Hello and welcome to Alien's Day Out! My name is Mipa (the 'Alien'), and I'm a vegan living in Seoul, South Korea. I have a bit of a muddled background in that while I was born in Busan, South Korea, I actually spent the majority of my life growing up in Ghana, Ivory Coast, England, Scotland, and the US (PA and So-Cal). After college in the States, I returned to Korea in 2006 and have been here ever since (wow, it's been a long time!).After a few years as a vegetarian, I eventually made the full switch to veganism in late 2008, and haven't looked back since. To read about how I became vegan, you can check out my "Vegan Testimonial" post. Soon after that transition, I started this blog to document and share my vegan experiences here in Korea. Now, 2 years later, I'm thrilled that this blog is still going strong! I'm continuously amazed by how this blog has become such a huge part of my life, more than I ever expected. I feel incredibly grateful for such awesome readers and all the support and nice words. I hope to continue to be a useful resource for other vegans in Korea and around the world.
Some things I like to do besides cooking, baking, and eating yummy vegan food include:
spending time with family (mom, dad, and big sister).
hanging out with good friends
playing with 'Bunny'
drawing & painting
running
shopping for fresh food
finding new places to eat
going on picnics
exploring new parts of Seoul
admiring the mountains of Korea
camping
chilling at coffee shops
reading & learning
listening to music
growing things
taking in the goodness of life & counting my many blessings.
50 comments:
love your "about me" page! :)
this is a GREAT "about me" page and your pic sums up everything about you, Mipa! Congrats on almost 2 years of blogging! You ROCK!!! :D
Mipa, this is a wonderful page!! Beautifully done...seriously, how cool can you get? ^^*!~
i'm so glad to read more about you and your life.
xo
kittee
I love your blog! I am a vegetarian here in Korea as well, always looking for fun and new places to eat!
Hello Mipa,
My name is Daniel Gray and I run O'ngo Culinary School (www.ongofood.com). I also run the food blog www.seouleats.com I am very interested in the work that you are doing and I was hoping we could meet to discuss possibly working together.
Sincerely,
Daniel Gray
ongofood at ongofood dot com
02-3446-1607
Hi Mipa,
My name is Lindsey with Teach Korea Tips, and I was wondering if you would be up for an interview, or doing a guest post on what it's like being a vegan in South Korea.Thanks and hope to hear from you soon. Thanks!
Lindsey
lindsey.huster@gmail.com
http://www.teachkoreatips.com/
Hi Mipa:
Have you ever though of doing a bakery delivery service? I am dying to try your thin mints, but can never get to any bake sale...I would pay money to have those quick-serviced over!
just blogged about how you can order them! :)
love how you used pics to share about yourself! keep up all the great work sis! :D
Thanks everyone for all your awesome comments! I'm so thankful for this amazing blogging community.
How have I not found this blog before now?? I've been lacto-ovo for more than half my life (but go vegan for Orthodox Lent). Over the past 5 years of living in Seoul I've found the places and dishes which work for my diet, but your site has so many other places I need to try out! Thanks so much for this blog! I'll add you to my blog roll.
@ msleetobe: Yay, I'm glad you found me~ :) Thanks for the comment!
I am thinking about teaching and also don't eat meat. I too would have a need for flaxseeds and your right I have a hard time navigating that's stores site where you said the flaxseed was.
Hi Mipa! I am so fortunate to have found your blog! I've recently turned vegetarian and your blog is so helpful to a Korean trying to maintain this healthful diet! Thanks so much! I thoroughly enjoy your posts :D
I love your blog! Nothing but positive vibes!
This blog is worth every minute reading it :)
Thanks for that and I never thought there are Vegans in Korea^^, I even was very surprised when I met the first vegetarian I know for the 6month living here now...
I'm not saying anything new here, but what a fan-freakin-tastic blog! I'm coming back to Seoul in a month or so, and am super excited to put all your recommendations to good use.
Keep writing, okay?!
Hi! Please be my best friend! (o;
thank you everyone for such awesome comments! puts a big grin on my face. :)
I love you blog. I lived in Seoul 2005-2006 and part of 2009. I sure to wish that I knew about your blog then. Funny thing is, being Vegan in SK is much easier than being vegan where I live in the US. I'll be keeping up with your site and I'll tell my friend about your cookie sale this month.
http://gwanvegan.blogspot.com/2011/04/vegan-avocado-kimbap.html
this is a super amazing blog.thanks for psoting up pictures,it makes it a whole lot easier when shopping.
I've been in korea for two years and being vegan has been challenging,however trust me your blog makes all the difference.
Beautiful pictures you taking too.
stay awesome!
Your photos are beautiful and I adore the idea behind your blog! I often wonder how vegans fare in Asian countries with how vegan-friendly their cuisine seems to be. I can't wait to hear what you find next!
vegan baking을 배울 수 있을까요?
따로 시간을 낼 수 없으시다면, 다음 bake sale 때 도우면서 배울 수 있을까요? 참고로 저는 lacto-vegetarian입니다.
You sound like a very interesting person. I am also Korea but born in Seoul and raised in many different countries like Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the USA. Your blog is very interesting (although I'm not vegan hehe). Keep up the good work! :D
Being a muslim, I have to become a vegetarian in South Korea. You blog is very informative to me! Thanks and keep it up!
