Quick Bites – SEOUL Magazine

Quick Bites

cyn — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 02:08:39 +0000

[box_light]Quick Bites[/box_light]

Divine 디바인

This classy and sophisticated restaurant and event venue was designed by a foodie. Regular social events are held here for the city’s elite, such as singles’ night, business networking and performances by domestic and international musicians. Divine has a great brunch menu served regularly and a tempting array of tapas and charcuterie to go with wine, beer and cocktails. The continental breakfasts are as good (if not better) as those served at many hotels. French toast and omelets are also a delight. Lamb chop lovers can order the surf-and-turf platter with shrimp. The desserts are recommended as well. Divine lives up to its namesake as a prime venue to wine, dine and socialize.

→Itaewon area

FYI> T. 070-4131-5002

Price: KRW 10,000—25,000

[divider]

Café Mamas 카페 마마스

Dairy and cheese are all the rage in Korea, and Café Mamas knows how to keep its Korean clientele happy. This place boasts dense, hot and cheesy panini and ricotta cheese that’s more cheese than salad. While many in Korea have tried to make sandwiches trendy, Café Mamas has done it through a fresh and healthy concept (which really isn’t so healthy because of the amount of cheese it uses). Regardless, the restaurant is always filled with young and petite Korean girls. The quality of food is good and hearty, with sandwiches being the type to share with friends. The ricotta cheese is creamy and the balsamic vinegar, chopped nuts and cranberries pair well with it. After a meal this epic, juice is a perfect dessert.

FYI> T. 02-6030-8979

Price: KRW 6,500—11,500

GO> Yongdu Station (Line 2), Exit 4

Various locations; check their website (www.cafemamas.co.kr)

Quick Bites

cyn — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 08:14:55 +0000

Quick Bites

Handmade Pickles at Bapjitgo 밥짓고 티우림

A local favorite, this restaurant is known for their various pickled vegetables (jangajji). Here they make soy-sauce pickled cucumbers, chili pickles, turnip pickles, pickled mountain herbs and roots, and even pickles made from squid. They specialize in home-style Korean food with a twist. You can get smoked duck with citrus-yuja dressing or a spicy winter-dried pollack with wild sesame. They also do classics like soybean paste stew and a lotus-leafwrapped rice meal. The atmosphere is rustic and homey, for it is a Korean house that has been converted into a restaurant. In the inner garden, you might see the kimchi pots they use to make their pickles or the owner’s children making chalk drawings on the wall. This is a great place for an afternoon meal.

Seongbuk-dong> Bapjitgo 밥짓고 티우림

FYI>

Open: 11am–8pm
T. 02-6349-4999
Price: KRW 7,000-25,000

Go>

Hansung Univ. Station 한성대입구역 (Line 4),
Exit 6. Turn right at the first alley.

Duck Fat Fries at Hopscotch Gastropub 합스카치 게스트로펍

The shatteringly crisp fries at Hopscotch Gastropub will make you question the definition of the word “crispy.” The fries are delicious, but so are the pork cracklings and their bacon-topped mac ‘n’ cheese. They served one of the best salads I have had in the city. It was a salad with a citrus dressing that was topped with cranberry, avocado, mandarin oranges, sugared pecans, cucumbers, and tomatoes. It made me feel like I was in San Francisco. The interior has an industrial, MC Escher-feel, and the whole joint feels like a speakeasy from old movies. If you are looking for a place to have a beer, cocktail, or whisky with some inventive pub fare, then head to Hopscotch. Also make note that the pub doesn’t have a sign. The entrance is a large metal, sliding door with a red hopscotchesque neon sign.

Gangnam> Hopscotch Gastropub 합스카치 게스트로펍

FYI>

T. 02-511-0145
Open: 5pm–late
Price: around KRW 10,000–17,000

Go>

Not far from Gangnam-gu Office 강남구청역 (line 7). If you take a cab, they will drop you off near Hopscotch, but you’ll have to walk down the side street next to the Kia dealership and make the first left. You’ll see the metal doors up ahead.

Daily Delights

rjkoehler — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 08:14:55 +0000

Daily Delights

Here are my suggestions for a great food day in Seoul.

Day 1

Gourmet 494 is a gourmet cafeteria in the basement of the Galleria Department Store, which you can easily get to via the new Apgujeong Rodeo Station 압구정로데오역 (Bundang Line). It’s got an array of shopping and restaurants. You can spend the day shopping and head back to this center for every meal.

Breakfast

Get your bread and coffee from a variety of cafés and bakeries. At Eric Kayser you can get freshbaked breads and pastries. Hotel Douce offers colorful eclairs and macaroons and Cafe Mamas offers delicious fruit drinks and sandwiches.

