korean food – Korean Convenience

Posted on January 23, 2023February 25, 2023 by Korean Convenience — Leave a comment

One Year App Anniversary

Celebrate with us!

The Korean Convenience App 1-Year Anniversary

January 10, 2023, marks the one-year anniversary that I launched The Korean Convenience app. It’s a huge milestone in a product like the Korean Convenience app and I’d love to share a recap of the past year and also look ahead to what is next.

First, I wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of YOU! The Korean Convenience app has become the product it’s today because of your feedback, and suggestions I’ve had with you. Looking back over the last 12 months, I’ve learned so much as a non-tech founder, and I now know that my technical background will forever expand as problems arise. I am passionate about being a Food Allergy Advocate for Korean food. Working with developers, photographers, graphic designers, mentors, and those in the food allergy community is what gives me strength every single day to do my best work.

Cheers or 건배 to many more years of the Korean Convenience app and the community.

You can grab the latest version of the app on the App Store or Google Play Store:

Year In Review

The essence of the Korean Convenience app lies in not just what it does – but who it does it for. One of the main reasons why I started building the Korean Convenience app is that I felt frustrated with trying to read the back of Korean snacks and grocery products. I believed that if I had the front and back image of a product, with food allergen and ingredient information I would be able to save time and money and focus on what I could eat instead of what I couldn’t.

Following these core principles, I set out to compile a list of popular ingredients that can be found in most ready-made food products. The cooking dictionary was born from wanting to have a reference for packages that have a long list of ingredients like most ramen, and chips. Other core features included being able to add in multiple food allergies or intolerances so that the product could help the largest audience possible.

As I focus more on the efforts of providing convenience, multiple categories, a larger food database, and more search options, when I launched 12 months ago the Korean Convenience app was missing features. Having these features in place is exactly what I focused on implementing the app updates last year.

Our efforts in marketing yielded working with content creators and the non-profit organization Food Equality Initiative. What I learned is how to maximize creative content, and the need to formalize a content marketing strategy.

During the month of August, I joined the Los Angeles CleanTech Founder’s Business Accelerator program. This six-month program is designed to help underrepresented founders and startups to formalize a business model and create a solid path to profitability. If you would like to find out more about the FBA at LACI check out their website here.

In October last year, we experienced our first app outage. I learned three very valuable lessons. The first lesson I learned was I needed to set up a formal communication system. The second lesson I learned is to have a backup with the products and food allergen information available for the community. You can browse the FOOD section and obtain product details: brand name, food allergies, ingredients, and weight/calorie information for every product as an additional resource.

The last lesson and it’s perhaps the most valuable is the Serenity Prayer. I’ve heard this prayer repeated many times before, but never was it so poignant as when I was waiting for the issue with the Korean Convenience app to be resolved. I’m a non-tech founder, with several classes via community college, Youtube, and Linkedin Learning, however, when your app is broken it’s best to let the professionals handle it.

Looking Forward

There is still so much more work to do with the mobile app, forming business partnerships, and holding a pop-up store (look for more updates later this year). Going forward, I want to get the food allergy and Korean food enthusiasts community more involved. I want to improve the app and get more feedback on what we still need to achieve so that every update makes it as convenient as possible to buy Korean snacks and grocery products.

Features updates include being able to provide ratings/reviews and a full nutrition label. *If you check out the LEARN MORE in the bread, canned, and chips categories you can already see a full nutrition label.*

Whenever I chat with people in the food allergy community I am delighted to hear about how happy they’re they found the app and how they are managing their food allergies. I’ve heard from someone who planned to visit South Korea on vacation and was concerned because their child has a food allergy. Another person who lives here in the States is happy to have a mobile reference when they visit their local Asian mart. The app addressed their concerns about the placement of the translated food label, lettering size, and having so many unfamiliar snacking options.

Stories like these help me to understand how I can improve the Korean Convenience app and is a great motivation to see the value the product delivers to the food allergy community.

If you have an original Korean snack or quick meal recipe you created – I’d love to share it!

I am extremely excited about the next stages of the Korean Convenience app. I hope to continue this journey with all of you together. Have a great rest of the week, and I hope your grocery experience whether online or in-person is a positive one.

