Category: English

American Factory, Dangsan

Fred McNulty

In an episode of The Simpsons, the family travels to Tokyo and, to intellectual Lisa’s disgust, the family opts to eat at Americatown, a U.S-themed restaurant. The restaurant featured awkward or incorrect interpretations of U.S. culture, including Muhammad Ali boxing with Neil Armstrong and the use of outdated slang. While this parody might be a bit much, I am deeply fascinated by the representations of the United States in South Korea. How do people outside of the United States perceive U.S. culture and customs? On August 20, I visited American Factory, a restaurant in central Dangsan-dong to answer this question.Read More »

Roaster K, Pohang

Fred McNulty

On the southeast shore of South Korea lies Pohang, a small port city and summertime destination. It is home to chaebol conglomerate POSCO, or as it was formerly known, Pohang Iron and Steel Company. The popular Yeongildae Beach (영일대해수욕장) is a busy spot for visiting families to soak in the sun. Along this beach are many bars, seafood restaurants, hotels, and Roaster K, a bakery and café. I stopped in on August 13 for a bite to eat.Read More »

Robocook, Daejeon

Fred McNulty

Daejeon is not a terribly large city, but it is still home to over 1.5 million people. While I had never been there before July, I found it to be a cute city with the amenities of Seoul, but without the massive crowds. While Daejeon is not home to many unique cuisines, I wanted to go to a restaurant not available to me in Seoul. On July 30 I joined my significant other and a friend in Daejeon to Robocook’s Dunsan branch for brunch.Read More »

GS25 – Butter Latte

Fred McNulty

In early June, I was on my way to meet my significant other in Ichon Station (이촌역) so we could head out for a trip to Daebudo Island. My transfer point was Dongjak Station (동작역) and, being late, I had not yet eaten breakfast. I stopped by a GS25 convenience store to grab a quick bite. I paused by the dairy section, as I had my eyes on an item I had never seen before: GS25’s Butter Latte beverage. Here is its story.Read More »

Alforno (Old Saybrook, CT, U.S.A.)

Fred McNulty3 Comments

As I have written about before, Connecticut has the best pizza in the United States. New Haven style pizza is loved by locals and tourists alike for its brick oven, thin crust, oblong-shaped, slightly-charred style. While Pepe’s Pizza in New Haven is usually the top ranked, there is another place I prefer: Alforno Ristorante in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. On December 30, I visited with my mother and my father.Read More »

The Social Bar + Kitchen (New London, CT, U.S.A.)

Fred McNulty4 Comments

Many towns in Connecticut are transforming. When manufacturing jobs left the state, local economies were hurt badly. The recession in 2008 made things worse. However, as towns recover, many are making worthwhile improvements. I lived in New London, Connecticut from 2011 through 2015, and the transformation was incredible. Where a seedy sex shop* once stood, The Social Bar + Kitchen now stands. On December 29, I tried it for myself.Read More »

OK Burger, Yeouido

Fred McNulty

Yeouido might be known for having the (formerly) tallest building in Korea, the National Legislature, and cherry blossoms, but not for the outstanding food. However, legislators and businesspeople have to eat too. On June 25, some friends and I found our way over to the surprisingly satisfying OK Burger in Yeouido.Read More »

Union Street Tavern (Windsor, CT, U.S.A.)

Fred McNulty5 Comments

When I was in high school, there were four restaurants within walking distance: The Whistle Stop Café, Windsor 75 Diner, Giovanni’s Restaurant, and Union Street Tavern. Sadly, The Whistle Stop Café and Windsor 75 Diner both have closed down. Giovanni’s is so horrendously bad that it barely deserves a mention. I revisited The Tavern in Windsor, CT with an old high school friend on December 30.Read More »