When it comes to Korean barbecue, familiar images spring to mind: a smoke-filled soju joint, red-faced customers cheering and the clatter of chairs scrapping the floor.
But there are other kinds of Korean barbecue places in vogue in Seoul now that are both stylish and design-savvy.
Instead of large company banquets, office workers drop into these modern restaurants in small groups of two to five for a quick bite.
Maple Leaf House, or Danpung Namu-jip in Korean, follows this new trend. The reason this Samcheong-dong diner stands out in this vast sea of downtown barbecue joints is it looks more like a wine bar than a meat joint.
The restaurant is named after an old maple tree in the garden, and from its exterior, it looks like an urban loft in a renovated warehouse, decorated in a mix of red brick and wood.
Stepping inside, it definitely feels more like a cafe. Instead of coffee and cakes, you see cheap cuts of meat like pork scruff (yummy!) on the wall menu.My three companions ordered a mix of marinated pork (8,000 won, $7.66) and beef brisket (9,500 won), two each.
The meal arrived quickly, first the side dishes in artful ceramic bowls and a vegetable basket, then the meat, which was served on hot iron plates.
Surprisingly, the meat was served individually with a separate serving of rice and soybean stew for four people. That¡¯s an unusual custom for a Korean restaurant where most food is served on one large plate and shared together.
The pork was a little too fatty for our taste; the beef was tolerable, but my companions found it too sweet.
The most disappointing part was the restaurant¡¯s service. We asked a server what kind of meat is served with ssambab, or rice with vegetable wrap. The woman mumbled, turned away and never came back.
We glanced at a table next to us, and figured it out for ourselves.
Overall, the meals were earthy and the portions were generous. And for those of you interested, the place uses Australian beef and Chilean pork.
Considering the ambiance, the cleanliness and the restaurant¡¯s decent ventilation system ? I didn¡¯t have to spray a fabric refresher on my dress as I was leaving I would give it another shot for a wholesome lunch with friends on a Friday afternoon.
Danpung Namu-jip, (02) 730-7461, is located in Samcheong-dong next to the Korea Banking Institute.
By John Redmond, Korea Times
Contributing writerTo say that the Korean palate is expanding to foods one never thought would take off in the land of the morning calm, would be a gross understatement. From regional dishes popular in neighboring nations to exotic European delicacies, Korean’s are embracing a much broader variety of taste sensations, and the most recent addition to this trend is food from the Middle East.
What started with a Turkish street vendor in Itaewon, offering sliced grilled chicken on a spit, hummus (chick pea paste) and salad wrapped in pita bread, rapidly gained in popularity, enough to warrant opening up a restaurant. The word spread and before long demand was such that more restaurants began to open.
The latest addition to this growing phenomenon is Persian Land, an Iranian and Turkish food restaurant located in the busy restaurant alley between Itaewon subway station and the fire station.
Comfortably seating 30 people inside, with room for couples and small groups on the patio, Persian Land offers a mix of good food, pleasant decor and authentic culture.
With peach colored wallpaper adorned with posters of famous Iranian sites such as Khajoo bridge, the sound of traditional music in the background and the aroma of grilled kofte filling the spring air, Persian Land is a comfortable setting to sample traditional Persian food at an affordable price.
Apart from a selection of kebabs and salads, the chelow gosh (curried lamb stew with vegetables) is a personal favorite. At 7,000 won the traditional Iranian dish comprising of tender lamb is cooked in a mild curry sauce and is served with a plate of basmati rice, an extra 1,000 won. Basmati rice tends to be more popular in South East Asian countries and is less glutinous than the rice eaten in North Eastern Asia. It is an excellent accompaniment to the lamb.
The choices of salad vary with each dish but the coban salad is recommended for those familiar with Middle Eastern cuisine.
Heavy on the vinegar and mint with an abundance of cucumber, the coban salad is definitely for those used to tangy salads as it tends to leave a rather bitter after taste.