Erica Dozier

Founder/CEO

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Posted on December 15, 2021May 16, 2023 by Korean Convenience — Leave a comment

Get Snacks From South Korea

Favorite Korean Snacks

With the massive popularity of Squid Games this year, South Korea’s food and snacks have been on full display. However, Dalgona is not the only candy or snack that’s fun to eat and slightly sweet. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite snacks.

Looking for information about Korean snacks? Get the Korean Convenience app on the App Store or Google Play Store

Pepero

Pepero are thin pretzel sticks that are crunchy and not too sweet. They’re the perfect snack while watching your latest Netflix or Viki drama. You can buy several different flavors (almonds, cookies & creams, plain or strawberry).

Honey Butter Chips

Before there was ever a hit song, these popular chips were selling like hotcakes. If you like the sweet and savory combination, you might want to try this popular snack. Chips are relatively inexpensive, and if you don’t like the flavor, you haven’t invested much money to try a new flavor.

Related: How To Read Korean Food Labels

Seaweed Snacks

Seaweed is rich in iron, calcium, and other vitamins/minerals. Making this snack a little more on the healthier side. It’s a thin flakey square sheet with a slight taste of fish and salt. You can find it in almost any store nowadays. There are also different flavors that you can try, including (onion, wasabi, sea salt, etc.) *Wrap it in steamed white rice for a more savory and salty snack experience.

Ace Crackers

This crispy sweet butter cracker goes perfectly with a hot beverage in the morning or can be enjoyed by itself. They are also great to include in a gift baskets for the upcoming holidays. If you look closely on the side of every package there is the option to write a name and a cute message.

Ramen

With Korean ramen the possibilities are endless, with many flavors and ways to eat this snack. All you need is hot water, and you will have the perfect quick bite to eat. Add green onion, egg, or even spam/sausage, and turn this quick snack into a meal. My favorites are the black bean ramen, vegan ramen(Samyang), and Gomtang Noodles with Cream Beef Bone Broth.

Related: Where To Buy Korean Food

Choco Pie

A choco pie reminds me of the marshmallow snacks I had when I was a kid. This snack consists of two small fluffy layers of yellow cake covered in chocolate with a marshmallow center. *Heat for five-seven seconds in the microwave for a more gooey treat.

There are also a variety of flavors you can try: check out the banana, green tea, or strawberry choco pie.

Orion Chips

Standard flavors include original, onion, and hot(spicy), which are great to try if you want a chip similar to Lays in the United States. However, every country has unique flavors you can’t buy anywhere else, and South Korea is no different. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the corn soup, lime pepper, chocolate, and seaweed varieties.

Looking for information about Korean snacks? Get the Korean Convenience app on the App Store or Google Play Store

Yogurt Jelly

Yogurt Jelly candy is one of my favorites because the packaging is shaped like a cute yogurt bottle, and the jelly has a mild fruit flavor. These are perfect snacks to munch on while binge-watching your favorite K-drama or variety show. *Yakult is the probiotic yogurt drink these jellies were modeled after and also a great drink to have after a meal.

Disclosure: If you give the links a love tap now! Buy snacks online for all your Korean snacks and grocery needs. I get a tiny referral percentage, being a part of the Amazon Affiliates program at no extra cost to you.

What are some of your favorite Korean snacks? I would love to read about them in the comments down below.

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Posted on December 9, 2021April 20, 2023 by Korean Convenience — Leave a comment

Where To Buy Korean Food

Online And Retail Grocery Stores

Shopping online for Korean snacks and drinks has never been easier than it’s right now. Bulgogi has been added to the Oxford dictionary as well as several K-pop terms. However, nothing is beating the popularity of Korean movies, dramas, and variety shows. More people than ever are looking for Dalgona Candy and tteokbokki.

Looking for information about Korean snacks? Get the Korean Convenience app on the App Store or Google Play Store

Before you binge-watch your next series on Netflix here are a few retail companies where you can buy Korean food:

H-mart

H-mart is a Korean grocery store that offers shoppers a choice of fresh meat, fruit, vegetables, frozen items, and snacks. Depending on your H-mart location there also could be a lunch counter inside the store. The lunch counter provides several cooked dishes already prepared for a quick grab-and-go purchase. If you live near Los Angeles you can purchase a variety of different lunch option that includes lunch boxes, kimbap, banchan and so much more.

