So I've given myself a new mission and that is to see and explore as many cities in South Korea as I can
and don't worry, I'm taking you guys along with me every step of the way
so that when you're planning your trip to come see South Korea too
you'll know exactly what sites, foods, and experiences you want to try yourself!
So, we're starting in almost the center of South Korea
It's called Yeongju
and we're gonna go make our own makgeolli,
see the most beautiful temple grounds I've ever seen,
and see a stunning cafe with a beautiful night view.
So let's go explore!
and of course we're starting this trip off with new friends and great food
this is kimchi soondubu (which 순두부 is just like a tofu soup)
I usually don't like tofu but I love this soup!
Warning: it is a little spicy
but this restaurant in particular had a specialty that really caught my eye
that's the famous... Chanel...
It's called the Chanel bibimbap
She's clean, healthy, A-grade soybean, no additives
Especial...?
It's especially good~
luxury
What do you guys think? Honestly, it just made my day
What a ride...
Never did I ever think that I was going to feel like a K-pop Idol,
but I sure as heck was feeling like a K-pop Idol! We were riding in style!
Okay, this is what it feels like?
We're the bad kids in the back of the bus
We have to cause trouble back here
We can dance, sing, ...
Doing it all~
Us back seat baddies are on our way now to go make makgeolli in the countryside of Yeongju
and the drive was not only stunning, but the location where the class takes place was stunning
I mean look at the sky; it's clear, perfect.
A perfect day to make some Korean rice wine
and that's what makgeolli is!
It's an alcoholic beverage that's made of... honestly, not many components
if you want to make it yourself keep watching and I'll show you
but if you've ever seen a K-drama where they're drinking an alcoholic beverage out of like little tin bowls
that's makgeolli! And today we're gonna make our very own ginseng makgeolli
So like this? Here?
Gonna be honest, we're not off to a good start
and to all of my Southern American friends: this is one of the many reasons why I am not married
Friend: You can do it! Fighting!
Megan: I can do it!
Friend: Wow... professional
(I'm in pain watching this...)
(Physical pain.)
Megan: Is this knife dull? It's so hard...
Dragon: Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family!
Megan: Down here? It's... you try! Dragon: Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your cow!
Megan: What am I doing wrong?
Friend: I think you have to move the knife... not like, just pressing down.
Megan: Got it. Let me redeem myself... Friend: You can do it, you can do it
Megan: Oh wow! WoOoOw... Friend: Yes, so much easier...
Oh my gosh it's so painful to watch
like I knew that! I loved cutting the vegetables at Christmas - I promise
Megan: Tell me you never cook anything without telling me you never cook anything
Oh there's no redeeming myself... there's no redeeming myself from that one...
but let's continue on to something else I'm a little bit better at
Megan: I didn't know it was so crispy
I studied math in school so we like numbers
uh... but the scale didn't like me so
(We needed 40 grams...)
Megan: Come on! Friend: It's like... making fun of you
Friend: Still? Megan: One. Grain.
YAS!
I'm surprised it's so easy to make it
crispy rice, the yeast enzyme concoction
then water and ginger
and then you just let it sit for a week
It feels so weird!
We're looking for a porridgy texture
I can't feel my hand
I know it's in here and it's moving but...
it's fun, it's relaxing!
It's like a... it's like a stress... stress ball.
but for real though we'd been doin' that for like 10 to 15 minutes and it's like:
is my hand still in here? I think it's moving?
but we finished it, we closed it so it can ferment and that's how it becomes alcohol
and then you wait a week
and you have to open and close the lid every now and -
close... "close"!? Here we go again
Again! "Close"
If you guys saw my baseball vlog you know what I'm talking about
Anyways, you have to make sure you wait exactly a week so you make sure to date it with the correct date....
the correct date!
there you go
and then you wait a week!
Us just casually walking by...
"Oh what's this you ask?!"
"What's this?! I made it myself~"
Hi~.
you look a little dirty...
It's okay, we're all a little dirty
We did it, we did it!
We have our very own makgeolli children to now take care
of and she gave us a free bottle of makgeolli from her store! She was so kind...
but seriously though,
I really do feel like I have like a...
my child
I'm about... how many weeks would you say?
