Andeok-Myeon - Under the Dam (담아래)

Address: 서귀포시 안덕면 창천리 843-19
Address: 843-19 Changcheon-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si
Website: http://underthedam.modoo.at/?link=ehbb9z52  
Vegetarian: Nope
Price Range: 15,000
Alcohol: They advertise Makkoli (막걸리; Rice wine) for sure
Hours: 11:00 - 17:00 (last order)
Parking: Nearby parking lots

One of my comfort Korean foods has proven hard to find in my area of the island while also a seemingly common food: the stone bowl bibimbap (돌솥비빔밥). In case you are not yet in the know, bibimbap is rice, vegetables, maybe a fried or raw egg, and (optional) meat served in a bowl with red chili paste (고추장; Go-chu-jang). It's a very simple, clean meal. The only difference with stone bowl bibimbap is that the dish is served in a hot stone bowl. As a result, the food stays hot longer and a layer of rice starts to go nice and crispy. Yum!

With the help of one of my friends, we found a somewhat nearby restaurant in Dae-pyeong-ri (대평리) that has a stone bowl bibimbap on the menu and decided to check it out.

Preface: this wasn't exactly the bibimbap I was looking for, but it was still a tasty and fun experience.

Welcome to Under the Dam (담아래; dam-ah-rae)!

This is a small restaurant with only a handful of tables. My friend and I beat the lunch rush by maybe 5 or 10 minutes and then they asked people to wait outside until a spot was ready.

As is the trend in small-scale Korean restaurants and cafes, the decor was très cute and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere.

Decorations on the wall of the restaurant

I often wonder where all these retro-looking (English) advertisements come from because I've seen them in a number of cafe/restaurants. Under the Dam also had a thing for flamingoes.

Ariel, chilling by the cash register.

No English menu was offered but here is the Korean one below. There are four main options. Following the menu from left to right, the first option includes shrimp and rice with egg and soy sauce. The second option is rice with kimchi and pork. Third is mushroom heaven and then the last option has a type of shellfish.

Under the Dam's Menu

While I would have preferred a traditional stone bowl bibimbap with more vegetables (and beef), the food was very satisfying. I especially liked the variety in the side dishes, which included brussel sprouts and eggplant. Those are not traditional side dishes that I've seen at other restaurants.

The side dishes.

My friend ordered the shrimp and rice with egg and soy sauce. The parts arrived separately and then you can mix however much rice you want into the sauce. I tried a bite and was surprised to say that I liked it, too.

Option #1 - Shrimp and rice with egg and soy sauce.

I ordered kimchi! Spicy rice for me. The bowl arrived with that delightful crackle and sizzle and I almost burned my mouth, so anxious was I to dig in. Very filling and satisfying.

Kimchi and Pork in rice.

After you've gotten as much rice as you can out of the stone bowl, you are left with the crispy remains along the bottom. For this, they give you hot water which you can slowly pore in. The water loosens the grains and makes it easier to eat. The consistency also becomes a bit more like a porridge, but not quite.

My friend scrapping out the rest of her rice.

This small restaurant was a nice find in one of the little coastal villages. It's a refreshing change in the day-to-day's going pace with just the right amount of comfort food.

Love and Hugs

Andeok-Myeon - Cafe Sagye 80°

Address: 서귀포시 안덕면 사계리 ~255-9

Address: 255-9 Sagye-ri, Andeok-Myeon, Seogwipo City
This restaurant is so new that it's not actually in the map software yet and I had to add it to google.
Serves Alcohol: Yes.
Vegetarian: They have pastas at dinner time, but I think they have meat.
Price Range: Max price for food is around 16,000 and beverages are under 6,000.
Hours: 10:30-23:00
Parking: Small lot and street parking.

Driving west from the SanBangSan Temple and voilà! Le Café!

Inside the Sagye 80°

I wanted to post about this cafe-restaurant sooner, but when I first went, they only had one menu item (I'm pretty sure my friend and I went only a week or so after they opened!). I also had trouble classifying it into the categories that I'm used to. I mean, it has all the beverage choices of a cafe with choice desserts, but then there are the more complex meals and a pub-like atmosphere. I spent a couple of hours here last week working on my laptop, too.

Definitely a versatile space.

Front Cash

At this point in time, I don't know if they have a menu written in English, but if you can sound out Korean syllables, a lot of the names are koreanized spellings of English words (for example: 브런치 becomes Buh-run-chi or Brunch and 카페모카 becomes Ca-pe Mo-ca or Caffe Mocha).

