5 Trends That Everyone Hates But That I'm Not Mad At

So, anyone who knows me well probably has seen me in items of clothing that they really don't like. I've had friends ask "what the hell are you wearing?" upon seeing me, even when being reunited after a very long time. I've had my little sister accuse me of dressing to embarrass her (when we were both teens and far angstier). I've had "goth", "emo" and "loser" shouted at me in the street. I've had boys in my class label a beloved pair of shoes "witch boots."

I take all of the above as compliments.

I don't care if you don't like something I'm wearing because I do. I'm the one wearing it, not you. Besides, as a pretentious asshole, I do enjoy the idea that people simply don't "get it". I'm sorry you're not as fashion as me. Too bad for you.

But seriously though, personal preferences are fine. We don't all have to like the same things. Yet, there are some things that I find myself defending on the reg because most people label things blindly as "ugly" and I simply don't think that the world is often that black and white. Sometimes, things are ugly-cute. So, here are five things that everyone else hates but I'm not mad at.

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1. The Fashion Mullet.

I know. I hear the sharp intake of breath. I'm starting out strong with this one.

Tbh, if you asked me a year ago about mullets, I would have made a stank face but I've had reason to consider. The mullet has recently become popular again in Korea and has been rocked by actors and kpop idols and it made me realise that, if styled well, it ain't that bad. In fact, it can be quite cool. G-Dragon's mullet? Awesome. Seventeen's The 8's? Adorable. Nam Joo Hyuk's? Chic.

I'm no advocate for any Billy Rays or rat tails but a well-style mullet? I can get down with that.


2. Kitten Heels.

Look, you can bitch and whine all you want but if they were good enough for Chanel and Audrey Hepburn, they can't be all bad. Yes, there are ugly kitten heels but there are a hell of a lot of nasty-looking stilettos. Don't tar all kittens with the same brush.

@lespionneparisfemme

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3. Crazy Oversized Clothes.

I like to dress comfortably but still with style and edge. The easiest way to achieve both is to have a statement piece among comfortable and practical items. So, a crazy oversized hoodie or coat or tee that has a cool design or bold colour is a life-saver as it can do all the talking for me, while I lounge around inside the garment. It's an ideal sitch. The key is proportion and balance. You don't want to swim in fabric or have your clothes wear you but, when done right, oversized garments are a super cool way of updating an existing wardrobe and look.

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4. Dad Trainers.

Again, it's a comfort thing and a careful choice thing. There is a such thing as the right kind of ugly. Just like there are some faces that aren't conventionally attractive but still captivating or lovely or both, there are objects that are the right amount of wrong.

So, no, I won't be forking out for those Balenciaga beasts but I would consider something with a similar spirit and more refined feel - and just think about the arch support! Marvelous.


5. Bum bags.

I slagged my dad about his for years and now I'm eating my words...

Bum bags were once awful neon signs pointing out someone on holiday who didn't know how to dress themselves but they have been utterly reborn and I'm super into it. Simply wearing them differently changes everything. Moving them from the hips to across the chest or back or cinching in a waist of a sick blazer is an easy way of injecting a streetwear vibe into an outfit and making it cooler.


Well, I'm sure I've disgusted enough people at this point but my point in all of this is basically that I used to have a much more simplistic view on things - in life, in general, but also about fashion, in particular. However, time and other people's brilliance, great ideas and views have taught me that you can always be proven wrong about things you never though could work. You're welcome to like and dislike things but, remember, a little tweak can transform something entirely and make you see it with fresh eyes.

Let me know if you guys agree or disagree or if there is anything that you love but everyone else seems to deem ugly!

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London Fashion Week AW18: The Good, The Bad and the Spilling of the Tea

London Fashion Week is a weird place.

It is one of the few places in the modern, democratic world where hierarchy still weighs heavily on one's consciousness. It is a place where you can be treated like a princess at one venue and left pawing at the window, your breath fogging the pane, elsewhere (A/N: to clarify, this is an overwrought metaphor, I'm not quite an actual puppy that whines outside to be let in). The air is heavy with hopes and dreams and aspirations to the point of being stifling, at times. All said, it's an intense place. But it's also magical and leaves me happy and inspired for months in its wake.

