COOKand (Gyeongju)
Review by Stephen Speers, ETA ’15-’16 City: Gyeongju Restaurant Name: COOKand Foods Served: Italian Restaurant Address: 경북 경주시 노동동 14번지 (Just Naver cookand) View Map Directions: Luckily, the restaurant will pop up if you type “cookand” into Naver! The establishment is right by the tombs downtown. If you’re heading from the train station, walk four streets down in the opposite direction and turn left and continue until the tombs are on your left. From the bus terminal, you can walk down the main street (heading towards the train terminal) and turn left after the second tomb! Your walk from either location should be a nice five to ten minute stroll! Cost: $$- Considering that Italian food tends to be quite expensive in Korea, I would say that COOKand is a pretty great deal. The meals are in the neighborhood of 9,000-12,000 won and they serve sangrias and glasses of wine for around 6,000 won! If you plan to dine and drink then I would go expecting to spend around 18,000-20,000 won. (Hey– they do throw in a free fortune cookie 😉 ) [slideshow_deploy id=’4045′] Atmosphere / Decor: COOKand is the epitome of cute meets Italian food. The restaurant looks like something you’d find on a girl’s artsy tumblr page— meaning, it’s creatively designed with a unique color palette, has some hipsterish photos pinned on the walls, and there’s a minimal nature-y vibe going on. But what really set’s this place apart from other restaurants in Korea is that you can view historic tombs just outside the window! The green tombs provide a beautiful backdrop to your delicious Italian meal in Korea. Wait time: I think lunch or early evening is the best time to go, so that you can see the gorgeous hobbit-like tombs in the sunlight. The restaurant also lights up quite nicely too. Service: I wish every menu in Korea was like COOKand’s— it is in English WITH photos for each meal! How perfect. It’s also a small little flip book which is creative (tumblr-esque~). Ordering can be as simple as pointing and reading aloud! Also— make sure to note that they sometimes have specials of the day on a board. Specialties: You’re coming to COOKand for the Italian cuisine and possibly the affordable wine and sangrias! The Sangrias are fruity and tasty as ever. I strongly recommend one for the wait, one for the meal, and who knows— maybe one for dessert? The menu is full of great options to fulfill any pasta lover’s desire. Personally, I love cream sauces so I always go for the shrimp with white cream sauce. However, they also have some fresh tasting olive oil dishes, tomato-based pasta sauces, and so on. I’ve frequented the establishment four times and I always order the same meal— but I also always enjoy whatever I sample from my guest! Also, at the end they provide you with fortune cookies. But beware, the fortune cookies are only in Korean. So unless the power of Korean flows strong with you, then you may feel sad like me wondering what the fortune possibly could have been. Or make a game of it and create your own fortune (wealth, love, fame, world domination)! Why I always come back: I always come back to COOKand for the affordable Sangrias and because I really miss pasta. Honestly, the pasta is also much better than whatever I can muster up at home. I hope to go someday with a coteacher… maybe they’ll translate my fortune cookie ^.^
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!