Other dishes on the menu include beef, chicken and lamb koftas (meat dumplings) served with a selection of salads, rice and bread and averaging in price at 7,000 won, and chicken and beef kebabs (meat cooked and served on a skewer) ranging in price from 3,000 won to 7,000 won.
As Korea has a long history of engaging in business with countries such as Iran, it comes as no surprise to find a fairly large number of Iranian’s in Korea are already fluent in Korean, hence the waiters speak Farsi, English and Korean.
The choice of drinks is limited to beer, juice, soft drink, tea and coffee. The addition to the menu this scribe recommends would be to get rid of the instant coffee and replace it with traditional Turkish coffee. It would be the perfect way to complete a good meal.
To get there, leave Itaewon station, line 6, at exit #3 and walk towards Bogwang-dong. Turn left at the first lane. Persian Land is about 20 meters up the hill on the right. For more information phone (02) 797-7109.
redmond_john@hotmail.com
Marie’s Blog recently visited the popular Italian eatery, Il Sole, south of Beomeo Station. A great choice for Italian lovers who hang near the big intersection.
Chicken Caesar Salad
Carbonara
By Kwon Mee-yoo, Korea Times
Staff ReporterA bistro with a yellow signboard and blue door, located in an alley near Hongik University, attracts hungry passers-by. With a sign saying “75015,” this French bistro features genuine French taste and bistro culture.
The name of the restaurant comes from the postal code of a region in Paris, France where Le Cordon Bleu is located. Le Cordon Bleu is a famed cooking school where the chef of 75015 learned the culinary art.
There are 15 kinds of dishes on 75015’s menu. Four types of galette and four selections of quiche on the “plat” (meal) menu plus three choices of crepe, tart and one of pudding in the desert section. A special desert chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream is also available.
We ordered chicken galette and salmon quiche from the meal section. Galette is a kind of buckwheat French crepe garnished with fillings and quiche is a baked dish with egg and milk filling in a pastry crust.
The chicken galette (10,500 won) was garnished with chicken breast, onion, mushroom and cream sauce on buckwheat crepe. Though the chicken breast was a little tough, it went well with the crepe and sauce. Salad, potato and garlic bread are served with the galette. Other than chicken galette, the bistro serves galettes with ingredients such as potato, ham, cheese, egg and more.
Salmon quiche (10,800 won) is a savory treat. The salmon was tasty with a touch of onion and spinach, while the crust enclosing the quiche was crunchy and the egg filling was soft and creamy. Seafood, mushroom and bacon quiche are also available.
For dessert, we chose apple crepe (7,500 won) and chocolate fondant (6,000 won) to satisfy our “sweet tooth.”
Three pieces of thin crepes were served with caramelized apple, raisins and vanilla ice cream. Unlike the galette, this crepe with sweet filling was enough for sugar craving desert lovers.
The chocolate fondant was also satisfactory. The fondant cake has a moist texture and rich chocolate flavor. Two scoops of vanilla ice cream are served with the cake.
Tart is another specialty of 75015. Pumpkin tart, blueberry tart and other seasonal fruit tarts sit in a showcase and tempt visitors to the bistro.
A variety of coffees and Mariage Freres tea’s are also available, as well as refreshing sodas and juices.
Prices for meals range from 8,500-10,800 won and deserts cost from 4,500-7,500 won. During brunch hour, or from 12-2 p.m., a cup of coffee or a piece of tart is free with an order of dishes like galette or quiche.
The restaurant is located in Hongdae (Hongik University) area, near exit 4 of Hongik University station on subway line 2. Call (02) 333-1113 for detailed information.
meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr
With so many foreign teachers or expats living in Daegu, one may think every bar and restaurant in the city has been discovered, either through word of mouth or through individual exploration. Yet there remain a number of establishments that slip under our radars. I feel it necessary to drag us away from the monotony of the same ol’ ho-hum “foreigner bars” (you know the ones) and venture further out. Here is the first installment of “Hidden Gems - The Bar Scene”.