Aside from the beverages, they have a Brunch Menu available from 11 until 15:30 and then a dinner menu. Brunch items (according to the picture below) are Pork Cutlet, the Sagye 80° Brunch, and Morning Bread with tangerine jam. The dinner menu includes Cream Pasta, Tomato Pasta and again Pork Cutlet.

As they write the items on this black board, I wonder if that means that they will also play with their available items and experiment with some new ones, too.

What I do know is that it has a killer view.

View from the window of Sagye 80°.

 Most of the cafes or restaurants that I frequent in this area are right along the coast and I do love that, but as my friend and I climbed the stairs and found ourselves staring out these windows, I couldn't help but appreciate the genius of the location. This cafe offers a whole new perspective on an area that I love.

What's more, is that once warmer weather hits, it looks like they will also have that rooftop patio vibe going as well. Yes please!

Now for some food pictures (Why else would this matter, right? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ).

Pork Cutlet

Starting with the Pork Cutlet. The portion size was pretty good and my friend and I actually split one and still found it quite filling (especially as I also ordered a strawberry smoothy!). The breading was nice and crisp and the meat was really tender.

Brunch Set

Compared to North America standards, this brunch set might seem a little small, and a bit more expensive, but for more western-style food, the price is generally higher in Korea. Still, the food was filling and really delicious. I am also biased toward well-done taters and these were some good potatoes. 

Still, if you are looking for a new place to try as a one-off or a new place to haunt, definitely check out this cafe.

Until the next adventure!

Love and Hugs

P.S. Here are two more images of a couple beverages:

One of the "Ade" beverages. Reminder that in Korea this means carbonated.

Strawberry smoothy. Not the best I've had, but still good. 

Andeok-Myeon - Green Tea Noodles

Address: 서귀포시 안덕면 사계남로 195
Address: 195 Sagye-ri, Andeok-Myeon, Seogwipo
Vegetarian: Not sure. I think all broths are animal based.
Price Range: One bowl for 7,000.
Hours: Exact Hours, unknown but I have been for both lunch and dinner.
Parking: 5-6 spots out front. Street parking available.

If you live in the GEC and you have driven to cafes/restaurants with friends or on your own, you have probably passed this small restaurant. Maybe you knew what it was, but maybe, like me, you had no idea what kind of gem hidden under your nose. I've been here a few times now and love not only the food but the warm people who prepare it for you.

The front of the restaurant is void of food pictures unlike many other restaurants in Korea.

In English, the name sounds like "Lee-Han-Kal-Guk-Soo" and this is a noodle restaurant. Specifically Green Tea Noodles. The first floor of the building is the restaurant while above is a guesthouse/pension. The restaurant is divided into two main rooms--a seating area next to the kitchen and then a larger area next to a small greenhouse and pond (super nice in warmer weather!).

Kitchen Area (also selling jams, honeys and tangerine chips).

Inside the greenhouse area, sit beside this small pond.

Upon hearing "Green Tea Noodles," you might think that it's a little strange, but trust me, it's delicious. The noodles have a slight green colour and a hint of flavour but it is not overwhelming and balances out the taste in the dishes. When I was last there, I got to see how the cook freshly cut my noodles before preparing them in a pot. So cool.

Currently, they have three main dishes:

• Kongguksu (콩국수). A seasonal dish with a soy milk broth. I haven't had this one yet but I hope to try it eventually.

• Deul-Ggae Kal-Guk-Su (들깨 칼국수). I've been trying to find out what "Deul-Ggae" is and and I think it translates to Perilla Seeds, but then I don't really know what those are either. I really like this one, though, and have had it a few times.

Bowl of "Deul-Ggae" Green Tea Noodles. 

I was so eager to eat that I quickly scooped some into my bowl.

• Bo-Mal Kal-Guk-Su (보말 칼국수). I don't know what the official name is in English, but Bomal refers to a small crustacean/sea-shell creature. The broth has more of a fish flavour, too. I have had this one and enjoy it occasionally, but not as much as the "Deul-Ggae."

Bomal Noodles, garnished with seaweed.

The portions are on the larger end and you could easily split one with a friend (or try two between 2-3 people) and get coffee or ice cream after. (Just walk down the street to Salon de 소자 38 or to another nearby coffee shop!).

What I really like about this restaurant is that it's not something I've seen a lot of other places. I mean, I have been to a number of different noodle restaurants around Korea, but I have visited only one other restaurant with Green Tea noodles. It's a fun change and if you can, definitely give it a chance!

Until next time,

Love and Hugs.