Lunch

For lunch, I would recommend the cheddar burger from Brooklyn: The Burger Joint with the kimchi fries from Vatos. If you are looking for something more Korean, the homemade tofu from Kamchon Sundubu is also very good. If you are looking for something light, I would recommend the steamed dumplings from Cheonjin Poja.

Dinner

Dinner should be a bit more substantial, so I would recommend the steaks at Bistecca, which are grilled on-site; you can also get it with some grilled giant shrimp. If you want Italian, there are also the amazing pizzas from Pizzeria D’Buzza. For those looking for great sushi, then the renowned Masumoto Mizuho has his restaurant, Mizusho by Sushi Matsumoto.

Dessert

They do dessert justice here. You can get a strawberry rhubarb pie from Tartine or a gastronomic ice cream from Fell + Cole. With such fun and intriguing names as Rum Drunken Raisins, Irish Guilt, and Orange Blossom Cardamom, choosing an ice cream at Fell + Cole will be a tough decision.

Gourmet 494 고메이494
FYI> Apgujeong Galleria Department Store B1
T. 02-410-7114, www.gourmet494.com
Open from 11am–9pm
GO> [ Map 9 C1]

Day 2

Breakfast

Homemade Croissants and Bread from Le Alaska

This is one of the finest bakeries in Seoul, and it stays true to Parisian roots. The croissants are light, buttery, and flaky and have all the right points. I recommend getting a nice selection of breads and rolls with some jam and butter; indulge over a cup of coffee.

Le Alaska 르알래스카
FYI> T. 02-516-5871
Open: 9am–11pm
Price: Under KRW 7,000
GO> [ Map 9 C1]

Lunch

Churros with Chocolate at One Chu

This is a joint that specializes in homemade churros with chocolate sauce. The churros are deliciously crispy. The restaurant has some new twists on the churro, such as the ham and churro plate and even an eggs benedict churro. Oh, they also have a full bar and many different coffees.

One Chu 원츄
FYI> T. 02-516-3202
Open: Tuesday–Sunday 1pm–11pm
Closed Mondays
Price: Under KRW 10,000
GO> [ Map 9 B1]

Dinner

A Full Course Dinner at Chez Simon

The crème brûlée is worth getting to, but you have to go through course after course of freshly made, hot dishes to get to them. The menu at Chez Simon changes regularly depending on the season, but rest assured it will be made id=”__mceDel”>with precision.

Chez Simon 쉐시몽
FYI> T. 02-730-1045.
Reservations recommended.
Open: 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Price: KRW 40,000 per person
GO> [ Map 3 B2]

Dessert

Beer and Wine at La Taverna

After a day of so many sweets, it would probably be best to just have a glass of wine or beer with friends. I would recommend visiting the comfortable and nice La Taverna. They have a nice collection of Italian wines and finger foods; there is also their famous tiramisu.

La Taverna 라 타베르나
FYI> T. 02-792-9936
Open: 4pm–12pm
Price: KRW 10,000–20,000 per person
GO> Near Soon Chun Hyang Univ. Hospital:
Hannam Station 한남역 (Jungang Line),
Exit 1 or Hangangjin Station 한강진역
(Line 6), Exit 2 or 3

Quick Bites

I’m Camper 아임캠퍼
(Sangsu-dong)

This is a camping-themed restaurant, except you are not outside with the bugs, smokey campfire, lions, or bears. The interior of the pub restaurant is decorated with camping equipment. Sitting areas are under canopies and in tents. Guests sit on park benches, and food gets served on aluminum camping utensils and bowls. The food comes on large family-style platters with salad and an assortment of barbecued vegetables, meat, and sausages. I especially liked the steamed corn on the platter. They have plenty of cold beer available to drink with your meal.

★★★☆
FYI> T. 02-334-0770
Hours: 4pm–10pm
GO> [ Map 7 F1]

Yomenya Goemon 요멘야 고에몬
(Gangnam U-Street)

If you are looking for a great noodle experience I recommend Yomenya Goemon, which has Italian pastas made with a Japaneselike attention to detail. Their pastas are made with precision and are not overly saucy, sweet, or oily. Interestingly, they use Japanese bamboo strainers to drain the pastas, which I think makes the texture of their pasta silkier. Their carbonara is good, but be adventurous and get their fish egg and seaweed pasta or their natto pasta. Their tomato bolognese is good as well. They give cup after cup of jasmine tea with your meal, and you get to finish it off with either crème brûlée or mango ice cream. The crème brûlée is good; the mango ice cream had chunks of real mango, but the pudding on the bottom wasn’t so great. The price is reasonable. Sets are KRW 15,000 a person and you get two small pastas and dessert.

