2019.2.28 Travel Calendar
Yeongdeok Snow Crab FestivalYeongdeok County, South Gyeongsang
From March 21 to 24: This is the season to eat snow crabs in Korea because after a long, cold winter, they have gotten big and juicy. So, pack your bags and head down to one of the most famous snow crab spots in South Gyeongsang - Ganggu Port. Around the port where the festival is held are about 100 shops and restaurants that sell snow crabs and other seafood to fill up visitors’ hungry stomachs. The festival, which celebrates its 22nd edition this year, has other attractions as well, including a reenactment of the ceremonial walk of King Taejo as well as a chance to take a boat ride out to catch your own crabs. There will also be an auction for those who want snow crabs to bring back home.
For more Information, go to www.ydcrabfestival.com or call (054) 730-6682.
Saebyeol Oreum on Jeju Island is set on fire as part of the Jeju Fire Festival that runs from March 7 to 10. The ceremony is held in the hopes of a good harvest and a new year filled with good fortune. For more information, see left. [YONHAP]
Saebyeol Oreum, Jeju
From March 7 to 10: The Jeju Fire Festival is an annual event steeped in history. It reinterprets bangae, a cattle farming tradition in which fields are burnt down between late winter and early spring to renew the grass and exterminate vermin before cows and horses are released onto the fields to graze.
Inspired by that tradition, the Jeju Fire Festival provides an opportunity to pray for a good harvest and good health in the new year. It is held on Saebyeol Oreum, one of Jeju island’s volcanic cones. During the festival, Saebyeol Oreum is set on fire to show visitors the grandiose scene that was often practiced in the past.
The event, which starts with a torch-lighting ceremony, will have many programs that are visually stimulating, including fireworks and performances. There will be an event where people can try out bureom, the tradition of cracking nuts, hoping to crack away one’s bad fortune in the new year.
For further information, buriburi.go.kr or call (064) 728-2751.
The Flower: Romance Charging Station
Uplex Hyundai Department Store’s Sinchon branch, Seodaemun District
From March 8 to May 31: You do not need to go out of the city to enjoy flowers welcoming the warm spring season. Hyundai Department Store’s Sinchon branch is gathering many florists to decorate the shopping center. Fresh flowers will be used to decorate 22 different rooms under four different themes, and visitors will find many picture-perfect scenes throughout the department store.
The exhibition, which runs until May, will change flowers every month to show the variety of plants available in Korea. Ice Queen Protea from South Africa will welcome visitors in March. Diamond roses from India, will be on display in April, and the rainbow tulip will fill up the store in May. Couples, friends and families can take photos in front of different flowers and get inspired for their next flower bouquets.
Florists will be on hand and working at the department store to show visitors how florists make floral installations. The flower exhibition will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays to Fridays and until 8 p.m. on weekends. It will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays. Tickets for adults are 12,000 won ($10.70)and 9,000 won for teens. Tickets are available on Ticket Link, Ticket Monster and Naver Reservation.
For more information, visit www.flowerdate.net or call 070-8831-5888.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Through March 9: Dubai, widely known as one of the world’s shopping capitals, it showing off a different side of itself with food. The sixth edition of the event, sponsored by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, offers visitors and locals the chance to try the unique food culture Dubai has cultivated over the years.
For those looking to enjoy food by the beach, Jumeirah Beach is the place to visit. Behind the Sunset Mall, the Beach Canteen is the main hub for the food festival. The Beach Canteen is open everyday during the festival, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Sundays to Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Thursdays to Fridays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays.
Those who would rather stay inside and eat food at an affordable price can take advantage of Dubai Restaurant Week. Beginning March 2, a total of 21 luxury restaurants will offer three-course menus for 119 United Arab Emirates dirham ($32).
If you are looking for a spot that locals enjoy, check out the list of Hidden Gems. The festival organizers worked with Zomato, a popular food delivery service, and chose 10 spots that are relatively lesser known to international visitors. From March 3 to 9, these restaurants will offer a special course menu for visitors for 35 United Arab Emirates dirham ($9.50).
For more information, visit www.dubaifoodfestival.com.
Restaurant Soigne, Seocho District
Through early May: Restaurant Soigne, known for changing its entire menu every three months, has unveiled its first tasting menu of 2019, titled “Aroma.” Chef Lee Jun, who is best known for his take on Korean-inspired French cuisine, was inspired to create the items on the menu while researching herbs and spices.
The Aroma menu is split into different aromatic groups: earthy, fruity, floral and more. Dishes include an earthy, beetroot and mushroom combination with taleggio cheese foam, and horseradish, as well as a quail roulage main with orange and ginger glaze, black garlic, dark chocolate and a saffron and sweet potato mousse.
“One of my favorite dishes from this menu is the rosemary ice-cream with olive oil and carrot cake,” says Chef Lee. “It sits right in the middle of ‘herb’ and ‘spice.’”
Soigne, which opened in 2015, is the only fine-dining restaurant in Seoul to completely change its menu each season. “Aroma” marks the restaurant’s 20th menu. Last year, the restaurant served dishes using the themes “Cuisine of the Three Coasts,” “Korean Wild Greens, Namul,” and more.
The “Aroma” menu will run until early May, and the more detailed date will be notified later. Lunch at Soigne starts at 75,000 won, and dinner is priced from 148,000 won.
A vegetarian menu is also available. Reservations can be made via the website, www.soignerestaurantgroup.com or call (02) 3477-9486.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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