vatos urban tacos

December 19, 2011 sarah lee

3 boys. 2 months. 1 dream.

By now I think most folks around Seoul have been to Vatos, or have marked their calendars to drop a visit. Vatos isn't really just your local taco spot. It's your second home. It's the place you go to when you just crave a few tacos and a negro modelo after a long day...this is where I come.

So what's their story?

The dream: It started off with Kenny Park, originally from Los Angeles who moved to Seoul 2 1/2 years ago. His passion for good food was the seed that planted Vatos. The boys: Kenny later met partners Juweon (Jonathan) Kim and Sid Kim through a kickstarter project he started back in March.
It took two months of love and labor: After several name changes, tweeks on the concept, and multiple tastings inside their home kitchen, Vatos opened its doors early November of this year.

If you're from the states like me, a few things that you will really miss is good Mexican food. Prior to Vatos, I have been disappointed countless of times scoping out different Mexican restaurants around Seoul. Now having Vatos on the Seoul food map, it just comes to show that Seoul is getting it...slowly.

'teppen' in hongdae

December 5, 2011 sarah lee

I have a confession. This Japanese Izakaya/teppan spot in Hongdae- I like. I really like...the 'service' more than the food. Haha. Well, as they say...great service is key to thoroughly enjoying an evening out at a restaurant. The moment you walk in, you're greeted with a loud 'hello' in Japanese...by the whole staff...mainly, the male chefs. Yup. The chefs are...let's just say 'cute' is an understatement.

pierre gagnaire à séoul

November 23, 2011 sarah lee

“Creativity is born from authenticity, but it is supported by tradition. An artist does not reinvent the rainbow; he uses the colors in a different way.”
-Pierre Gagnaire

Pierre Gagnaire’s food conceals my peculiarity.

So he’s a 3 michelin star, world renown French chef. Yes. Most of us may know that...In truth, I was a bit too nervous the first time I met him because I wanted to be ‘as professional’ as possible (so this is the before meeting him planning in my head thoughts). Then in actuality, as soon as I saw his smile, I melted. Hahaha. Ok. Not so much in the romantic sense. Chef Gagnaire has a tender soul and a genuine spirit about him. I could see why he’s a natural leader in the kitchen, and why his staff waits for the beat of his drum.

I stole a few peeks of him working with other staff members in the kitchen during a busy lunch hour...impressive. His staff was all open ears with every word he uttered...and they listened with eagerness and a thirst to learn. He visits the Seoul restaurant twice a year, and with each visit, you can feel the excitement.

gamrodang 감로당

November 3, 2011 sarah lee

King oyster mushrooms, lotus roots, chinese yam on a bed of pine needles

When it comes to all things vegetarian, I'm definitely in. Well, mostly. One would think that vegetarian cuisine would be an easy find in Seoul, but guess what? Not really. When I first got here early 2010, every time I ordered the 'veggie kimbop' (Korean maki rolls) at restaurants, ham would always be included! Ugh...so I continuously make it a point in asking them to take it out.

I'm not quite a vegetarian, although I took a shot at it for a year, prior to my arrival to Seoul. If you're familiar with Korean food, you may know that a lot of their 'banchan' (side dishes) are mostly vegetables. However, vegetarian spots are a hard find in Seoul. Especially the ones to be noted. I do have a few fave's, but I'm always in search for some more...

weekend in seoul's country

October 17, 2011 sarah lee

Fresh Asian pear picked from the tree, ate it on the spot...

When you ask a Seoulite when the last time they spent a weekend away from this restless city, most will probably scratch their heads. Then the discussion with friends usually go like this: 'oh, I wish I could get away for a few days...let's all pick a weekend and hop on a bus together!' This thought is usually short lived. You get stuck into your normal routine, and forget about the thought all together. Sad...

bean table 두둑한상

October 4, 2011 sarah lee

Bulgogi with their homemade tofu served with white kimchi was perfect...

