We realize that a lot of the time what we post in our blog is more silly than informative, and might not be helpful to people who actually want to LEARN something about Bucheon and Korea. So we've tried to put together a guide about our experiences in Bucheon, Korea in hopes that it might actually help someone out there. Unfortunately this guide isn't universal, and we can only talk about our experiences as Canadians trying to move to and live in Bucheon. If there's anything we've missed, feel free to contact us.

Also, you can try searching our site. We might have the answer in there if not in here:

  • Kimchi
  • What is Kimchi?
    We feel like we have to write something about Kimchi, since our website is called "eatyourkimchi" and we do relatively little eating of Kimchi on this site. So here's what little we can say about it:

    Kimchi is a Korean side dish which is served with every single meal. The most well known kimchi is the type which is fermented with chilli pepper and napa cabbage (baechu kimchi).

    Arriving in Korea we learned that the name “kimchi” doesn’t solely belong to the cabbage kind. Kimchi can be made from all kinds of vegetables, such as radish, cucumber, and perilla leaves (sesame leaves).  They can be pickled in brine, fermented with chili, or just plain marinated with chili, ginger, or green scallion. Back to Top
  • Why Should I Eat my Kimchi?
    Kimchi contains a high concentration of dietary fibre, while being low in calories.
    One serving also provides up to 80% of the daily required amount of vitamin C and carotene.
    Kimchi is rich in vitamin A, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), calcium and iron.
    The US magazine Health named kimchi in its list of top five "World's Healthiest Foods" for being rich in vitamins, aiding digestion, and even possibly retarding cancer growth. Back to Top
  • Applying for Korea
  • How Did You Get Your Jobs?
    We got our jobs through a recruiting agency called Canada2Korea but there are many recruiters out there. You do not have to pay your recruiter. Back to Top
  • Is There an Interview Process or Do I Just Apply?
    If you’re being hired by a reputable company, they should want to take the time to interview you. Since our recruiters came to our University’s job fair, we were interviewed in person (twice) and then presented with a job offer. We heard that most people have a phone interview, and it may be from your future employer who calls directly from Korea. If your phone interview seems sketchy or lame, don’t feel pressured to accept the job offer. There is a constant demand for English speaking teachers, so you’ll be sure to find a place you like. Back to Top
  • What if I do/don't Want to Live in a Big City?
    If you are looking for a specific area, make sure you tell the recruiter since they will search for jobs based on where you want to live. If the recruiter says “you’re near the city” ask them to be specific about how far away you are by subway or bus. We’ve heard stories of people being sent “near the city” only to find out they were an hour away by bus. Below are some pros and cons about living in a big city or small town. Back to Top
  • Why Live in a Big City?
    If you choose to live in a big city (like Seoul, Busan, Incheon) be aware that they are crowed and polluted (like every other city in the world) and your living quarters may be smaller than someone living in a small city or town, but you will be surrounded by many foreigners and will have more comfort foods and pubs nearby. A big city is prepared for tourism, so expect restaurants like: Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, KFC, Burgerking, Subway Subs, Outback Steakhouse, Pizza Hut, Baskin Robbins. Back to Top
  • Do You Have to be Married to Live with Your Significant Other?
    No. We know a couple of people who are living together and not married. When we told our recruiters that we were married they did not ask for or need our marriage certificate. If you want to work here with your boyfriend and girlfriend everything - from what we've been told - should be alright. Back to Top
  • Is the Contract You Signed with Your Recruiter the Final Contract, or is there Another Contract to Sign with Your School's Principal?
    The contract we signed with our recruiters was the final contract. There were no other contracts to sign with the principal or the school privately. We signed the contract, had it shipped out to Korea where it was signed as well, and then sent back to us. Back to Top
  • Why Live in a Small Town?
    If you choose to live in a small city (like Bucheon) be aware that you could be anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours away from a big city. Avoid disappointment and ask if you are on the subway line, it is much easier and cheaper to get around. If you’re not on the subway line, you will have to catch an inter-city bus between cities.