The Wine House. As the name suggests, you will find an extensive variety of world wines complemented by authentic Italian meals and appetizers. Located in Jisan-dong in Suseong-gu, the Wine House caters to the affluent residents of this upscale neighborhood resulting in a haute culture atmosphere with a mid to high price range. If you’re looking for a classy, quiet atmosphere with friends (or on a date) this place is definitely for you. If you’re looking to “kick it up a notch” then perhaps you should look elsewhere.
From the street, the well crafted and elegantly decorated patio catches your eye and prepares you for the elite clientele you may well find inside. Greeted respectfully by tuxedo-clad servers, you will find a mellow dining area flanked by a wall of fine wines. The ambient European classical music provides the appropriate environment for the intended occasion (whatever that may be).
Once seated, take a few minutes to peruse the menu for it is quite extensive with Red wines from Italy (from regions Veneto, Toscana, Piemonte, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, Campagna, and Sicilia) ranging from a modest 39,000 won to as high as bank breaking 475,000 won. This list alone may take you an evening’s perusal. France is nothing to sneeze at either, with expensive Bordeaux wines from 42,000 won up to jaw-dropping 340,000 won. You will also find Reds from the French regions of Bourgogne and Rhone. Keeping to western Europe, Spain provides the most modest of pricing, ranging from 33,000 won to 125,000 won. If you want a taste of the USA, you’ll find your common Californian wines from 36,000 won. Chile is my personal favorite, with prices comparable to the rest. Open up the wallets.
White wines are less popular here in Korea; the list is meek in comparison to the Red. There are eight varieties from Italy, six from France, Germany claims three (Reisling is the claim to fame for German White), one Chardonnay from USA and three varieties from Australia. Prices range from 31,000 won up to 90,000 won.
If Sparkling wine is your fancy, a nice bottle of Dom Perignon fetches 214,000 won. If you want to impress your company, perhaps this is for you. However, if you want to simply appear to be worldly, perhaps the Balbi Soprani (35,000 won) is more appropriate.
My wife and I had a delicious bottle of Chilean Shiraz/Cabernet called Carmen Reserve. At only 35,000 won, I must say I was quite impressed. Poured expertly by an experience server, this full flavoured and oaky Red is my recommendation for Shiraz fans. My wife found herself laughing at my rather shocking enjoyment of the bottle.
As for food, the best choice would be an antipasto which are accompanied by a myriad of cheeses, compulsory to the enjoyment of a good bottle of wine. All food is prepared by the Lark Sun restaurant next door to the Wine House. Authentically Italian, the antipasto list includes such dishes as sliced tomatoes seasoned with oregano topped with sliced mozzarella. My father prepares this as a light snack in the summer time and the chef at Lark Sun makes it to perfection. My wife chose an Italian favorite to snack upon: Prosciutto wrapped honey dew melon. The meat was perfect: salty and lean. This plate was accompanied by an assortment of cheeses which include Brie, Camembert, Friulani and Gorganzola amongst others. A perfect compliment to our Carmen Reserve.
The lunch menu (noon to 3pm) contains two full Italian course meals which include freshly baked bread, choice of pasta, salad, a meat plate of either Ribeye or a Chicken Leg, plus coffee or tea. This fetches 33,000 won.
The Lark Sun special (a whopping 75,000 won) contains fresh bread, pasta of choice, sauteed goose liver with a sherry wine syrup, soup, sorbet, beef tenderloin, dessert of the day, and of course coffee or tea.
There are three set dinner menus similar to the Lunch selection, but these fetch 45,000 won to 56,000 won. However, there is an A la Carte menu with common items such as Risotto, pizza and pastas ranging from 14,000 won to 17,000 won.
