FINE KOREAN CUISINE AT5-STAR HOTELS

Even if the rooms are beyond your budget, the food is worth splashing out on

Written by Daniel Gray
Photographed by Daniel Gray and Ryu Seunghoo

Seoul’s top restaurants are found in its hotels. A job as a hotel chef is an esteemed and respected position. The capital’s hotels are able to procure the best ingredients, recruit the top talent, and offer the optimum environment for a fine meal. Ironically, of all the 5-star hotels in Seoul, only two are home top-flight Korean restaurants. They serve up a perfect combination of atmosphere, service, and cuisine.

Ondal Restaurant at Sheraton Grande Walkerhill

Set on Mt. Achasan on the eastern side of Seoul, Ondal restaurant offers fine Korean dining that harks back to the days of Korean royal court cuisine. Here, the typical royal court dishes have been upgraded. You’ll find thin ribbons of soft abalone in the nine delicacies platter and raspberry wine glaze on the broiled eel. Ondal also sources top quality local ingredients such as the prized yellow corvina fish from Yeonggwang, yellowtail fish from Jejudo and bibimbap ingredients from Jeonju. It has small set menus too, and its gimchijjigae is famous for its savory, sour, and spicy broth. If you wish for a King’s feast, the Sura set has everything from live lobster and raw fish to abalone cooked on stone, braised and seasoned beef, and more.

Ondal | 온달

FYI>
T. (02) 450-4518
Price: 29,000—250,000 won per person
(Gwangjin-gu Gwangjang-dong San 21 | 서울시 광진구 광장동 산21)
GO>
Free shuttle bus from Exit 1 of Gangbyeon Station 강변역 (Line 2)

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Mugunghwa at Lotte Hotel

Named after Korea’s national flower, Mugunghwa is located in the heart of the city at the Lotte Hotel in Myeong-dong. Its 38th-floor location offers spectaluar views of N Seoul Tower on Mt. Namsan and the various royal palaces that decorate Seoul, day and night. Mugunghwa serves beautifully presented, considerately paced and flavorful dishes course by course. Meals begin with amuse bouches that change depending on the season. On my visit, I received poached octopus with clear noodles and marinated cockles. The standout dishes here included the galbijjim with chestnuts and glazed carrots; there was a meat dish that had a wild sesame seed sauce, and jeon: pan-fried delicacies. Mugunghwa has extensive wine and tea selections and respective sommeliers to help you make the perfect choice of each.

Mugunghwa

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T. (02) 317-7061
Price: 70,000—250,000 won per person
(Lotte Hotel Myeong-dong 38th Floor, 1 Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul | 서울시 중구 소공동 1 롯데호텔명동 38층)
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Euljiro 1-ga Station 을지로입구역 (Line 2), Exit 7 or 8

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[box_info]HOTEL CHEF SPOTLIGHT: ANDREAS KRAMPL[/box_info]

Executive Chef, JW Marriott Seoul

A native of Böblingen in southern Germany, Andreas Krampl took charge of the kitchens at JW Marriott Seoul in 2011 after working in various countries in Europe, Australia, the Caribbean and Asia. This month, he introduces SEOUL to a “gradually evolving signature dish” of yellow fin tuna, lobster salad, shitake mushrooms and organic herb salad.

“I chose this dish because I normally look at the culture and history of the country where I’m working,” says Andreas. “In Korea, sushi is very popular and good crab is available.”

FYI>
JW Marriott Hotel Seoul is home to a café, grill restaurant, Italian, Chinese and Japanese restaurants and a delicatessen.
T. 02-6282-6262
www.jw-marriott.co.kr
(19-3 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul | 서울시 서초구 반포동 19-3)
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Express Terminal Station 고속터미널역 (Line 3, 7, 9), Exit 7

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Editor’s Pick  

Café des Arts

Le Saint-Ex & French Institute team up to bring affordable French cuisine to Seoulites

The Café des Arts, the bistro and coffee shop of the French Institute near Namdaemun, has reopened in partnership with well-known French eatery Le Saint-Ex. The simple, affordable menu makes high-quality French cuisine accessible to the masses. Everything is homemade; even if you’re not in the mood for an entire meal, have a cup of coffee and some cake and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi. Through the end of February, order from the set menu, and you’ll get a free mug adorned with the bistro’s stylish logo.

FYI>
Café des Arts is located on the 18th floor of the French Institute.
T. (02) 317-8568
www.france.or.kr
(18F, Woori bldg., 10 Bongnae-dong 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul | 서울시 중구 봉래동1가 10 우리빌딩 18층)
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Take subway Line 1, 4 or A’REX and get off at Seoul Station 서울역, Exit 3. Walk towards Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun; under reconstruction) and turn left at the end of the road.

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Go to Butterfinger Pancakes in Apgujeong to get an Americanized breakfast with sausage, pancakes, eggs, hash browns, toast, and a giant cup of coffee. Here the breakfast will fill you up and get you ready.

Butterfinger Pancakes | 버터핑거 팬케잌

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Cost: 10,000–15,000 won
Open from 10am–10pm
T. 02-3448-1070
(85-6 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 서울시 강남구 청담동 85-6)

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Apgujeong Rodeo Station 압구정로데오역 (Bundang Line), Exit 4

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Burgers seems to be a trend that won’t die, and new places keep cropping up. Brooklyn: the Burger Joint in Seorae Village is the darling of Korean foodies at the moment. With witty names like C.R.E.A.M. (Cheddar Rules Everything Around Meat) and Napkin Please: Beef Chili and American Cheeseburger, you definitely have to get one of these.

Brooklyn the Burger Joint | 브루클린 더 버거 조인트

FYI>
Cost: 5,000–12,000 won a person
Lunch from 11am–3pm, dinner 5pm–10pm
T. 02-533-7180
(551-32 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul | 서울시 서초구 반포동 551-32)

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Express Bus Terminal Station 고속터미널역 (Line 3, 7, 9), Exit 5

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You can’t leave Korea without trying Korean fried chicken. Reggae Chicken in Hongdae is known for their Bob Marley wannabees, cannabis beer, and blazingly good fried chicken. The breading is light, the chips crisp, and the curried sauce is a top notch pairing.

Reggae Chicken | 레게치킨

FYI>
Cost: 10,000–15,000 won a person
6pm–2am
T. 02-338-3438
(317-19 Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul | 서울시 마포구 상수동 317-19)

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Sangsu Station 상수역 (Line 6), Exit 1

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ⓒ Seoul Selection

It’s pink overload at Hongdae’s Hello Kitty Café, where everything is pink. You’ll see Hello Kitty everywhere, from the mirrors and furniture to the stairs, tabletops, cakes, and even the lattes. The only place you won’t see her is in the men’s bathroom, which is decorated with Hello Daniel, Hello Kitty’s boyfriend.

Hello Kitty Café | 헬로키티 카페

FYI>
Cost: Under 10,000 won
10am–midnight
T. 02-334-6570
(358-112 Segyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul | 서울시 마포구 서교동 358-112)

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Hongik Univ. Station 홍대입구역 (Line 2, A’REX Line), Exit 9

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