Lenimida

Fortunately, I don’t live with Celiac disease. If I did, I would cry everyday...because I happen to LOVE gluten! However, lately I’ve been taking some oriental medicine that recommends against consuming wheat products (anything containing flour in it). I understand that avoiding flour is not necessarily the same as being gluten-free (gluten contains much more than just simply flour), but I’ve been looking into gluten-free eating in Korea as a result of this recent food restriction. 

It is a lot harder to avoid gluten than it is in other parts of the world (namely, North America, where I’m from). 

I think it’s probably due to the fact that:

A) Most Korean foods are made with a gluten/starch base (i.e. Soy sauce, for example). 

B) Celiac is a much rarer disease here in Korea compared with in the U.S. 

Luckily, I stumbled across a handful of useful blogs about living gluten-free in my research, which have provided a list of “safe” Korean foods to eat if you are gluten-free. Including:

1) Bibimbap - essentially gluten-free, except if you are celiac you may still want to check that they haven’t added soy sauce to it. 

2) Samgypsal - one of the few meats in Korea that aren’t marinated in soy sauce (unlike bulgogi, or most pork dishes). 

3) Kimchi Jjigae and Sundubu Jjigae - Jjigaes (or stews) are pretty safe because they usually don’t contain soy sauce or flour. 

4) Kimbap and sushi - providing you don’t dip them in soy sauce! 

5) Mexican food - some places will offer a 100% corn flour tortilla/taco. You can still get a salad bowl even if they don’t offer those! 

6) Ddeok - steamed rice cakes can be made with rice flour OR a mixture of rice and wheat flour - so you should be careful! Contrary to what you may believe, Ddeokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes sold as a popular street food snack) is USUALLY made with wheat flour (and is NOT gluten-free)! You can also find some that are gluten-free, but it takes a bit of searching.

7) Pho - not sure if this is celiac-safe, but it’s mostly gluten-free providing that the noodles aren’t swapped with flour-noodles. (Living in Korea is tricky in that alot of places which claim to have “rice” products are actually using wheat flour instead of pure rice flour). 

Kakao Taxi is an app designed by the makers of the #1 messenging app in Korea, Kakao Talk. It’s basically a call Taxi service, acting like Uber throughout Korea (btw Uber isn’t available in this country). Here’s why you should use the app:

It’s completely free (and they won’t ask you to pay in order to unlock certain features)

It’s super straightforward and simple to use (no complicated registration process)

It tracks your location through GPS, and automatically fills in your address (in case you don’t know what it is in Korean)

It tracks and updates you on the real-time location of the taxi coming to you

You can connect it to your Kakao Talk account so that you can send your taxi number (as a safety precaution) to any of the friends on your contacts list, with the click of a button!

I made a video a few weeks ago (below) on how to use this app, but I thought it may be helpful to write out all the steps for you in a blog post as well.

Step-by-step guide to use Kakao Taxi:

1)     Download the app (search: Kakao Taxi) 

2)     Put in your departure address (출발) 

3)     Put in your arrival address (도착). Note: check that the approximate time and location indicated by the map is where you want to go. 

4)     Click on the yellow button 호출하기 to call your taxi. Once a taxi has accepted your request, the app will automatically connect you, and then you just have to wait (about 5-10 minutes usually) for it to arrive to your location.

For details, please watch the video above.

Good luck and safe travels in Korea!

One of the things I love best about living in Korea is the night life.

In Canada, unless I wanted to head to a pub or a club, there would be nothing really open after 9pm. The streets would be pretty much deserted...it’s a different case here. The streets of Korea are always bustling with activity, especially in areas like Hongdae in Seoul. 

Here are some of the things you can do in Korea after dinner...that don’t necessarily involve alcohol. 

1) Grilled meat restaurants. In Canada, it was typical for restaurants to rush us out promptly at 10pm. In Korea, there are restaurants that open 24/7! (And not a MacDonald’s). Here’s a photo for proof:

You can see people enjoying freshly grilled meat and Soju (Korea’s favorite alcohol) late into dawn.

