Favorite Cafes: The Chocolate

Of all the cafes located in the great city of Daejeon, South Korea, one continually calls forth the Harrington duo and any number of their eager friends.

The cafe is simply called The Chocolate. And for good reason. The chocolate options at this cafe are supreme.

Take for instance the original Hot Choco which is served in two parts - a mug of perfectly steamed milk alongside a beautiful helping of warm, liquid chocolate, oh and the third part - a whisk.

27 on the 27th: A Golden Weekend

One week ago, Melissa awoke to the day she has so long anticipated, April 27th, 2012. Even before learning about the blessed 'golden birthday' (the birthday on which ones new age matches the day of the month), Melissa was sure being 27 would be the most fabulous thing in the world. (Recent reflections have convinced her that getting older seems a bit more promising than daunting, anyway, reflections for another time and place).

Seeing how Melissa's birthday was on Friday, she was required to wake upon the regular morning hours and make her way to Samcheon Elementary school where she'd be required to energetically and enthusiastically teach five classes of 4th grade students. Fortunately, these are some of her favorite students and her classroom as well as the school halls were filled with sweet voices singing the Happy Birthday song or shouting birthday wishes for Melissa Teacher. Not to mention the gifts and sticky note messages, hand made cards and candies that also filled Melissa Teacher's desk.

Aside from all the attention afforded by students, Melissa was also honored to receive an ice cream/gelato cake from the subject teachers, although the flavors ranged from grape to strawberry to cheese (as in processed cheese), the thought was quite nice and the fruit flavors quite lovely.

Favorite Cafes: Cafe Moru

If you live in Daejeon and spend any time on Facebook groups you've likely heard about the greatly renowned Cafe Moru where Daejeonites can sink their teeth into some fine quality brunch items.  Always ready to check out the latest and greatest in Daejeon's dining options as well as enjoy some typical western breakfast items, the Harrington's recently made their way to Cafe Moru and were far from disappointed.

The cafe is easy to find behind

'Occasional' Coffee Dates and Other Treats: July 2011

Throughout the month of July, coffee dates were held primarily in Eunhaeng-dong as Melissa stalked the cutesy shops of the neighborhood in search of gifts for the family and friends she will see in a matter of hours. Fortunately, Eunhaeng-dong provides a wealth of cozy, comfy, chocolaty, creamy, coffee-producing coffee shops, of which all were fabulous finds!

The first one featured is a chocolate cafe and aside from offering the regular array of coffee beverages, they provide their costumers opportunity to purchase some fine chocolates and even a chocolate Pat-Bing-Su (which was what Jen and Melissa went for after an evening in the market). You'll know you're there by the chocolate display in the window and if you're not sure, just look for the words "Shall we chocolate?" on the window and you'll know without a doubt!

On a Sunday Coffee date, Melissa and dear friend Holly made their way to the cafe above the Flying Pan named the Oven Story (pretty sure). This cafe not only features delectable drinks, waffles, a few sandwiches and cupcakes but also has on sale some adorable, not-so-Korean-cutesy-style skirts, shirts, accessories and nick-knacks.

A more recent and memorable coffee date took Melissa and Holly one floor above the chocolate cafe mentioned earlier. The cafe claims to be famous for their latte art and it's a sure possibility. The foam was perfect (according the expert of the two girls, Holly) and the coffee oh, so divine. Melissa opted for a cafe cream latte unsure what such would entail and was overjoyed to receive a slightly sweet cup of coffee with the smoothest, most delicate and delicious cream to ever pass these taste buds.

Getting There: All of these coffee shops are essentially in the same area. Get off an Jung-angro Subway station (unsure of the exit, perhaps 5?) Regardless, make your way to the large and famous Bakery or S.dot stationary store, or the Flying Pan and you should find one or all of these sweet little cafes. Enjoy!

Sunday Coffee (and Random Events): May 2011

Coffee dates have morphed a little. Moving out of Gung-dong and covering more than just sitting and sipping nice coffee drinks. Part of the morphing is due to warmer weather. Another part is simply a need for other things: skin products, clothing, this-and-that, haircuts, etc. A few highlights from May coffee dates include a homemade iced chai from a cafe nearish to Tanbang Station/Rodeo Town and an AMAZING dish of Pat-bing-su (shaved ice topped with sweet red beans, ice cream, nuts, chocolate sauce, rice-cake, fresh fruit and so much more!) The place we received pat-bing-su was near the same cafe with the fabulouse iced chai AND the sweet barista gifted the two coffee drinkers of the afternoon the most beautiful and fabulous iced cafe latte! (both cafes could be re-located by Mrs. Harrington, so if you're desparate, send her message and she'll meet up!)

