6 tranquil coffee shops in Ha Noi

Have you ever get fed up with your studying or working corner? Have you ever wanted to bring your laptop or books out but not finding anywhere, except the library? Below are the tranquil cafes in Ha Noi that help you have the inspiration to work or study.

Nola

Although Nola is right in the centre of the Old Quarter, it is surprisingly quiet. The labyrinth of houses and buildings surrounding it create rather successful sound-proofing, and the café even has a selection of art which can be enjoyed silently.

The seating is extremely comfortable and it is easy to spend an entire evening here either by yourself with book or with some friends for some quiet conversation. Drinks are good, too. Nola is definitely perfect place for travelers to experience and relax.

Address: 89 Ma May street, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem District

Fuku

Photo HaNoi HideAway

Like Nola, Fuku is slap-bang in the middle of the Old Quarter. Squeeze down the alleyway and you will find yourself in a café that feels a little bit like being in an underground bunker.

Address: No1, Lane 107 Hang Bong, Hoan Kiem District

RAND Moroc & Coffee

A super-quiet address always! The shop is located on the second floor of an old block on Tran Thanh Tong Street, a street which itself is very peaceful.

Decorated in a nostalgic style, RAND owns a deep and warm color scheme with old wooden furniture but “quality”. Unlike many other cafes, RAND does not usually play music, even the pianissimi. There will only have birdsong in the branches, the sound of the making-coffee machine vibrating slightly, the breathing, the sound when you open your books. Maybe that makes a RAND so strange.

Address: 2nd floor, 2B Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hoan Kiem District

Tranquil

Right from entering the cafe on the small Nguyen Quang Bich street, you have instantly been mixing in the quiet, relaxing with jazz deposition. Not only create a sense of warmth, gentle, Tranquil longer “Footbinding” living by the book extremely interesting, diverse in genre and is lined on the higher prices to the ceiling.

Coming here, you like being back in time, looking for old memories with pretty quiet space. In addition to Tranquil to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere with good books, you can also choose this place to meet with friends, review together a couple of stories of his childhood was also extremely interesting, just to think about it is in your heart flutter see.

Address: 5 Nguyen Quang Bich, Cua Dong, Hoang Kiem District

Xoan

Photo SM

Xoan is hidden behind a stack of buildings in Thanh Xuan, Ha Noi. Walk down the alley and you will find a peaceful and cubby-hole cafe. Make sure you have a good look around before finally settling on somewhere to sit as there are plenty of options.

Address: No 5, Lane 411 Truong Chinh street, Nga Tu So, Thanh Xuan

Manzi

Manzi is a brilliantly peaceful haven tucked down a quiet street off Quan Thanh. Furnished with several good tables and chairs, this bright and spacious cafe cum gallery also offers a deal for freelancers where you pay one price for unlimited coffee and tea throughout the day.

Manzi is Hanoi’s independent art space, café and bar. Housed in an elegant turn of the 20th century French villa with a shady yard in a quiet lane near the Water Tower, it is your perfect living room to spend your day reading or working on your laptop among paintings and art installations of well-known and emerging Vietnamese visual artists. Come in the evening for a drink, and you may well catch an exhibition opening, a book introduction, a film screening or a music performance.

Address: 14 Phan Huy Ich, Nguyen Trung truc, Ba Dinh District

See more: Where to try the best Pho in Ha Noi, Vietnam

Source Internet

What street foods to eat in Myeongdong, Seoul

Don't go home from your Seoul trip if you haven't tried Korean street foods in Myeongdong.
Here’s a list of the street foods we have snacked on in the busy district of South Korea’s number one tourist destination, Myeongdong.

Foot-long ice cream cones

Twirling an ice cream is a skill that entails a lot of time to practice. But it’s an easy thing to do for those street vendors selling these foot-long ice cream cones. You can choose from a variety of flavours – mango, strawberry, banana, chocolate, blueberry, etc. You can make it a combo of two flavours too! I would highly suggest you head over to 32 Parfait that’s located in Myeongdong.

Jipangyi (Korean cane ice cream)

If the usual ice cream cone doesn’t give you any unique experience, then you can buy this ice cream served in a cane-shaped cone. It’s worth the try for its cone is made out of corn. It has already been internationalised and franchised in different countries across the globe such as Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Macau, China, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, and New York, USA.