    Living in a small town means that there will be only a few foreigners in town, but your living quarters should be larger and it will be much less pollution. Also, depending on your contract, you can be compensated with more money for working in a “designated rural area”. Korea has gorgeous mountains and beaches, so living in a rural area means easy access to hiking and other outdoor activities. Back to Top
  • Getting To Korea
  • I've Accepted a Job Offer! What's the Paperwork Like?
    Once you have accepted a job, be prepared to spend some money on background checks and mailing (both overseas and local). It will take at least a month or two to prepare for all the paperwork and mailing. It will include:

    A police check: both a vulnerable sector check and a normal police check.
    Two university transcripts in sealed envelopes, and your diploma.
    Your university diploma/transcripts and police check need to be notarized by a lawyer.
    The contract signed and mailed back to your employer.
    Last, but not least. Your E2 visa: The process takes around 5 to 10 working days. You will have to leave your passport with the Consulate and when pick up your passport and E2 visa you will have a short interview with a Consulate official. They asked us basic questions: name, birthday, why do you want to teach in Korea, where are you teaching, etc.

    Do not purchase your airplane ticket until your visa is approved!

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  • How Do I Get My E2 Visa?
    The below info is from the Korean Consulate in Toronto as of August 2008, but I’ve added to it so you don’t make the same mistakes we did.

    You have to bring in the required items below all at once to apply for your E2 visa.

    Required Items:

    1. One completed visa application form (you can print it off online or get it in person).
    2. Your workplace’s address and phone number.
    3. A contact person in Korea (such as your employer or recruiter) for the visa application form.
    4. One recent passport-sized colour photo (3.5*4.5 size, white background)
    5. Original and a photocopy of your passport (remaining validity of at least 6 months)
    6. $55.00 Cdn fee (Cash or Money Order Only)
    7. Original university degree AND the notarized version
    8. Sealed university transcript AND the notarized version
    9. Police Records Search Certificate including vulnerable sector search AND the notarized version( Effective from Dec 15, 2007, must be issued within the last 3 months)
    10. Original employment contract
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  • Who Pays for the Plane Ticket?
    You school should pay for your ticket. In some situations your school will buy your ticket for you, while in others you will be reimbursed for the ticket cost. We had to buy our tickets in Canada, and our school reimbursed us for the most direct flight to Korea, no frills and no fuss (so we couldn't bump ourselves up to first class). We took a 14 hour direct flight from Toronto to Korea on Korea Air. It left at midnight (from Canada) and arrived at 2AM (Canadian time) but 3AM (Korean time). The flight cost us $1150 per ticket, and the school paid us back in our first paycheck. Back to Top
  • Be Honest With Me: How Bad Was the Airplane Trip?

    The Plane

    Korea Air was AWESOME! The flight attendants were so friendly and helpful. Before the flight starts they give you a little care package with a mini-toothbrush, toothpaste, a eucalyptus sleeping mask, slipper socks, a blanket and mini-pillow.

    Airplane Food

    The meals offered were a choice of Western or Korean style food, and they served snacks (fruit and sandwiches) in case you got nibbley during the flight. The food was quite delicious!

    Boredom

    They played about 3 Korean movies with subtitles but we found it hard to watch because the screens were small and the last thing we wanted to do was read subtitles at 3 am. We forcefully stayed awake the whole day before the flight so we’d be exhausted and sleep on the flight.

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  • Living in Korea
  • What Should I Bring to Korea?
    Korea has pretty much everything, especially if you live in or near a city, but there are some things that are a bit different.
    The list below will be tagged according to things we :

    [?] couldn’t find in Korea
    [$] are really expensive
    [!] are available but difficult to find
    [%] are in Korea, but are different than North American items

    Regular Stuff

    [?] A big shower towel
    [?] A fitted bed sheet and top sheet
    [ ! ] Big shoes (bigger than a women’s size 10 or a men’s size 11)**
    [ ! ] Plug adaptor (not the power convertor, those are everywhere. The small cover that fits over your plug to change the prongs)
    [%] Feminine Products
    [%] Deodorants

    Comfort Foods:

    [?] Mac’n’Cheese
    [?] Ranch Salad Dressing
    [%] Potato Chips: Pringles, Doritos, Cheetos, Sunchips
    [?] Certain gum brands: Dentyne, Extra, Freedent,Juicy Fruit, Stride
    [$] Nuts: peanuts, cashews, pistachio
    [$] Salsa
    [$] English magazines and books

    **It's not necessarily that they don't have big shoes; they're just really difficult to find.  Simon will often find himself liking a shirt or shoes, and then realizing that he's two sizes too big.  It took us two solid days worth of shopping to find flip flops that fit him.  Many of the shirts he's wanted to buy he couldn't buy, because if he so much as sneeze his chest will rip out.  

    There are a couple of places you can go that tailors to bigger people.  Itaewon is supposed to be for bigger people.  We went there once but were so uncomfortable with its atmosphere that we left and couldn't investigate it much further.  Also, places close to US bases supposedly have big clothes for big American men, but we've never been to one of those yet.

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  • What's Considered Improper or Strange?
    • Blowing your nose when eating
    • Certain hand gestures
    • Excessive public displays of affection
    • Tattoos (especially large tattoos)
    • Low cut shirts (or showing excessive skin)
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  • What's Considered Acceptable and Otherwise Normal?
    • Meeting new people and asking their age or marital status
    • Spitting and coughing up phlegm in public
    • No seat belts in the backseat of a car/taxi
    • Smoking indoor restaurants and bars
    • Riding motorcyles/bikes with no helmets
    • Motorcycles/buses run red lights
    • Heterosexual women holding hands
    • It is acceptable for heterosexual men to be touchy with each other (kindof like a football or sports team...)
    • Not apologizing for bumping into people (this isn’t rude, it’s just crowded...think of living in NYC)
    • You don’t leave tips (we have to tip at restaurants/bars/hair salons in Canada)
    • The elderly get free subway tickets and will reach over you to get a ticket even if you’re in the middle of paying
    • Excessive drinking
    • Fish at a restaurant is never de-boned
    • If you’re out with your boss or someone much older, wait for them to eat first before starting
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  • What's Considered Polite?
    • Accepting food/items/money with two hands
    • Pouring drinks for other people
    • Receiving a poured drink with two hands
    • Giving money with two hands (for more on how to use your hands, watch our video on Korean Hand Gestures)
    • Head nodding to say “hi” (a type of mini-bow)
    • ALWAYS removing your shoes before entering someone’s house (and some restaurants)
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  • What Odd and Unclassifiable, yet Common Things should I be Aware of?
    • Not having toilet paper in all public washrooms (keep toilet paper with you)
    • Not forming a line up and/or budding in line
    • Close standing (this is just a personal space difference)
    • The cars have the right of way and the buses may try to smush you--be careful!
    • Usually one person pays for the bill and they don’t “split” bills
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  • How Do I Get a Cell phone?
    We recommend getting a Korean friend or co-worker to come with you. You'll need to fill out forms written in Korea (thanks Korean friend!) and sometimes you need them to co-sign for your phone plan. You can get a phone at a cell phone store (ie: Show, SK, KTF) but if you're looking to haggle for a deal, head to Yongsan Electronics Market (located at Yongsan station) and head upstairs to the cell phone floor.

    1. A Pre-paid Card Phone: (for used cell phone or new cell phones)
    The per-minute rate is expensive, but recieving calls is always free and text messaging rates are quite reasonable. If you get a prepaid card phone, there is no hookup or monthly fees. You buy the phone and buy time as you need it. Card phones can be quite a bit more expensive than the monthly plans, depending on how much you use it. You can buy cards at the SK or KTF cell phone stores (depending on which one your phone is listed under).

    2. Pay-As-You-Go: (for used cell phone or new cell phones)
    LG Telecom allows foreigners to sign up, and has a pay-as-you-go plan where one 'recharges' the phone (충전, chungjeon) with an amount such as 10,000 won, and uses the phone until the money begins running low whereupon it must be 'recharged' again. This system costs more money however, about 500 won per minute, and around 30 won per SMS message (문자, munjja); this makes it more useful for sending messages and taking calls (taking calls is free) than for making them.

