Venzamas (Gyeongju)
Review by Stephen Speers, ETA ’15-’16 City: Gyeongju Restaurant Name: Venzamas Foods Served: Coffee, Bingsu, Cheesecake Restaurant Address: 경상북도 경주시 동천동 160 View Map Directions: The establishment is in Gyeongju, on the opposite side of the river from downtown. To find the location, it is best to look it up on Naver (벤자마스). The easiest way to access the cafe is to take the taxi, which will take approximately 4-5 minutes from the train station and around 4,000 won (add 1-2 minutes from bus terminal). Or, you may take bus 70 to cross the bridge then walk around 5-10 minutes (best to keep your Naver app open to bus 70 if you choose this option). Cost: Venzmas’ prices are a good deal considering how high end the establishment feels. Coffees and desserts are priced slightly more than chain cafes, ranging around 4,500-7,000 won for a coffee. Their cheesecake is only around 5,000 won! [slideshow_deploy id=’3635′] Atmosphere / Decor Ever want to feel like you own an expensive mansion in Beverly Hills, where you can sit inside or outside drinking a perfect cup of coffee? Perhaps the Fulbright budget doesn’t cut it for your Hollywood dreams but Venzamas is a close alternative. The cafe is very modern and contemporary (Okay, so I don’t understand the difference— but once you’re there, it won’t really matter. You’ll be too busy taking photos and selfies). The cafe is designed by a famous Korean architect. As you walk in, you first feel like you’re walking into a fine mansion. You’ll find the counter on the first floor with a display case filled with various styles of cheesecake. The main building has two floors, including a private room. There is also a very nice outside patio with what appears to be an empty little swimming pool filled with glass beads. Another small glass building is in Venzamas’ backyard, and it is the perfect spot for a small group to conquer. Due to the success of the establishment, there are also three cafes to the side of Venzamas imagined by the same brilliant designer. Whether or not you dine at these locations, you should definitely stroll by and see their unique designs. Wait time While Venzamas is always busy, it is also QUITE large. If the main establishment is full, then there are three accompanying cafes designed by the same architect and their menus are similar. In my history, I’ve never waited longer than five minutes for my coffee and dessert (bingsu may take slightly longer). Service The service is excellent. The menu is in both English and Korean (typical cafe konglish-ish). It’s very easy to order at the counter. They’ll give you a buzzer as per usual. Specialties Venzamas is famous for its melon bingsu. That being said, I have not actually tried it! I can never pass up the opportunity for coffee and cheesecake. But, you should totally try it and I’ll include a photo of it so you can plot its demise (*I did not take this specific photo). You cannot go wrong with any of their coffees. There’s something for all coffeeholics— hot, iced, frozen. They have one coffee that’s loaded with marshmallows and my sweet tooth loves it. I strongly recommend the raspberry drizzled New York styled cheesecake to accompany your coffee. High class. You won’t regret it. Why I always come back This is the most famous cafe in Gyeongju and many tourists mark it as a stop after their visits to Cheomseongdae. I have surprised friends by taking them to this cool spot and they’re always quite impressed. I often go with teachers too— so even locals cannot pass this place up!
Chongwon Restaurant (Uiseong)
Review by Jonathan Balmer, ETA ’15-’16 City: Uiseong Restaurant Name: Chongwon Restaurant Foods Served: Vintage Korean diner food Restaurant Address: 29 Dongseo 2-gil, Uiseong-eup, Euiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do View Map Directions: The restaurant is on a fairly large street (relative to Uiseong). If you are at the bus station, turn right. There will be a fork in the road leading to Munso 3-gil and Guncheong-gil. Take the end which leads to Guncheong-gil. You will pass the 7-11 (with its very bright lights) as you do this. Continue down the street. You will pass Mr. Breeze Coffee and then Uiseong Elementary school (on your right) as well as the county government offices (on your left). Keep going until you reach an intersection which is after you pass Tous Les Jours (on your left) and before you get to Parris Baguette (on your right). You will go down Dongseo 2-gil. Not long after you turn, on your left (and on the SECOND–2nd– floor) is Chong won restaurant. Here are the directions from the bus station. Cost: 8,000-16,000 W for an entree and sides. [slideshow_deploy id=’3645′] I arrived on a Monday night with my English conversation group. There was no wait, but the place was not a ghost town either. The first thing you notice is the 80’s decor and the tacky toys and knickknacks ranging from a baby doll with sunglasses, to Pokemon toys (and very recent ones at that), to advertisements of American beer. There are rooms with curtains which house booths or chairs with tables if you want a more private area. Or there are the more public tables by windows overlooking Uiseong. We chose the plush green chairs in the middle of the restaurant around large round tables. While there was a smaller TV in the side of the restaurant, the owner projected a television up front as well. There was what appeared to be a full bar. I did not drink, so I am not sure. The atmosphere was a bizarre mix of sports bar (large TV), vintage restaurant (decor) and diner (the food style). And I absolutely loved it! With Uiseong offering mostly traditional Korean barbecues and fried chicken selections, this was a welcome change of pace. Chong Won oozed small town spunk– no reservation needed. The restaurant was clean. Someone I was with went to the restroom and came back without complaints, but I cannot vouch personally for their cleanliness. I can vouch for the quality of the food. Your food comes with a generous entree, sides such as apples, the ubiquitous white rice, and a few other “leafy bits” (a term I’ve picked up for sides) that make it a nice mix of diner food. No chopsticks were given here. Beef soup was for our appetizer and then forks, knives, and plates came out for the main course. Unfortunately, I was so busy eating my 돈까스 (of which there several varieties from cheese to garlic pork cutlet), that I forgot to take a picture. My particular entree cost 8 or 9,000 won. It is fairly priced for a good sit down experience in a one-of-a-kind restaurant. Since it is on the 2nd floor off the main drag, you even get the “only the locals know” feel about the place. The wait staff did not speak English, but they were patient and understood my horribly accented Korean. Anyone with a phrasebook or a smartphone could easily eat here. After the meal I ordered coffee and the owner gave us not after dinner mints but a full basket of different candies. It was delightful. I will definitely be back. If anyone ever visits me in Uiseong, I’ve found my go-to place to treat them!
Raracost
Review by Kristen O’Brien, ETA ’14-’16 City: Gumi Restaurant Name: Raracost Foods Served: Italian Restaurant Address: 경상북도 구미시 신시로7길 21 View Map Directions: If you get off/start at the bus stop 대동아파트 you walk straight along the main road (금오대로). It’s along the left side. Cost: 7,000~16,000 won [slideshow_deploy id=’3607′] Raracost is a chain family restaurant, but it’s particularly popular in Gumi, and in the 경북 region of Korea. The food is “Italian” and serves pizza, pasta, steak, pilaf, salad, and pork cutlets. They also offer a lot of appetizers and side dishes which include garlic croissants and french fries. I love Raracoste because the food is delicious, but it’s also super inexpensive. The most expensive items are the pizza. The restaurant is always rather large with plenty of seating, and the best part is that fountain drinks are free. They have orange soda, coke, and mountain dew. After you finish, you can also enjoy free coffee or tea. My favorite dishes are the blueberry pork steak and steak pizza. The steak is only pork steak, but it tastes really good!