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A Foodie's Life in Korea. Restaurant Reviews, Food News, and other tomfoolery.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Seoul Eats has Moved to Seouleats.com
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It was time to leave blogger and move to wordpress. You can find the new revamped Seouleats at www.seouleats.com Thank you blogger for helping me get started!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Announcement: Seoul Eats Revamp
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Come take a cooking class or take a Culinary Tour in Seoul! http://www.ongofood.com
Join the Seoul Eats Facebook Group Page to keep to date with the latest events.
Dear Readers,
I would like to thank you all for reading my blog. I never thought that I would be able to live such a foodie's life in Korea and I wouldn't have been able to do it without you. I wanted to let you know that a new chapter in Seoul Eats starts soon. The site is going to be revamped and you'll be able to read it on our new platform (hopefully soon). I hope there isn't going to be major delays on the blog and hopefully tomorrow, you'll experience the new Seoul Eats.
Bye for now,
Daniel
Review: Burger B: A Taste of Home in Hongdae
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Yay, another review written by a user. I guess we have 4 people now in the running for a Valentine's Day Dinner. Here Cheeselover writes a review of Burger B in Hongdae. Submit your own review and get in the running to win a free dinner or dining tour for two here.
I love a good burger, and every once in a while I really get a craving for one. While walking around Hongdae one day, my boyfriend and I followed our noses to a restaurant called Burger B (it really does smell mouthwatering from even outside).
The first thing I noticed is that Burger B looks like a pub you could find in the USA-my home country. There's a jukebox in the corner, and those kind of kitschy decorations that are so familiar. Your utensils (knife and fork, no chopsticks here) come in a pail with some mustard and ketchup. There's also Guinness on tap as well as a few other decent beers.
The menu is in English first followed by a Korean translation. There's obviously a burger section, as well as salads, sandwiches, and snacks which are kind of your standard pub fare.
My boyfriend was intrigued by the Ultimate Burger, one that came topped with truffle aioli, Gruyere cheese, and caramelized onions, with a shot of vanilla milkshake and French fries on the side. I ordered the Gorgonzola Burger which has arugula, pesto aioli, Gorgonzola cheese, and mushrooms.
The food was as good as it smelled and looked. Though, like most places in Korea, you couldn't choose how your burger was cooked, it came with a tiny touch of pink and was still quite juicy. The beef is clearly high quality and the toppings were fresh and delicious. The bun was good and plenty sturdy for the burger. The taste of milkshake we got told us they are quite good here as well. The fries weren't exactly hot when they came out, but were somehow still tasty (I like shoestring fries, and they were crispy and salty).
I wouldn't say the service was anything special, although most of the servers speak English well, and both times we've been the person at the cashier was very friendly and struck up a nice conversation with us.
Review: Burger B: A Taste of Home in Hongdae
Written and Photographed by CheeseLover
 |
| Ultimate Burger at Burger B |
I love a good burger, and every once in a while I really get a craving for one. While walking around Hongdae one day, my boyfriend and I followed our noses to a restaurant called Burger B (it really does smell mouthwatering from even outside). The first thing I noticed is that Burger B looks like a pub you could find in the USA-my home country. There's a jukebox in the corner, and those kind of kitschy decorations that are so familiar. Your utensils (knife and fork, no chopsticks here) come in a pail with some mustard and ketchup. There's also Guinness on tap as well as a few other decent beers.
The menu is in English first followed by a Korean translation. There's obviously a burger section, as well as salads, sandwiches, and snacks which are kind of your standard pub fare.
My boyfriend was intrigued by the Ultimate Burger, one that came topped with truffle aioli, Gruyere cheese, and caramelized onions, with a shot of vanilla milkshake and French fries on the side. I ordered the Gorgonzola Burger which has arugula, pesto aioli, Gorgonzola cheese, and mushrooms.
 |
| Gorgonzola Burger at Burger B |
I wouldn't say the service was anything special, although most of the servers speak English well, and both times we've been the person at the cashier was very friendly and struck up a nice conversation with us.
Surprisingly both times there were few other foreigners in the restaurant. It wasn't too crowded either time but it wasn't empty either.
If you're looking for a delicious burger - the best I've had in Seoul so far, and better than many American burgers too - look no further than Burger B in Hongdae."
If you're looking for a delicious burger - the best I've had in Seoul so far, and better than many American burgers too - look no further than Burger B in Hongdae."
$ Under 10 USD
*** 3 Stars: Recommended: A place you would recommend your close friends
Burger B (버거비) Mapo-gu Seogyo-dong 362-7 Seoul South Korea
Phone: 070-8870-9220
Visited on October 2011 with Wife/Partner
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Come take a cooking class or take a Culinary Tour in Seoul! http://www.ongofood.com
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Come take a cooking class or take a Culinary Tour in Seoul! http://www.ongofood.com
Join the Seoul Eats Facebook Group Page to keep to date with the latest events.