    3. Sign up for a Plan with a Korean friend as your co-signer: (for new phones only)
    By far the easiest and cheapest option. You will need a VISA or Mastercard of your own and your Alien Registration Card (ARC). The bill may be set up to come directly out of your friend's bank account but you can change this option. We have our bills sent directly to our house. The only thing we need our friend for now is changing our cell phone plan (ie: canceling or adding options) as they have to give their ID number.
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  • What General Cultural Differences Should I be Aware of?
    • Life can be hard for vegetarians, as most places do NOT offer a vegetarian alternative, and even if you tell them NO MEAT, you still might find a small piece. Also, much of the food has tiny shrimp or other meat seasonings in it.
    • There are two types of toilets: the kind you sit on (a “normal” toilet) and the type in the ground that you have to squat and use (click here for a video on Korean Toilets).
    • Showers are not sealed. Water floods the washroom floor and exits down a big drain. Most Koreans have special rubber washroom slippers. Thee floor is raised between your home and the washroom to keep the water in the washroom.
    • When you order home delivery (or take-out) you are given real dishes and utensils that you leave outside your door when you are done. They will come back and pick them up.
    • The bread is REALLY REALLLY SWEET! It was hard for us to find brown bread with grains in it, and half a loaf costs us $4.50
    • There are no deli sandwiches! Expect to find ham and mock chicken deli meat ONLY. Some people may be lucky enough to be near a Subway Sandwich place. This is only listed here because Martina likes her sandwiches.
    • Many restaurants have table buzzers you press to get the waiter’s attention. If you don’t press it they won’t come to your table.
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  • What Should I Know About Korean Drinking Culture?
    1) Don't Decline the First Round - Even if you're not a drinker, you should accept the first glass poured for you. If you decline, you'll ruin the drinking mood. Afterwards, you're safe, and can back out. Cite religious or health reasons if you must, but - be warned - drinking is an important part of Korean socializing, and if you refuse then you won't be considered sociable. This is high-school peer pressure to a whole new level. So, when you finally cave, and give in to drinking with others, watch out for the next step

    2) Watch Your Hands - Never pour your own drink, for starters, and never let anyone pour their own drinks. Afterwards, when someone older than you offers you a drink, hold the glass with two hands. When you pour a drink for someone older than you, hold the bottle with two hands. It sounds odd, but you'll get used to it. In fact, we recently met up with a friend here in Korea, and he was fully confused to see us holding our glasses when he poured out beer. Finally, refill someone's glass if you see that it's empty as well.

    3) Don't Stop Drinking - The big difference between Korean and Western drinking is how we handle our limits. See, the way I've been raised is to respect my limits; if we get to the point that we're drunk then it's time to stop, drink some water, and sober up. Mission accomplished! The Korean attitude is different here. Getting drunk is only half the battle. Once you are drunk, the real challenge is in how much more you can drink before you drop. And when you drop it is only a timeout for you; get back on your feet and drink some more.

    4) Encourage Others - It is perfectly acceptable, and even encouraged, to drink beyond your limits here in Korea, as your friends will goad you on. We're used to saying "Chug Chug Chug!" back home; here, you'll often hear "One shot! One shot!" which - obviously - suggests that you should drink it all down in just one shot (but it's beyond me why this is in English and not Korean). As well, instead of the "cheers" we're used to saying, get prepared to say "Kon-Bay!" before you clink your glasses.

    5) Drink in Public - There are no laws against public consumption of alcohol (or, at least, these laws are flagrantly violated). Restaurants here are not all too large because of confined and competitive real-estate, so many restaurants serve you outdoors. And, of course, you might want a drink with your meal. The problem with that is that there is no clear line that can be drawn as to where the restaurant begins and ends, so people eat and drink "at" a restaurant rather than "in" one. And so, since the laws against drinking in public (if they exist) can't be upheld, then it's widely accepted that people will get drunk in public. Quite often we'll see people drinking outside of convenience stores, as tables have been set out for people to sit and drink at.

    6) Drink Any Day You Want - What surprises us the most about drinking here is that it is done every day of the week, and isn't necessarily strongest during the weekends. When we walk around Bucheon on Wednesday nights we see people in business suits shouting Kon-Bay and slamming down shots of Soju, then staggering home just as they would on the weekend.

    7) Have a Meal With that Drink - While we're used to thinking in terms of having a drink with our meal, here in Korea the mentality is often to have a meal with that drink: the alcohol is the main course while small shared appetizers compliment the drink. Small fruit salads or crackers and chips will go nicely with that Soju. Back to Top
  • Having a Dog in Korea
  • Will My Dog Speak English or Korean?
    Probably Korean, but Spudgy now understands some of our English commands.
    Here are some dog commands in Korean:

    SIT: Ahn-ja
    NO: Ahn Dweh
    STAY: Ga-man-ee-suh
    COME: Ee-rhee-wha
    DOWN: Up du ryuh
    UP: il uh nah
    QUIET: Jo Yong Hae
    LIE DOWN: Noo-wuh
    BRING IT: Mool uh wah
    CAREFUL: Sahl sahl
    STOP: Mum chuh
    SLOW DOWN: Chun chun he
    LET’S GO: Gah jah
    COME IN: Deul uh gah
    GO HOME: Jip eh gah
    EAT: Muk uh
    LEASH: Ggeun
    TOY: Jahng nahn gahm
    SHAKE: Sohn
    IT’S YOURS: (dog's name)gguh
    IT’S A GUEST: Sohn nim
    IT HURTS: Ah Puh Back to Top
  • Where Did You Get Your Dog?
    While the E-Mart pet store had really cute puppies, Korea has a huge over population of dogs in dog shelters. Why buy a puppy that is going to be bought 100% when you can save a lonely pre-trained dog? Plus, a puppy means a 4 hour bladder. If you aren't home enough to walk/train a puppy, get an older dog!

    Check out the website: http://www.animalrescuekorea.org
    If you're interested in adopting, email Ryan at goesslry@gmail.com or you can also contact Tim at: tim.vasudeva@gmail.com and they will meet with you and take you to the shelter. Back to Top
  • Are You Taking Your Dog Back to Your Home Country?
    We love Spudgy, and he's coming with us. Fortunately, Canada will let us take Spudgy in without quarantine. Check with your country's rules on animal import to see what fees, shots, and/or quarantines you might have to deal with. Also, Air Korea will allow small dogs to be in the cabin as long as we purchase a special sized dog crate. Back to Top
  • How Much Work Does Your Dog Require?
    House Breaking:
    We adopted Spudgy when he was 4 years old, so he was already trained at one point. After a month of some minor pee accidents, he is now trained to pee in the washroom on a pee pad. Otherwise, he holds his pee for his walks.
    Walking:
    We walk him two times a day. As Spudgy is a Pekingese, he doesn't require long vigorous walks. Keep this in mind when choosing your dog; do you want a high energy sporty dog or a chill mopey dog? When we wake up (about 6:45 am) we walk him, and when we come home from school (4:45pm) we walk him. We often, though not always, also walk him once at night.
    Feeding:
    After his walks we feed him a mixture of wet and dry food. Check out the food section for costs.
    Grooming:
    We brush him 3 or 4 times a week. He barely sheds, but his fur gets a bit tangled. Occasionally we give him a doggy shower when he gets either too dirty or too stinky for us to bear it anymore. This isn't much work though - in fact, we love doing it, because Spudgy gets the "After-Bath-Crazies" in which he runs around the house and is far more playful than usual. Back to Top
  • What Do You Do With Your Dog When Not Walking or Feeding Him?
    Nothing. Spudgy is chill, yo. He sits with us and falls asleep. He doesn't bark (which is weird and great) unless the doorbell rings. He plays with his stuffed koala. We laugh at him while he does this. Otherwise, he's too lazy to do much else. Back to Top
  • What Do You Do With Your Dog When You're Not Home?
    We let him roam around the house. When we first got him we had to keep him confined to a gated area (you can buy these gates at any pet store) with his crate and pee pad until he was trained to pee. He doesn't roam much, though (we set up a camera once to see what he does). Basically, he sits by the front door and waits for us to come home. It's absolutely heartbreaking! Anyhow, we leave the washroom door open with a pee-pad in there, just in case of emergencies, but Spudgy usually holds it in for until we get home. Back to Top
  • How Much Did Spudgy Cost Initially, including Vet Fees?
    We're kind of hesitant to post this online, because we don't want to deter people from adopting dogs. Before you read on, keep in mind that Spudgy was pretty battered up before we got him, so it cost us a bit to get him fixed. All in all, here are the numbers:

    First, we donated 50,000 won to the owner of the shelter for Spudgy. Next, we took Spudgy to our Vet in Sinchon. He's awesome for two major reasons: first, his English is great, so you'll be able to understand him perfectly. Second, he gives discounts to dogs adopted from shelters. So, our first visit to the vet was free of charge. We were scheduled more visits for the next few weeks, which weren't all too free. The first week we had to give Spudgy X-Rays for his gimpy hips, an eye exam for his blind eye, and then just a huge blood test to see if everything's good under the hood. After all that we got heart worm medication, shots, and medicine for his eyes and ears, and drops for his ears as well. Because it was so extensive, it cost us 300,000 won.

    Spudgy had an ear infection, which we could treat, but he also had bad gingivitis and a loose tooth, which would require surgery and general anesthetic. That cost us another 300,000 won the next week, and it also included medicine for his teeth and gums, a special rinse and a special gel, as well as a toothbrush and special toothpaste. Spudgy's a special dog.

