Foodie Goodie | Porchetta Restaurant.

Save for the occasional take-outs at the nearby McDonald's or at the pizza and chicken joint two blocks away from home, we hardly eat at restaurants here in Korea for two reasons: 1) my son can't handle the spiciness of traditional Korean food, and 2) we cook at home, and it's cheaper that way. Plus, my husband's cooking is the bomb!

On Mother's Day, however, we decided not to scrimp because what the heck - it's a special day, and it's the first time in six years that I'm celebrating my 'motherhood' with both my son and my husband. And so after our tour of the COEX Aquarium, the boys and I went searching for a nice restaurant that's neither a fast food chain or a pizza joint. We were literally all over the place, as COEX is a pretty huge mall, and the restaurants are not lined up in one floor like they do in Philippine malls.

Porchetta.

We somehow ended up at Porchetta, because Yue saw something very tempting called 'Chicken Finger Fries' on their menu.

The counter, where you place your order and pay for your bill.

Named after that fatty, savory, and boneless pork roasted in the traditional Italian way, Porchetta is a casual dining fusion restaurant famous for their ciabatta sandwiches.

Sandwiches on their menu.

They also serve pasta and steak - which we ordered, soups and salads, dessert, and even alcoholic beverages.

Yep, they serve beer. And wine, too.

We were able to get a table right away, as there were quite a few empty seats when we arrived. Halfway through our meal, I noticed that the restaurant was already quite packed.

Diners at Porchetta.

Here's what we had for dinner at Porchetta.

Chicken Finger Fries.

Chicken Finger Fries.

Chicken Finger Fries, 11200 won. The three of us enjoyed this dish a lot. The fries were crunchy and flavorful, and were neither overcooked nor soaking in oil. Same goes for the chicken - crunchy on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside. Considering that this dish is good for sharing for up to four people, paying more than a man won isn't so bad.

Bacon Carbonara.

Bacon Carbonara, 15900 won. My son is a huge fan of white sauce pasta, and he loved this carbonara a lot even if the sauce, according to him 'looks more yellow than white'. This dish didn't scrimp on bacon, as it came garnished with generous portions of meat.

Porchetta Pan Steak and Risotto.

Porchetta Pan Steak and Risotto, 18400 won. Husband and I ordered a serving each of this dish, and boy, was I surprised to see not just one, but two thick slabs of porchetta on the hot plate. Aside from the risotto, which lies at the bottom of the plate, this dish also comes with cherry tomatoes, potato wedges, and greens on the side.

Porchetta Pan Steak and Risotto.

I love that the meat was cooked and flavored to perfection, but eating two slabs of it was just way too much for me. I only ate one, and gave the other piece to my husband, whose appetite was heartier than the usual that day. Maybe because we're eating as a family, which only happens when we're in Korea. :)

Mother's Day dinner at Porchetta.

Many thanks to the friendly waitstaff of Porchetta for taking this photo! They understand and speak English, so no need to worry about the language barrier. Oh, and if you ask for it, they'll give you their wifi password, because the free wifi at COEX Mall is a bit weak in this area.  :)

Porchetta

159, Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, COEX Mall I103
+82 2 551 8808

Seoul Searching | COEX Aquarium.

On our second Sunday in Seoul, the boys and I visited COEX Aquarium, which is just a few subway stations away from where we live. 'Twas a perfect day to go to a family-friendly attraction as that Sunday coincided with Mother's Day and Parents' Day here in Korea.

Welcome to COEX Aquarium!

Beware of Jaws!

Shark teeth on display at the entrance.

Shark art! :)

Let's go on a Water Journey! More of COEX Aquarium after the jump!

Spotlight | Clio Kill Black Waterproof Pen Liner.

Just when I thought I have found my HG eyeliner in the guise of K-Palette Real Lasting Micro Eyeliner, here comes Clio to make me think otherwise. I discovered this gem during my first trip to Korea, while fleeting from one makeup store to another in Myeongdong.

Clio Kill Black Pen Liner.

A Korean makeup brand known for its hip and trendsetting image, Clio has won numerous awards for its amazing line of products. Their most popular of which, and the one that constantly receives accolades over the years, is Clio's eyeliner.