My wife and I didn’t partake in either Dinner or Lunch. We found it more important to enjoy the wine and cheese as opposed to the meals themselves (for an enjoyable Italian dinner or lunch, visit the Lark Sun). For less than 70,000 won my wife and I enjoyed a great night out; a date of sorts. Too many times have we found ourselves at the downtown “foreigner bars” pounding back beer and tequila. It’s an approachable place; nothing to be intimidated by. In fact, while my wife and I sat on the patio, I was actually disappointed to see a group of young women in their twenties wearing shorts and t-shirts. It’s fancy only if you want it to be.
It’s nice to mix things up and enjoy some fine wines, a luxury here in Korea. Wine is a rarity and to find such an extensive collection is quite the accomplishment. The prices may scare some, but it’s definitely worth it. Perhaps coming on payday is a logical choice!
The Wine House and Lark Sun are located up the hill from Dong-A department store. Not a difficult to place to find.
Phone Number: 053-783-6377.
Written by Riccardo Giovanniello
The Itaewon fine dining culture is truly eclectic. Although the area near the U.S. military base has been attracting foreigners and tourists for decades, the recent explosion of exquisite eateries offering unique international fare has allowed Itaewon to shed its reputation as merely a place where foreigners can drink and buy counterfeit goods.
Now renowned as the veritable heart of Korea’s intercultural activity, Itaewon is the go-to place for anyone looking to get a taste of another country without leaving the confines of the Seoul metro system. And if that country happens to be a land of towering pyramids, immortal pharaohs, and deadly rivers, then a visit to Egyptian restaurant Ali Baba may be just what you need.
While a little too small to house Egypt’s most prized attractions, Ali Baba does claim to be the single truly authentic Egyptian restaurant in Seoul. Established nine years ago by former diplomat Khalid Ali, the restaurant is nestled on the third floor of a commercial building on the eastern side of Itaewon’s main strip.
Upon entering the eatery, a sudden gust of air-conditioned relief mixed with the aroma of exotic spices is enough to awaken an appetite left dormant during these hot summer months. The restaurant’s interior manages to provide a genuine Egyptian feel while avoiding overly ornate decorations that are often observed in Middle-Eastern eateries. At the back of the restaurant, behind a red curtain embroidered with sequins and beads, is a cushioned and more private dining area. With dim lighting and soothing background music, we didn’t think the restaurant could have provided a more intimate dining experience - that is until our eyes feasted on the long row of hookahs, large Middle-Eastern water pipes used for social smoking.
But first things first. After choosing where to sit we focused on the surprisingly straightforward menu. Unfamiliar dishes were coupled with concise explanations, with prices not exceeding 10,000 won.
To start we ordered the hummus (4,500 won) with a side of pita (2,000 won). Hummus is a Mediterranean dip made primarily from chickpeas. Egyptian-style hummus is traditionally garnished with cumin, a red seasoning typically found in chili powder, and true to its roots this hummus had just that. The pita bread was soft and warm and the perfect dipping tool.
For the main dish we chose the acclaimed falafel (8,000 won). A popular form of fast food in the Middle East, falafel is a fried vegetable patty usually eaten in pita as a sandwich. Adorned with sesame seeds and served with an array of vegetables and sauces, the falafel was wonderfully crispy on the outside and delectable on the inside. The perfect mixture of Egypt’s characteristic spices, we now understood why a long queue outside Ali Baba is not a rare sight.
To top off your meal is a dessert of the day, as well as Egyptian coffee and tea. More attractive, however, is ending a hearty Egyptian feast in the traditional way: over a relaxing hookah. According to Ali, the restaurant offers “every kind of tobacco flavor you would ever need,” imported straight from Egypt. To meet growing demand, Ali has recently opened a sister restaurant, Alexandria. With an all-Egyptian cooking staff, dishes that are impossible to pronounce, and exotic smoking contraptions, this restaurant must be the closest thing to Egypt in all of Korea.
To get to Ali Baba, take subway line 6 to Itaewon station, and take exit 2. Walk straight for about 150 meters. The restaurant is on your left.
Another new addition to the growing north end of Rodeo has emerged. Cafe Kori features a cozy environment for wine, coffee, and long conversation on lazy afternoons.