Review: 원터골 통갈비 (Wontuhgol-tonggalbi):Where have you been all my life?!
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Yay, the second review written by a user. I guess we have 2 people in the running for a Valentine's Day Dinner. Rikey Spicy has written a review of Sloe Bistro in Shinsadong. Submit your own review and get in the running to win a free dinner or dining tour for two here.
Review: 원터골 통갈비 (Wontuhgol-tonggalbi): Where have you been all my life?!
by Rikey Spicy!
 |
| The Spicy Soup at Wontuhgol-tonggalbi |
Being bored one day and wanting to find a restaurant that had some spicy goodness (I am highly addicted to spicy foods ), I found a place on naver and decided to go try it with my lovely girlfriend. This is how I was able to find: 원터골 통갈비 (Wontuhgol-tonggalbi).
Upon arrival you get an immediate feeling that this is a restaurant that has been around for quite some time and for good reason. This place is famous for their "spicy pork back ribs." The ribs come to you swimming in this delicious, soupy, spicy concoction that I will probably never find the recipe for. In the soup you will find some onions, peppers, and green onions. It is very simple but the soup is what most people come for. Like most great stews, it only gets better with time as it cooks and reduces.
The pork ribs are great and tastes much better once they start to marinade in the broth and starts to fall off the bone. I won't lie, I wouldn't mind eating it right now if it wasn't so darn far from where I live.
Regarding their service: It is pretty much your general Korean restaurant service. If you don't ask, they won't help you, so get ready to yell ""yu-gi-yo"" (meaning: ""over here"") and its not ""yu-gi-oh"" dont get that confused. :) You will only need to ask for more sides (ban-chan) or soju. Simple!|
Bonus Tips:
- This place gives you a complimentary serving of ""su-jje-bi"" which is pretty much wheat dumplings that are torn into small bite size portions and added to your soup.
- What I like to do when I go is cut the carrots they give you into about an inch and toss it into the soup. It adds a nice sweetness that you will probably need for the spicy, lava soup (oops i meant "lovely").
Summary: Overall, this is a great place to go with your friends after a long day of work or the weekends to just relax, share good stories, and sweat out all your joys and sorrows. If you like spicy foods like me, you will start to salivate thinking of this place once you leave (after the burn wears off, of course).
Upon arrival you get an immediate feeling that this is a restaurant that has been around for quite some time and for good reason. This place is famous for their "spicy pork back ribs." The ribs come to you swimming in this delicious, soupy, spicy concoction that I will probably never find the recipe for. In the soup you will find some onions, peppers, and green onions. It is very simple but the soup is what most people come for. Like most great stews, it only gets better with time as it cooks and reduces.
 |
| Pork Ribs |
Regarding their service: It is pretty much your general Korean restaurant service. If you don't ask, they won't help you, so get ready to yell ""yu-gi-yo"" (meaning: ""over here"") and its not ""yu-gi-oh"" dont get that confused. :) You will only need to ask for more sides (ban-chan) or soju. Simple!|
Bonus Tips:
- This place gives you a complimentary serving of ""su-jje-bi"" which is pretty much wheat dumplings that are torn into small bite size portions and added to your soup.
- What I like to do when I go is cut the carrots they give you into about an inch and toss it into the soup. It adds a nice sweetness that you will probably need for the spicy, lava soup (oops i meant "lovely").
Summary: Overall, this is a great place to go with your friends after a long day of work or the weekends to just relax, share good stories, and sweat out all your joys and sorrows. If you like spicy foods like me, you will start to salivate thinking of this place once you leave (after the burn wears off, of course).
원터골 통갈비 (Wontuhgol-tonggalbi)
*** 3 Stars: Recommended: A place you would recommend your close friends
$ 10- 20 USD
Nowon-gu Sanggeh-dong 725-103
02-937-2487
Hours: 10:00 ~ 24:00"
02-937-2487
Hours: 10:00 ~ 24:00"
Visited on January 2012 with Wife/Partner
Photographs by Maro
Photographs by Maro
Predictions: Food Trends in Korea in 2012
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This is a food trend report prepared by O'ngo Food Communications and KoCTA (The Korea Culinary Tourism Organization. Even though Korean food is gaining popularity all over the world, it is not trending in Korea. There are aspects of Korean food that are gaining popularity, but for different reasons than in other parts of the world.
*Disclaimer these are our opinions on food and we are looking at this issue from the idea of the whole country and it is not solely expat focused. Seoul has a 10.5 million Korean people and only 250,000 foreigners. The opinion of the masses can make or break restaurants here.*
A Look Back at 2011 South Korea is always changing and it is quite interesting to see the new food trends that pop-up and die so quickly here. In 2008, there was Roti Buns and Pappa Roti that spread like fleas during the black death (I know...not the most appetizing analogy). During that year and the next, these shops were on every corner and they thought they had the right formula for success in Korea. • Hot and Homemade • Not too sweet and fluffy and doughy • Easily packaged so they can be shared with everyone at the office. These buns were like Korean traditional rice cake in a way. The problem was that they franchised too fast so people's fascination with the bun was too easily sated. Also, once the buns cooled, they became a bit oily and a bit soggy- ultimately, something that was not endearing when you gave it to your dear mum and dad.