So when you first see the name 'Bean Table' what immediately comes to mind? To be honest, tofu wasn't it...hahaha. Good friend and Chef Wonil Lee opened the doors to his tofu haven early this May. When he first tried to explain the concept of his new place, I was like 'uh what? what was that again?' Traditional Korean served on beautiful earthenware with modern presentation...hmm. I seriously questioned this at first, because to be honest, there are tons of amazing Korean restaurants in Seoul. Lee has a background in contemporary European, but has an impressive palate for Korean cuisine. Thus, this is his true ambition.

ghetto gourmet: dining in the rough, part 3

September 26, 2011 sarah lee

I would love to re-introduce Sue Park as our featured guest blogger for our 3rd ghetto gourmet-
“Tail-End-of-Summer Foods: Barbecue and Beyond”. One of my closest friends, we both love to get our hands dirty in the kitchen, and fill our stomachs with all the good eats Seoul has to offer!

Sue has a daily show on TBS EFM (101.3) here in Seoul (which you must check out!), loves to pick our brains for what we like to eat, because she will try to figure out a way to cook for you! Sue continuously shares her positive energy wherever she goes!

For me, there is nothing more pleasurable and satisfying than being surrounded by good friends, drinking wine and sharing a truly delicious meal. The simple act of gathering at a table and partaking in a communal meal has the power of binding people together like no other. And, you can learn so much about a person simply by observing their habits at the dinner table as well as how they move and work in the kitchen.

o kitchen

September 12, 2011 sarah lee

“What you want is to make things personal. Might not be spectacular, but from there you can say it’s mine. Personal doesn’t mean it’s bad, it’s just personal. It’s memorable to you. Your identity: who you are, where you were, where you have been. Everything connects to everything.”

Susumu Yonaguni’s words as I have an afternoon chat over pasta and wine.

This space in a hanok (Korean traditional house) converted to a restaurant, has an energy that words cannot define. Upon entering, you immediately feel like you want to take off your shoes…like entering your own house. There is no host, or a manager with a suit, but a chef that will guide you to your table with a smile.

First impression? Hmm…definitely something different. As you finger through the menu, you will soon notice that there is no front of the house staff! Well, the usual servers with matching uniforms, aprons, or name tags (as this is the common standard in Korea) are no where to be found. The back of the house runs the show…yup...everything from the kitchen to the main floor…creating dishes, washing dishes, to pouring wine and greeting customers. I think I would say this is a first of its kind in Seoul, and my excitement grew even before I started on the wine…

summer days coming to an end...

August 30, 2011 sarah lee

Line @ 을밀대 (Eulmildae)

Sussing out new adventures. This sums up my summer of 2011. More calories consumed than any other summer (uh, not just food that is:) haha. Aside from the crazy, massive rain that lasted pretty much the uh, whole summer...good food is what kept me in one piece. Why do I feel like the more restaurants I hit, there are more adding onto the list daily? It's absolutely endless. Just when I find my favorite nangmyun (Korean cold buckwheat noodles) spot, a few weeks later another place tops it. This just comes to show that good finds are plenty here in Seoul...the summer is not quite over yet, but so far it's been a sweaty, sweet, and solid. The savoire-faire has been pretty spot on...it's the everyday moments...

ghetto gourmet: dining in the rough, part

August 24, 2011 sarah lee

Our ghetto gourmet dinner series continued with 'Indian' as the theme for our second dinner. Thrilled to introduce the guest blogger for this post-Thomas Richard Walsh, another witty Brit in our group (just had to add the middle name, haha). Recently moved to Seoul from Hong Kong, this lawyer, food lover, blogger, cyclist (he's trying to get me into fixie's), has joined our culinary super group! The story of our friendship arose from twitter and fellow food blogs, and somehow played a role with his new 'addiction' to Seoul. Hahaha. Welcome to Seoul Tom!!!

Must check out his food/travel blog written by both him and his girlfriend, Jen Meoller (who will be joining us in Seoul shortly!)
tomeatsjencooks

java addiction...