This fashion week started rather bumpily for me.

I saw someone say that if you ever get too cocky about something, the universe has a way of bringing you back down to earth and fashion week taught me that. I'll preface this by saying that I don't go to be papped or be seen or sit front row. There is nothing wrong with those who do, we all have our own path in life and many people that others judge are only hustling and trying to make their lives happen. However, while I'm there for the shows, I have become accustomed to good seats and tickets. As my registration was messed up, I was sent noticeably fewer invites and less great seats this season and I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed by that. It took the whole first day for me to get over my snobbiness and decide to just enjoy a more relaxed run at fashion week this time around. Once I did, I stopped being annoyed by everything and started having a good time, knowing I had more space in my schedule for meeting friends and exploring things around the city that I wanted to see.

Bora Aksu AW18

My first show was great, despite my grumpiness. It was a Bora Aksu presentation that was all sorts of up my alley, with Georgian inspiration and gothy tendencies. Eerie music choices played as creepy-cute girls that looked akin to Tim Burton characters floated down the runway. Lace, cameo details, certain fabric, pattern and colour choices and silhouettes all referenced the inspiration for the collection; a young Irish woman named Margaret Ann Bulkley, who was forced to pretend to be a man in order to study medicine in the 19th century. The play between suiting and gowns also tipped a hat to the duality of the pioneering woman's existence but demonstrated how we modern women don't have to make that same decisive choices about our being. (A/N: there's a mean cocktail inspired by Bulkley served in the Liquor Rooms in Dublin, where their cocktail menu is an ode to incredible women from Irish history)

After the show, I tipped into the designer showrooms, a space that displays the collections of some of those who are showing on the catwalk or in presentations and those who aren't, alike. Or should I say I tripped in? Literally. (I don't know what was going on but there was many an uneven surface this season and I fell over several times. It was a bit of a hazard tbh.) Once inside, I did a quick wander to get a lay of the land and scout brands for later inspection. As I did so, I spotted Susie Lau, a major idol of mine and for about the third time now, bitched out at the last minute and wasn't able to work up the courage to talk to her...maybe someday...

Xiao Li AW18

Lunch cheered me up a little and then I checked out Xiao Li's collection at the British Fashion Council's Discovery Space. While I liked the shapes and bright tones of the collection, I confess that I saw none of the 70s skate culture inspiration that the press release referenced. I was also sat in the second row, with a very bad line of vision and got kind of moody because of it. I know, I know, I'm a brat but it was super hard to get a good shot of the runway and when you're working fashion week, that's incredibly frustrating. So, I did what anyone should do in that case, I went and got cake. I headed to the very pretty Aubaine in Selfridge's where the nice seats were full and the lady next to me practically sat in my lap. The tart I ordered was delicious and I enjoyed wandering the store but the rude people next to me and the fact that I had no more shows for the day - two is the least I've ever had in a day - ruined any progress in my mood. The friend I was staying with was out with friends but I wasn't up for company so I went home alone and got in my jammies to read until I went to sleep.

Day two continued with a sour mood. My first show of the day was covering a great young Irish designer named Roseanne McNamee at the House of Ikons for the magazine I was with but I arrived too early and paid far too much for a terrible cup of tea in the hotel lobby as I waited. When I eventually went into the show, there had been confusion and my backstage pass hadn't been cleared. Then there were no attendants downstairs to clarify where I was meant to sit, so I stood. ((Pro-tip: if you're not sitting in the first row or second (at a push and depending on the venue), then you are better off standing at a fashion show if you want to get good photos)). Again, I was there to work, so I stood to get my photos but the people who were there for fun kept jostling me and one lady, who basically sat underneath me kept tapping my shoulder and asking me to move. I don't begrudge someone getting a taste of LFW at all but if you're there to work, I do think your needs should be respected and this lady did not give a shit. The whole process was incredibly frustrating and, again, a weird disparity from the (arguably) much bigger shows where I was treated well and professionally. Luckily, though, my shots turned out great.