★★★☆
FYI> Seocho-gu Seocho Daero 77-gil 7
T. 02-534-8036, www.yomenya-goemon.co.kr
Hours: 11:30am–10pm
GO> [ Map 9 B3]

Saint Augustin 생어거스틴
(Cheonggye Plaza)

Saint Augustin

If you are looking for a classy restaurant that oozes Asian flair then head to Saint Augustin. The restaurant specializes in Thaiish food served up in a refined atmosphere. Recommended dishes here are the Poo Phad Phong Kari, fried soft-shelled crab in yellow curry (KRW 28,000). The egg in the sauce was great and the crabs were soft. I would have preferred it a tad crispier, but it was good. The Som Tam papaya salad (KRW 16,000) is also id=”__mceDel”>very good. Mind you, it is a tad spicy, but the sauce is refreshing. The Neua Phad Nammanhoy (KRW 29,000), is also very good, with its tender chunks of marinated beef and crisp asparagus. To round out your meal, I recommend the Goongyai Pad Thai (KRW 18,000), one of the better pad thais I have had in Seoul. Sadly, they don’t have a dessert menu, so I went with the Vietnamese coffee. Not bad—but I would have loved a mango and sticky rice.

★★ ☆
FYI> T. 02-778-7718, www.augustin.co.kr
Hours: 11:30am–10pm (1pm–3pm break)
GO> [ Map 1 B3]

Adventurous Quick Bites

cyn — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 08:14:55 +0000

[box_dark]Adventurous Quick Bites[/box_dark]

A Taste of the Phoenix and Dragon at Bomungol Hanok-jip 보문골 한옥집

The turtle is a symbol of longevity and strength in Korea. They are also supposedly descendants of dragons and phoenixes. The fact that turtles were only allowed to be eaten by the king makes the idea of eating turtle soup appealing to adventurous Korean diners. Bomungol offers a variety of boyangsik (stamina foods) such as black duck, dog, black goat, and abalone stews. If you order the turtle soup here, expect the whole turtle to come out, shell and all, in a cloudy broth full of vegetables. Turtle has a fi shy sort of taste to it but is very bony, so watch out.

Korea Univ. area > Bomungol Hanok-jip 보문골 한옥집

FYI> T. 02-922-1538
Hours: 11am–10pm
Price: KRW 120,000 a turtle

GO> Bomun Station 보문역 (Line 6), Exit 6. Turn left around Brown Hotel and walk one block.

Thanks Nature Café 땡스네이쳐카페

This café is famous for their fl uffy white sheep that wander around the café. Don’t worry, they don’t cook them or anything. They just wander, stare, and play. Besides the sheep, the desserts and coffee here are top-notch. The waffl es, topped with ice cream, whipped cream, fruit, caramel, and more, are crispy and warm. Their shaved ice desserts are just as various, ranging from the classic red bean to watermelon and strawberry. They also have a large range of coffees, lattes, and fruit drinks. The tranquil setting is perfect for studying, chatting with friends, or just taking a nap while counting sheep.

Hongdae> Thanks Nature Café 땡스네이쳐카페

FYI>
T. 02-335-7470
Hours: 11am–11pm
Price: KRW 5,000 for a coffee

GO>
[ Map 7 C2]

Quick Bites

cyn — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 08:14:55 +0000

Busan Sikdang 부산식당

Busan is famous for their seafood, and if you are looking to get a taste of it while in Seoul, head over to Busan Sikdang. This little brick building near Insadong has been at the same location doing the same food for over 30 years, so they must be doing something right. Service is prickly and a tad slow, and they act like they really don’t care if you are there. Believe it or not, but this is a good sign for a Korean restaurant. The thing to get is the sangtae chiggae, spicy fish pollock soup. The soup is cooked in a big pot and it is overflowing with mushrooms, tofu, watercress and more. They bring it to the table in a big metal pot, and it finishes cooking at the table. Once it is finished cooking, the broth is spicy, fishy, and flavorful. It is fun to pick out the vegetables, fish, and more from the broth and enjoy this all with rice. Sometimes, you might even get a special side dish like soy marinated crab if you get lucky. Sure, the service might not be all that special, but the food surely is.