Moseulpo - Gosari Kitchen

Address: 서귀포시 대정읍 하모중앙로 77
Address: 77 Hamo-Joongan-ro, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo
Facebook: No official page found
Vegetarian: I don't think anything is meat or seafood free, sorry.
Hours: 11:00-24:00
Price Range: Around ~10,000 per meal
Parking: Street Parking; Neighbourhood Parking

Are you looking for a low-key restaurant with good food and a good atmosphere? Do you eat meat/seafood? This might be the place for you!

Gosari's front entrance is not super flashy or exciting and if you aren't looking, you might miss it.

Gosari Kitchen (고사리키친) is a pork cutlet restaurant, known as donkkaseu (돈까스) in Korean. There are other menu items available (mainly pastas), but the restaurant advertises as a pork cutlet outlet. Ha. Cutlet Outlet. I just wanted to put those two words together.

Moving on. The name Gosari is related to fiddle head ferns and the restaurant's interior reflects this with hanging potted plants. I really like the atmosphere of this small restaurant. It feels nice and light and the staff were very nice both times that I visited.

Many ferns and small plants around the inside of the restaurant.

There are a couple of bigger "room" like areas for bigger parties, but the max you could fit is 8-10 (you can reserve these spaces).

I am no expert on donkkaseu, but a couple of my students and I went there last week and they said it was some of the best that they have ever had. Some high praise, I think. 

They have three different types: Original, Spicy and Oriental. You can then add cheese topping if you would like. I opted for the cheese because I thought it would help counteract the spice, just in case. The presentation definitely passes inspections. Looking good:

Spicy Pork Cutlet with Cheese Topping

Each cutlet is served with a bit of salad, pickles, a side of rice and a couple taters (the fancy plate is only when you get the cheese topping):

Oriental Pork Cutlet

Original Pork Cutlet

One of my students tried one of the pastas and another the risotto. The pasta passed, but the risotto is not recommended. Her verdict? It just didn't taste like a risotto.

Seafood pasta (I can't remember which one she ordered).

With this restaurant so close to my school, I hope to check it out again. Maybe I'll be brave enough to try the squid ink pasta next time!

Love and Hugs.

Andeok-Myeon - Manor Blanc

Address: 제주특별자치도 서귀포시 안덕면 덕수리 2952
Address: 2952 Deoksu-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jejucafe1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jejumanorblanc/ (some sweet pictures!)
Vegetarian: Options available.
Hours: 10:00-21:00
Price Range: You can buy individual items (prices very 3-10,000 KRW) or set items (Afternoon Tea Set for 2; 50,000 KRW).
Alcohol: Selections available.
Parking: There is parking behind and in front of the building.

This is one of the best finds--especially for a tea lover like me. It's not exactly on the main road either and if you were not purposefully driving here, you would not find it. In fact, it looks like you are heading heading into the woods or some obscure farm. The image below shows the entry road. Just west of the SanBangSan & TanSan Jjimjilbang/Sauna, turn north off the main road.

This is the entrance road. The white sign in the middle is for the Manor.

As you approach, the building and grounds certainly give off that "Manor" feel. Especially as the structure is built on a hill. The views are just stunning.

The lovely Manor Blanc in January.

View from the front entrance in mid-September.

 And with that view, this post is over. ㅎㅎ

Just kidding.

I'm pretty sure that this cafe doubles as a hostel, but I have never tried to book a room. My favourite feature are the tea sets. When you enter, you will see shelves lining the two back walls. These shelves are full of different tea cups, saucers and pots.

They have a number of different teas available. I will mention that I have not seen an English menu. They have some pictures and one of the staff members could speak a bit of English, but it would help to sound out the hangeul for some of the tea names. Last time we sort of just picked two randomly, which is also fun.

Part of the fun, after selecting your tea, is choosing your tea cup. It's one thing to have tea in a mug at home (or at another coffee shop), but to drink tea daintily from a tea cup? Well, that's rather fine! Don't you think?

This next picture is old--they re-did their shelves so that now there are even more sets on display. I thought I took an updated picture but it is currently MIA. I guess I'll just "have" to go again. ㅎㅎ

The old shelves of tea sets.

Last time I went, I picked this lovely design!

There are so many different designs and you could get a dignified floral design, or like me, you could opt for a set with dragons:

Dragon cups are also pretty rockin'!

If you are willing to spend a little more and have more than just a cup of tea, you and a friend can get the "Afternoon Tea Set." I've had this with three people and again with five. With this, you still get to select a tea (or two), and then you get an assortment of goodies to share and try. Those goodies also arrive in style:

With the Afternoon Tea Set, we received all of these different types of food.

I really liked that this allowed us to try a number of different desserts. As well, in the layers of options, there is usually something that everyone likes and can enjoy. (You can also purchase these individually if you do not want to have a full set).