The most popular among Clio's makeup line.

In fact, Clio's Kill Black Pen Liner was awarded as Marie Claire Korea's Beauty Editor's Pick in 2011, and was hailed as the Best Eyeliner in Cosmopolitan Singapore's Grand Beauty Prix 2012.

Product description at the back of the box.

And why not? This eyeliner is waterproof, smudge-proof, and lets you 'draw' gorgeous black lines on your lids with just one stroke. And when I say black, it's really, really black. No need to layer the lines over and over again, which I absolutely hate as it runs the risk of flaking on your eyelids.

Clio Pen Liner in 01 Black.

Oh, and its felt-type pen tip is quite easy to maneuver that even eyeliner newbies would be able to create the perfect cat eye in no time.

Felt-type pen tip.

The tip isn't as fine as K-Palette's Micro Eyeliner, so it's not really meant to create super skinny and super fine lines. But if you're into slightly thicker and bolder lines, then you will enjoy using this eyeliner as much as I do.

Left, swatched once. Right, swatched twice.

Its wear time is pretty impressive, too. The first time I used this eyeliner was about two weeks ago, on the day we flew back to Korea. We left home around 2 am, landed in Korea at 12 noon, made our way out of the airport at around 2pm (the immigration lines at Incheon Airport are crazy long, I tell you), finally arrived home at half past three in the afternoon and voila! My eyeliner was still there, winging it!

Wingin' it!

And since this product holds true to its claim of being waterproof, you'll need to use a makeup remover to take all that black off from your lids. Soap/facial foam and water alone wouldn't suffice.

Yep, still wingin'!

As for the price, it wouldn't burn a hole in your pocket. At least not much. I bought mine for 15000 Korean won, which is still a bit cheaper compared to K Palette's.

Products Used:
FACE: Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer,
Laneige Snow BB Cream,
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium,
Peripera Snow White Pride Up Pact.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Pen Liner,
Tony Moly Simply Style Slim Curling Mascara.
CHEEKS: Tony Moly Cristal Blsuher in Pleasure Peach.
LIPS: Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick in Divine Wine.

I love this eyeliner so much, I'm planning on buying another pen or two before we fly back home. Ugh, I can't believe this trip is about to come to an end. Boo hoo hoo! :(

Seoul Searching | Changgyeonggung Palace.

To make the most out of the Royal Cultural Festival (ergo, Free Admission Day), the little man and I also visited the nearby Changgyeonggung Palace, which is connected to Changdeokgung Palace via Hanyangmun Gate.

Changgyeonggung Palace from afar.

The palace, originally called 'Suganggung', was built in the mid-15th century by King Sejong as a resting place for his father Tejong. It also served as residential quarters for queens and concubines.

Honghwamun, the main gate.

During the reign of King Seonjong, the ninth king of Joseon, the palace was renovated and enlarged, and was also renamed into Changgyeonggung.

Myeongjeongmun Gate. 

More of Changgyeonggung Palace after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Changdeokgung Palace.

Holidays in South Korea are usually very festive, as most tourist attractions come up with fun and interesting events to celebrate the occasion, or offer special discounts for both tourists and locals alike, If you're lucky, you might come across 'Free Admission' promos, such as the one that the four traditional palaces offered during the long weekend (May 5-8).

I wouldn't pass up on this great opportunity, so Yue and I trooped to Changdeokgung Palace last Saturday - along with about a thousand or more eager beavers (ergo, tourists).

If you see this sign, then you have walked to the right place.

One of the most well-preserved traditional palaces in the country, Changdeokgung Palace was built in 1405 by King Taejong, the third ruler of Joseon. (He's also known as Yi Bang Won, the character portrayed by Yoo Ah In in the sageuk 'Six Flying Dragons'.)

Changdeokgung Palace: an introduction.

Like the other palaces in Seoul, Changdeokgung Palace was also burnt down during the Japanese invasion in 1592. It was rebuilt about 18 years later, and since then, it has become the primary palace until the late 1800s. In 1997, it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Korea, together with the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon.

Free Admission Day!
Secret Garden not included, though.

Behold the beauty of Changdeokgung Palace! More photos after the jump!