If you would like more information about H-mart locations, hours, and services check out their website here.

Read Also: 24 Hours in L.A.’s Koreatown

Hannam Supermarket (Los Angeles)

This is a larger grocery store here in Los Angeles and contains all the ingredients for cooking Korean dishes. *If it’s your first time visiting an Asian supermarket it might be easier to venture into H-mart because there are slightly fewer people. Besides the normal staples of Korean refrigerated meals there are also various sizes and brands of kimchi, and places to grab a bite to eat inside the supermarket. Places located inside the Los Angeles supermarket are included below.

Tous Les Jours Bakery

Offering more than three-hundred different types of baked goods. They also offer specialty cakes and sandwiches. Great place to stop in the morning if you’re looking for a sweet pastry and a cup of coffee.

King Tonkatsu – (Han Nam Chain)

A Korean-style cutlet restaurant that offers fried pork tonkatsu. They prepare a meal combo consisting of meat, rice, and a salad(vegetables). Their prices range from ten to fifteen dollars for each combo. *There’s also an option for egg lovers with an omu fried rice combo or chicken and cheese if you don’t eat pork.

If you would like more information about the Hannam Chain, hours, and locations check out their website here.

Looking for detailed information about your favorite Korean snacks download the Korean Convenience app on iOS or Android today!

Amazon

Ordering Online has become an almost necessary option since the pandemic. Amazon has several Korean snacks that you can have delivered straight to your door. Although they don’t have freshly prepared meals like H-mart or Hannam Supermarket they are the next best option if you don’t have one of these stores in your city.

They have a large assortment of snacks, drinks, and ramen. There’s nothing like watching a tv, drama or variety show and munching on the same items that you’re seeing advertised. *If you’re wondering how to make your ramen, or tteokbokki exactly how you see advertised you might also think about purchasing a Korean cookbook.

Also Read: Korean Food: Bloggers And YouTube Resources

Snack Boxes

There are many companies that deliver Korean snack boxes to your door once a month. If you’ve never tried Koran snacks and you don’t know what to try you can get a monthly subscription service. The great thing about snack boxes is that you can try a variety of snacks and find your favorites.

Snack boxes are also wonderful gifts to send to a friend or family member during the holidays. There are several companies available and each offers its own specialties and rates.

Looking for information about Korean snacks? Get the Korean Convenience app on the App Store or Google Play Store

Local Grocery Store

Depending on where you live there may be several products that you can purchase at your local grocery store. In their snack section you can usually find Choco Pies, Seaweed, spices, a variety of ramen flavors, and even Vegan Kimchi. Check out your local grocery store website/app and search their international food options.

Retail Corporations

Because of the popularity of Korean food some retail corporations also carry several popular Korean snack, and drink options. Places like Target and Walmart also have their own assortment of snack options available.

Final Thoughts

Whatever shopping method you use to buy Korean snack products in today’s economy I believe what matters most is the costs, taste, and delivery options available.

Are there any companies that I missed? I would love to read your comments down below.

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Posted on May 20, 2019May 6, 2023 by Korean Convenience — Leave a comment

Korean Convenience Store Lessons

AS CONVENIENT AS POSSIBLE

Recently, there have been some questions as to why I suddenly posted a product vocabulary list written in Hangul and English. I want to share the reason why I created this list and my future plans.

I first came across the GRRRL Traveler blog post titled “Just Show Me The Pictures! Dealing With Language Barriers In Korea.” It resonated with my current situation of living abroad in South Korea. I was experiencing the very real situation of wanting to purchase products, yet I couldn’t read the package list of ingredients and how to microwave (cook) the product. I know many ex-pats frequently use the term trial and error.

Living With Food Allergies

But what if you couldn’t just wing it, without facing real consequences? I’ve mentioned in other blog posts about my food allergy to shellfish. Keeping that in mind I couldn’t just buy products without facing possible health consequences.