Cupcakes have tried several times, but never really took off. These small cakes that are not easily shared and often the icings are too sweet for Koreans. The only places these shops tend to work seems to be in areas where many of the guests have traveled or lived overseas such as in Itaewon and Garusugil.
2011 was supposed to be the year of the taco. Taco Bell did their big launch in the expat district of Itaewon. They had made claims of having 50 franchises by the year's end, but my research shows that there are only 10 or so restaurants now open so far. From what I have seen the stores in Itaewon and in Hongdae seem to be quite busy. While I was over at D-Cube City (Sindorim's new shopping complex), the stand-alone store was almost empty on a busy Saturday afternoon. Tomatillo taco has started franchising as well and I have seen new restaurants sprouting up here and there. They do California-Tex style Mexican food. Their emphasis on fresh ingredients and use of rice seems to make this a good lunch spot for casual diners. While other's have tried to capitalize on the Mexi-Korean taco trend that was happening in America, the idea of bulgogi tacos and kimchi fajitas seemed too "fusion" and second-hand so this never really became a trend. The new Vato's Taco that just opened in Itaewon is the only new establishment that seems hip enough to make Korean tacos cool. We'll see how they'll do in 2012.
2011 was the year of the pie. Tartine's sweet pies have been popular for years and they have just opened a new larger space across from their old shop. Other shops like Retrona Pie has also done well in the extremely competitive Samcheongdong area. Jester Pies has been setting up franchises all around Seoul and Bundang and it looks like this is one trend that will stick around for 2012. The pies have the right formula to be successful.
Here are some of our food trend predictions for 2012.
You can download the rest of the report here:
*Disclaimer these are our opinions on food and we are looking at this issue from the idea of the whole country and it is not solely expat focused. Seoul has a 10.5 million Korean people and only 250,000 foreigners. The opinion of the masses can make or break restaurants here.*
A Look Back at 2011 South Korea is always changing and it is quite interesting to see the new food trends that pop-up and die so quickly here. In 2008, there was Roti Buns and Pappa Roti that spread like fleas during the black death (I know...not the most appetizing analogy). During that year and the next, these shops were on every corner and they thought they had the right formula for success in Korea. • Hot and Homemade • Not too sweet and fluffy and doughy • Easily packaged so they can be shared with everyone at the office. These buns were like Korean traditional rice cake in a way. The problem was that they franchised too fast so people's fascination with the bun was too easily sated. Also, once the buns cooled, they became a bit oily and a bit soggy- ultimately, something that was not endearing when you gave it to your dear mum and dad.
Cupcakes have tried several times, but never really took off. These small cakes that are not easily shared and often the icings are too sweet for Koreans. The only places these shops tend to work seems to be in areas where many of the guests have traveled or lived overseas such as in Itaewon and Garusugil.
2011 was supposed to be the year of the taco. Taco Bell did their big launch in the expat district of Itaewon. They had made claims of having 50 franchises by the year's end, but my research shows that there are only 10 or so restaurants now open so far. From what I have seen the stores in Itaewon and in Hongdae seem to be quite busy. While I was over at D-Cube City (Sindorim's new shopping complex), the stand-alone store was almost empty on a busy Saturday afternoon. Tomatillo taco has started franchising as well and I have seen new restaurants sprouting up here and there. They do California-Tex style Mexican food. Their emphasis on fresh ingredients and use of rice seems to make this a good lunch spot for casual diners. While other's have tried to capitalize on the Mexi-Korean taco trend that was happening in America, the idea of bulgogi tacos and kimchi fajitas seemed too "fusion" and second-hand so this never really became a trend. The new Vato's Taco that just opened in Itaewon is the only new establishment that seems hip enough to make Korean tacos cool. We'll see how they'll do in 2012.
2011 was the year of the pie. Tartine's sweet pies have been popular for years and they have just opened a new larger space across from their old shop. Other shops like Retrona Pie has also done well in the extremely competitive Samcheongdong area. Jester Pies has been setting up franchises all around Seoul and Bundang and it looks like this is one trend that will stick around for 2012. The pies have the right formula to be successful.
- They are not too small
- They travel easily
- They are hot
- The crust is not too greasy
- The fillings are diverse and filling (starch on starch seems to work in Korea)
- They are savory (Koreans can eat very sweet, but only a little of it)
- They can be boxed to take and share with friends and family (Korean restaurants love take-out because the guests won't take up room in their restaurants. Also patrons don't tip in Korea.)
Here are some of our food trend predictions for 2012.
You can download the rest of the report here:
Come take a cooking class or take a Culinary Tour in Seoul! http://www.ongofood.com
Join the Seoul Eats Facebook Group Page to keep to date with the latest events.
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