You know what INTJs don't do? (I)

We have no interest in going around telling all our friends that "my colleague went for plastic surgery". Bcos we have better things to do.

I mean, come on. Who will spend their precious me-time gossiping instead. 

[Winter Beijing] I found Tin Tin!

Nahhh.. Kidding. 

Found the blue lotus bar & restaurant instead at Shi Cha Hai 什刹海 in Beijing on the night of supermoon :)

[Winter Seoul] Tosokchon Ginseng Chicken Soup

If you're not keen on spicy food, Seoul still offers lotsa options for you! Travelling with a non-spicy eater, almost all our meals were non-spicy/variable. It's possible!

Recommendation for today is Tosokchon's ginseng chicken soup! Their ginseng liquor packed a super punch, tried a sip and wow, blown off. So i decided to do it the usual way to add it into the soup instead. 

If you are complaining that ginseng chicken soup always lack the ginseng flavour, the secret is the ginseng liquor! Otherwise i think it would be just good chicken soup 😂

Tried their jeon as well, and of course, makgeolli! It was a super satisfying meal and i would not hesitate to return :)

[Winter Seoul] Breakfast at Bonjuk (本粥)

Spicy porridge for breakfast? Yes, Captain!

Bonjuk does it well. I would have thought that the odd medley wouldn't go down very well but then again, there must be a reason for the queue right. Such a comfort food in winter.

I tried the kimchi seafood porridge and it was oddly delighting. Smooth congee with slight spiciness and hint of sourish kimchi. Yet so sweet with all that octopus thingy. The banchans were tasty too, esp the braised beef.

Overall good experience at Bonjuk, and i just had to takeaway one more bowl of red bean porridge to eat on the go. Because, only reserve your calories intake for the best food :)

[Jeju] 骑虎难下

Taken at Teseum, Jeju :)

#fatahbeng eats at Hattendo Singapore!

Newly opened at Tanjong Pagar Centre this year is Hattendo from Hiroshima Japan!

Of all the cream puffs, cream rolls and creamy snacks.. This one takes the cake literally!

Open kitchen concept with a Japanese baker. Hattendo features five cream bun flavours, signature custard, fresh cream, azuki, matcha and chocolate.

I haven't gotten to try all five flavours as there's a crazy queue during weekdays! Despite being near my office, as you know, lunch time is precious for #fatahbeng. And when there's no queue, you know it's sold out. I came here on a Saturday at 1pm but three flavours were already sold out since there was waves of queues. 

Came again after work on a weekday and only two flavours left again. Managed a small chat with the cashier and he told me that there are still buns left because they upped the supply! :)

I must rave about their latte. Their exclusive jap blend coffee is intense but smooth and thick because they've used japanese milk. It's $5 for the iced one, cheaper than most branded coffee joints around but tops the game easily. Easily. 

What's more is that their buns are so creamy, so flowy, so instagrammable (but i didn't because eating takes precedent over photos), so affordable too. At $2.50, you rarely can get such value outside. Nice environment, quality bun, quality ingredients, buns made carefully with love, joy and pride.

Verdict time. Of the three flavours i've tried (signature custard, fresh cream, matcha), fresh cream is top. Other then that, the other flavours are on par, equally goood. Just that i preferred fresh cream because it was so yummy. Sweet but not too sickly sweet, light sweet. Aromatic, milk fragrant. 

Haiya just go eat okay. You need to eat at Hattendo at least once. Esp if you pride yourself as a foodie, this is a must try. If u are an instagrammer, come here and #ootd with the nice buns whatever too.

 

There's a queue after work too and i am seeing it sold out before my eyes. "1, 2, 3, 4... 7 custard left". And there's still seven people in the queue >.< 

Come during lunch. I felt the freshly ready buns were better than the ones i had after work. 

If you are thinking of buying some home, these buns need to be chilled and can be kept chilled up to 12 hours. And there is a purchase limit of 10 buns per customer.

I will try the remaining flavours soon. Promise.

How annoying is it to be an INTJ?

You know how schools like to arrange for profiling tests as post-exam activity? I feel you. Why make us fit into egg trays.

Took the MBTI years ago and recently the report resurfaced because I was in the midst of springcleaning. I took emergenetics before as well, and rather than to compare both tests, I would say they complement each other to help you find ways to improve yourself.

So, the report aside.. Let me tell you more first-hand about INTJ. Actually it is just about being me. (Because the first instinct for INTJ is to doubt the accuracy of such tests that try to fit us into stereotypes, nobody can fit INTJs into anything except us. Get it?)

So growing up was a hell lot of self-exploration because...

1. cannot stand conversing with people who talks slowly

2. why don't they understand what i'm talking about, it's simple things.

3. i don't feel like talking to you. but when i do, you better not do the same to me.

4. me time is more important than together time and none shall disturb

5. i can give you advice, but you better take it. if not, don't ask.