If you’ve ever lived in another country then you’ll understand at some point you create your own list. Whether it’s caring around a pocket dictionary or a grocery list with your frequently bought items. At some point during your travels, you will create a type of cheat sheet to make things easier for you as you travel.

Looking for information about Korean snacks? Get the Korean Convenience app on the

App Store or Google Play Store

I created a list to share product name(s), and the comparable translation for ex-pats, or tourists to find information on products as convenient as possible. My goal for this list is to fulfill the need of tourists who can’t read food packages written in Hangul and can’t pronounce the words thereby limiting their access to other translation sources.

This is the digital cheat sheet that eventually I will share with everyone. All items include an option written in English and Hangul for easy reference on popular breakfast, lunch, drinks, snacks, and miscellaneous items.

The journey of creating these lists has had its ups and down. I first set out to create a mobile application. Because of the world we live in, having information on your mobile device, is the most convenient. I remember as I planned my trip to Korea one of the first tasks I tackled was finding out about necessary mobile applications.

You’ve gotten this far in the story. Guess What? The app is finally here check out the Korean Convenience app on the

App Store or Google Play Store

I have experienced a difficult journey as a blogger, and entrepreneur. After trying to find investors for a mobile application, I tried to find a book publisher while I discussed the idea with an International convenience store chain. So far, all roads lead to a dead end.

I’ve learned what it means to form relationships with Korean companies by asking for product information. Preparing a solid business plan, an elevator pitch, and having a business mentor.

I believe the journey so far has been worth it for future travelers who travel to South Korea. If I can elevate one person from experiencing walking into a store and feeling completely overwhelmed with the experience of being in a foreign country and not speaking the language. Then I achieved my mission of assisting ex-pats and tourists in purchasing convenience store food products as conveniently as possible.

I hope that you find the product name(s) and the accompanying translations easy to read and navigate. In the future, maybe there won’t be a need for this list or others like it. Until then I hope to continue to improve this list, and I look forward to the next phase of the journey.

Convenience Store Tips

Become familiar with the steps of instant ramen cooking machines. The machines and instructions may vary from store to store. * Check out this instant ramen noodle cooker from Lazo on their Youtube channel and GoBizKorea.
Look for the 1+1, and 2+1 daily deals on dairy, drinks, and snack items.
Don’t forget to pick up a pair of chopsticks, or utensils at the cash register.

Disclaimer: Korean Convenience stores located in South Korea are run separately. Each convenience store has a selection of product(s) that may vary from location to location. There is no guarantee that this list will reflect item(s) and or product(s) available for purchase during your visit.

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Posted on April 1, 2019December 1, 2022 by Korean Convenience — Leave a comment

Big Rice Korean Cuisine Review

Bulgogi Lunch Box

Spring was in the air as I walked around the Descanso Gardens. The gardens were filled with happy children waiting to ride the mini train. Touring the colorful tulip beds, rose and lilac bushes, I came upon a Cherry Blossom tree in full bloom. I was reminded of my time spent in Korea during the cherry blossom season. Whenever I began to miss Korea I usually visit a Korean restaurant and this time was no different.

Big Rice Korean Cuisine, Temple City, California

Big Rice Korean Cuisine is located about twenty minutes from the Descanso Gardens in Temple City, California. I found Big Rice after searching Korean restaurant reviews and I liked the pictures of their food and restaurant decor.

I was in the mood for bulgogi and rice and I was excited to see the food is served lunch box style. The banchan dishes that accompanied the lunch box was spicy cucumbers, bean sprouts, seaweed (miyeok muchim), and kimchi.

The bulgogi and rice lunch set include a tofu and seaweed soup for a total of $10.98 not including the soda or gratuity.

The bulgogi and rice tasted a little too sweet for my liking, but with some added sriracha sauce it was perfect. Overall, I liked the large portion size and the combination of meat, rice, and vegetables. Other popular menu items include the topokki, kimchi fried rice and glass noodles. *Tip: I went to the restaurant when it just opened and the Kimchi stew was not available. Call ahead if you’re set on ordering a specific menu item.

Inside the Big Rice restaurant, it has square communal wooden tables with dark colored wooden seats. Along the back wall, there’s a cushioned bench that allows for an optional seating area. On the wall near the kitchen area, the latest K-pop music videos play.