2) Noraebangs (Singing Rooms). These are often open until 2am, but you can also find ones that run 24/7! There are two kinds of Noraebang enjoyed in Korea, one is a coin-operated singing room where you put in some cash and sing for a few songs of your choice. These are usually cheaper than normal Noraebangs, and are great for people who want to sing solo. 

The rooms are smaller, but at least you can hog the mike and choose your favorite songs! 

The other type of Noraebang are the regular ones, with bigger rooms that typically fit 4-5 people (sometimes more). They usually charge by the hour. Song selection in coin and normal Noraebangs tend to be similar. 

3) PC Rooms. These are essentially internet cafes, and are (unsurprisingly) enjoyed mostly by teens and college students. Most PC rooms are quite spacious, and include a large snack bar where you can purchase munchies to snack on while you hack away at the expensive gaming keyboards in front of the large PC screens that are provided. PC Rooms are usually open 24 hours so you’ll see a lot of teens sleeping there through the night. 

4) DVD Rooms. These are essentially places where you can rent a movie to watch in a private room. The rooms include a large projectile screen, and a large couch (more like a leather bed) that would fit 2 people comfortably. Snacks like crackers and soda are often provided at a service (free of charge), with bigger snacks (like ramen) available for purchase. It’s usually 10,000 for a movie, but the good thing is you can request to switch movies at no additional cost (say the first 5 minutes sucked, you don’t have to sit through the whole thing). 

Next time you’re in Korea, try one of these activities after dinner. It’s probably the only place you’ll be able to enjoy this kind of night life! 

I have to start by saying that I am not a baseball fan…or a fan of any sport for that matter. I’ve never liked playing sports, and watching it just puts me to sleep.

DESPITE that, I was actually excited to attend a baseball game in Korea. This is mostly in part due to having watched several vlogs on YouTube where it seemed like one of the most recommended activities to do while in Korea. I don’t know how it is in America, but coming from Canada (where baseball isn’t a big thing) I was very surprised to hear how popular baseball games are among Koreans. Many Korean women have also told me it’s quite a fun event to attend (despite telling me they don’t play any sports and have no particular interest in baseball). So…I thought I would give it a chance and decided to go with my friends one fine weekend.

It was a lovely sunny day, but despite that it wasn’t too hot (it’s still spring after all) – perfect day for baseball games. That may be one of the reasons that the outside of the stadium was PACKED. The line to the ticket booth was fairly long, but it went surprisingly quick. We waited maybe 10-15 minutes in line. However, by the time we got to the ticket booth, all the good tickets (AKA the seats for the home team) were gone. The friend who took me was very eager to get the best seats possible, so we paid for close to front row seats. Unfortunately…we still had to be placed in the section for the guest team (where there was dramatically less team spirit).

I may have enjoyed it a little (or a lot) more if we were sitting in the home team section…where the roar of their cheers could be heard from all the way at the opposite side of the stadium where we were seated. Everyone there was waving banners or glow sticks with the team color…and we could see a sea of orange (which I assumed was due to everyone wearing the team jersey).

Another reason I did not enjoy it much was because the game was teeeerrribly long. The whole game took more than 3 hours to finish. 3 hours for someone who knew nothing about baseball to watch….was nothing but torturous! ㅠㅠ

Even I did enjoy some parts though. The kiss and dance cams were hilarious. Koreans at baseball games are definitely NOT shy, I’ll tell you that! (Or maybe they had one too many beers). The energy and vibe throughout were amazing!

If you enjoy baseball though, I definitely recommend going to a baseball game in Korea. My friend (who isn’t Korean) had a lot of fun, and she said it’s better than watching a game in America. Make sure you get the seats in the section for the home team though!

On Saturday I had the chance to attend my first Korean wedding, thanks to a fellow EPIK teacher who is getting married here in Korea. She is from Vancouver, like myself, and has finally tied the knot with her Korean boyfriend after dating him for 4 years.

It was not only my first Korean wedding, but my first time attending a friend’s wedding (anywhere)! 

If you’ve ever attended a friend’s wedding, you will know that it is one of the most touching things to witness...and even though I haven’t known this friend for long and we weren’t the closest, I was so moved I almost shed tears on the spot. 