Bungeoppang (Fish bread)

Basically, this one is made from ingredients of waffle batter. And yes you’re right, it is not a fish-filled bread. It is just a fish-shaped waffle. The stuffing that makes this street food special is the red bean paste, a Korean-favourite dessert filling. Perhaps the best Koreanised sweet street food! Definitely a cheap steal!

Gyerranppang

Another worth-a-try Korean street food, this oval-shaped waffle topped with whole egg can be found in hawker stalls in every corner of Myeongdong district (and most Seoul City areas). It’s best when the yolk is uncooked!

Dalgona

It’s a light cookie snack which is surprisingly made up of only two ingredients: baking soda and white granulated sugar. A piece can be shared by two persons since it’s too sweet (although that’s optional). It’s definitely one of the cheapest sweet Korean street foods!

Eomuk kkochi (fish cakes)

Eomuk kkochi is probably the most affordable yet delicious Korean street food you can find that comes with a complimentary fish broth soup. It is absolutely worth a try! It is seen in most hawker stalls and subway stations. It has its Japanese street food counterpart oden.

Soondae or sundae

No, we’re done talking about ice cream, this isn’t about it anymore. This Korean street food is actually common worldwide, which every country has its own variation. Koreans made a twist in which other than the thickened pig blood, it also contains japchae (glass noodles), glutinous rice and barley. Give it a shot and compare it to your hometown’s version!

Tteokbokki

This cylinder-shaped sticky glutinous rice drench in spicy Korean sauce must be on your list of must-try Korean street foods. Although it is also served in most Korean restaurants, some hawker stalls serve better versions of it.

See more: 5 street foods to try in Busan, South Korea

Source: Internet

Unique things you can purchase in Nepal

The beautiful country of Nepal has so much to offer from beautiful mountains to extremely rich culture. The colorful prayer flags, dramatic landscape, serene nature and friendly people, it is hard to detach yourself from loving Nepal. Here in Nepal, you’ll find all sorts of unique souvenirs to take back with you. Check out the guide of souvenirs for you splurge on your next trip.

Pashmina shawls

Pashmina shawls happen to be one of the most sought after products in Nepal. From water Pashmina to silk or cotton blends to 100% Pashmina, you'll find a large variety of such shawls in the markets of Nepal. These are extremely warm and soft, and perfect for gifting purpose. However, the prevalence of counterfeit goods and the rarity of fixed prices make it a challenge to find authentic items, so you need to have a sharp eye here.

Tibetan prayer flags

When traveling to Nepal you may notice colourful flags fluttering at important places around the country. These colourful flags are Tibetan prayer flags, or dar cho, intended to increase life, fortune, wealth and health of all sentient beings. With symbols, sacred texts and mantras etched onto them, they are believed to generate spiritual vibrations that are released when blown by the wind carried in the air as silent prayers. You can hang them in your garden to remind you of your trip. These prayer flags are easily available at tourist souvenir shops around Kathmandu.

Handicrafts

From miniature Hindu and Buddhist deities to life-sided carved wooden masks to terracotta puppets, handicrafts are in abundance in Nepal. These one-of-a-kind handmade crafts are intricately detailed and make for beautiful wall hangings and show pieces. Just don’t buy antique pieces, as it’s illegal to take them out of the country.

Statues and masks

The art and craft of Nepal are unique to the country. The beautiful cities of Kathmandu offers variety of statues of local Hindu and Buddhist devotees. The shops also offers wide variety of mask of various mythical creature. Some of these masks are actually worn during special occasions and celebrations. For example,  during traditional dances like Lakhe dance, or during religious mimicry. This may be a perfect thing to take if you love some nice piece of arts with a unique blend of antique culture.

Singing Bowls

For starters, this is not a utensil. It is a musical instrument, shaped like a bowl. A small wooden thick stick is provided with the bowl. When you strike the bowl with the stick, you will hear a shrill sound. Based on the intensity of striking, you can create a rhythmic music. The cost of the souvenir varies with the quality of the bowl. Some are made with metal and some with brass. The most decorated the bowl is, the most costlier it is. The vibration of the bowl is said to induce peace and reduce chronic problems in the body.

Spices

The Himalayan country of Nepal is famous for its unique spices and rare herbs. The fragrance of these distinctive herbs can be felt in every Nepalese kitchen. As you stroll around the local market and alleyways, you come across the pleasant aroma of fresh spices. The bazaars in Nepal is filled with multiple spices, some of which is unique to the country. You can also try out some of the famous Ayurvedic medicines (with consultation) or cosmetic items made in Nepal.

Read more: Discover the best traditional dishes in Nepal

Source Internet