Popping on to the Sadie Williams presentation turned it all around for me. She always delights me, her sets are impeccable and they cast the best models. It was a bright, fun space-agey collection, displayed within a toy rocket ship set. Afterwards, one of the girls working there got a cool outfit shot for me and then I headed into the showrooms again, where I met some designers I might work with at Seoul Fashion Week in March, arrived just in time for free booze and hung out with the gang at SKMMP, an Irish digital showroom that represents the brands NATALIEBCOLEMAN, Electronic Sheep and McConnell. They showed me their AR models and we chatted away until I had to dash off to hang out with my friend's Burberry colleagues and watch the show in his French friend's house. Insider knowledge was poured into your excitable girl's eager ears, excellent wine and snacks were consumed and LFW was well and truly saved.

Day three opened with Edeline Lee's stunning garden of earthly delights, a collection of masterful florals, elegant silhouettes and great beauty. Then I had two more shows in quick succession, including the cute band of colourful misfits at Kristel Kuslapuu, before heading off to meet my childhood best friend in Chinatown. Pro-tip II: If your pal suggests meeting in Chinatown on a Sunday during Lunar New Year, don't. It will be insanity. Luckily, I managed to escape said insanity and quickly found a great Korean restaurant called Yori nearby. I was trusted to order all the food, ate way too much and then the two of us headed on to meet another friend for coffee. After she left us a couple of hours later, we went to a stunning bar called Disrepute for cocktails. When my best friend finally had to leave, I headed to meet my lovely host, Noel, who was attending my last show of the day with me. And thank God he was.

I'm so used to shows now that the novelty has long since worn off and, as this post shows, I can easily become grumpy and irritated by things. Bringing a newbie along offers a fresh tolerance and perspective. So, when the crowd at Aadnevik was there to drink and party and not see the show, instead of being annoyed at the noise and disrespect, I could still disapprove of their rudeness to the designer but see the funny and ridiculous side of it all. Plus, who doesn't like scoring free Champagne for their friend? Plus, plus, having someone to critique the collection with on the way home was fun and novel for me. (Cliffnotes: the overall vibe was good but the collection could have been edited down, though we understood that the label sells party dresses to socialites and celebrities and needed that many pieces).

My final day was madness. But the fun kind. I packed the night before so I could leave quickly in the morning and when I got to the Paul Costelloe show, I had my suitcase in tow. The Waldorf, where the show was being held, refused to stow my bag behind the counter for the duration but, luckily, I was allowed leave it backstage at the show itself. Then I was sat down in the stunning venue with a glass of Champagne before 10am...when at Fashion Week, right?!...As per, I was super into the collection. Costelloe's AW shows are always pretty rock and roll and cool and this was no exception. A sea of stunning linen, lace, tweeds and checks paraded by, made edgier by mesh elbow-length gloves layered with statement rings, giant pearl accessories, towering over-the-knee boots, high slits, tiny minis, power suits and carefree hair and makeup. Exuberant florals and menswear shown alongside the womenswear, meanwhile, came as welcome surprises in this AW showing.

After ingesting some more food to soak up the early booze and reclaiming my case, I went on to the Sang Yoon exhibition, curious about a brand that had sent me an invite with the most incredible penmanship. In the basement of a pretty Georgian building, in a side-street just off the Embankment, I had another glass of Champagne handed to me and wandered into a room where a series of mannequins were adorned with some seriously sexy garments. Not sexy in the obvious sort of way but sexy in the use of mesh sleeves that extended over the hand as a glove, in the belted power-suits with cut-outs at the waist, the powerful minimalism but clear statement. I immediately imagined both Rihanna and Blackpink wearing the clothes.

With some time on my hands, I decided to head to Harrod's to check out the special Vetements installation where used clothing is being collected in aid of the NSPCC, which really speaks to the incredibly cool and influential label's vision for how they want to move forward as a brand. Having dashed all the way across the city, I wandered the store calmly and took in the vastness of it and the awesome store design before sitting down to some tea. Once my energy was restored, I went across city again to the Ilaria Lepore presentation. Delayed by a half hour, I stood on increasingly aching feet with the crowd, waiting to be let in. I managed to get to the front rather easily so I was one of the first through the door and had an amazing view of the incredible presentation, which involved the designer herself performing before the models came out. Tired at this point as I was, I had little time for the fashion scene kids who were pushing everyone at the centre of the crowd and making noises during the performance. Yes, they were appreciative and supportive sounds but if someone is doing performance art, especially something that imitates a ceremony, you should probably get over yourself, not make it about you and hold your tongue. When I could handle the kids' behaviour no more and had seen all the clothes, I quickly disengaged from the crowd and headed back to the BFC space for my final show of the season, Paula Knorr. Another firm favourite of mine, she did not disappoint, with a glittering, jewel-toned, sequinned, disco-inspired collection.

