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...
Recently, friend Paul introduced me to this hidden temple cuisine spot 'Gamrodang' in Samcheong-dong-'first dew in the morning' in which according to folklore is the food of the gods....A rainy Saturday afternoon, we arrived at 2:10 pm (original rsvp was for 1:30) and their kitchen closes at 3! Like most restaurants in Korea, the staff was definitely not afraid to let us know when their kitchen closes. So we had to pretty much chow down...well more like swallow our food in 50 minutes. Yup. All 9 courses. Actually, it didn't really come out in courses, but rather 3 at a time. At one point our table was a bit cluttered with all the dishes...and we didn't know what to eat first. There were moments when we would look at each other with blank stares, because we were pretty confused with what we were eating! haha.
The pre-meal set up was not orchestrated well...but I must say, I did quite enjoy the meal. Perhaps the company is what made it better. As you know, food always just tastes better when you dine with great folks.
This moment was to be noted for...
*please note, I don't have all the names of the dishes listed in the photos below, simply becuase I couldn't remember what they were, sorry! but I hope the photos look enticing...
Spicy crispy tofu
A few nibbles...
Salad with lotus roots (ok, I seriously cannot remember the name!)
The dessert: Korean 'shikhae (sweet rice drink) and acacia rice cakes with sugared ginger
First floor
Gamrodang (site only in Korean)
Jongno-gu, Dongui-dong 35-106, Seoul (Samcheong-dong) 서울시 종로구 동의동 36-106
02.3210.3397
Subway:
Gyeongbokgung station (line 3) exit 3, you will pass dunkin donuts and starbucks, then take a right at the corner unto the alley, restaurant should be to your right.