    Since then, we haven't had to visit the vet. His tooth surgery went well (we saved the tooth!) and his infections have gone away. Back to Top
  • How Much Do You Spend on Spudgy Now That He's Healthy?
    Not much at all. We buy a bag of Mobility Support Dry Food that costs us around 20,000 won and lasts us two months, and we mix in some Caesar's Wet Food, which costs us something like 18,000 as well and lasts us just as long (we go to Costco to buy bulk wet food, by the way). Other than that, we buy packs of snacks and bones occasionally for 2,000-7,000 won, and they last us about a month or so. Occasionally as well Martina will see a ridiculous outfit and buy it for Spudgy. Outfits cost us another 15,000 won or so, but we barely ever buy them - only because Simon doesn't let Martina give into her whims that often. Back to Top
  • What About Subways and Buses?
    We have no problems bringing Spudgy around with us. As for the buses, we take him on their as well, but only when he's in his carrying bag, which looks like a giant ugly purse filled with a dog. We hold him when we stand on the subways, and rest him on our laps when we sit. Spudgy just falls asleep, or curls into our arms and bothers no one. People stare at Spudgy, though, but just because he's so darned cute and they all want to touch him. Back to Top
  • Does Spudgy Ever, errr, Crave Other Female Spudgies?
    He's snipped, and was snipped before we got him. Spudgy doesn't really care for other dogs, though, as they usually slow him down on his walks. He might give a quick smell, but then quickly shuffles away to go on with the rest of his walk while the other dogs follow him. Spudgy doesn't chase em, he replaces em. Back to Top
  • What's Going to Happen to Spudgy During Your Vacation?
    He's coming with us, of course! We're going to pack his pee-pads with us and leave him in the room when we go gallivanting around town. Actually, we're not too sure about how this is going to work yet. We have yet to call hotels to ask them about their dog policies, but - given the mass amounts of Paris-Hiltonesque-dogs we see around here - we doubt bringing Spudgy will be a big issue. We've heard small hotels don't really do that, but there are special animal shelters you can pay to leave your dog at, and online you can sometimes find doggy babysitters. Back to Top
  • Have any Pictures of Your Awesome Dog?
    Of course we do! Check out our Spudgy Photos page to see him in all his glory. There's also a small section for him on our Korean Movies page. Check him out! Back to Top
  • American Food in Bucheon
  • What are Some Good Restaurants?
    We plan on updating this question often, so make sure you check back here for more info. Or, check our Restaurant Reviews section for the full reviews.

    Some of our favorite restaurants, in no particular order:
    - Chicky Pub: Great Chilly Chicken, and pretty good cajun fries. The Chilly Yackee is really good as well. Located in an alley South-West of Emart. Read our watch our video review on it. (Click here for the YouTube version)
    - Don Day Restaurant: Delicious marinated Sam Gyal Sal for cheap. Located southwest on the main street dividing Emart and the Hyundai Department Store. Read our review on it, or watch our Video Review (YouTube Version here).
    - Dubu House: Really good tofu stew for good prices. One bowl will give you leftovers, and set you back 6000 won or so. Located a little South of Don Day Restaurant, across the street from the Dunkin Donuts. Read our review on it, or watch our Video Review (YouTube Version here). Back to Top
  • What are the Breakfasts Like?
    If you want some "regular" breakfast items, good luck with that.

    1. There is really no such thing as "breakfast" in Korea, as most people we talk to eat rice, meat, soup, or anything else for breakfast. Breakfast places are RARE and worth a trip on the subway to a different city to go to (there is one we've heard of called Buttermilk, and it's not in Bucheon). Rhythm and Booze has an "american style" breakfast on its menu, but we haven't tried it yet.
    2. You can buy cereal at the supermarket, but it doesn't have all the variety we're used to, and the bread is really sweet.
    3. They have Dunkin Donuts around here, and you can get bagels, but I haven't seen cream cheese on the menu (but I know some coffee shops sell bagels/cream cheese/scones) and we once had their english muffins with bacon, eggs, and cheese, but it just didn't taste right, not enough salt in the bacon or something. They have muffins but with unusual flavours, and the donuts are completely different but delicious. Oh, and they have McDonald's offers breakfasts as well.
    4.We settle for PB&J mostly, or boring cereal, and sometimes when Martina is feeling fancy she makes french toast but maple syrup is an import and REALLY expensive. Back to Top
  • What are the Starbuckses Like?
    1. The espresso based drinks taste a bit different but I think that's due to how the barista pulls the shot, ie: sometimes they are a bit bitter (but it's not like I haven't experienced that in other coffee shops in North America).
    2. Brewed coffee is NOT very popular. In fact you're likely to get an Americano if you order a coffee. You have to really point at the brewing equipment to get the brewed coffee, and not all coffee shops will have brewed coffee (which I found unusual).
    3. Oh, and they often have just cream instead of skim, 2%, whole, and cream. The coffee doesn't taste bad, but I (Martina) find it a bit weaker tasting then usual. Back to Top
  • How About the Pizza?
    They've got Pizza Hut, Dominos, Papa John, and Korean brands