Megan: 5? Friend: 8?
Megan: 8? I don't know anything about pregnancy
Friend: Years.
and now we are off to one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in all of Korea
but wait... wait wait wait wait
*song plays* "What does the fox say!?"
only in South Korea would they have a massive fox outside of a school
I mean I don't know if that's the mascot, I don't know if they were feeling foxy,
but either way when I saw that it made my day
let's go see beautiful things, let's go see beautiful things
*no actors were hired or paid... it's authentic awe over the beauty*
Megan: It doesn't look real...
We've made it to Buseogsa!
A beautiful, Buddhist temple built into the side of a mountain here in Yeongju
108 very strategically placed stairs (as 108 is a holy number in Buddhism)
부석사 means "Temple of the Floating Stone" and I'll explain why soon but for now: please enjoy the beauty
Like... this is real
This whole experience is just like...
it's breathtaking how beautiful it is right now
like, look at what I'm looking at right now
is this...
God made this! He out here doing His job well!
Look at this, that's my view
that's - that's a view right there. That's it...
You know a lot of people always want to go to Seoul because it's just the city that everybody hears about
but like you don't get this kind of peaceful, stunning view in Seoul
You can get views, you just might have to hike a little bit
You don't get that in Seoul
just - this is just...breathtaking
truly breathtaking
We then went on a beautiful tour of the grounds and these were some of my favorite facts that our wonderful tour guide taught us
If you come in the middle of the day, look out for this specific Temple
because the way that the wood was carved near the roof
when the sun shines through the carving just right, Buddha's image appears along the inside of the temple.
Have you ever noticed that most Buddhist temples have an upward curve to the roof?
Well, that was done on purpose because it looks like a smile
It makes you feel welcomed and invited to come inside
and it doesn't matter how close to the front you get, there will always be a curved smile welcoming you inside
and this is the stone that the temple gets its name after because it kind of looks like the stone is just floating.
In America, we throw coins into fountains to make wishes
and in Korea they stack little stones like this
Wow...
I had one job...
Twice I dropped it...
on the flattest or flattest surfaces...
yeah I don't think my wish is coming true but at least I did it!
I just wonder why there's a baby? Is that better luck if you balance it on the baby's head?
I cannot recommend this place enough if you have the time to come down to Yeongju
this was absolutely stunning
and right at the base of the mountain there is a delicious restaurant because at this point I'm starving
파전!
Technically the Korean pancake is supposed to be a side but we're giving it main character because 파전 is just amazing
We were seriously freaking out because we realized we had a whole Korean pancake for the two of us to share
Guys - this was... this was the moment right here. I was waiting for this...
It's exactly what I needed in life...
that was it.
That'll do it.
Don't get me wrong: the mushroom, beef, veggie, hot pot stew was great
but Korean pancake is just a superior food
and now it's time to obviously get dessert
Can I just be honest with you guys real quick
Okay, hear me out.
This cafe is perfect, all right?
Perfect. I don't know how any cafe could get any better
because the desserts were amazing.
Drinks? Delicious
View? Stunning - it even had this like laser light show going
I still dream about these cookies (I'm just gonna say it).
There's photo zones everywhere, the vibes,
It can't get better! It can't, it can't get better... I'm sorry.
Me and all my friends~~~
I don't know why you guys watch my videos sometimes
Anyways, after a long day it's time to go to bed
but first we gotta check on my child, okay?
We're supposed to like stir it up...?
and leave it open
She said it smells like herbs
Ah... I need a spoon.
Friend: You don't use it? Megan: *shakes head*
Megan: We can do it together!
There's no spoons so...
we're improvising.
Open her up
How...?
Megan: What? How did you do this?
Friend: It's very tight!
Megan: Maybe, maybe I am so strong
I can't get it open...
Oh! I did it!
We have to stir the pot!
It's okay... it will be good
Later... later.
How does this become a drink?
Friend: Where is the water?
Megan: I know! Where is the water?!
and don't worry guys, I'll give you a full makgeolli update in the next vlog
Yes...
You ferment makgeolli!
There is so much more exploring to do so I'll see you in the next vlog~