August 16, 2011 sarah lee

Espresso Con Panna=espresso with cream in Italian. Absolute heavenly bliss when I tried this for the first time at Republic of Coffee in Mapo! Oh dear God, where have you been??? This hidden cafe owned by well known barista Jong Hoon Lee (ok, we didn't see him there this time), but another barista in training Chang Jae Lee was definitely 'in the know' when it comes to proper coffee. We tried everything from espresso made from their vintage machine (see photo below) to iced cafe mochas, hand drip coffee, and the espresso con panna. Uh yeah, all in one sitting. We were so close to spending all of our Saturday there, but realized that it was probably not a good idea to be wired the whole day, so left before the caffeine got the better of us...hahaha.

For those that have a java addiction, absolutely must make a stop or two at Coffee Republic. Actually, it's a must.

silk button

August 8, 2011 sarah lee

Sometimes a girl just needs a little pick-me-up on rainy days...well, this girl needs one almost all the time! hahaha. I usually crave a cup of joe mid afternoon, but every time I stop by Myung-dong, Silk Button is what hits the spot. This cute, stand alone shop in the heart of the Myung-dong shopping district, is a pleasant addiction. All their earrings, hair pieces, and buttons, are made with silk scarves...some with vintage, hard to find silks. Truly unique in every form, each item has its own character, and holds its own personality.

ghetto gourmet: dining in the rough, part 1

August 3, 2011 sarah lee

Alas, we have finally started our 'Ghetto Gourmet' dinners in Seoul! A collective of crazy food lovers, chefs, and critics got together a few weeks ago to have another excuse to feast, get tipsy, and show off our skillz! For this series, we will be taking turns with writing an entry for each dinner...first up-Andy Joseph, good friend, one of the wittiest Brits I know, writer for TBS, and always knows how to just 'make you feel better'. Yup, that's our Andy! Seoul in the City is honored to have this first blog entry about our 'ghetto gourmet' dinner series spoken in his words...

A couple of weeks ago (Friday, the 22nd July) saw the inauguration of ‘Ghetto Gourmet’. Ten relatively normal, yet quite attractive, people getting together a few times a month and eating homemade food from fresh ingredients based around a theme. Our first theme…Mediterranean.

perfect fix during seoul's monsoon

July 26, 2011 sarah lee

So those who know me in Seoul, or have dropped a visit to check what consists of my food empire, may know all my most beloved, most cherished, and most favored. I spoil these places, and I spoil my friends by introducing them to these spots, hahaha. Favorites=the places that are part of my weekly repertoire, and really, there are just a select few. Aahhhh...the newest addition to my savory list: Damotori makgeolli bar in Haebangchon.

Recently discovered a few months ago through a fellow chef friend, and let's just say...it took some time to share this spot with my readers. Yes, although I love sharing the latest and greatest finds...sometimes, just sometimes, you just have to hold back a little...know what I mean?

When friends mention Damotori, I simply cannot resist the temptation...first stop or the last stop during an evening out with friends, or whatever the case may be, it's on my weekly bucket list!

weeknight affair series: cham sut gol

July 18, 2011 sarah lee

I am honored to introduce fellow food lover-Sue Park from Seoul, as a guest blogger with Seoul in the City's 'weeknight affair series'! Sue-one truly spirited, sweetheart, and a close friend...is a dj on Seoul's TBS EFM (English) radio 101.3, 'M-Town' show. When it comes to food, you'll be in good hands with this foodie. 'My Seoul' will not be complete without Sue...

Ask a non-Korean what their favorite Korean dish is and there is a high probability that bibimbap will land in the top 5 of the list alongside galbi, bulgogi, samgyeopsal and samgyetang. Yes, Koreans do love their meat!

