South Korea is currently in the midst of a tourism boost.
An estimated 400,000 people from around the world gathered in Seoul to celebrate the 10th anniversary of K-pop boy band BTS. And the Seoul International Book Fair, where Sharjah is guest of honour, is also currently under way.
However, for those who can't make the trip over to the East Asian country, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate or get immersed in culture while in the UAE. Here are six places to visit.
Korean Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi
The centre on Yas Island is probably the best place to immerse yourself in South Korean culture in the UAE.
It hosts exhibitions, workshops, concerts and other activities such as cooking classes on a regular basis, giving visitors the chance to learn more about the East Asian country and the many facets of its culture.
The venue also has classrooms for language classes, a stage for shows and workshops, and a library with about 1,500 books.
uae.korean-culture.org
Hyu Korean Restaurant, Dubai
The no-frills restaurant in Dubai's Jumeirah Lakes Towers offers an authentic Korean dining experience, serving the famed Korean do-it-yourself barbecue and dishes such as jjamppong (noodles in a spicy seafood soup) and tteokbokki (rice cakes cooked in a spicy sauce).
The restaurant is a hidden gem in the sea of flamboyant Korean restaurants in Dubai, offering a stripped-down dining experience.
www.instagram.com/hyurestaurant
Mukbang Shows restaurant, Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The Filipino-owned Korean barbecue restaurant is inspired by mukbang, or the eating show that originated in South Korea in which a host consumes various quantities of food while interacting with the audience.
It has two locations in Abu Dhabi, one on Muroor Road near Al Wahda Mall and another on Electra Street behind City Seasons Hotel. The venue also has an outpost in Dubai, next to the Deira bus station.
A range of a la carte dishes are available on the menu, but the standout offering is the live barbecue with a variety of raw unlimited servings of Wagyu, tenderloin, strip loin and rib-eye steaks. Aside from the food, the interiors of the restaurant also showcase other aspects of Korean culture, with displays of the Asian country's traditional attire.
www.mukbangshow.ae
Madang, Abu Dhabi
It's a little far out, at Al Ghazal Golf Club right by the Abu Dhabi airport, but it's worth the journey.
Madang not only serves up authentic dishes and Korean barbecue, but does so in a charming, down-to-earth restaurant that doubles as a karaoke venue with views of the golf course.
There's also a little Asian grocery store out front for stocking up on speciality ingredients before leaving.
www.alghazalgolfclub.ae
1004 Gourmet, Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Restaurants aside, South Korean culture enthusiasts can visit Asian supermarket 1004 Gourmet to stock their kitchen with the country's delicacies, such as mandu (dumplings), fish cakes, cooking pastes and other ingredients.
The brand has four shops across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as an online store. The branch in Reem Island is the biggest and sells dozens of brands, from food to skincare and make-up. There is also fresh produce and seafood, as well as other items imported from Japan, Thailand and China.
www.1004gourmet.com
Family K Mart, Dubai
From different Korean condiments to snacks and more, Family K Mart sells plenty of authentic Korean foods, from rice and grains to frozen goods such as rice balls and mandu. The store also has a small restaurant inside, Roll and Bubble, which serves boba teas, Korean rolls and other dishes. Located in Al Barsha, Family K Mart delivers across the UAE including to Al Ain and Al Ruwais.
www.familyk.ae
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
The years Ramadan fell in May
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
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Results
Catchweight 60kg: Mohammed Al Katheeri (UAE) beat Mostafa El Hamy (EGY) TKO round 3
Light Heavyweight: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) no contest Kevin Oumar (COM) Unintentional knee by Oumer
Catchweight 73kg: Yazid Chouchane (ALG) beat Ahmad Al Boussairy (KUW) Unanimous decision
Featherweight: Faris Khaleel Asha (JOR) beat Yousef Al Housani (UAE) TKO in round 2 through foot injury
Welterweight: Omar Hussein (JOR) beat Yassin Najid (MAR); Split decision
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Sallah Eddine Dekhissi (MAR); Round-1 TKO
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali Musalim (UAE) beat Medhat Hussein (EGY); Triangle choke submission
Welterweight: Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) beat Sofiane Oudina (ALG); Triangle choke Round-1
Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Saleem Al Bakri (JOR); Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Nawras Abzakh (JOR); TKO round-2
Catchweight 63kg: Rany Saadeh (PAL) beat Abdel Ali Hariri (MAR); Unanimous decision
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
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Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen