Free cooking classes for the kimchi-curious

For those unacquainted with Korean cuisine, kimchi can taste and smell a bit strong. But don’t let that first impression scare you off from the amazingly rich, versatile and savory world of kimchi, says Son Jong-won, executive chef of L’Amant Secret, a Michelin-star restaurant at L'Escape Hotel in Seoul. At a cooking demonstration on Tuesday with 20 foreign guests, the chef showcased how the fermented cabbage, which has a varying mix of pungent, sour and spicy tastes, can ta

Sept. 22, 2022

[Temple to Table] Food that help one attain the way: Mushrooms and green peppers

To go forth and become a monk is not a trivial matter. Its purpose is neither to seek bodily comfort nor to be warmly clothed and fully fed, nor to seek honor and wealth. Rather, its purpose is to escape the cycle of birth and death, to sever one’s affections, to walk in the bright wisdom of the Buddha and to save sentient beings by showing them the way out of the threefold world. Baru gongyang, the monastic communal meal, is a Buddhist practice that promotes solemnity and pensiveness. Eac

Sept. 17, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents ‘Autumn Holiday at JW’ package JW Marriott Hotel Seoul greets autumn with a promotion filled with autumn-themed gifts, presenting a seasonal staycation. Featuring a choice of Griffin Suite or Deluxe Room, the autumn package includes a facial serum, volumizing cream and softening lotion set by Cle de Peau Beaute, with a total value of 150,000 won. Mont Blanc desserts crafted by the JW Marriott Seoul pastry team are available for package guests to tak

Sept. 16, 2022

Liquor shops beckon sophisticated drinkers

From wine and beer to liquors like soju and whiskey, numerous alcoholic beverages fill the display shelves at an E-mart24 convenience store in Cheonho-dong, southeastern Seoul. More than 700 varied options await liquor lovers, especially those who enjoy a tipple at home after work. Oh Jin-song, a 29-year-old office worker, said he drops by the specialist convenience store at least twice a week after work, which spares him the hassle of visiting the kind of busy supermarket where most Koreans b

Sept. 13, 2022

Koreans’ two all-time favorite snacks named among Asia’s 50 best street foods: CNN

Two popular on-the-go meals in South Korea, gimbap and tteokbokki, have been named on CNN’s list of the top 50 street foods in Asia. Gimbap, the seaweed-wrapped rice roll stuffed with vegetables, eggs and various meat sliced into bite-size discs of goodness, has long been Koreans' go-to soul food along with tteokbokki, a dish made of white rice cakes in a thick, fiery red sauce. Stressing gimbap’s portable size, the US news network said “not unlike Japan's makizushi (

Sept. 11, 2022

Chuseok cooking challenge for the whole family

The fall season is here, and so are family reunions as the Chuseok holiday approaches . Women of the house traditionally prepared food for the ancestral rites and later, the extended family sat down to a table overflowing with special dishes prepared for Chuseok, a time of thanksgiving. "Jeon" has been a constant staple among the ancestral offerings and later on the family dining table has had an assortment of jeon, typically slices of zucchini, fish and meat covered in a thin coat of

Sept. 9, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul unveils ‘Autumn Holic’ tea set The Lounge at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents the Autumn Afternoon Tea Set through Nov. 30. The tea set includes a selection of desserts, savory items, premium teas, coffee and champagne. Guests can choose among a choice of nine teas -- US organic tea brand Rishi Tea, Homage Coffee, custom-blended for JW Marriott Hotel Seoul by America’s Trinidad Coffee, and Korean traditional teas. The tea set is priced at 100,000 won for

Sept. 9, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents ‘Feeling Lucky at JW’ package for Chuseok holiday JW Marriott Hotel Seoul celebrates the Chuseok holiday with a promotion created for guests seeking a luxury hotel staycation without leaving the city. The package is available for four days only, for stays from Sept. 9 to 12. The package features a luxury stay in a choice of a deluxe room or Griffin Suite, as well as entry in a raffle with prizes including a Migak teaware set by Korean ceramic brand

Sept. 2, 2022

[Feature] Ramen, ramyun, or ramyeon? Stories behind the popular instant noodles

Last week, it was reported that South Korea’s export of instant noodles hit a new all-time high in the first half of the year. Yet the country’s leaders in the industry differ on how to spell the product in English. Nongshim, the perennial industry leader of instant noodles in the country, spells it “ramyun” on its homepage and on its exported product packages. But Ottogi and Samyang inscribe “ramen” on products that are shipped overseas. When inquired abou

Aug. 29, 2022

Get a glimpse of Jeju ... in Seoul

Want to sample the gorgeous sunny beaches of Korea‘s popular holiday destination, Jeju, but can’t get away? Don‘t worry. Some places are bringing the island’s exotic vibes to Seoul. Gochibi The owner-chef of Gochibi, an Italian fusion restaurant located in Seochon, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Jongno-gu in northern Seoul, was born and raised in Jeju. Gochibi is a word from the Jeju dialect meaning “go family.” The small restaurant has fewer than 10

Aug. 27, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul unveils Chuseok gift sets JW Marriott Hotel Seoul celebrates the Chuseok holiday season with a selection of gifts chosen by expert connoisseurs, available for purchase until Sept. 6. 2022 Chuseok gift sets come in six categories: Beef, Seafood, Gourmet, Beverage, JW Exclusive and JW Experience. The Beef Selection includes aged lamb chops, marinated bulgogi and six other premium meat sets. The Seafood Selection presents Wando abalone on seaweed. The Gourmet Selection

Aug. 26, 2022

[Temple to Table] Giving your body wholesome energy: Bamboo shoots

When the Ven. Jeong Kwan served Master Hyanggok at the temple Myogwaneumsa in Gijang, northern Busan, he loved to have bamboo shoot kalguksu, a noodle soup. In the surrounding South Gyeongsang Province, bamboo is not as common as in the North and South Jeolla provinces, making bamboo shoots a rare commodity. The Ven. Jeong Kwan shares her fond memories, saying, “Master Hyanggok had a strong build and enjoyed eating. He even taught me how to cook bamboo shoots.” Eaten at the beginn

Aug. 20, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents signature cocktails for end of summer Mobo Bar at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents a trio of signature cocktails for the end of the summer season, paired with a diverse menu of small bites in a terrace garden. The three signature cocktails are created from a unique blend of premium liquors and natural ingredients grown in the bar’s own greenhouse. The wild pearl is a Korean-style martini made with local spirit Hwayo and dry vermouth. The alpine tonic co

Aug. 19, 2022

Love at first bowl, sotbap

Sotbap, various ingredients topped on rice and cooked in its own pot -- usually made of stone, metal or stainless steel -- is a hearty meal beloved by Koreans throughout the distinctive seasons. Although sotbap can be enjoyed by itself, the meal has its origins in the traditional gamasot -- a large and heavy pot used for heating and cooking rice or soup -- which dates back to the Goguryeo era. The longstanding custom of serving rice cooked in a giant gamasot, with an amount enough to be shar

Aug. 14, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul presents signature set menu for office workers Oul, a Korean contemporary bar situated on the second floor of Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, presents the “OUL signature set” suitable for dinner gatherings. The signature set menu comprises the lamb jerky and kimbukak, lobster tteokbokki, yukhoe, naeng-bossam, bada ramyeon, jeon, and the tiramisu croffle as dessert. Prices start at 200,000 won. A minimum order of 160,000 won is needed to book a private room wit

Aug. 12, 2022

Boyangsik to invigorate you

During boknal, Koreans look for boyangsik, dishes with high nutritional value, to reenergize themselves for the dog days of summer. Long lines form at popular samgyetang restaurants on the three hottest days, and it is not uncommon to find many closing earlier than usual, having sold out. There are several boyangsik dishes that people turn to help them cope with the summer heat other than samgyetang, such as a steaming bowl of chicken soup with ginseng- and-glutinous rice-stuffed whole chicke

Aug. 6, 2022

[Temple to Table] Fried pancakes with less seasoning: Jangtteok with soybean sprouts

In May, Ven. Hongseung made a two-week trip to Paris to participate in a “Taste of Paris” event where she introduced Korean temple food. The annual event features pop-up restaurants operated by renowned French chefs and a massive food expo attended by world-class food and beverage industry players. Ven. Hongseung demonstrated how to cook a new temple food dish every day at the “Taste Korea!” booth operated jointly by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism and Korean Cul

Aug. 6, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel launches ‘Suite Party’ package Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel is launching a party package with an overnight stay at the hotel‘s Suite and a room party dining set that includes two bottles of wine and a platter of grilled shrimp and lamb chops, with fruits and cheese on the side. A whole cake and seasonal afternoon tea set for four guests are also served at the hotel’s first-floor bakery. The indoor swimming pool and fitness center can be us

Aug. 5, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul launches epicurean dining service for takeout Cafe One at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul is presenting “Salad and Sandwiches to Go,” a new gourmet selection of takeout salads and sandwiches. The salad menu includes Burrata Cheese Salad and Cobb Salad. Salads are complemented by a quartet of sandwiches including the Râpé Sandwich, featuring dressed grated carrot, soft avocado and egg; the Ricotta and Chicken Sandwich, filled with grilled chicken, fre

July 29, 2022

Soju comes back stronger, pricier

With rapper Jay Park’s recently-launched Won Soju becoming a phenomenal hit, soju is getting a premium makeover.  For long, the vodka-like liquor has been loved for its accessibility (a bottle costs just about $1) and versatility (think of the boilermaker known as somaek or all the other variations). But these latest renditions are far more special, aiming to create a new subgenre of soju.  Questions remain about whether the premium versions will be more than a passing fad, w

July 26, 2022