I won’t go into too much detail about their love story, but I will share with you my experience as a foreigner attending a Korean wedding. If by chance you get invited to one in Korea, here’s what you can expect: 

1. Korean weddings are extremely fast.

The bride awaits in a “Bride Room” and takes pictures for half an hour with her girlfriends before the actual wedding starts. 

Korean weddings are often booked one after another in wedding halls. When I arrived at the hall, there was another wedding currently taking place, and 10 minutes before my friend’s wedding started, they switched out the sign at the entrance for the new couple! When we left the wedding hall to go to the buffet, I saw that the sign was once again replaced (for the next couple). 

The wedding ceremony took around half an hour (including group photos). I spent another half hour at the buffet....so in total I spent no more than 1.5 hours at my friend’s wedding!

2. You should bring an envelope filled with money for the new couple, as a (mandatory) congratulatory gift. 

The money is a strictly upheld tradition, and the envelope acts as your entrance ticket to the wedding (and the following buffet). 

There are a few rules to stick to when it comes to preparing the money (this is what I got from Google, don’t quote me): 

- The amount should be: 30,000 won, 50,000 won, or 100,000 won. More than 100,000 won could (and likely would) be prepared if you’re close with the couple or the family. 50,000 won is the most standard for acquaintances or friends, and 30,000 won is the minimum (if you’re not working, this is the minimum expected of you). That’s the amount I gave. 

- The money should be prepared in an envelope, preferably white, containing just the money (no cards or anything)

- Preferably, bills should be crisp. If you’re giving 50,000 or 100,000, it’s better to hand out one bill rather than dividends of 10,000 won. 

- Your name should be written on the envelope. The wedding hosts use it as a way to check your attendance. 

In case you’re wondering, the envelope doesn’t actually get delivered to the couple, but rather to relatives of the couple staffing the entrance table (where all the envelopes are received and names checked off). 

3. The catching of the bouquet is a predetermined matter!

I always imagined the catching of the bouquet to be like the scenes from Hollywood movies, where the bridesmaids huddle together, waiting to catch the throw bouquet. 

In this wedding though, a single girl was picked out to stand behind the bride to catch the lightly tossed bundle of flowers. I assume the bride picks out someone prior to the actual ceremony so it’s not so much fuss and drama at the scene. 

All in all, it was a very unique experience, and I had my fill of good food at the buffet! 

I hope all the best for the new couple! 

Worried what happens when you get sick, all alone, in Korea? 

Being sick sucks. Regardless where you are. But, if you’re an EPIK teacher in Korea, you don’t have to worry about going broke at the hospital at least! 

All EPIK teachers are covered by Korean National Healthcare Insurance (a portion of your pay every month is automatically deducted and put forth towards it). It’s not big money...around 30,000 won a month.

This doesn’t mean you can waltz in and out of a hospital without paying a cent...but it’s definitely NOT very costly. 

I pay about 3,000 won for every time I see the doctor. Extra for any tests (X-ray, blood test, etc.) and medicine. 

I’ve taken a few X-rays in my time at Korea, and they cost under 10,000 won generally. I can’t say about MRIs or CTs as I’ve not had them done yet (fortunately)...but I hear they are more expensive. 

One very lovely thing about Healthcare in Korea (aside from being inexpensive) is that it is very convenient to find a hospital around you. THERE ARE JUST SO MANY. Plus, most doctors are very well-versed in English (more so than the general Korean population).

A thing to note, there are two kinds of hospitals: one are local hospitals/clinics, which can be general or (typically) specialized, in dentistry or ENT, for example. The other are large, university hospitals. These are hospitals with all the wards (Psychiatry to Obgyn.) in one. 

Where I’m from, Canada, we call the university hospitals hospitals, and the smaller ones clinics. Here in Korea, they’re all called 병원, or hospitals. 

You can enter either kind, and be covered for the costs by your healthcare insurance...however keep in mind that the larger hospitals will be more expensive (for the same kind of procedure). 

Oftentimes, you can get the exact same treatments done in the smaller, local hospitals. Sometimes, you’re advised to visit the larger hospitals (for certified physical exams, the kind you need for your visa renewal, you have to go to a large hospital). 