-hassan
Kyung Hee University
Thanks for posting the resources. I am a vegan teaching English and living in Cheonan, and even though this is my second time living in Korea, it has been a bit of a struggle being back, as I haven't imported much this time around. I used iherbs today to order some chaga and ear candles. Do you know any place I can find organic, cold pressed coconut oil?
Thanks, Joseph spiralsofabundance@gmail.com
@Joe: Ah, Cheonan! I go down there often to see my parents. You should check out the vegan buffet there.
Hm, there is coconut oil at the Foreign Food Mart in Itaewon, but it's not organic, and I don't think it's cold pressed either. Your best bet is probably to order it from iHerb.
Your camping picture is amazing. Where is that?
@Laura: the camping picture is a few years old, from an outdoor festival called "Morave" I went to at Tae-an beach. You can read the blog post here:
http://www.aliensdayout.com/2009/08/morave-gathering-2009.html
Hi Mipa,
Thank you for your blog. I was worried about my transition to Seoul, being a vegetarian, and your blog had put my worries at ease. I understand you have a convection oven? May I know what brand and how much? I would like to continue baking in Seoul. Hope I will have as much ease as you do!
Hi, for info on my convection oven, check out this post:
http://www.aliensdayout.com/2010/08/tortilla-pizza.html
I can't remember the exact price, but I think it was around 60,000won.
Hello!! I just discovered your blog via "one smile ahead" and I'm so excited to see another Korean blogger! I love your lovely blog and easy, vegan recipes - definitely going to ask my mom to make me some! (though I'm not vegan :) )
Nice to meet you!!
@Aspiring Steph: Yay, Korean Bloggers united!!!! Thanks for enjoying this blog~~ I hope the recipes work out well for you. :)
Hi! I just found your blog while googling some vegan Korean recipes, and wow! I must say I am very impressed. I will be looking forward to all of your new posts!
Have a good day:) xx
Hi Mippa! I am a big fan of your artwork and am interested in buying a piece. However, your art site is down and I'm having trouble finding a contact email for you. How can I go about getting one of your lovely pictures? My email is mandyjiverson@gmail.com
Thanks!
Mipa~ could you drop me an email? I wasn't able to find your contact information on the site and I'm flying to Seoul in a few days. I'd love to meet up sometime! I'll be staying for a couple of weeks, so there's no rush. :) Talk to you soon?
(my email address can be found on my blog)
Hey Mipa!
Finally I've got here :D
your blog looks so pretty-
I was glad to see you this morning-
text me and then we can go that vegan buffet!!!!!!!
I'll visit more often lol
ttyl :P
Wow, what an awesome sight. I lived in Korea from 2006 to 2009, made the switch to veganism in 2008, and boy, I wish I had found this site back then. Your website makes me miss Korea a lot. ~ Ingrid
Hi Mipa ^ ^
I love Korea and I'm vegan as well
^ ^ <3
May I ask you if I can link your blog in mine, so that vegans who love Korea may find you ^ ^ ?
Aja Aja ^ ^ !
Hey Mipa!
I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me so much.
Your blog is truly amazing and every bit of it is like a taste of happiness and wisdom.
To be quite honest lately I have been questionning myself so much on what I want to do with my life and what I'm looking for that I don't have any goals anymore or can't even think properly..
But from what I can see thanks to your blog and your adventures there is one thing that I must reach no matter what, and this one thing is happiness. You seem to be enjoying every moment of your life, doing a lot of things that you like and this is what I would like to do too.
Anyway, I hope this doesn't sound weird but I really wanted to thank you for that, and please keep telling us your great adventures about being a vegan and accomplishing all your wishes!
Best regards,
C.
@seductiondasie : ofcourse you can link to my blog! :)
@Chirine: Wow, thank you for your kind words! Yea, I also went through a long period of questioning what I wanted to do with my life, and I still don't have it all figured out, but I'm trying different things and having fun with it... I wish you all the best in your endeavors! Don't give up on your dreams!
Hi, my name is Ross. I came across your page today when looking for vegan restaurants in Seoul. I'm not vegan, but my girlfriend is and Saturday is our anniversary. Could you tell me what you think is the best restaurant in the city for vegan food? My email is : rgardiner4@googlemail.com
I would really appreciate your help!
Ross x
P.s. I read that you lived in Scotland. I'm from Glencoe in the highlands. Where did you stay? X
Hi Ross!
I lived in Edinburgh for a year.... :) good times!
Really excellent blog here! I'm glad I found it (better late than never).
Best regards from Belgrade (Serbia) :)Dragana
I love your blog! I'm not a vegan or vegetarian but I have a global nomadic background (a.k.a. A third culture kid) and a bunny named Heppi. I love the recipe you have up for the Christmas bunny cookies, I'm going to try making that some day....
is the last picture in San Diego?
Love, love, love your blog! It is gorgeous and full of great information. I am a mom raising a child with severe, life threatening allergies to milk and beef. Dealing with these allergies has forced me to learn new recipes and a different way of eating and living. I would love to swap blog addresses. I am so glad I came across your website and look forward to following it.
Suzanne
GoingMilkFree
http://kidsallergies-goingmilkfree.blogspot.com/
Hi Mipa!
I stumbled upon your blog after looking for new vegan recipe ideas. I can't wait to try your Korean recipes! - I'm a Korean living in Montreal. I've been vegetarian for a few years and recently made the switch to veganism about a month ago and your recipes make it that much more exciting! Thank you for the inspiration and please keep it coming!
Chloe
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