6. the mind is forever on something, thinking about things. i've actually wondered what goes in others' minds, is it the same?

7. the life plan is real. you know i've actually charted out my almost 15 years modest financial plan, and when the salary increment fell short by 2% last year, it felt like my whole life is ruined. (Yes, ruined! Hahaha) nahh but INTJs bounce back and replan.

8. similarly, when i plan to head out with you for a rare gathering (because you must be important to me that i actually agree to attend), and you cancel on me? my whole day is ruined.

9. only like to read fiction books, don't like TV.

10. being weird and like weird things (like recently i'm into sichuan face changing act. so cultural.)

11. Curious. (How did they perform the face changing act? but after knowing the secret, the interest dies down a lil)

12. Don't like to talk to strangers (i could stay in group camp for five days and still not be friends with some mates)

13. But when i talk, i make sure you have to hear the complete tale. 

14. Trust has to be earned, but once on, you have to be ready to hear me out. A lot. But once you are deemed unreliable, sorry that's it.

15. If something happens, i need solution, not deliberation. So don't talk nonsense, anything you have to say, tell me after the problem is solved. And if you can't solve, i will find a way somehow.

16. It takes you three days to work on an essay? Me too. Just that i take 2.5 days to plan, and 0.5 days to write. Planning is everything. That's why better grades. (my flatmates used to say that i always do last minute work and still get good grades. no, even thinking in the head is planning)

17. Needs to look at all the factors before coming to any decision. Therefore, don't appreciate micro-management.

18. Enjoys learning. Learning is everything to me. 

19. Sometimes i wonder how the mind fits in such a lot of information, and when did i acquire those mini bits of info!?

20. Sometimes i forget. I forget to tell you important things because in my mind it has already been classified as logical action. 

But of course being an INTJ, I have my likes on being one too. 

1. Super independent. Even going to Africa alone for the first time wasn't an issue. In fact, just leave it to me.

2. You need work done? I will do it for you as long as you are the one. Because we enjoy work. 

3. I need my sleep. i've figured five hours is enough to keep me functional eventhough more is def better. 

4. We are good at certain things that we are passionate about. Or rather, we make sure we become good. I can go on the whole day about Internet Governance and Social Issues of the Internet. Or about my work.

5. We don't really work just for the sake of working. It has to be of our interest, challenging and have an appreciative environment.

6. I want the logo shifted 1mm to the right means just that. 1mm to the right, no more no less, must do. don't like to play games.

7. Being rational and logical works. Can't deal with emo stuff, absolutely.

8. Not enough. What i'm doing is not enough. How can I do better.

9. Loyalty.

10. Easy on fashion. As long as i like the cutting, i'll just buy the same :) the same tailor has been making my shirts since my first job 😂

Ahh well. Sometimes i attribute my weirdness to being an INTJ, but i know it's just me being weird la! ;) plus im a Libran wahahaa

[Winter Jeju] What to eat in Jeju?!

Just a short food post for today. What's not to miss in Jeju? 

Hallabong? 

Hmmm.. I bought 4 hallabongs for about 10,000w. Obviously I ate one before taking a photo 😂 was super looking forward to tasting hallabongs but turned out to be average tasting to me. Tasted just like a combination of orange and mandarin orange.

But TADAA! What you need to try is black pork BBQ!

Just like the wagyu of pork.

Sizzle sizzle :)

Always tastes better when there's someone to cook for you. HAHA!

[Winter Seoul] Traditional Tea House

Regardless of the season, there is no better time to experience a tea session at any traditional tea houses in Korea.

Personally, i really like the traditional Ssanghwa Cha (双和茶) served in Korean teahouses. It really warms up my body with that strong herby taste completed with hints of jujube and a powerful kickback of licorice. Woohooo~ It is really an acquired taste for Ssanghwa Cha, and nope, I haven't gotten to try them with raw egg yolk. 

However, your best bet at the teahouses will definitely be brewed green tea, jujube tea, mulberry tea or citron tea. Safe choices to boot.

While these teahouses can be found almost anywhere in Seoul, I particularly enjoyed those at Buchon Hanok Village and Insadong because of their rustic charm and superb view.

Don't miss those snacks to go along with your tea too! Some rice puff snacks, sweet cookies or even red bean porridge (patjuk) would be good.

Ps: i love patjuk ;)

[Winter Seoul] #fatahbeng First Ski Experience!

I tried skiing for the first time ever and am absolutely in love with it. I was at Vivaldi Park in Gangwon and it was beginner friendly :) I tried the level 1 and 2 slopes, they were freaking awesome. 

I would so much so much wish to go on annual ski excursions, if i can afford. Sadly, not at the moment.

But it was good while it lasted! I actually woke up the next day thinking woohoo i'm going skiing again today! Only to realise i was already back in Seoul.

I'll definitely be back for more!