For more information, check out my video on the subject here.

My YouTube channel, lenimida. 

It’s around this time last year that I came to Korea, with my two bulky suitcases of things that I hoped would get me through the year (or at least the first month), prepared using only the knowledge from vlogs of other expats living in Korea.

So, it’s time for me to share my knowledge with all of you, who are going to be sitting on your living room floor, heaps of personal belongings piled around you, wondering how you can fit your lifetime’s worth of memories and collections into two suitcases with a maximum weight capacity of 40kg.

From my experience, I can tell you that what you definitely DON’T want to be doing is even attempting to bring everything that you THINK you will need into your bags.

If you’re coming to Korea with EPIK, you will be here for (at least) a year…or perhaps more like me. It’s just physically impossible to fit everything you need into two suitcases (or even 3!).

I’ll give you a list of items that I think you NEED to bring and that would be BEST to bring, based on my knowledge and personal experience.

What you NEED to bring are things that will get you through your flight (and a couple of layovers perhaps), as well as your FIRST WEEK in Korea. During your EPIK Orientation, you most likely won’t be able to go outside of the training facility…and depending on where that it, you may not be able to buy anything last minute.

NEED TO BRING:

-       Chargers (for your Phone, iPad, laptop, other electronic essentials) – if you forget the cord to your devices, you may NOT be able to find a replacement in Korean stores (some models aren’t made in Korea or aren’t compatible with Korean devices)

-       A plug adapter so you can use your electronics and chargers in Korea

-       Passport and any necessary visa documents (obviously)

-       A copy of your TESOL/TEFL certification, and other education certification requested by EPIK (trust me, it would be a pain to have to get someone to mail it to you later)

-       Toiletries and change of clothes for ONE WEEK (or more)

-       Any medication you NEED (you may not be able to even a replacement, even with a doctor’s prescription)

SHOULD BRING (things you may not find/be difficult to find in Korea):

-       Deodorant (harder to find and expensive in Korea)

-       Fitted sheets (for a twin/double bed)

-       Specialized skincare (prescription or organic)

-       Specialized clothing/shoes (if you are on the big side, it may be hard for you to find your size)

-       Herbs or foods/snacks you can’t live without (Korean supermarkets don’t have a very extensive foreign foods section…and even if you could find what you want, it will be 3x more expensive!)

That’s pretty much it! It’s possible I’ve missed some things…but honestly most things you CAN buy in Korea. If you aren’t a particularly picky person, it will be quite easy for you to get used to living in Korea! ^^

I also have a YouTube channel (search “lenimida”), where I share my tips and experiences on living in Korea, learning Korean language and culture, as well as beauty and food trends in Korea. 

Here’s the video I made on packing for Korea:

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, but unfortunately it's not a huge deal in Korea. 

 If you live in Seoul, where there are more foreigners (and where it's got more Western influence), you can probably find most places decorated in the holiday spirit, and there's probably more holiday activities (such as Ice Skating) you can partake it. 

 If you're in any other city (even the second largest city, Busan), there's probably not much holiday spirit...maybe not even a large tree you can snap photos with! 

 I've made a few lovely (Korean) friends here in Korea, and I thought it would be a waste to NOT introduce the Christmas culture, being one of their (few) foreigner friends. So here are some of the ideas I have for helping to spread the Christmas cheer to Koreans around you (friends or coworkers)!

 1) Invite them over for a Christmas meal

 This doesn't have to happen on Christmas day. You can do a poll among your friends/coworkers for a day that they are free (in this jolly month), and decide on a day that works best. 

Take this chance to decorate your place with wreaths, ornaments, a tree, and some scented candles...if that helps you get into the spirit! 

If you love to cook, you can call for a potluck. If not, there's always delivery! 

 2) Play Christmas music 

 Create a playlist with your favorite Christmas songs, and play it in your classroom (if your co-teachers aren't offended by it), or invite your friends over during the holidays and play some background music for mood. 

 If you're lazy like me, you can easily find many pre-made tracks on Youtube (4 hours long!).