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Korea Times Staff ReporterOrange King in Seattle, Washington, is well known for its hamburgers, barbeque and teriyaki. Now, its signature dishes are available here in Seoul.
Owner D.H. Han enjoyed going to Orange King when he was a student at the University of Washington in Seattle in the 1980s. He liked it so much that he decided to bring the Orange King franchise to Seoul.
Ten months ago, Orange King opened at its current spot next to the Soon Chun Hyang Hospital in Hannam-dong. From the outside, it seems like a fairly ordinary restaurant with a terrace, but inside the restaurant has a surprisingly stylish interior.
Orange King has a nice, cozy atmosphere that encourages people to sit back and relax. There are framed, colorful prints of Seattle’s best-known landmarks like Pike Place Market and Space Needle on the walls reminding customers that Orange King originated from Seattle.
Orange King’s menu features appetizers, barbeque, hamburgers, teriyaki, pasta, steak, salads and wine. Appetizers include white wine sauteed mussels, Seattle clam chowder and a variety of salads.
There is a lot of focus on the famous Orange King burgers. The deluxe burger is 4,500 won, but with French fries and soda, it’s 7,000 won. There is also a chicken barbeque burger, teriyaki burger and the popular double deluxe burger (6,500 won for burger and 9,500 won for set).
Barbequed ribs, teriyaki chicken and beef dishes are some of the best-selling dishes at Orange King.
The lunch menu, served between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., includes pasta, teriyaki and steak dishes at reasonable prices. Prices range from 5,500 for Oriental chicken salad, 9,000 won for barbequed ribs, 9,000 won for beef teriyaki and 8,500 won for spaghetti pomodoro.
We ordered the rib-eye steak (15,000 won) and the creamy chicken parmigiana (10,000 won) lunch set, which is served with salad and soda.
A good-sized rib-eye steak was served with grilled mushrooms, eggplant and baby potatoes. It was cooked well, but the steak sauce was somewhat weak. On the other hand, the creamy chicken parmigiana was flavorful, although the sauce texture may be too creamy for some people.
On some evenings, singers and musicians entertain diners during their meals. While the kitchen closes at 9:30 p.m., Orange King has an evening menu, which includes burgers, available between 9:30 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Incidentally, Orange King uses Korean beef for its rib-eye steak, and Australian beef for its hamburgers.
Orange King is located just past Soon Chun Hyang Hospital in Hannam-dong. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call (02) 749-5515.
By Christine McLellan of Korea Times
Fondue dates back to as early as the 9th century B.C., when Homer described a fondue-like recipe in Song XI of the “Iliad.” By the end of the 18th century, the Swiss had turned to fondue as a staple to survive long, harsh winters with nothing but rock-hard cheese and stale bread. Since then, the fun, communal nature and agreeable taste that characterizes the dish has allowed it to stand the test of time, emerging as a popular traditional meal not only in Switzerland, but around the world. Thus it comes as no surprise that a critically acclaimed traditional Swiss fondue restaurant exists right in downtown Seoul.
Little Swiss, located in the heart of Hyehwa, Seoul’s theater district, is an authentic Swiss fondue restaurant boasting 10 different fondues in various set combinations and portions. While dinner specials also include alternatives such as fish and steak, the lunch menu offers pastas, fried rice, meat dishes, and other options for big eaters or those who may find fondue too heavy for daytime.
Located in a back alley amid many other eateries, Little Swiss stands out with its endearingly kitsch patio adorned with flowery tablecloths, white plastic chairs fastened with brightly printed cushions, doily place settings and brass kitchenware. The motif, fitting of the restaurant’s time-honored Swiss cuisine, extends to its slightly more toned down interior. We only hoped that such attention to authenticity in decor would be extended to the restaurant’s fare.
The menu offers a variety of fondue sets at a range of prices, from the Sweet red wine fondue at 24,000 won to the Fondue Special Couples Set at 100,000 won. We ordered the Fondue Couples Set for \69,000.
