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( last update Feb 2025 ) It's odd that I haven't written this until now, honestly. I first went to Korea right around the time I started writing this blog 10+ years ago. But I find that I write these guides mostly in response to people asking me for recommendations so maybe more people are going to Korea lately? *shrugs* General Stuff Due to Google and Apple not adhering to Korea's security policies (SK is technically still at war with North Korea), lots of normal digital life stuff doesn't work here (Apple/Google maps, AirTags, Find My, etc). There are rumors that Apple might start complying in mid 2025, but until then,  download the Naver map  app . Even if you get Google Maps to work, Naver is important for checking a business’s opening hours. Google’s are completely wrong.  UPDATE (4/2025): Apple's FindMy works now ! Download the KakaoT app for car hailing . Uber sorta works, but it's only Uber Black and Uber Van. Using a ride hailing app will ensure that t...

(updated Sept 2025) We love Montreal. So much good food and drink. Here's a few of our favorites: FIRST off, we love that LOTS of places are BYOB-only and they'll even give you an ice bucket. The state-run liquor stores are called SAQ. (there's also SQDC for recreational cannabis). Due to recent political events, no American wines or liquors are available.  Fairmount Bagel . Montreal style bagels are a different animal than NY bagels. Comparisons are tiresome. Just enjoy the difference.  St. Viateur bagel  is also fantastic, plus those bagel flippers in all the Tik-Toks work here. Hit up Kettleman's if you're downtown or you need a bagel fix after hours (they're 24/7.) Kem Coba ice cream Wilensky's light lunch. C'mon half-sours and a pineapple soda.  Smoked meat ("Viande Fumée") poutine and sandwich at Schwartz 's Summer fireworks festival viewed from Sky Bar Pizza bouquet   Foie Gras poached eggs at Le Passé Composé   24/7 poutine at...

( updated July 2025 ) Since the Australian border  reopened, we've had a dozen visits to Sydney and have eaten a lot of tasty things in that time. Overall the food scene felt a lot like San Francisco – great Asian food, lots of emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients, some old holdovers from our Anglo-European colonizers, along with some fresh imports.  When I say 'great Asian food', I mean better than New York. Better than San Francisco. Better than Los Angeles. Until I can go on a random Tuesday and get me a salty dou jiang, a hu jiao bing, and a Shanghai-style meat moon cake in Flushing, The Richmond, or the SGV, Sydney stays on top in my book. You can get yum cha (dim sum) for breakfast, a delicious pork roll  (banh mi) for lunch, have salt and pepper squid ( the national dish of Australia ) with a pint at the pub after work, then hit the birria truck for dinner, have sticky toffee pudding for dessert, go clubbing and then scarf down a halal snack pack as y...