walk along Cheonggyecheon
- Enjoy holiday decorations
- Choose from many great restaurants and cafes
If you’re looking for a relaxed and festive weekend outing in Seoul,
SFC is a place I’d happily recommend.
12월 23, 2025
🔥 Family-Friendly Korean BBQ in Gonjiam: Seorak Makguksu Chuncheon Dakgalbi Review
On our way to Pyeongchang for a family trip, we decided to stop for lunch at Seorak Makguksu Chuncheon Dakgalbi Gonjiam, and wow—it turned out to be a great choice.

<Photo courtesy of Naver Map – Restaurant listing>

🚗 Convenient Location & Spacious Parking

The restaurant is conveniently located near Gonjiam IC, and the parking lot is huge and super easy to access, which is a relief when traveling with kids.
Inside, the restaurant was clean and tidy, making it very comfortable for a family meal.

🔥 Charcoal-Grilled Dakgalbi, Twice-Cooked at Your Table

Their signature is pre-grilled dakgalbi that you finish cooking on a charcoal grill at your table.
The moment it hits the charcoal, the aroma comes alive. The seasoning isn’t too heavy, so the natural flavor of the chicken shines through.

<Photo by author>

🌶️ Mild & Delicious for Kids

They offer spicy and soy sauce flavors, but the spicy version isn’t really hot, so the kids enjoyed both.
No stress about overly spicy chicken—perfect for families.

🍽️ Generous Portions

We were a group of four (two adults, two kids) and ordered six servings. The portions were quite large, almost too much to finish, so adjust orders accordingly.

<Photo by author>

🍲 The Delectable Doenjang Jjigae

The doenjang stew deserves a special mention. Rich and savory, it complemented the dakgalbi perfectly. Definitely a highlight among the side dishes.

☕ Continuing Our Trip

After lunch, we stopped by Eomji-ne Cockle in Pyeongchang and later visited the coastal area in Gangneung, including a Starbucks with a view of the sea and historical sites.
Our eldest daughter, who loves history, was thrilled with the combination of history and ocean views.

❤️ Small Gesture, Big Impression

I accidentally left my Starbucks tumbler at the restaurant, and the staff kept it safe until I picked it up the next day. Little things like this make a big difference.

✔️ Final Thoughts
- Convenient location for travelers
- Spacious and easy parking
- Charcoal-grilled dakgalbi with rich flavor
- Mild seasoning, kid-friendly
- Clean, tidy restaurant and attentive staff
If you’re heading toward Pyeongchang or Gangneung, this is a solid stop for a hearty, family-friendly Korean BBQ meal.
We’ll definitely return next time we’re in the area.
12월 16, 2025
🥩 A Family-Friendly Hanwoo in Sindang, Seoul
<Photo by the author>

When our wedding anniversary came around, my husband did what any thoughtful person would do — he booked a sushi omakase.

Sounds perfect, right?

Except… we have kids.
And our kids are very loyal to salmon sushi and absolutely nothing else.

I still remember taking them to an omakase back in the U.S. once.
They politely picked at their plates, I ate most of their food, and then we had to grab something else afterward because they were still hungry.

To make it even more memorable (in a bad way), the “special kids dessert” that day turned out to be a packaged chocolate snack cake topped with whipped cream.
I’m still not over it. 😂

So this time, while traveling in Korea, we decided to cancel the omakase and go with something that felt more relaxed, more satisfying, and honestly… more family-friendly.

That’s how we ended up at a Korean beef restaurant instead.

📍 Hanwoo Dinner in Sindang-dong: Baeksong

We chose Baeksong, a well-known Hanwoo (premium Korean beef) restaurant located in Sindang-dong, Seoul.

A quick intro to Baeksong:
- Featured on Heo Young-man’s Food Travel (a famous Korean food show)
- Offers a wide variety of Hanwoo cuts at reasonable prices
- Popular side dishes like spicy beef noodle soup and doenjang rice
- Private rooms on the second floor (great for families or groups)
We reserved a private room upstairs, which made the whole experience much calmer with kids.