Nearby stores include a Daiso Japan, various Asian restaurants and a Chipotle Mexican Grill. There’s plenty of free parking located within the plaza. However, it’s a very busy parking lot and my suggestion is to park further away and walk the short distance.

Big Rice is located at 5703 Rosemead Blvd, Temple City, CA 91780. For more information on their menu and hours of operation visit Big Rice Facebook page or call (626) 940-5543.

For more information on the Descanso Gardens and its blooming scheduling check out their website.

Do you have any Korean restaurants in Los Angeles that you recommend? I would love to read your comments down below.

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Posted on November 19, 2018April 9, 2022 by Korean Convenience — Leave a comment

Oo-kook Korean BBQ and Coffee

All You Can Eat BBQ and Heyri Coffee

Before the weather completely changes and my tastebuds switches to soups I visited another Korean BBQ restaurant in Koreatown. The most recent restaurant is a little different as it’s not located directly on Wilshire Blvd. Oo-Kook specializes in an all you can eat Korean BBQ, with various servings of banchan.

Oo-Kook BBQ

I met up with my friend again whom I met while we lived in South Korea. She said I should try another restaurant beside our usual hang-out at BCD Tofu House. We met at noon at Oo-kook to eat, catch-up and discuss our returning to Korea.

Oo-Kook Korean BBQ and Heyri Coffee House

The restaurant allows three servings per order which include an order of white rice, and or cheese corn. We started off with three of the most popular choices of meat which includes pork belly, beef steak, and marinated rib.

The beef steak was my favorite out of the different meat options that we sampled. It costs $24.99 per person for the all you can eat menu and is well worth the price and service.

Oo-Kook Korean BBQ menu, Koreatown, Los Angeles

*Tip: The restaurant offers valet parking and there’s two-hour metered street parking nearby. If you would like to visit Oo-Kook, the restaurant is located at 3385 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005 or call (213) 385-5665 for more information.

After consuming so much meat and vegetables we decided to go to a nearby coffee house.

헤 이 리 – Heyri Coffee House

Oo-Kook Korean BBQ and Heyri Coffee House, Koreatown, Los Angeles

The inside of the restaurant looks cozy and comfortable. There was plenty of seating and I was surprised the coffee house offered lunch menu items as well as dessert.

We choose outside seating as it was a nice day and the Coffee House offered covered patio seating. *Tip: There are a smoking area and non-smoking area available for customers. I choose the standard iced americano and my friend choose the sweet potato latte.

Oo-Kook Korean BBQ and Heyri Coffee House, Cafe, Koreatown

I tried my friends’ sweet potato latte and I thought it had a creamy texture and the sweet potato flavor wasn’t overpowering. The real attraction here is the outdoor seating location. It allowed for friendly conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. The next time I go back to this restaurant I want to try the Bingsu because it looked really yummy.

In addition to street parking, Heyri also offers valet parking for two dollars. Heyri Coffee House is located at 755 S Hobart Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90005. To find out more information visit Heyri Coffee House or call (213) 389-6138.

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Do you have a favorite restaurant or place you like to visit in Koreatown? I would love to read your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Posted on October 15, 2018June 6, 2022 by Korean Convenience — Leave a comment

K-Town Food Tour Review

K-town food tour, Avital food tour, The Prince Restaurant Entrance, Los Angeles

Avital Food Tour: Koreatown

I decided to go to a Korean food tour for two reasons; I could visit new restaurants and meet new people who loved Korean food. I booked Avital Tours after a quick google search of Korean food tours in Los Angeles.

I choose Avital because they make exceptions for food allergies (I have a shellfish allergy) and I could learn more about Koreatown while enjoying good food. The tour consisted of four courses over the span of three hours and provides a culinary experience with a segment of Koreatown’s history.

Before the tour date I received a follow-up email with necessary tour information; such as meeting location, parking (metro optional) and tour guide contact information.

From past experiences, I know the parking situation is a little hectic in Koreatown. One of the advantages of the tour is that we were meeting on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. which meant we were after the lunch crowd but before dinner diners.

