I attended a cooking class sponsored by CJ Food today for the start of the Seoul Kimchi Festival. After the class, the participants were given a bag of goodies. I didn’t go home immediately and walked around Gwanghwamun Plaza until I got to the booths of different embassies in Seoul. I had no idea that the “Embassies Day in Seoul” is being held from November 14 ~ 16 (Friday to Sunday). There was no Seoul Friendship Fair this year, due to the Sewol tragedy. It is usually held during the Hi Seoul Festival in Spring.
I immediately looked for the booth of the Philippines, located on the right side of the stage. I recognized Ms. Dinah of Kusina Filipino Restaurant. They had a few Filipino delicacies for sale: lumpia, turon, puto, banana pao and kutsinta. The kutsinta were delicious even without grated coconut and they were only 500 won each. The Koreans visiting the booth were interested in the brochures on tourist destinations of the country.
I forgot to ask the information center how many embassies are participating, but i’m sure there are more than 50. If you’re planning to visit, don’t forget to bring cash! There are so many things to buy ~ from food to souvenirs ~ like the Russian dolls and the Bulgarian Rose oil extract. Or perhaps the paintings from Morocco priced at 100,000 won to 400,000 won.