That said, the staircase and the entrance to the room gave my kids major “once you go in, you might not come out” vibes.
One of them said it felt like a gangster hideout. 😂
So if you’re big on sleek, modern interiors, that’s something to keep in mind.

🥩 Service & Beef Quality: Absolutely Solid

Ambience aside, everything else was spot on.

The table setup was clean, the service was attentive, and best of all — the staff grilled the meat for us from start to finish.

That alone makes a huge difference, especially when you’re trying to actually enjoy the meal instead of babysitting a grill.
The beef quality was excellent across the board.

📋 What We Ordered (and Prices)

Our order:
- Signature Set
- Hanwoo Yukhoe (beef tartare)
- Additional cuts: Chuck flap tail & tenderloin
Prices (as of December 2025):
- Signature Set: 145,000 KRW
- Tenderloin: 45,000 KRW
- Chuck flap tail: 45,000 KRW
- Yukhoe: 25,000 KRW (a bit small, to be honest)
<Photo by the author>

🔥 The Iron Plate Makes a Difference

One thing that really stood out was the thick iron plate Baeksong uses.

If you’ve ever been to high-end yakiniku spots in Japan, you know the type.
It’s heated slowly over charcoal, holds the heat beautifully, and gives the meat this deep, smoky flavor without burning it.

It actually reminded me of a pork restaurant in Haebangchon called Hunyuk — another place I’d highly recommend if you’re in Seoul.

🍲 Signature Set & Side Dish Tip (Important!)

The Signature Set includes multiple cuts:
- Sirloin
- Chuck flap
- Rib meat
- Special cuts like seodaesal
You also grill mushrooms, peppers, and potatoes alongside the meat.

Here’s the important tip:

When you order the Signature Set, you get to choose one side dish:
- Doenjang rice
- Spicy beef noodle soup
- Or instant noodles (yes, really)
But the set already comes with two bowls of beef broth.

We didn’t think about the overlap and ended up with way too much soup on the table.

👉 Choose your side carefully to avoid soup overload.

🌱 The Green Onion Kimchi (PaKimchi-My Personal Highlight)

Out of all the banchan, the green onion kimchi completely stole the show.

Our kids didn’t touch it, so I asked if we could take the leftovers home.
The staff actually packed more than what we had left.

I usually don’t even like green onion kimchi, but this one was:
- Not overly sweet
- Not too salty
- No overpowering fish sauce smell
It paired beautifully with the rich Hanwoo, and somehow tasted just as good later at home with instant noodles.

<Photo by the author>

<Photo by the author>

🥩 About Baeksong’s Signature Cut

Baeksong is known for reinterpreting a 1920s-style Korean rib restaurant concept, and their seodaesal is considered the signature cut.

Unfortunately, thanks to strong opinions from the kids, we stuck with safer cuts this time.
Next visit, I’m definitely trying more of their specialty cuts.

ℹ️ Practical Info

Seating
- 1st floor: 8 tables (4-person)
- 2nd floor private rooms:
  - 1 room (4 people)
  - 2 rooms (6 people)
  - 1 room (8 people)
Hours
- Open daily
- Weekdays & Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Location (Korean map link):
https://naver.me/5S9QrIGs

Final Thoughts

These days, dining out feels less about just eating and more about creating memories with the people you’re with.

Baeksong isn’t flashy or trendy, but it delivers where it matters:
great beef, reliable service, and a comfortable space where families can actually relax.

It’s not inexpensive, but considering the variety of Hanwoo cuts and the full-service grilling, it felt worth it — especially for a celebration meal.

If you’re visiting Korea and looking for a solid Korean beef restaurant with private rooms in Sindang-dong, this is definitely a place worth considering.

I’ll keep sharing honest food experiences and little moments from our time traveling through Korea.
12월 15, 2025