We were instructed to meet in front of a popular bar on Wilshire Blvd. Our tour guide Penny politely greeted each attendee and steered our initial conversation. After all, parties were in attendance Penny told us a brief history about the 24-acre Ambassador Hotel complex and the hotel’s famous Cocoanut Grove theatre.

To read more about the Ambassador Hotel history check out KCET page: Los Angeles In Buildings: The Ambassador Hotel. We set off for the entree course at a nearby Korean BBQ restaurant.

Gwang Yang BBQ

Address: 3435 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 123, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

Phone: (213) 385 – 5600

Immediately entering the restaurant you see a wall of Korean celebrities who have visited the restaurant. Some of my favorites pictures were of Korean singers Eric Nam and Minzy (2NE1). The restaurant has a contemporary vibe with an elegant seating area.

Part of the food tour included VIP room seating for the six of us. After taking our seats our preset entree was served which included: Gwang Yang Bulgogi, white rice, hot tea, and various banchan side dishes. The waitress was gracious enough to cook our bulgogi for us.

As we waited our conversation quickly turned to Korean dramas. *Fun fact: Our tour guide Penny had a small role in a Korean drama as a ghost. I worked on my ongoing chopstick mastery as we discussed the places we’ve traveled and must-see documentaries on Netflix.

It didn’t feel crowded with the table setting and there was enough seating to accommodate a large gathering. The meat was perfectly cooked over a metal mesh wire with an open flame. My favorite banchan sides dishes were the pink pickled radish and the pasta salad.

Read more about Gwang Yang BBQ and it’s food selections at Gwang Yang BBQ

After we finished our entree we moved to the next location. While we walked to The Prince restaurant our tour guide Penny told us information about the Robert F. Kennedy Community School. In front of the school, there is a beautiful memorial wall with a famous quote from Robert F. Kennedy.

The Prince Restaurant

Address: 3198 W. 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Phone: (213) 389 – 1586

After a quick two block walk, we stood in front of The Prince restaurant and bar. On the outside, it reminded me of the old New York brick buildings.

The inside decor has a flapper, 1970’s vibe with dark lighting and velvet walls.

*Fun fact: Mad Men and New Girls have both recorded episodes at this restaurant. If you’re looking for a restaurant for Halloween themed party then this is a great place to go.

Our pre-ordered entree included spicy chicken wings with rice cakes. Chicken and beer (Chimaek 치맥) was my second favorite dish on the food tour and a must for anyone who visits this restaurant.

The chicken wings were spicy and the rice cakes were sticky. The rice cake was spicier as the rice cake soaked up the chicken sauce. The chicken was more on the spicer side, but not too spicy. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being spicy I would give it a 7 on the spicy scale. *Tour tip: Beverages including alcohol is an additional charge and is not included with the regular tour trip.

Read more about The Prince Restaurant on their Facebook page.

We walked back to the main street of Wilshire and down one street to 6th Avenue. *Tip: Take a look around the buildings as you walk and you may see the MBC building located here in Los Angeles.

It was only a little past five p.m. and the plaza was already busy with people. *Fun fact: The Historic Chapman Plaza is one of the first places to have a drive-in for cars in the Western United States. For more information visit Chapman Plaza on the Los Angeles Conservancy page.

EscaLa Restaurant

Address: 3451 W. 6th Street., Los Angeles, CA 90020

Phone: (213) 387 – 1113

EscaLa is a Colombian-Korean fusion restaurant; that has a lively atmosphere where LA artist socializes. There was a beautiful portrait of a woman and also a colorful mural of a young Michael Jackson. * I couldn’t get a picture of the Michael Jackson mural because there was a couple sitting in the booth.

Inside the restaurant, the music was playing a little too loud for my liking. However, the restaurant is great for birthday parties and patrons who want to listen to good music and let loose after a long work week.

Our pre-ordered menu item is called K-town Rice Con Pollo, which consisted of kimchi, coconut rice, chicken, peas, spicy tomato sauce, and a sunny side up egg.

The rice was not spicy but leaned toward the sweet side. If you plan on ordering this dish I would recommend ordering an additional entree as the K-town Rice Con Pollo serving size can be shared.

Visit EscaLA Town website to find more information on their restaurant & happy hour specials.