 3) Tis the season of GIFTing

 One of the best things about Christmas is the exchange of material goods....and of course warm sentimental thoughts ;) 

 It's the thought that counts...so no need to break the bank. Simply giving a handwritten Christmas card to those you care about works. If you're crafty, how about making a batch of cute gift bags: 

 Link on Pinterest here.

 Link on Pinterest here.

If you're in Busan, check this out: Octopus shaped sausage cheese dogs!!! There's always a line but it's worth it!

Korea is a very homogeneous country in that more than 90% of the people living in Korea are....well, Korean. If you've just landed in the country, it won't take you long to observe that point. And just how Korean Korea is only becomes increasingly more evident the longer you live in the country. 

From what I've come to understand, Korea is almost unprecedented in how much it has changed dramatically within a short period of time, whether it's economically or culturally. Following, while Koreans are at the forefront of innovation in some ways, they also retain many of their ancestral traditions. If you plan to live and work here in South Korea, my word of advice is to learn their cultural customs and display your knowledge as much as you can. 

Here is some basic Korean etiquette you should know. 

1. Outside Shoes Should Not Be Worn Inside.If you're working in Korea at a school, you should know that it's proper etiquette to change into indoor shoes upon entering the school halls. 

Not sure what kind of shoes are considered indoor shoes? Clogs (typically worn by students), plastic slippers, or any kind of slip on shoes are good choices. Note that flats or running shoes would not be good choices, because it's hard to distinguish them from outdoor shoes. ​​

I've not yet worked in a Korean company, but I heard some offices also condone the use of using indoor shoes...but I assume it would all depend on the boss and also what role you have at work (if you're a hotel receptionist and facing clients all day...heels are probably the only thing you should be seen in.) 

Some Korean restaurants (the kind where you sit on the floor) also require you to take off shoes at the entrance-way. It goes without saying that you should remove your shoes when you enter someone's house. 

2. Sharing is Caring.Haven't your parents and kindergarten teachers always told you this? It's good to take those to heart when you're in Korea.

​​Korea is a very collectivist society, and sharing food is common practice. It's also good manners to offer food (and other goods) to those you work with, regardless of what it is. If you like to snack at work, bring enough to share with those in your office. If you're on a diet, what better way to help you shed the pounds than to distribute those high-calorie snacks at work. You can earn some brownie points along the way...killing two birds with one stone! 

3. Drinking Culture: Pour for Others and Never Drink Alone. This is more for the company life...if you're drinking with close friends you guys can both have a bottle to yourself and probably not be offended. 

When you're at a hwisik (company dinner) and drinking with your colleagues, especially if your superiors are present, you should be following these rules: Always pour for your (older) drinking partners, and expect that they will pour for you in return. Don't grab the bottle to pour for yourself! 

If you really want to seem like a pro, here are some other tips to demonstrate perfect Korean drinking culture: - hold the cup with both hands- hold the bottle with both hands- wait for the other person to take hold of their cups, and down the shot together- turn your face slightly away from the other person while taking your shot

Confused? See me demonstrate in the video below.  ​

4. Notify others before you leave work. It’s proper manners to say goodbye to your colleagues as you’re leaving work, and it doesn’t hurt to acknowledge others for their hard work with a “수고하세요”! If you need to leave work early, it’s important to tell your coworkers as well (not just your boss/principle). It’s better they hear it from you directly than having to look around for you right??

5. Attend company events (such as hwesiks). Where you come from it’s probably very casual and optional to attend company dinners or “drinks after work”, but in Korea it’s essentially mandatory. Unless you have an actual home or medical emergency...you’re expected to be there. 

6. Receiving things. Always hold things with two hands - when you’re giving someone something or receiving something. This is a sign of respect, so it’s important to exhibit these manners when dealing with those older than you or in a respected place. You don’t need to worry about this when you’re with close friends of course.

7. Gift your office with your first paycheque. I don’t mean you have to spend your whole paycheck, but something simple and small such as a dozen donuts to share at the office would surely be appreciated!

Emoticon characters are the craze~~~ left: LINE app, right: Kakao app.