At this point, I had gone from not having accumulated anything over fashion week, to having gotten three gift bags that day and gone shopping for souvenirs for the family. In the most glamorous highlight of the whole fashion week, I ended up sitting on the floor of the showrooms, trying to Tetris my suitcase and liquids bag into submission, while people walked by and gawked at the strange girl with her life all over the ground. I did it, but only just, forgetting my earbuds in the process and having to toss a cheap but effective moisturiser in favour of newly acquired gems.

Getting home was also a trial as an attendant in Victoria pointed me to the wrong train (Pro-tip III: Just fork out for the Gatwick Express. Don't listen to the lady telling you that you have enough time for a normal train at "that platform over there".), I had a freak-out when I realised my mistake and barely made it to the airport on time (okay, I had an hour left to spare but that's not enough for my comfort). But, look, takeaway tonkatsu from Wagamama and a beer downed at their bar while I waited for it helped out a lot.

So, there you have it. Fashion Week. In all it's strangeness and beauty. If you're not important in the industry, it involves a lot of running around and sweating but London is pretty easy to navigate, so that's not too bad. It also involves a lot of egos and bizarre people willing to step on you but that's pretty easy to tune out if you have a thick enough skin. It's certainly not all glamour and pretty dresses but there are pretty dresses and much more besides and the magic of all of that creativity and beautiful absurdity makes it all worth it. I'll be running on the fumes of inspiration I took in at LFW for weeks now, even if the backs of my legs hurt like I'd been seriously hiking for days and days afterwards.

Even if my feelings get hurt or I have to deal with bullshit or stupid things happen, I keep going back because there's nothing quite like fashion week and, with all of the rumblings of new ideas and necessary changes in terms of sustainability, I'm crazy excited about what is coming next.

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36 Hours in Belfast - What To See, Where To Eat, The Best Place For A Drink

In January, my baby brother started his first full-time job and moved to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Suddenly, our youngest was a few hours away from all of us and fending for himself all of a sudden, not surrounded by the wall of women who are always ready to go to bat for him. We were all, understandably, concerned for him. But I was also so excited for his career and the opportunity for him to stand on his own and explore a new city.

While I was totally supporting his independence, I wanted to help ease him into it and get settled. So, on only his second weekend in Belfast, I was already headed for a visit. After a two hour train journey from Dublin's Connolly Station to Belfast Central (which was spent on a lovely train occupied by a decidedly unlovely and rowdy crowd of people going to party in Belfast for the weekend) and a confusing time of trying to find each other, we were reunited. James took me on an exceptionally scenic route through periods of drizzle and we eventually reached his place, where we ate Tayto sandwiches (the Northern variety are, apparently, somewhat different?) and watched Netflix.

The next day, the touristing began and, it was only later, an hour before I got my train back home on Sunday, that we discovered that we actually did every single thing on the official tourist "must-see" list (bar hitting up the Titanic Museum). We headed to Queen's University so I could perv on the stunning red brick facades and, from there, went into the park adjacent where the Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum are located. The Botanic Gardens are much smaller than those in Dublin but are in a similarly pretty 19th century greenhouse that is perfectly photogenic and a lovely place for a quick stroll. Don't expect hours of amusement but, as it is free, it's a nice little stop-off, especially en route to the Ulster Museum. Said museum is fantastic. We spent four hours there, checking out the art, the dinosaurs, the mummy, the Game of Thrones tapestry, the natural history and science exhibits...all of it. Relatively compact but full of things to see and with especially excellent facilities for kids, we enjoyed it thoroughly and put off filling our empty stomachs longer than we normally would, in order to see it all.

