Winter 2018 Korean Books Trends | Youngpoong Bookstore in Gangnam, Seoul

Gangnam is one of the sleepless cities in Seoul. Lighting of Gangnam isn't turned off until late night.

Many restaurants, cafes, clothing stores lighten Gangnam street. People visit Gangnam for thier pleasure and consumption.

Gangnam street in Seoul

But Gangnam also has some bookstores, not only restaurants and clothing stores.

Youngpoong(YP) Bookstore is one of the Bookstores in Gangnam. YP Bookstore is a famouse bookstore in South Korea which has a long history.

The main store of YP Bookstore is in Jongno, Seoul. And Gangnam YP Bookstore is a branch. 

I like to visit Gangnam YP Bookstore cause its location is very easy to access.
(It's very close from Gangnam station exit. 11)

Actually Korean like to watch Movies more than Books. In my case, I go to the cinema to watch a film every month. On the other hand, I go to a bookstore every season. 

Instead, I try to look around for a long time. 

Youngppong Bookstore in Gangnam

There is a recommended book of January close to the entrance of Youngpoong Bookstore.

One is 'the apartment in Paris' and the other is 'the US-China war'.

English textbooks in YP bookstore, Gangnam

There is an English study book in a nearby shelf. Young people in Korea are interested in studying English. There are a lot of Foreign language study books. From elementary school to

college, Korean is studying English for college admission or company promotion.

Foreign language study books for Korean

Nowadays, Korean is studying Chinese as well as English.

Books about Virtual currency and bitcoin

You can also see 'virtual curruncy' and 'bitcoin' related books in the economic corner. Nowadays young Korean is interestd in Virtual curruncy than stock. However Korean government is

preparing the regulations for bitcoin cuase they think it is like a gambling.

new novels in Koren bookstore

I am personally the most interesting novel corner. 'Marilyn and two men' and 'I was waiting for you' in the new.

novels, steadysellers in Korean bookstore

Existing novels include 'The underground railroad', 'a man called Ove', 'genocide', and 'stalker'.

books about trips

I moved to the travel section. 'Jeju car travel' and 'food trip' is noticeable.

care magazines in Korean bookstore, Gangnam

There are also magazines. Korean magazines as well as foreign magazines related to automobiles are on display.

Lee minho with Cosmopolitan

There is also a fashion magazine. The picture just above was taken last year. Korean actor Lee Min Ho is a cover model.

Parker pens in Korean Bookstore, Seoul

Lamy pens in Korean Bookstore, Gangnam

Youngpoong Bookstore sells books as well as stationery. You can see Parker pens and Lamy pens.

Korean Cashier in Youngpoong Bookstore

I take about 1 to 2 hours to look around a bookstore and paperbooks. After this bookstore time, I feel calm and enjoyable.

Although e-books are convenient, sometimes I buy paper books.

Read More

A dish to eat when you visit Seoul | Yeongdong Jokbal

Jokbal, boiled Pork(feet)

I will introduce to you a representative restaurant in Yangjae, 'Yeongdong Jokbal'. I think that many people in Seoul already know about this restaurant.

The head shop of Yeongdong Jokbal has opened in 1985. And it has expanded to four stores around the Yangjae head shop. You can guess how Yeongdong Jokbal business is doing well.

There are also some new visitors, but the regular customers who visit regularly are main guests of this restaurant. I also like to go to the Youngdong Jokbal.

On thursday night suddenly I liked to eat Jokbal. So I went to Yeongdong Jokbal.

Yangjae market, Seoul

Yangjae market, Seoul

Yangjae market, Seoul

Yangjae market, Seoul

To visit Yeongdong Jokbal, you have to pass Yangjae market near Yangjae Station.

A lot of various restaurants in Yangjae market are tempting people but I went to Youngdong Jokbal without hesitating.

signs of Yeongdong Jokbal

signs of Yeongdong Jokbal

The head shop of Yeongdong Jokbal

The second shop of Yeongdong Jokbal

The 4th shop of Yeongdong Jokbal

I finally found Yeongdong Jokbal on an alley of Yangjae Market. The second, third, and fourth stores are located near the head shop of Yeongdong Jokbal.

There were a lot of guests even though a closing time is coming.

The 3rd shop of Yeongdong Jokbal

inside of Yeongdong Jokbal store

I went to the third store of Yeongdong Jokbal. The 3rd store has a basement and two floors, so the space is wide.

Therefore it seems that guests are mainly distributed to 3rd store especially busy time of Yeongdong Jokbal.

But my purpose was just Jokbal packaging, not stayinging in the store. Youngdong Jokbal is available for packing their product.

I bought Jokbal for my supper.

I waited for a while and looked around at the 3rd shop. 

Some employees were busy for trimming Jokbal and others were preparing the table setting. 

Because of their hard work, we can enjoy this nice food and service. (I ate this delicious Jokbal with gratitude.)

free side menu of Yeongdont Jokbal, bean soup

free side menu of Yeongdont Jokbal, Onion pickle

free side menus of Yeongdont Jokbal

free side menus of Yeongdont Jokbal, Radish Kimchi

free side menu of Yeongdont Jokbal, Ssamjang

cups for drinks

I waited for a while and looked around at the 3rd shop.

Some employees were busy for trimming Jokbal and others were preparing the table setting.

Because of their hard work, we can enjoy this nice food and service. (I ate this delicious Jokbal with gratitude.)


Yongdong Jokbal serve some side dishes like Onion pickles, redish Kimchi and white Kimchi with bean soup.

The side dishes are simple compare to other types of Korean restaurants cause main is Jok bal in this restaurant.

If you feel that the side dishes are lacking, you can order additional menus. The other menus of Yeongdong are include Haemul pajeon, Sundub jjigae, Makguksu,  Steamed eggs, Tofu with kimchi and Somyeon(noodle).

You also can order drinks like soju and Makgeolli. Makgeolli is a kind of white wine from rice and famous drink in Korea.

Packing menu of Yeongdong Jokbal

Packing menu of Yeongdong Jokbal

Packing menu of Yeongdong Jokbal

Jokbal and vegetables

Finally I arrived at home with Jokbal! How hungry I was on this day.

Yongdong Jokbal revealed that lovely shape.

Lettuce 

Lettuce and green peppers

pickles and redish Kimchi

redish Kimchi (Mu saeng chae)

Onion pickles

Sauce and Ssamjang

Soy Sauce

Ssamjang (Korean bean paste)

They also wrapped well onion pickles, vegetables, and sauces.

The lettuce was insufficient for me. So I had filled some more lettuce. Korean usally eat a lot of lettuce when we eat meat.

Jokbal (boiled Pork feet)

Jokbal (boiled Pork feet with gelatin)

Korean Jokbal Ssam (pork wrapped in lettuce)

eaten Jokbal

The taste of Yeongdong Jokbal comes from the chewy skin and smooth inner meat of pork.

The brown skin of pork and sweetness taste of inside their special recipe.

I do not know the exact recipe of their cooking, but Yeongdong Jokbal has survived for over 30 years since 1985.

I ate unconsciously cause so hungry. After almost eating, I noticed Jokbal bones.

At the top of the Jokbal, there is well-cut meat, and at the bottom is a large bones.

If you cannot eat all, keep Jokbal in the refrigerator. Yeongdong Jokbal is delicious even when it is cold!

Read More