Saturday, November 28, 2015

From Traditional to Modern Korea: Review about Jeonggangwon and Uiyaji Wind Village


They say that when you love the things you are doing it seems like time flies really fast. It feels like you are chasing with time because you don't want things to finish as soon as possible. Just like this, the 2015 Korea Rural Tourism Supporters Program is approaching its end. It might have been so hard for everyone since we will need to separate ways. Nonetheless, the friendship we shared in this amazing program was just too superb that I think everyone will forever cherish.

We held our third (final) Famtour last November 21, 2015 in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. We visited two places, Jeonggangwon and Uiyagi Wind Village. The experience programs in these places was so memorable for me primarily because it was also my special day (if you know what I mean). 

From Seoul, Pyeongchang is almost a three-hour bus ride but it depends on the traffic condition, sometimes it might take longer. 

Experience something traditional in this contemporary time at Jeonggangwon

Brief Introduction about Jeonggangwon

It was established with the primary goal of promoting the value and excellence of traditional Korean cuisine culture to the world. The place also offers a picturesque architectural view that everyone will surely love. The Hanok or the traditional Korean House gives a traditional ambiance to the place as well as it makes the place cozier and relaxing. 

Getting there by public transportation

From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Jangpyeong (장평). Travel time is roughly 2 hours. The bus starts from 6:32 in the morning and ends at 8:05 in the evening at 30 minutes to 1 hour intervals. From Jangpyeong Bus Terminal, take a taxi to the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine (or Jeong Gang Won). From the bus terminal is it 3 km drive. 
Entrance to Jeonggangwon
Kimchi Jars
Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Outside view of the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Note: I edited the name because it does not sound right to me
(Original was "The Institute of Traditional Korea Cuisine", the spelling of institute was "institutete" and I change the wording from Korea to Korean)
Inside the Institute of Traditional Korean Cuisine
Hanbok exhibit hall (Women area)
Replica of Traditional Korean hair accessory
Experience Programs
1. Hanbok-wearing experience program
Hanbok which literally means Korean Clothes ('Han' for Korean and 'bok' for clothes) is the traditional Korean dress. Often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Historically worn everyday but in contemporary times this clothing  can only be seen in special or particular occasions such as wedding ceremony, funeral, first birthday celebration for children, 60th birthday for adults, special functions or festivals, and traditional cultural events that require it to be worn.

Historically speaking the color and type of Hanbok that can be worn differs depending with the social status of the wearer. Red and gold colored Hanbok and often made of Silk is technically associated with the Royal Family for instance. 

For detailed information about Hanbok visit Korea Tourism Organization writing about it available at http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_1_2_1.jsp
Modeling with hanbok
Priscilla wearing her chosen Hanbok
Frienda in men's Hanbok
Curious why you should visit this place then check this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOJtwXLlbiQ


2. Bibimbap-making experience program
Bibimbap literally mean mixed rice ('bibim' is the verb which means 'to mix' whereas 'bap' means 'rice'). It is considered as one of the traditional Korean cuisine. Often characterized as a healthy Korean cuisine for it is mainly composed of sautéed and seasoned vegetables, ground meat, fried egg and spices. In contemporary Korea, one can see a variety of bibimbap but the most popular is the original one which is just composed of pure vegetables and rice. 

If you are curious on how bibimbap is made check this YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvb9VaxuikQ

Entrance to Jeonggangwon
Interior of Jeonggangwon
Interior of Jeonggangwon
Interior of Jeonggangwon
Dining table inside Jeonggangwon
Interior of Jeonggangwon
pre-cooked rice with sesame seeds
Seasoned vegetables and strips of fried egg
Seasoned vegetables and ground meat
Chili Pepper paste and seasoned vegetable
Pre-mixed bibimbap
bibimbap
Priscilla with her newly made bibimbap

Aside from making bibimbap (‪비빔밥만들기) the center also offers different traditional food making experience programs (전통음식만들기체험) such as 'Making red pepper paste' (‪‎고추장만들기), 'Making kimchi' (‪김치만들기), 'Making mackerel ssamjang' (‪고등어쌈장만들기) and 'Making other traditional foods' ( 전통음식 만들기).  

