Happy Halloween!

Although Korea doesn't celebrate Halloween, I was able to find some really fun pictures of Korean kids in historical Korean costumes. Enjoy and be safe!

Little Seouls Facebook Fan Club

If you haven't already joined, our Little Seouls Facebook Fan Club is a great way to get updates on new products as well as interact with other parents. We also have special giveaways and coupons that are not listed on the blog or our website. If you haven't joined yet, join by clicking on the right side of this page.

By joining, you can also take advantage of the 10% discount coupon that is set to expire on November 1st, 2009. Only 2 days left!

Squash Pancake Recipes

Here's Maangchi with yet another great recipe to try this season. It is called "hobakjeon," which are Korean squash pancakes. I love how she gets into Halloween with her cute costume and music!

Pumpkin Porridge Recipe

"Hobakjuk", known as pumpkin or squash porridge, is easy to make. It is a great side dish to make during the cold fall season.

Ingredients:
1 lb (500 g) peeled, chopped pumpkin
5 cups of water
1/3 cup rice flour
1-2 tablespoons soft brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds or pine nuts

Directions:
Place the pumpkin in a pot in 4 cups of water. When it comes to boil, reduce heat and simmer for approximately 25 minutes (until the pumpkin is very soft and easily breaks apart).

Mix the rice flour with the remaining cup of water, then add the mixture into the pot of softened pumpkin. Bring to a boil over medium heat, while stirring often.

Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes, then add the sugar and salt.

Serve in individual bowls, and decorate it with the toasted pumpkin seeds.

Serves 6-8 , Prep time 10 minutes, Cooking time 30 minutes

Great recipes like this can be found in the cookbook, "Authentic Recipes from Korea."

Great Games for the Upcoming Holidays!

With the holidays and New Year's coming, we have stocked up on our inventory of traditional Korean games. We have also recently added Baduk and Janggi to our list of products! And of course don't forget the Hwatu cards and Yute game! A great way to bring culture to your holiday gatherings!

Korea's Version of the Tooth Fairy

Recently, my 6 year old lost his first tooth! My father, who is a first generation Korean American, told me that Koreans do not practice the Tooth fairy. Instead, Korean children are taught to throw their lost tooth to the roof, in hopes that a bird will find it. It is believed that the bird will bring good fortune through a new tooth!

Pororo Cake Design

Look how cute these are! Too bad the cake designer is in Korea!

Design and photo credit to http://blog.naver.com/cakegirl_kim

Awesome Korean baby bedding!

Many Koreans in Korea still sleep on the floor and what do they do when they have a baby? Here's their ingenious idea! I love it!

If you were in Korea, would you dress up as.....

Pororo, the Korean President, Dooly or Poong Poongie for Halloween?

Pororo Stainless Steel Bowls Now Available!!!

We are excited to announce the arrival of the new Pororo stainless steel bowls at Little Seouls! These bowls are so cute! Also great are the fact they're stainless steel so no worries about plastic!

2010 Calendars Pre-sale!

Order now and get a free desk calendar and discounted pricing! Makes a great gift to pass out to family during Christmas! Click here.

Costume Contest at Little Seouls

Since Halloween is just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to see all the cuties out there in their costumes. You can submit a photo of your child by going to Little Seouls fan club on Facebook. We will be giving away a personalized mini stuffed animal as a prize!

Need a photographer in the Bay Area?

Award-winning photographer James Lee. Let him know you heard about him thru Little Seouls!

Creative ways to use Seaweed ("Kim")

How creative of this blogger! My kids would be so excited if I decorated their rice like that! I never thought of making kim bap like a cake layer either. This would be cute hors d'oeuvres for a party!

Fun Pajamas...So Asian!

While shopping for Little Seouls products, we always run across very amusing items that make us say, "only in Asia!" Although very cute and quirky, I can't imagine adults in the US wearing these to sleep....or even as costumes! These are made by a Japanese company and are called kigurumi.

1st Place Winners of the Sing a Long Sound of Music Contest

Here are the cutie pies who won this year's contest at the Hollywood bowl. Austin, Sophie and Ella are outfitted to reflect "tea with jam and bread." Congrats to you "little seouls!"

Photo credit to LAist per Californiachildren.typepad.

Celebrity Sean celebrates his Son's 100th Day

We've posted a lot about Sean from former hip hop band Jinusean. Here are some photos from his cyworld page of his son, Ha Yool, taken on his 100th day birthday. Ha Yool was born this year on June 14. Isn't he just the cutest thing ever?

By the way, cyworld, is Korean's version of a myspace.

New Mini Stuffed Animals...Makes the Perfect gift!

My son always likes to tell me, "Mommy, I need something to think about you..." or "Here's something to think about me." These little animals are perfect for just that occasion!

Do you have a child starting preschool? You can make one for them with your face on it so they can hold it when they miss you.

Maybe the grandparents live far away...these would put a big smile on their faces!

For those adopting, are you thinking of something for your care package for your new son/daughter? You can make one for each member of the family so the baby can start knowing your faces...

I made one for my son to hang in my car. It's just the cutest thing. The faces are 3D...meaning the nose area of the picture pops out a little to give it that 3D effect. There are many animals to choose from and 2 different sizes. Check it out!

DIY (Korean Arts and Crafts)

Koreans are very big on crafting but they call it DIY. It's a big market, especially all the baby items like stuffed animals, pillows, mobiles, clothing, etc. Here are just some of the cute DIY items they sell in Korea.

Gwyneth Paltrow Loves Korean Food

Gwyneth Paltrow is quite adored in Korea for her natural beauty, sophistication, elegance and talent. She also has voiced her love for Korean food. Here is a video of her version of making Korean bibimbap from her website, http://www.goop.com.



And just for fun, here is a commercial of her for a Korean clothing line, Bean Pole with actor Daniel Henney.

Happy Chuseok Weekend!

Hope everyone has a great weekend celebrating Korean Chuseok!

October Baby of the Month Winner is....

Alex who's 17 months old. Congrats!! I love this picture...so cute!