Nunsongyee (눈송이) Korean Dessert Cafe

It was my birthday and officially added one year old. But, you know what... I get older faster! Thanks to my 2 'cute' kiddos. I'm always amazed that they never feel thirsty at home. But, even I keep screaming until my saliva dries to remind them to drink water... they will only have a small sip or two as if the water is super precious!

Didn't bring water out as I thought we'll spend less than one hour outdoor... because after buffet lunch at Carlton City Hotel, we supposed to go home after buy birthday cake. But, they told me they're thirsty when we're on the way from Tanjong Pagar to Bugis MRT.

Let me show you the proof of what they had about 10 minutes before we boarded the train...

Apple juice, shaved ice longan and 'attap chee' and ice-cream.

 

Ok, they won... Bought 2 bottles of mineral water from Cold Storage in order not to let myself look like 40 years old on my birthday!

Suddenly Daddy came out from restroom and announced to buy bubble tea to reward his daughter as she did well for her Prelim Test.

Hhmmm... I'm really satisfy and proud of her result, so wanna generously reward her and at the same time encourage her to do her best in PSLE.

 

 Let's go to Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Cafe. 

It's just opposite Bugis Junction.

 

Thought it's full house and we need to queue... we saw people sitting outside,
and you can see people sitting by the windows on second and third floor.

 Nunsongyee Menu: Coffee | Tea | Smoothies | Drinks |
Snow Flake Bingsu | Premium Bingsu | Toast | Rice Cake

Ordered Premium Snow White Pingsu (스노우 화이트 빙수) - $18.90, and Mixed Berries Yogurt (믹스베리 요거트) - $6.90

   

Still very full, can see my bulging belly? :P

Oh well, maybe after climbing the stairs I'll hungry again :P

Most of cafes in Korea occupied two or three-storey building, where some of them have open air space and cozy place to enjoy your drinks and desserts. Still vivid in my mind that I'd to balance myself to climb no railing flying stairs wearing high heels at Mug For Rabbit (머그포래빗) Cafe located at Garosugil.

 

I did make my birthday wish after throwing a coin inside this clear box...

 

And thanks... my wish will soon come true and hopefully we can
see the real '눈송이' (snowflake) in Korea!!! ^^

Oh, maybe I should change my Aircon to Panasonic too... see Nunsongyee not using machine to shave the ice, but snowflake produced by aircon! :P

second floor sitting area.

Only 3 tables occupied on 3rd floor, 

but both window seats were taken... 

 

Kids sitting sweetly and waiting for the bingsu...

 

 

Nunsongyee Cafe is directly opposite Toast Box.

 

From side window, you can see one way Tan Quee Lan Street.

  "행복을 나누세요, 빙수를 나누세요" 

   

"Share your happiness, share your bingsu dessert"

 
Bingsu overloaded with grated cheese~!

 

Sweet milk + Salty cheese + Smooth shivery snowflake = Perfect Bingsu!

 I'd tasted the similar taste and texture bingsu at O'ma Spoon @313 Somerset.

 Wanted to bring my husband and kids there as it's hard for me to describe it

as it's different texture of what usually had at Caffe Bene in Korea.

 

 

Now, they tasted and agreed that it's incredibly smooth. 
Warned them not to mix, just scoop the ice shaved and quickly put inside your mouth. 

Happiness is when the sweetness of bingsu melt inside your mouth. It'll be extremely sweet if you share it with your love ones... Lol!!!

Nunsongyee (눈송이) Korean Dessert Cafe.
Add: 534 North Bridge Road Singapore 188749.

September in Seoul - Gyeongbokgung Palace [Day 6]

Back in Seoul from Gangneung City. Maybe we bought the wrong bus ticket, as the bus stop at Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (Gangbyeon Station) instead of Express Bus Terminal. Anyway, we arrived in Seoul... ㅋㅋㅋ 

Bus fare from Gangneung to Dong Seoul is cheaper than from  Express Bus Terminal to Gangneung. Adult: 14,600 Won  and Child: 7,300 Won. 

Took a taxi from Dong Bus Terminal directly to Capt Ryan's Nest. Instead of hotel room, we booked this entire apartment in Yongsan-gu through BnBHero.

Cosy and beautiful apartment 

Kids love this quite spacious loft apartment. It's new, neat, clean and comfortable. It's accessible to the city's must-see places. clean and spacious. Essential amenities and wifi facilities are provided too.

The owner, Mr. Ryan Kim is a very nice guy,  and very helpful and responsive to our messages. Overall, I felt it was worth the price as it was a pleasant experience throughout our stay.

1.  Gyeongbokgung (경복궁)

Gyeongbok (경복 = Greatly Blessed by Heaven)

Gung (궁 = Palace)

Gyeongbokgung was the first royal palace built by the Joseon Dynasty, built in 1395, three years after the Joseon Dynasty was founded. It served as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.

 Gyeongbokgung is situated in the middle of Seoul city.

Admission Ticket: 3,000 Won (Adult) and 1,500 Won (Child)

The most prominent and grandest of the Five Grand Palaces (Gyeonghuigung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung), which consisted of 330 buildings. It's also called Northern Palace because of its location.