    1. They try to have regular pizza, but it always has corn, not kimchi, on all the pizzas here, and - for some reason - they think that's the American way. The pizzas are  If you don't want corn, just say "ani-ok-soo-soo." They have some unique toppings, like potato wrapped shrimp, or "golden crust" which has sweet potato paste on it.
    2. The pizzas taste good, but it's a completely different experience, so don't expect the pizza you're used to, just imagine as an entirely new food group. Even the Pizza Hut pizza tastes different.
    3. This is new to us: Costco offers unbelievably delicious pizza in its food court section. Holy crap, this pizza is awesome. 12,000 won will get you a pizza big enough to feed four and good enough to make you cry. If you can't make it out to Costco, though, you can head on over to Rhythm and Booze in Bucheon and get one of their pizza slices, which taste almost as good. Back to Top
  • Are there any Steakhouses?
    They've got Outback Steakhouses and TGIF around here, but we've never been.

    1. You can go to Bennigan's (beside the HomePlus) to get  a good steak, and the ribs were pretty good too. The prices were reasonable, you're looking at starting prices at 14,900 - 38,000 won (14,900 = $14.90) for a hearty meal. Oh, and I asked for a medium-rare steak and that's what I got!
    2. There is a VIPS at "The Mall" here in Bucheon and it offers a lot of steaks as well, though we only tried the Buffet (FYI the buffet is supposed to be "american food" but it's really an unusual asian/american fusion experience) Back to Top
  • Is There any North American Alcohol?
    There's not a good selection of beers, and if it is it's usually more expensive. The foreigner bar we go to has the best selection, but it's a piddling selection compared to what we're used to.  You're usually stuck with either Hite or Cass (which a very light tasting beers), but the foreigner bar we recommend has a few more.

    You can try a Wa Bar which offers many imports, but at ridiculous prices. You'll find a big mound of ice in the middle of it, and you'll be able to see lots of different beers from around the world, but be ready for a hefty price for the variety. You'd be looking at 4000-8000 won per bottle.

    As for having a good Martini, we've never looked yet, because it's not a popular drink choice here. The popular hard liquor of choice is SOJU, which you split with a couple people and drink in a little shot glass. We'll look for Martinis one day and update this section. Back to Top
  • I'm Desperate for Western Groceries. Help!
    You could always check out a Costco. They offer significantly more Western food than your regular Home Plus or Emart. You can get bacon, cheese, cereal, eggos, and a bunch of other stuff that you miss from back home. And you'll love the food court there as well, so check it out. We made a video on getting there, so check it out here: Our Korean Costco Experience. YouTube Version. Back to Top
  • Life in Bucheon
  • How Do You Get to Bucheon?
    Bucheon is located on Line 1 of the Seoul Metro Subway. It takes up three stops (from what we know): the first is Bucheon Station, the second is Jungdong Station, and the last - the one we most often use - is Songnae Station.

    If you want to take the subway here, though, make sure you take Line 1 to Incheon. Line 1 splits and can leave you far, far away from Bucheon if you take the wrong subway. Make sure it says Incheon on the side of the subway and you should be all right. Back to Top
  • How Many English Teachers are There?
    If you're worried about not making friends here, don't. There are plenty of us foreigners wandering the streets. Head over to Rhythm and Booze on any night and you'll find plenty of people there. Also, if you're working for the public schools, you'll more than likely be sent to a Gepik Workshop for a week, in which you'll meet many other Native English Speaking teachers from your area, so you'll be able to meet other people that way. Back to Top