For those looking to experience Burma without leave their home – look no further. Naomi Duguid’s Burma: Rivers of Flavor takes you on a culinary journey to the Southeast Asian country, as she got to know the local residents and foodways. Check out some of our favorite recipes after the cut!
While you’re in Seoul, make sure to check out Hongdae, the neighborhood around (and short for) the art-oriented Hongik University. With no shortage of cafés, clubs and spontaneous street music, Hongdae has become a magnet for expats, exchange students and locals alike. Here, Vietnamese American exchange student Mai Nguyen fills us in on some of her must-go’s in Hongdae.
ISSUE: Summer 2012
DEPT: Destinasian
STORY: Mai Nguyen
1) Street performances abound in Hongdae. 2) Pop star Se7en’s restaurant Yeolbong. 3) Your latte, complete with cinnamon sprinkle art, at the Hello Kitty Cafe.
- Fill up: One of my favorite restaurants in Hongdae would have to be Yeolbong. Beware though — you have to be able to handle some spicy hotness before trying the food here. Owned by Korean pop singer Se7en, it’s a small and cozy place, specializing in steamed chicken (jjim-dak). Served over glass noodles, the chicken is stewed for hours with potatoes, carrots and onions, so the flavor is really soaked into the dish. It’ll leave you satisfied with a slight tingly burning feeling on your lips. Yeolbong.com.
- Sweet spot: What better way to balance something spicy than with something sweet? There’s no place more appropriate than the Hello Kitty Café. From top to bottom, it’s all pink, all cute and, of course, all Hello Kitty. Don’t be surprised to see girls cooing at how adorable everything is, down to every drink and confection offered. Hellokittycafe.co.kr.
- Club hopping: The best way to club hop in Hongdae is to get the 15,000 won (about $12) pass that gives you access to the three YG Entertainment hip-hop clubs, NB1, NB2 and Harlem. YG artists and other celebrities frequent these clubs, so if you’re lucky, you might find yourself partying it up with a star. What’s great about the clubbing culture here is that there are particular moves for every song that everybody seems to know. These moves are usually simple enough to pick up just by watching, so before you know it, you’ll be dancing in unison with the rest of the clubgoers.
When Leah Murakami watched the acrobatics of the Blue Angels at the Point Mugu Airshow, the then-10-year-old knew she had to fly. By 15, she managed to save up enough to take her first flying lesson and got her pilot’s license on her 17th birthday.
The first Asian female fighter pilot in the U.S., Murakami is today a commercial airline pilot and avid traveler. She knows a thing or two about life on the road, so we asked her for some tips on being a happy traveler.
ISSUE: Summer 2012
DEPT: Destinasian
Think the airport is a necessary evil for travelers? Then you’ve never been to Incheon, Seoul’s international hub. More high-end galleria than airport (Chanel? Check. Louis Vuitton? Check), Incheon actually makes me want to check in early. Here, the top five things to do at Incheon.
ISSUE: Summer 2012
DEPT: Destinasian
STORY: Anna M. Park
DESTINASIAN:Hongdae
Vietnamese American Mai Nguyen, 21
Exchange Student at Yonsei University
about 2 months
One of her favorite places to hang out in Seoul is Hongdae, the neighborhood around (and short for) the art-oriented Hongik University. With no shortage of cafes, dance clubs, and street performances, Hongdae has become a magnet for expats, exchange students and locals alike. Here, her hotspots to hit in this Seoul hotspot.
Got a big trip ahead of you? Lighten your TSA maximum liquid load with these easy liquid alternatives, featured in our Winter 2010-11 issue.
ISSUE: Winter 2010-11
DEPT: DestinAsian
STORY: Anna M. Park
It’s hard enough traveling these days without trying to fit your entire beauty arsenal into a tiny quart size baggie. Try these ingenious alternatives to liquids.
Estée Lauder came out with their first collectible solid perfume compact in 1967. This year, the tradition continues with new handcrafted designs for their timeless Youth Dew (it’s hip again!), as well as other favorites like Pleasures, Beautiful and White Linen. 
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