Next, we walked around the Chapman Market Plaza and noticed the 1929 details of the building. Within the plaza, there’s a Starbucks, a famous BBQ restaurant (the restaurant looked really busy if you decide to go there expect a brief wait), Snow Monster and other eateries.

Lastly, we moved onto the dessert portion of the K-town food tour and we grabbed dessert at Snow Monster.

Snow Monster

Address: 3465 W. 6th Street, Suite #120, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Phone: (714) 582 – 6023

Snow Monster is known for their boba tea and has a fun, and playful atmosphere. Our preset dessert item: a giant macaron cookie with vanilla ice cream.

The vanilla ice cream perfectly blended with the soft macaron that had a chocolate and caramel drizzle coated with nuts. A member of our tour group liked the ice cream sandwich so much that she went back for seconds and said the Colombian coffee ice cream tasted really good.

Read more about Snow Monster (eat dessert, be a monster) here.

Overall, Avital Tours really shows off a great selection of K-town’s cuisine and historic past. I would recommend this food tour for locals and tourist who want to sample Korean cuisine while enjoying a well-planned and informative tour of Koreatown.

To book the Korean food tour or see a list of Avital additional tours in Los Angeles check out Avital Tours.

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Posted on February 3, 2018November 28, 2022 by Korean Convenience — Leave a comment

Maangchi: Korean Grocery Store Blog

Emily Kim aka Maangchi Demystifies

The Korean Grocery Store

Yesterday, I was debating on whether I should posts a blog on necessary mobile applications while traveling Korea. The alternative was posting a business startup checklist I created. While I was being indecisive I did what I always do, I researched on the internet what has already been covered. After finding different articles and blog posts I wondered if I could add anything new to the conversation?

The result of this indecisiveness, I didn’t post a blog. However, I did want to keep to the schedule of posting 3x a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, even if this post is a little late.

I thought I would share another blog posts that provide great resources and correlates with my previous blog Life In Korea. The website is called “Maangchi,” Emily Kim cooks authentic Korean recipes that she learned from her mother while growing up in Korea. The blog she posted, “How To Shop At A Korean Grocery Store” is a four-part YouTube video that assists shoppers with navigating a Korean Grocery store.

Download the Korean Convenience app and find Korean chips, cookies, and snack with English and Hangul brand names, allergen and ingredient information.

Available for free on iOS and Android

Part One

Part one of the series: Rice and Produce, where she offers helpful tips on the correct rice to purchase whether you’re making bibimbap or cooking a stew. The second video Soy Sauces, Pastes, and Spices is my personal favorite. Since I have a shellfish allergy I definitely needed to watch this video to help with the confusion of Gochujang a Korean spicy dipping sauce.

Third Video

The third video in the series Noodles, Powders, Grains, Beans & Seaweed offers helpful tips on purchasing products at the grocery store. Some of the tips I learned, checking the color of powders and sauces (containers should have one uniform color, with no discoloration), and how to read the back of food packages to check the level of spiciness and when the product expires.

The fourth and final video; The Frozen Section, Dried & Fermented Seafood, Rice Cakes, Tofu & Kitchenware covers a wide range of topics. I found the section on cooking with Tofu and the recipes she tagged in the video extremely helpful. I plan on cooking the recipe for rice cake soup for the upcoming Seollal holiday.

Final Thoughts

I want to highlight a contributor to Korean cuisine for any of the readers who are not already a part of her 2 million-plus subscribers on YouTube. The website has provided great resources for anyone, like me, who felt completely overwhelmed with the thought of walking into a Korean grocery store.

Lastly, I could have focused on her informative step-by-step recipes or cookbook, yet I want to mention another reason to check out her website; the Global Grocery Shopping Directory her community has compiled. Now, there’s no reason not to try cooking your favorite dish you enjoy at your local Korean BBQ (my favorite in L.A. is Hae Jang Chon) restaurant.

I hope you enjoyed this blog where I highlighted a website that I have found to be a great resource for understanding Korean cuisine.

If you want to read about my life abroad in South Korea and more about Korean food check out:

Would love to hear your thoughts, should I continue posting highlights I have found helpful with Korean cuisine, beauty, language, and culture?