 Geunjeongjeon (근정전 = Imperial Throne Hall), where the king was

formally briefed by his officials and the central venue for various

coronation ceremonies of the royal household.

Rank Stones with numbers carved on them

Court officials would line up according to rank using the rank stones

in the courtyard outside Geunjeongjeon Hall.

   

Gwanghwamun is the main gate of Gyeongbokgung,

It's comprised of three arched gates called Hongyemun, with the middle gate

reserved for the king and the other two for his officials. Gwanghwamun was

severely damaged during the Japanese occupation and the Korean War.

Heungnyemun (흥례문) is the second largest gate of Gyeongbokgung,
and the first gate that visitors see after Gwanghwamun Gate.

This gate was totally demolished during Japanese occupation, and 

restored to its original form in 1995.

Pictureque Hyangwonjeong Pavilion (향원정)

This hexagonal pavilion was constructed by order of King Gojong on an artificial

island in a lake (Hyangwonji) and was connected to the palace grounds by a bridge.

Hyangwonjeong means ‘Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance’

 and Chwihyanggyo bridge translates as ‘Bridge Mesmerized with Fragrance’


Geoncheonggung (건청궁)

Jangandang is a part of Geongcheonggung. living quarter of Gojong, the last emperor.
King Gojong built this palace (gung) inside Gyeongbokgung (palace) in 1873.
I particularly like this unpainted wooden quarter, but there's sad story behind it

Too bad we're late to join the free guided tour. I really recommended this free tour because we're just wandering around over 40 hectares of this palace but not knowing what are the purposes of each halls.  We joined Changdeokgung free guided tour in our previous trip and we can really appreciate and learn more about this historical site. The guide will show you around and briefly explain some of the major buildings with their functions and their own stories behind them. It's available in English and other languages too.

We missed out Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (경회루) on another side of the palace




and walked pass this National Folk Museum, located on the Gyeongbokgung grounds.


National Folk Museum with blue-tiled 5-story pagoda on top of it.

This photo was taken when we just arrived... still full of energy and smiles.

But, they decided to go out and had dinner as they're tired and hungry...

2.  Tosokchon (토속촌)

Chicken stew with Wild Mountain Ginseng

Tosokchon is famous for their Samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup). Samgyetang is a whole spring chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng and other healthy ingredients like jujube, garlic, ginkgo nut and different types of medicinal herbs and and grains. It makes Samgyetang not only delicious but also healthy because each ingredient of samgyetang has its own special functions. Ginseng is effective in tackling multiple symptoms, rejuvenates body, boosts metabolism, reduces stress, treats diabetes, improve respiratory illnesses, and many more.

Koreans especially enjoy eating it on three hottest days in July and August, called Chobok (초복), Jungbok (중복) and Malbok (말복) for restoring their stamina and health due to exhausted of the summer heat.

Tosokchon restaurant

Tosokchon is located near Gyungbokgung. You can easily identify this unique Hanok style restaurant. It's quite big with few halls/rooms. You need to take off your shoe, as you'll sit and eat on the floor.

We ordered Chicken stew with ginseng (15,000 won) and another one with wild mountain Ginseng (21,000 won). Basically it's the same chicken stew, just additional a small bottle of wild ginseng to pour on the soup for Chicken Stew with wild ginseng.

They also served 2 small cups of ginseng wine... I like the taste of ginseng wine.

We reached around 5:45pm, and it was quite crowded... and very fast our room was fully occupied with the rest of the customers. It's better to avoid lunch and dinner hours.

You can see the immediate effect after healthylicious Samgyetang...

Cute and happy faces! LOL!!!

3.  Caffe Bene

to make them even happier and wider smiles...  but they couldn't smile,

 as they couldn't scoop and eat until I finished taking photos. Hahaha... sorry~!



Caffé bene served this sweet and tasty bingsu (빙수= shaved ice usually with sweet red beans, nuts, or fruits toppings). It's our favourite dessert as a small treat after tired walking...

Actually we wanted to order 3 glasses of bingsu, but the staff kept saying that it's very big glass.... So we ordered Green Tee Bingu and Oreo Bingsu... and the cute staff still told us that it's very big glass and showed us the glass. Maybe she was afraid that we're unable to finish them and wasting food. But, we insisted to order 2 glasses and finished them cleanly :P

Then, we rushed to Kyunghyang Newspaper Building to catch Fantastick show. But there's no show on 8pm. Actually, I'd asked my Korean friend to reserve it, but blamed me that didn't ask him the timing and thought it's only one show on 8pm everyday. But, actually they have 2 shows (5pm and 8pm). So, we changed it to 5pm show the next day.

Since it's cancelled, we just went back to Capt. Ryan's nest to rest and pack our luggage as it's our last night in Seoul...

And today is the last day of 2013... and before 2013 ends, I would like to thank all of you, who made this 2013 beautiful for me.

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and fantastic year ahead. 새해 복 많이 받으세요~! Cheers...^^

Related Posts:

~ Samcheongdong has Something for Everyone~!

~ Bukchon Hanok Village  

~ Insight Into Insadong

~ [Trazy] Gyeongbokgung palace 경복궁

~ [Trazy] Tosokchon Samgyetang 토속촌 삼계탕