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What is one's Korean American experience with Chinese food? For me (and I'm sure many others may share this experience) it was growing up with Korean/Chinese fusion: jjajangmyun (black bean paste noodles), jjampong (spicy seafood soup) and some form of sweet and sour pork amongst others. Then again, I think this is what's most popular in Korea as well, and many may actually think this is authentic Chinese!
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Just as Spring started to say 'hello', Eunice, Barbara and I went antiquing and enjoyed a nice Korean lunch spread in this quaint town in Gyeonggi-do province (northwest of Seoul). It was that one first warm day in March that welcomed us with sun! The photos here are these random boat houses that we spotted by chance, right behind the restaurant we ate at (sorry, can't remember).
Ahh, it was great to take a quick getaway from the city...
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Seoul in the City and Zen Kimchi will host Korea’s first ever pop-up restaurant! Yes, Joe McPherson and I will be cooking up a storm! These (usually) secret temporary restaurants have been a popular trend from L.A. to London. Called “Back Kitchen Seoul,” this first endeavor will open for one night and one night only on April 21st from 6-10 p.m. The theme will be re-imagined Korean ingredients. There is no official charge for the family-style dinner, just a W30,000 suggested donation for ingredients, time and effort. Drinks are extra.
This is a good chance to try food you won’t find anywhere else in Seoul while meeting interesting folks. The pop-up will be at Café Gondry in Anguk-dong. You can get more information and RSVP at zenkimchi.com.
Hope to see you guys there!!!
I think this may be one of those posts that my friends have been waiting for. I have to admit that I was kind of holding back a little because I wanted to savor this pizzeria to my self. Ok, maybe with a few others. Although I did recommend this spot to other folks in media, food bloggers and close friends. It came to a point where if I don't share this place with my readers, it would just be unfair. Really.
I stumbled upon this pizzeria in Hannam-dong last fall, recommended by another chef. The moment I sat down I fell in love with the quaint interior, and my expectations slowly arose. As I thumbed through the menu, my hunger got stronger. Then, when I noticed that there were no English mistakes on the menu, I was sold! Hahaha. For those who live in Seoul, you will so understand. My first visit, I fell in love with their calzone and their prosciutto/rucola pizza. Their pizza reminds me of my favorite Neapolitan pizzeria in Chicago-Spacca Napoli. The thin, slightly burnt crispy crust with the utmost fresh ingredients. This is it guys. Seriously. You may just want to 'stop all pizza research' here!
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Korean bibim bap
As strange as it sounds, even though I am currently residing in Seoul, I have not quite scoped out all the greatest Korean restaurants here yet. It seems like it's a continuous hunt, trial and error, or MSG overdose. Then when you do find one where you want to give your own Michelin star rating, I tend to 'hand pick' these favorites and tuck them away in my back pocket. Yeah, I am kind of revealing my bad tendencies, hahaha. However, from this point forward I decided to start unraveling those very places that deserve to be noted for. I would like to begin with Mugunghwa.
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For our first recipe series, I would love to introduce Ms. Boulette from Germany! A Korean/German currently residing in Germany, shares her passion for Korean food through her amazing blog here: miss boulette
We both met through our blogs, and it's quite a treat to know another fellow Korean who has a passion for food across the globe in Germany! She shares one of her favorite German recipes in this series with Seoul in the City.
But before we find out what this special recipe is all about, I thought it would be fun to share a little bit about her with all of you...
Chicago=Delicious overload. Yes!!!
For food lovers out there who have never been to Chicago, this is THE ONE city you do not want to miss out on. The thing I miss most about my hometown Chicago-proper brunch and bourbon/whiskey bars. Both extremely difficult to find in Seoul. My sister-in-law Jiye took me to Longman and Eagle-a fairly new spot that opened in Logan Square last year. The moment I saw their bourbon/whiskey rack, I was already convinced. Their menu? Uh, fried chicken & waffles, pastrami spiced pig head, wild boar sloppy joe, duck egg hash with duck confit...ok I should just stop. Not surprising these combinations are common in Chicago: home of foodies, amazing chefs, and locals who truly practice everything 'sustainable'.
Eat. Sleep. Whiskey.
It’s been a while since I’ve been back from Manila. My trip was back in late October of 2011, and I’m finally getting around to writing this post!
I was in Manila for one sweet week. First time? Yes. Did I see any sun? No. Tickle my toes on their beaches? Absolutely not. Well, I ended up choosing the one-week where it was gloomy and rainy. However, this encouraged me to really shop and check out all their mega malls and food markets, hahaha. I NEVER thought that I would end up at a mall practically everyday of all places: Manila. So yeah, they’re kind of into these malls. Mega malls. They come in all shapes, sizes, and classes.
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I would like to say a *BIG THANK YOU* to all my friends, families, & readers of Seoul in the City! I was blessed with fellow bloggers and friends visiting me in Seoul this past year...and many of whom I met for the first time here in Seoul! When some of Seoul in the City readers are in town, they will hit me up with an email, ask about good eats around this city...then followed by 'hey you free to meet up?'
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I would love to introduce my good friend Keeyeon Daniel Warren as our guest writer for this fourth 'Ghetto Gourmet' dinner. Keeyeon was one of the first people that I met when I came to Seoul a few years back. To be honest, I wasn't really impressed with him at first, hahaha. However, over time I have come to just love this guy! He's one of those 'the more you get to know him, you naturally grow more attached' kind of guys. I can honestly say he's like family to me here in Seoul. His witty sense of humor will always bring a smile no matter how bad my day can be. Him and his wife Youngwan are truly one of those amazing couples where together they make a great team. Keeyeon is currently a partner of Relevant Matter with Jonathan Carfield, and they both launched 'Korea Bites' last year. If you see a guy wearing plaid wool pants rolled up, fashionable glasses, carrying a mandarin puck bag with funky socks and moccasin like shoes on the streets of Seoul-that's him. Just give him a shout:)
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Their signature: Kimchi Carnitas Fries
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.
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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.
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“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.
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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.
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“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…
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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...
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
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