We began with pumpkin soup and a seasonal mixed green salad, the latter of which showcased a unique and not-too-creamy mayonnaise-based dressing with hints of melon and kiwi. Both portions were the perfect size to tide us over without satiating our appetites.
Our next course was the cheese fondue. We opted for the classic Neufchatel style, which contains a blend of gruyere and emmental cheeses, white wine, and kirsch (cheery-flavored liqueur). Accompanying the fondue was the usual bread and vegetables. The fondue was rich and authentic, but a little too salty for our tastes; more potatoes or the addition of fruits would have helped to neutralize the salty tang.
The next course was the real chef d’oeuvre. The Bourguinonne and seafood fondue had an impressive variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables, all to be cooked in a pot of simmering olive oil fondue. The chicken was juicy, the steak was tender, and the seafood was fresh. While some items were already garnished with delicious seasonings, the waiter provided us with an array of sauces for us to dip at our discretion. The food was not only delectable, but fun. Topping off our Swiss excursion with coffee and tea, the bill seemed more than reasonable.
Whether you’re a fondue connoisseur or a newcomer to Swiss communal dining, a visit to Little Swiss is a worthwhile and novel experience.
Little Swiss is located near exit 2 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4. For more information call (02) 766-7704 or visit www.swisshouse.co.kr
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia of Korea Times
Staff ReporterFor most people, Payard may not ring a bell. But for fans of “Sex and the City,” Payard is the place where Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte always meet up, chat about their love lives and indulge in what Carrie called the “best desserts in New York.”
Fans don’t need to fly all the way to New York City to visit Payard Bistro and Patisserie and taste its renowned desserts. Payard recently opened its first branch here at the sixth floor of the Shinsegae Main Store in downtown Seoul.
In New York, Payard is considered a “must-stop for anyone who wants an elegant dining experience,” whether its for coffee, brunch or dinner.
With such high expectations, we trooped off to Payard to see if the Seoul branch lives up to the reputation of the New York original.
Payard’s menu in Seoul features hot and cold sandwiches, panini, soups, souffles, salads and pizza. It looks tempting enough, until you glance at the prices (which exclude the 10 percent value-added tax). Sandwiches start at 9,000 won, while soups and salads start at 12,000 won. An entree like the sea bass Provencal is 32,000 won, while a cup of cafe Americano is 7,000 won.
We ordered the brie and grilled eggplant sandwich (12,000 won), baked cheese souffle (12,000 won) and linguine pasta (18,000 won).
When the dishes arrived, we were surprised at how small the sandwich was. Taste-wise, the sandwich was good. The brie melted perfectly with the eggplant, while the sun-dried tomatoes and basil-garlic mayonnaise added flavor.
The baked cheese souffle was the highlight of the meal. The rich and creamy souffle was floating in a pool of Parmesan cream sauce and white truffle oil. No wonder the souffle is considered one of the house specialties.
The linguine pasta has a rich flavor, with the tomatoes, basil, zucchini and tuna cubes, although it was somewhat oily.
Since Payard is renowned for its exquisite pastries and cakes (as seen in many episodes of “Sex and the City”), you can’t leave without trying one of the tempting treats.
Basing our decision on which pastries looked the most delectable at the glass counter, we chose the Napoleon, Sweet Relief and Louvre.
Chocolate lovers will definitely enjoy the Louvre, a decadent chocolate-covered dome cake. Sweet Relief is a delightful mango mousse, covered with a fluffy marshmallow-like topping. Napoleon is a light and sweet dessert, with generous dollops of egg cream in between thin layers of crispy puff pastry.
Service was excellent, but overall, Payard seems a bit overrated and lacks ambiance.
Our verdict on Payard: skip the sandwiches and pasta. Just drop by for the desserts, which are guaranteed to satisfy sweet-toothed cravings.
For reservations, call (02) 310-1980.