Homemade Iced Chai



Pat-bing-su



Iced Cafe Latte

Another highlight of the month (or potentially of April...) was stumbling across some mighty performances in a park near Seodaejeon station. This is the way life is in Daejeon, seemingly unexciting until you hear Rap music blaring across the park and stumble upon some impressive moves!

Sunday (etc.) Coffee: April 2011

This month, the Mrs. has forgotten most of the names of the cafes as well as what she ordered, however, general location and highlights of the cafe can be offered ^^

If you take a bus to the Yuseong-gu Homeplus, cross the river, go straight at the light and take your first left you just may spot the sign to this second floor cafe. Major highlight - American-sized-and-flavored Cookies, none of those puny, cutesy Korean sized cookies with their own wonderful flavors, but full on, American-Bakery-Type-Cookies. Oh, and did we mention, free of charge? Cookies, free of charge with coffee or choco order. Why wouldn't you search for this Gung-dong gem?



Hot Choco
The Chocolate

By far the coffe shop highlight of April and potentially of 8 months in Korea, The Chocolate is the #1 place for anything chocolate and a sure-bet for next winter's cold and frigid weekend afternoon's. It's darling inside with books, pillows and cutesy decor, but you don't go to The Chocolate for atmosphere (although they have it), you go for Chocolate. And, may we recommend the Hot Choco? You can't go wrong here! You'll receive a great gift of a mug. filled with milk. alongside a 'gravy' boat. filled with chocolate. and a whisk. Sip and enjoy this with a good friend and life enriching conversation. Once in Gung-dong, make your way 'to the back' away from the main street as far back as you can get, it kind of stands out, so you should be able to find it - best of luck!



Cinnamon Mocha
"unkown" Book Cafe

Yet another sweet coffee shop, which may potentially greet you en route to The Chocolate is this cafe of whose name we cannot currently recall. Near the center of Gung-dong (i.e. Rodeo Street) this cafe has an adorable interior, fabulous hot choco and amazingly sweet teapots on display...in addition to a number books and magazines (in Korean of course).

Hot Choco, Uno and Students: a Tuesday Night Ritual

In an attempt to offer his students a more 'natural' and 'relaxed' setting for speaking the English language as well as a mutual desire between the Harrington's to frequent the OEC, Mike Harrington has initiated a type of Social Hour which takes place nearly every Tuesday at the OEC. Each week two or three students show up at the coffee shop and have the chance to practice their English in a comfy, relaxed setting. Most often, the language practice is conducted over a game of Rummy or Uno and a glass mug of Hot Choco (one of OEC's specialties).

These weekly meet ups have not only provided an opportunity for both Mike and Melissa Harrington to get to know a few Nameson students (and teachers) but have also assisted the Harrington's in getting to know the young lady who works at the OEC. OEC Coffee is a coffee house that has captured the attention of the Harrington's since their arrival as it is located within a few minutes walk of their home and has an extremely cozy and quaint atmosphere - not to mention fabulous hot choco and caramel lattes!

Getting there: Exit 2 at Galma sub station - walk forward past the Blue 24 and the OEC will be on your right (unless you're on the main street, then it'll be on your left ^.^).

Sunday (and other days of the week) Coffee: March 2011

The month of March provided great opportunities for Melissa Harrington to meet up with friends at some new and some tried and true coffee shops to enjoy conversation and cups of joe.

Early on in the month, English teachers in Korea had the privelege of a National Holiday and enjoyed March 1st by avoiding the cold English classrooms and textbooks and engaging in their choice of fine activities. For Melissa Harrington and some lady friends that looked like sleeping in and meeting up for an early afternoon cup of coffee in Eunhang-dong. Having cought the crews eye on numerous occassions, the girls made their way up the stairs into the 2nd floor coffee shop: Crazy Coffee Cats. Don't let the name decieve you, this is not a Korean cat cafe, but rather a cafe decorated in the style of a 'crazy cat woman' with a touch more class, colorful mugs and sprinkles on top.

Crazy Coffee Cats
Raspberry Mocha

Getting There: Eunhang-dong is the old downtown and has great access by bus and subway. By subway get off at Jung-angro. A few buses which make the route include: Once in Eunhang-dong make your way toward any of the following and you're sure to find Crazy Coffe Cat's -- Sum Sin Dang Bakery (?), S-Dot stationary store, The Flying Pan, the rows of Street Food Vendors.



Noriter
Marshmallow Hot Choco

 In Gung-dong this month, the Harrington's and friends all enjoyed an evening at Noriter which you may remember from February's post. This time, a great mug of Hot Choco was enjoyed with fluffy, colorful marshmallows on top. Noriter is a sure bet for a coffee shop any day of the week.
Also discovered in Gung-dong this past month was Kairos Coffee. A newly built and established shop which skirts a little park area in the Gung-dong neighborhood and shares the vicinity of multiple coffee shops. The interior is more modern, clean and chic than some of the other coffee shops featured and, of course, the coffee was enjoyable and each cup comes with a little chocolate treat, making for an enjoyable and sweet experience.