For more details visit their website available at http://www.jeonggangwon.com/index.do or call 033-333-1011. (languages available are English, Korean, Japanese and Chinese).

Fulfilling one's craving at Uiyaji Wind Village

Brief Introduction about Uiyaji Wind Village

A mountain village situated on the highlands of Pyeongchang county the location for the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics. The Uiyaju Wind Village is considered among one of the first places for skiing in Korea due to its abundance of early winter snowfall. In here visitors can enjoy various types of winter activities that ranges from snow sledding, sleigh-rides and even snow rafting. Visitors surely will be mesmerize by the sight of wind-mills that stands high above the frozen plain specially during winter season. Moreover, another unique experience offered to visitors are cheese and ice cream making experience program. 

Getting there by public transportation

From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Hoenggye (
횡계). The bus starts from 6:32 in the morning and ends at 8:05 in the evening at 30 minutes intervals. From Hoenggye Bus Terminal, take a taxi to Uiyaji Wind Village. Travel time is approximately 10 minutes and depending on traffic situation the estimated taxi fare is roughly 5,000 Korean won.
Experience Programs
1. Cheese-making experience program
Making cheese requires strict observance of the cooking instruction given by the instructor if one does not like to eat an unpalatable cheese. Ingredients needed for making cheese are fresh milk (fresh from the village backyard), emulsifier, apple vinegar, lemon extract, clean cloth, Tupperware molder, 2 clean bowls (where you will need to prepare the cheese itself). Moreover, it is important to note that the secret for a tasty cheese is the proper maintenance of the level or degree of heat. The ideal one is 160 degree Celsius. 
milk with lemon extracts
molder with flower petals
Freshly drained cheese
Our freshly made cheese with flowers
with my Singaporean buddies

2. Pizza and ice cream-making experience program 
Making pizza is way easier, you just need to put all the ingredients as artistic as possible. Put in oven for about 25 minutes. Afterwards enjoy your delicious and tasty pizza.
Freshly baked pizza

Making ice cream requires energy and patience. Since you will need to beat the milk, sugar, and preferred flavor for a couple of minutes in a continuous manner. The secret to have a delicious and very smooth ice cream is to mix everything in one direction with the same phase. If you start faster you need to continue with the same phase all the way. All you need to have is one big bowl of cube ice, 4 table spoon of rock salt that you will put in the bowl of ice (this will serve as your improvised refrigerator), small bowl for mixing the ingredients, one table spoon of sugar, 3 table spoon of powdered flavors (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and the like) and of course 1 small pouch of milk.

First you need to pour the milk to the small bowl followed by the flavorings and sugar. Mixed in up-and-down motion while other person is shaking the bowl with the same phase as you beat the ingredients. Three to four person is required to do the process: 1 ingredient mixer, 1 small bowl shaker, 1 big bowl holder, 1 photographer. After bubbles formed and you think the ice cream base hardens a bit remix them again with a spatula and continue shaking for about 5 minutes and your ice cream is all done. Enjoy the ice cream with bread or just as it is.
Ingredients for making ice cream
ice cream flavorings in powdered form
Fresh Milk
cube ice with rock salt
fresh milk with chocolate powder flavoring
thickened ice cream base
second half: full speed shaking the ice cream base
Photo with the owner
our finished product
cute sheep stuff toy

For more details visit their website available at http://www.windvil.com/ or call 033-336-9812. (Note: The website is all written in Korean).

After these experience programs we headed back to Seoul which means the end of my special day and Korea Rural Tourism third fam tour. 

Overall, the Pyeongchang tour was a blast. Everyone had fun especially with the food that we had that day. Never thought rural Tourism will be this fun.

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