Unlike some of the more pungent dishes that constitute a typical Korean meal, including bubbling hot spicy stews eaten straight out of a communal pot like kimchi jjigae and doenjang jjigae which, due to the fermentation process of their core ingredients, may not be instantly appealing to first timers, bibimbap is easy—a mound of steamed rice (hot or cold) placed at the bottom of a bowl topped with an assortment of namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables), sliced or minced beef (cooked or raw) and a single egg placed on top (fried, sunny side up, or raw). The entire concoction is mixed with gochujang (red chili paste) which is usually served

on the side and a dribble of fragrant toasted sesame oil! It is delicious, hearty and nutritious – the meal is complete in itself with, at most, a bowl of hot broth on the side and kimchi. The dish is even airplane-friendly, served as a popular in-flight meal on major international carriers.

cafe series: hoho myoll cafe

July 14, 2011 sarah lee

Hoho Myoll Cafe in Hongdae, near Sangsu Station...randomly fell upon this cafe with a Volkswagen camper inside! They seem to be pretty serious about their coffee, and their warm apple tea is a definite winner!

Just wanted to post a few photos...that's all:)

chef im jiho's 'sandang'

July 6, 2011 sarah lee

'Food is art and holistic medicinal science...'

A bohemian artist from his earlier days, Chef Im Jiho learned food medicine through his parents. His inspiration for food and art comes from nature itself. It wasn't until his 40's, did he amalgamate the two worlds, and Sandang (mountain village) was established. Creating a 'natural menu' for Sandang was when the inner artist of Chef Im Jiho came out...

Absolutely no waste in the kitchen...every ingredient is utilized to it's fullest, composted, or given to the dogs...

In their kitchen, you will hardly see any packaged waste (almost everything is made in house), and they take to heart of using every single item. This to me, is what a real chef who participates in 'being green, and defining sustainability' is. It's not just about using natural and organic ingredients, but taking it a step further and living it out. Sandang exhibits the Chef's philosophy and lifestyle that rest upon health & healing through food.

i'm still here...

June 29, 2011 sarah lee

Just droppin a note to my readers...I have been tied up with pre-production planning for my food/travel pilot we're shooting this weekend! Will keep you posted on this!

Will be back on my posts soon. In the meantime, wanted to leave a few photos of good friends Jenny & George's girls who came to visit Seoul back in March.

Miss you girls!!!

katelyn, rylee, jenny & ella enjoying yogurt bingsoo @ coffee smith!katelyn about to dive into her kogi and rice! too cute...

woo lae oak

June 17, 2011 sarah lee

Family. Tradition. Legacy.

One of the most recognized names in Seoul. Woo Lae Oak. 'Come, Again, House.'
Their story began in 1946.

Good friend Kathy Paik's great grandfather 장원일 (Chang Won-Il) opened their doors to share their Pyongyang Naengmyun (North Korean cold noodles). His son, 장진건 (Chang Jin-Gun), succeeded the business and has spread Woo Lae Oak around Seoul and the U.S. The family originates from Pyongyang, and for generations have passed down their culinary love. Woo Lae Oak is tucked away in the back alleys of Euljiro 4-ga, which stands in their original home, and over the years have been converted into a restaurant. Back in the day, Euljiro was the main hub: socialites came out, business was done, and lovers first met. The rich history behind this Euljiro area is joined by the neighborhoods of Jongno, Myungdong, Dongdaemun, City Hall, and the Chenggye stream.

bistro seoul

June 1, 2011 sarah lee

Bistro Seoul exhibits Korea's traditional cuisine with modern inspiration. Located in Samseong-dong, at the Oakwood center next to Coex, Bistro Seoul is a great place to dine for those who are just tuning into learning what Korean cuisine is about! The most fresh and local ingredients are utilized in their culinary creations, and their take on Korean cuisine is promising.

Recently, I had the opportunity to co-produce a short vignette featuring Bistro Seoul for LI T.V. with Dubu Digital Productions. Hyun Choi, the R&D director of Sun At Foods, and who spearheaded Bistro Seoul, explained that their concept is to amalgamate Korean classic cuisine with modern techniques to compose something exceptional.