Once our stomachs could no longer be ignored, we headed to the little Korean Cafe that I had spotted the day before (and mentioned in my last post on where to get Korean food in Ireland), Cafe Arirang on Botanic Avenue. A cute, wee family-run cafe that serves tasty treats that you don't always find on menus here. We got the bulgogi kimbap, tteokbokki, spicy noodles and fried dumplings between us and it was quite the feast.

Full and no longer faint, we then headed to explore the city and I was amazed by how big and built-up the centre is, considering the relatively small population. Architecturally, the centre is rather diverse, with a lot of beautifully preserved buildings centred around the City Hall and then spreading out into a combination of more modern builds and historic warehouses. There is a lot to see and I wondered why no one had ever mentioned that it's quite a pretty city to me before. Of course, I often have to defend how beautiful Dublin is to people, so it doesn't surprise me that many don't have much admiration for Irish city planning. However, I digress. My point is: the centre is compact but interesting and is also home to the Victoria Square Shopping Centre, a vast glass-roofed shopping street that has all the high street chains you might be looking for (and some little gems besides), a cinema, and some restaurants. Its crowning glory is a tall viewing platform that goes up to just beneath the glass dome and from which there is an amazing view over the whole city. We arrived just before sunset and managed to catch it there, though my legs shook in fear the whole time. It's a great view, that I recommend checking out but not if you're afraid of heights. I'm not and I was still scared stiff.

A little shaken from the experience, I was in need of drink and the drizzle and wind that appeared with the dusk made us head off in search of shelter. On the way to one bar, a second nasty gust of wind sent us into The Merchant. Trust me to stumble into a five-star hotel...how bougie, I know. But the Victorian and Art Deco former bank is a beaut and their bar is excellent: not too warm, not too loud, great cocktail menu and truly excellent service. At between ten to fifteen pounds for a cocktail, it is, by no means, cheap but isn't truly insane either. I've paid that price for a nice drink plenty of times at home. My brother got a drink that was akin to mulled wine (delighted to have found somewhere to get his fix year round) and I had a trusty Whiskey Sour. I wasn't overly blown away by the drink itself but the surroundings were so lovely that I'd return in a heartbeat. In fact, I liked the whole place so much that I'm considering staying there when I visit with the BFF later in the year.

The next day we had a slow start before grabbing lunch in St George's Market. Let me tell you, it's the perfect spot for a slow, happy Sunday. Live bands play at the core of the market, there are stalls of clothes, trinkets, vintage pieces, artworks and more to browse, and there is a decent food court. We wandered around the stalls of Belfast's last surviving Victorian covered market to work up an appetite and then I grabbed some falafel, my brother got a burrito. We sat down together just far enough from the music to hear it and still have a conversation. Then we followed it all up with some delicious and well-priced cakes from a stall called Dezurts. I even bought some of their famous and v Insta-friendly unicorn meringues to bring back for my sister.

Lastly, we popped over to City Hall and checked out the excellent exhibitions there (I cried at how beautiful and well done one of the rooms about the Troubles was), papped an outfit shot and picked up the brochure that told us we had just done everything on the must-see list (bar the Titanic Museum).

Even still, there's lots of stuff that's off the beaten track that I want to do and we're planning my next trip already, which was exactly what we discussed as we walked to the train station. I really fell in love with Belfast and can't wait to return. There are so many restaurants and bars that look great and cool galleries and cultural venues to check out. And now that it's home to my precious babby bro, I want to know more about it. If you're looking for somewhere to head off for the weekend, I highly recommend it: there are a lot of things to do for free, it's easy to navigate and get around, and (as mentioned) lots of places to eat and drink. Keep an eye for more adventures in Belfast in the future here as there are bound to be plenty!

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Where To Get Korean Food In Ireland (And Not Just in Dublin)

In honour of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, my upcoming first trip to Seoul (for Fashion Week in March) and my passion for Korean cuisine, I thought it was about time to share my recommendations for places to get excellent Korean food in Ireland.

I think, at this stage, I've been to every Korean restaurant in the country (please, do let me know if I'm wrong on this!), though I know of some market stalls that happen in certain places and on certain days, which I haven't been able to get to yet. However, when it comes to permanent restaurants and cafes, I've tracked 'em down and hit 'em up. One after another. Almost all of them are based in Dublin but there are two that I've managed to track down on this island, outside the capital of the Republic. So, if you're interested in trying something new or you're already a fan of Korean food and looking for some new places to check out, here are some of the best Korean restaurants in Ireland (in no particular order).

Kimbap at Brothers Dosirak

Brothers Dosirak

1. Brothers Dosirak (Korean word for "lunch box"), 27 Capel Street North, Dublin 1, €

I've been a regular at this cheap and cheerful little gem, tucked into Super Asia Foods supermarket on Capel Street, since it opened over a year ago. There isn't a lot of seating - just four or five tables and bar-style seating looking into the kitchen - but I've only had to leave and eat elsewhere once. Peak lunchtime hours during the week might require a wait but, normally, it'll have room for a few more while lively enough. If I'm with a friend, I sit at a table, but when I go there alone, I sit at the counter and chat to the chefs who are happy to tell the weird Irish girl the name of the Korean song from the eighties that she recognises (it was in a television show I watched). Jovial kitchen staff aside, the food is great. There is a selection of some typical dishes from bibimbap to bulgogi and kimchi jjigae to kimbap, served with some banchan (side-dishes) and a free soup of the day, which you can serve yourself from a vat by the cash register. Value for money is great and you'll likely get out the door full and happy for under ten quid. I suggest finishing the whole meal off with a cup of honey lemon tea, which is clearly a gift from the gods. For unpretentious food, lovely plating, friendly (if humble) surrounds and a bargain besides, it is a great option.

Han Sung

2. Han Sung Asian Market, 22 Great Strand St, North City, Dublin 1, €

Another restaurant hidden within a supermarket, this is a less trendy and more traditional-style Korean cafeteria restaurant with quite a range of dishes to choose from and equally great price-points (if slightly less friendly staff, though they're somewhat endearingly uninterested and grumpy). Located at the very back of the store, there is a cluster of ten to fifteen tables and a counter from which you order and collect your meals. You'll eat well for under a tenner and the food is damn good, too. Writing this, I'm given pause to wonder why I don't visit more often, considering how much I like the food. The only reasons I can think of are that I work off Capel Street and I'm lazy enough to favour the locations closer to me and that Han Sung is often busy with big groups, making it a somewhat less comfortable environment in which to dine solo. I must visit again soon, now that I'm reminded!

3. Hailan, several locations (Capel Street, Dame Street, Dundrum), €€

I used to be a bit of a regular in the Capel Street location however, I have come to realise that the branches are quite different from each other. The Capel Street location usually seems to have Chinese staff and customers and, as a result, is less stellar for Korean food. The Dame Street location, meanwhile, has a bigger Korean menu and Korean staff, which makes it preferable if you're there for Korean food (as you'd imagine). I actually order food to be delivered from Dame Street quite a bit and really rate their spicy fried chicken (dakgangjeong), in particular. In fact, it's become my go-to feeling-sorry-for-myself, tired, sick or hungover food. To me, it's a serious treat. Their kimchi jjigae is also pretty damn good and, as a key dish in the cuisine, is always a good bar by which to rate a restaurant. Prices here, meanwhile, are pretty standard Dublin mid-range restaurant prices and not the serious bargains of the first two entries on this list. However, they're still pretty competitive.

Kimbap at Arisu

Kimchi Jjigae at Arisu

4. Arisu, 120 Capel Street, North City, Dublin 1, €€

Arisu is a funny one. There's something a little intimidating about the Capel Street location. I'm not quite sure what it is. The food is great (the banchan are especially good), don't get me wrong, and, when it comes to decor, it's one of the prettiest Korean restaurants in the country. But there's some air to the place that always makes me feel funny and self-conscious when I walk through the door.