Need a peaceful, lazy afternoon? Or a good relaxing location for some good conversation? Check it out!

Love and Hugs.

Daejeong-eup - Wato Coffee

Address: 서귀포시 대정읍 동일하모로 238
Address: 238 Dong-il Hamo-ro, Daejeong-Eup, Seogwipo
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/watocoffee/
Hours: 10:30-23:30
Vegan: You can get a Soybean Green Tea Latte (with or without coffee). I'm not sure about the other "latte" options at this point.
Price Range: Most items are between 3,000-6,000 KRW and then there is one item for 13,000 KRW.
Parking: Street parking is available.

Front of the Cafe.

This is a newer find for me and I think it opened recently. Dear colleagues, it's quite close to our school/neighbourhood on the way to "Moseulpo" and is well worth a visit. Here's a rough map from google--I included the Paris Baguette intersection as an extra point of reference. (Don't you love my doodled words. Ha.):

The blue marks where the 755 Bus stops (at Daejeong Elementary School).

I've only been here a couple of times so far, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my purchases each time. Not only were they delicious, but I thought the size and price were a good match.

The front counter is decorated with sacs of coffee beans.

There are a number of tables and chairs--although it is still a rather small coffee shop. In the spring/summer, I hope they set up a few more outside, too, which would be nice. The tables were decorated with small flower arrangements and the shop as a whole had a good atmosphere.

Different flowers decorate the tables.

I am a huge smoothie fan and generally try the strawberry option whenever it is available. I was not disappointed. I also tried the mango-coconut smoothie which was equally delicious (the coconut flavour was more mild and not overpowering like I thought it might be).

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie; Garnished with Blueberries and Full of Deliciousness.

The drinks were a lot bigger than what my friend and I expected, too.

Grapefruit-aide.

A little cake for dessert? Okay. ^^

"Raspberry White Cake" which was a cheese cake. Ha.

Currently, the menu is all in Korean so I thought I would edit the pictures with the added English. But there are three pages and I didn't realize how much glare I had from the window. So for now, this is only the coffee menu. Hopefully I will be able to get the smoothies, teas and dessert menu translated, too. Eventually. (For now, know that they have different cakes, bagels and buns).

Coffee Menu

If you want hand drip coffee, you can choose the following selection of coffee beans. You can also buy 120g for 8,000 KRW. 

List of coffee bean selection.

As for me, I'm hoping this becomes one of my regularly frequented cafes. Once the warmer weather hits, I look forward to having more of the cold beverages. All the smoothies!

Love and Hugs.

Andeok-Myeon - Salon de 소자 38

Address: 서귀포시 사계남로 안덕면 168
Address:168 Sagyenam-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, Jeju-do
Facebook: I can't find an official facebook page...
Vegetarian: Options available.
Other Food Notice: This place loves cheese.
Hours: 10:00-23:00
Price Range: Drinks are between 4-6,000 and meal items are 10-15,000 KRW.
Parking: There is parking next to the cafe and also nearby.

I really like this cafe and have been here a number of times. It's not too far from where I live, has a great view, and a good atmosphere. I also miss having a panini sandwich every now and again. The cafe sits on a corner and has two entrances:

This entrance faces the sea.

What I think of as the "Main" entrance.

As I was leaving last weekend, I took this shot of the interior (strategically placed so you don't see most of the people present):

Some of the tables and chairs inside the store.

Being an antique-style cafe, there are a lot of cool things to look from the assortment of chairs, pieces of artwork and knickknacks. They recently redesigned their menu and it looks pretty slick, too. The menu has English translations and the owner can also speak English--in fact I've tried talking to her in Korean and she has switched to English. She also has a really good memory for faces. The second time I visited was a really long time after I first went and yet she welcomed me back. It was nice.

If you've never tried a pumpkin latte, I recommend giving it a shot. I think I've also had the almond one as well, but can't remember now if that was here or somewhere else.

Note that any type of "ade" in Korea is mixed with a fizzy pop (probably the Korean "Cider") like 7-Up or Sprite. The cafe has a number of smoothie options as well as other cold drinks that include ice cream! A delicious treat in hot weather (cold weather, too! Just order and stay longer before going back outside).

Apparently they sometimes have a chicken panini (which I did not know), but you have to ask specifically if it is available that day.

I've tried many of the menu items (not all) and haven't ordered something that I didn't like yet.

And last, while the menu pictures feature pictures, here are a couple that I took of my friend's meal and my own:

Could wait to take a picture of this Beef and Cheese Panini

Beef and Spinach Quesadilla

Until next time,

Love and Hugs