ELAINE'S PICTURES OF KOREA:
Let's Drink!

Tea and Tea Accesories at Hyundai Department Store

Dunkin Donuts!

There are more Dunkin Donuts here than there are in
many places in the U.S... It's like being back in Boston!
By the way, this picture is not featured in the "eating"
section because, as everyone knows, we go to Dunkin
Donuts for the coffee, not for the donuts.

Dong-Dong-Ju

What is the thick, milky substance in the pot? No, it's not clam chowdah. It's called "dong-dong-ju." "Ju" means "alcohol," but I've no idea what "dong-dong" means. This is a traditional Korean alcohol made from rice. It's slightly sour, but delicious and inexpensive. The idea is to ladle some into the empty bowl-cup-thingie and drink it. Actually, someone else at the table should do the ladling for you... it is a Korean custom that you don't pour your own drinks. Anyway, I've also tried ginseng dong-dong-ju, which tastes a bit medicinal, but it's nice because you feel like you're doing something healthy for yourself while you're getting smashed.

Pojang Macha

Strategically positioned at various points along the main sidewalks of Seoul are outdoor drinking tents called "pojang macha." Their owners set up the tent around nightfall, and take the tent down again in the wee hours of the morning. They can be seen year-round... even in winter (portable heaters seem to do the trick). Some of them are very small, and have only a few tables, while others, like the one in this picture, are huge. This one is called "Napun Namja Pojang Macha" (or "Bad Boy Pojang Macha"). I was told that this pojang macha is frequented by people in the film industry, and so as far as pojang machas go, it's the place to be. This one is set up in the empty parking lot of an auto repair shop. They even had tv's in there!

Yogurt Soju

What do you get when you take soju (extremely strong alcohol made from sweet potatoes -- very popular in Korea) and add sweet yogurt drinks to it? Why, yogurt soju of course! Sounds disgusting, doesn't it? Well, I thought so too, so I just had to try it after seeing it on so many menus around town. It was surprisingly delicious! From what I understand, it's only become popular recently.

A Grape Disguise

This picture was taken at a "nore-bang" (singing room). This is a place where Koreans like to go after a night of heavy drinking. You can go and rent a room that has a karaoke machine in it and show off your singing skills to all your friends. Anyways, you can buy snacks at a nore-bang (and smoke cigarettes), but you can't buy alcohol. That's right, no alcohol. Nope. Of course, you can buy all the Welch's grape soda you want, but forget about buying any beer, such as this can of Cass beer featured in this picture next to the can of delicious Welch's grape soda (How the Cass got into the room is a mystery). Yep. This nore-bang keeps lots of refreshing and popular Welch's grape soda on hand for its customers, so should any police come around to see what's doin', they will not find any nore-bang patrons kickin' back with a cold brewski. Nope. They'll just be enjoying this tasty Welch's grape soda...

Where's the Beer?

Speaking of beer... does anyone know where I can find some?

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