Cafe Latte
Kairos Coffee

Getting There: Gung-dong is accessable by buses: 113, 105, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 706 - just to name a few. Once in the neighborhood, enjoy wandering the streets until you find the coffee shop you are looking for!


Chai Latte
CofFine: Gurunaru

 The month's coffee excursions were topped of by this great find in Dunsan-dong. Recently built/established CofFine is a great little coffee shop with a wide variety of coffee beverages, tea drinks, iced drinks and even wine. In addition, as part of their grand opening celebration, Melissa and her two lovely friends Holly and Jenelle scored a CofFine cell phone charm which will earn the customer a free 'upgrade' - small to regular - That's AWESOME!

Getting There: Arrive in Dunsan-dong by bus or subway and meander the streets in between E-mart and Time World, hopefully then, you'll stumble upon this corner coffee shop with many wonderful drink options!

Fingers and Faces, Captured

Once again, the Harrington's have made their attempt at participating in a photography challenge designed by Beth at I Should be Folding Laundry. This weeks challenge was body parts. While The Harrington's would love to show you to lovely snout of Lady Annyeong, or the sweet smiles of their students, this week, readers must settle for fingers and faces.

The Mrs. at '519' Galma has been on a roll whipping up some delicious treats and snacks. Recently, a bag of multi-colored marshmallows were discovered in an underground-subway convenience store for less than two-bucks. The Mrs. didn't hesitate a single moment to purchase these treasures and pair them up with Korean Binch cookies (half cookie, half chocolate bar) to make some 'oven-roasted-Binch-S'mores'.



Marshmallow Fingers



S'more Fingers


Later in the week, the Harrington's made their way to their favorite coffee shop just 3 minutes walking distance from their front door, OEC Coffee. Here the couple did a bit of reading before meeting with a couple of Mr. Harrington's students to play a couple rounds of Rummi and offer the students a more relaxed environment to work on their English language skills. One huge benefit of the OEC is the sweet and talented Barista behind the counter who put together this work of art on Melissa Harrington's Caramel Cafe Latte.



Latte Face

Getting There: If you live in Daejeon, South Korea and want an opportunity to have a beautifully designed latte simply make your way to Galma Subway Station, exit #2 and right behind the Blue 24 you'll find the sweet and comfortable OEC Coffee! Good music, great hot choco!

Find more body parts here.

Sunday Coffee: February 2011

If you're living it up in Daejeon, South Korea there are a few neighborhoods you will want to frequent. Dunsan-dong or 'New' Downtown is a popular place for dining and boozing in the city as well as no-rae-bang, multi-bangs, coffee chains, and shopping. Eun-hang-dong or 'Old' Downtown is a bit the same with more access to shopping such as in the underground mall, at Zara or even a traditional market at the nearby Daejeon Station.

However, there's another area of town which ought to be frequented, and a prime reason for frequenting the area is to enjoy a mug or teacup of coffee with a dear friend or two. The area of town is known as Gung-dong and lies right near Daejeon's larger university, Chungnam National University. Numerous buses run in the direction of Chungnam and provide the perfect starting point for hitting up some fine coffee-house establishments. Recently, Melissa Harrington has declared Sunday's coffee day, and while the Mr. plays soccer, the Mrs. and a friend wander the streets before sitting down to a cup-of-joe, good conversation and/or a good book. We at THT will take a moment each month to give a little taste of the coffee experiences had by Mrs. Harrington and welcome any recommendations of coffee shops in Gung-dong from any of our readers.

La Botega Del Arte

Mochacinno

Just behind the university in one of the less lit up areas of Gung-dong rests this sweet little coffee shop. Beverages are served in sweet teacups by a sweet couple who appear to have a decent understanding of coffee and coffee culture. The shop is an ecclectic mix of cross-stiched hangings, modern art, chunky magazines, bird cages and kitchy odds and ends that allow patrons to feel at home and slightly entertained.

Noriter

Mint Mocha

Part of a smaller chain of coffee shops that has more character and appeal than common chains such as Angel-In-Us and Holly's coffee, Noriter means playhouse and each coffee shop has just that vibe. Patrons can choose to sit in a loft, at a table or hidden in a back corner while leaving a note in a nearby Nortier Notebook or simply adding your message to the many maintained on the walls of this dreams-really-do-come-true-playhouse-environment. Noriter is a favorite coffee shop for the Harrington's and their expat friends. As of this writing, there are two known Noriter's in Daejeon - one in Gung-dong near the CNA and Lotteria and another near Hannam University.

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