When they opened a Rathmines location, it became almost a second home to me, however. I strolled in on a regular basis, knew the staff, got extras of the side-dishes for free sometimes. The whole nine. Sadly, this location seems to be closed now. However, the taste of that one seaweed side-dish and the meat perfectly cooked over the barbecue at each table by the expert staff (if you're having barbecue) will make me brave the weird vibes of Capel Street once more, I think. Of course, said vibes could be more me being weird than the place but I really will mourn being a regular at the Dublin 6 spot and being able to wander in on my way home.

Once again, the prices jump up a little more at this entry but are still not unreasonable and you do get banchan, which is always nice and makes for a more authentic Korean dining experience.

Drunken Fish

5. Drunken Fish, The Excise Building, I.F.S.C., Mayor Street Lower, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1, €€

Drunken Fish is a cafe and takeaway lunch box spot, a restaurant, a pub, a karaoke bar and an event space all in one. Straight off the bat, I will say (and warn) that service can be slow. However, in saying this, I also still can't help but like the place. The staff are always lovely, there are banchan (the way to my heart), Korean beers and liquor (though they can be out of stock) and it's nice that you can also enjoy the bar or karaoke in the one venue. It's also one of the places that my Korean friends all like and recommend and it's where my Korean teacher organises our Christmas parties; so it's got the approval of people who know what they're talking about. Being down in the IFSC makes it a not-so-regular spot for me but if you work or live nearby or are looking for a different spot for a night out, it is a must! I only wish I worked closer to indulge in their lunch boxes.

6. Kimchi Hop House, 160-161 Parnell St, Rotunda, Dublin 1, €€

Kimchi is also a restaurant and bar and is, in fact, the oldest and most lauded Korean restaurant in Dublin. It is pretty well-established and popular and for good reason. A buzzing, lively spot, it is the perfect place for group gatherings and I've even had a very successful party dinner there before. Staffed by Korean waiters and chefs, providing banchan and with Korean liquor on the menu, it's another place where you can get the full (or as close to it as possible) Korean dining experience in Dublin. The food is great and presented beautifully and the whole place is a well-oiled machine.

....and, now, to venture beyond Dublin. Because, believe it or not, there are two (as far as I know) more Korean restaurants in Ireland; one in Sligo and one in Belfast.

Miso, Sligo

7. Miso, Calry Court, Stephen St, Abbeyquarter North, Sligo, €€

The bestie (or one of them, I should say!) and I went to Sligo for a weekend during the summer and after a long day of cycling and exploring, we decided to check out the award-winning Korean restaurant that I was surprised and delighted to find out is located in the town. They serve both Korean and Japanese food but the restaurant is actually owned by the sweetest Korean gentleman, Nae Young Jung, who works as the Head Chef and came out and did the rounds to chat to local regulars and us blow-ins alike. While he is a particular gent, everyone who worked in the place was lovely and incredibly accommodating to my friend, who has several food intolerances. The atmosphere of the restaurant is utterly jovial and friendly and I really can't recommend it enough.

Cafe Arirang

8. Cafe Arirang, 32 Botanic Ave, Belfast BT7 1JQ, UK, ££

This wee cafe was another lovely surprise that I stumbled upon while travelling and visiting my baby brother in Belfast. A small, family-run business, it isn't super stylish but there are some tasty treats that you don't see on many menus in Ireland.

I was quite surprised to see the very divided debate online about the place. Some were saying it was expensive but, to me, it seemed very reasonably priced. The food itself garnered a lot of mixed reviews but I would say that, while it certainly isn't fine dining (more like street food and some of it is very much foods that are considered unhealthy treats in Korea), it was really tasty, though clearly adapted somewhat for local tastes. Don't let the online debate put you off, this sweet little family-run establishment is great. Order a few things and share them and you'll have a real treat. My brother and I got the bulgogi kimbap, tteokbokki, spicy noodles and fried dumplings between us and it was quite the feast.

BONUS: Love Is Art Atelier, 3 Strand Street Great, North City, Dublin 1, €€

This cute cafe, also near my office, is owned by a Korean couple and, while they don't serve Korean food, it is a very Korean-style cafe from the interior to the way things are served. Adorable and very Instagram-friendly, I'm only sad that work prevents me from just hanging out here all day.

So, there you have it, a rather decisive list of where to get yo' hands on Korean food in Ireland and my thoughts on each! 잘 먹겠습니다!

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