FYI>

Busan Sikdang 부산식당
T. 02-733-5761
Hours: 11am–12pm
Price: KRW 7,000–15,000 a person

D’Industry Real Furniture Café 55 디인더스트리 카페 디55

D’Industry Real Furniture Café 55 was built by artists and designers who are famous for building some of the most fetching stores in Korea, such as Style by Shez in Apgujeong, the Abbey House Studio in Namyang, Photo Café Kuma.C, and more. This group knows how to transform a space, and they did the same with their own café. The interior has a postindustrial feel and is loaded with designer furniture, lights, and fixtures from all over the world. My favorite is the dentist light over the register. The coffee here is quite good, and so are the desserts and cakes. I had a carrot cake that was sweetly spiced and topped with plenty of sweet and light cream cheese, and a decadent chocolate brownie filled my boundless craving for chocolate. Their locally roasted coffee and frothy cappuccinos don’t disappoint, either.

FYI>

D’Industry Real Furniture Café 55
디인더스트리 카페 디55
T. 02-720-5014
Hours: 11am–10pm
Price: KRW 5,000–10,000 a person

Tartine Revives European Flavor

rjkoehler — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:23:21 +0000

[box_dark]TARTINE | 타르틴
Tartine Revives European Flavor[/box_dark]

Tartine Bakery & Café is a small pie shop in Itaewon with a French country decor. It serves authentic American pies, cookies, and cheesecakes; butter tarts; rich, dark drinking chocolate; and much more. All of their items are baked in their own kitchen throughout the day. The pie crusts are handcrafted from a recipe that has been in Chef Garrett Edwards’ family for generations. The flourless chocolate torte and cheesecake are unpretentious in flavor and texture. Pies are KRW 7,700, and large 10-inch pies are available by special order at KRW 42,000. Open from 10am to 10:30pm.

FYI>
T. 02-3785-3400
www.tartine.co.kr
(119-15 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul ㅣ서울시 용산구 이태원동 119-15)

GO>
Itaewon Station 이태원역 (Line 6), Exit 1

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Danimgil Makgeolli Pub

rjkoehler — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:39:15 +0000

Get Your Cloudy Rice Brew On at Danimgil

At Hongdae’s Danimgil, they specialize in Korean makgeolli (an alcoholic beverage made of rice), and they have a wide selection. You can get makgeolli made from buckwheat, corn, glutinous rice, black bean, scorched rice, and much more. They also bring kimchi pancakes and green onion pancakes in the shape of the Korean flag, spicy pork, acorn jelly, and even cheesy egg omelets.

Danimgil Makgeolli Pub | 다님길 막걸리 카페

FYI>
Cost: 8,000–15,000 won a person
6pm–2am
T. 02-322-2066
(330-39 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul | 서울시 마포구 서교동 330-39)
GO>
Hongik Univ. Station 홍대입구역 (Line 2, A’REX Line), Exit 6, 7 or 8

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The Baker’s Table

rjkoehler — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:29:02 +0000

Get Hearty Breads, Sandwiches, and Soups at The Baker’s Table

Micha Lichter of Germany started as a pastry chef at the Grand InterContinental Hotel in 1990 and then went on help open restaurants throughout Korea. He has since decided to settle down and do what he loves most: bake. He opened up The Baker’s Table, near Itaewon’s Gyeongnidan Street, in January 2012, and there is always a wide selection of crusty, homemade breads set on a large table. His focaccia topped with herbs and tomato is large and more delicious than many of the pizzas in this country. This is a good place for brunch as well, and I recommend their Farmer’s Table.

The Baker’s Table | 더 베이커스 테이블
FYI>
Cost: KRW 5,000–10,000 a person
8am–9pm, closed Monday
T. 070-7717-3505
(244-1 Noksapyeong-daero Yongsan-gu, Seoul | 서울시 용산구 녹사평대로 244-1)
GO>
Noksapyeong Station 녹사평역 (Line 6), Exit 2

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Mercado

rjkoehler — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:15:32 +0000

A Whole Lot of Brazilian BBQ at Mercado

The story goes that Gangnam’s Mercado is the Brazilian churrascaria that started the whole trend in Seoul, the place everyone else tries to emulate. It’s got Brazilian chefs in the kitchen preparing the meat, sauces, and salads, which are all very authentic. They have a great wine list of South American and Italian reds as well, so be sure to get something bold to go with the endless servings of rump steak, sirloin, garlic beef, pork belly, chicken hearts, and more.

Mercado | 메르까도

FYI>
Cost: 35,000 won a person for all-you-can-eat
4pm–10:30pm
T. 02-515-3288, www.mercado.co.kr
(95-16 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 서울시 강남구 논현동 95-16)
GO>
Gangnam-gu Office 강남구청역 (Line 7), Exit 3

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