Taco trailblazers: Seoul's must-try Mexican bites

One of the best ways to beat the summer heat is with a dash of spice, a squeeze of lime and perhaps, a sip of creamy horchata. Whether you are looking for comfort food or fresh flavors, Mexican cuisine ticks all the boxes, offering homestyle favorites and deceptively light bites that never fail to pack a punch. The Korea Herald visited three Mexican spots across Seoul, all of which delivered on their promise of delicious food without a drop of canned salsa, tinned sweetcorn or processed guacam

June 17, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Grand Hyatt Seoul unveils 'Taste of Summer' Grand Hyatt Seoul, located in Yongsan, central Seoul, launches its summer BBQ promotion at the Terrace, featuring a live buffet station overlooking panoramic views of the city. The promotion includes a variety of international cuisines. At the buffet section, Italian, Chinese, Southeast Asian, American and Korean dishes are prepared. At the live cooking station, chefs will prepare Korean ginseng chogye salad, refreshing chilled chicken and

June 16, 2023

[College Eats] Charming brunch places near Korea University

When one thinks of Korea University, one might imagine a quaint neighborhood, famous for makgeolli, a Korean-style rice wine, and buchimgae, a type of pancake. Despite the decades-old image of the area, there are many hidden gems and charming brunch restaurants around Korea University. The Korea Herald visited some of the neighborhood's eateries, which were all highly satisfying -- both in terms of taste and value for money. It was well worth the journey to Anam-dong in Seongbuk-gu. Hippo

June 10, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul collaborates with Won Soju Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's late-night contemporary bar OUL is collaborating with Korea’s trending liquor brand, Won Soju. Using totomi, a type of rice grown exclusively in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Won Soju presents two additive-free soju varieties -- smooth Original, which is distilled then aged in traditional Korean onggi clay pots, and the Classic, distinguished by a rich and yeasty aroma. OUL guests can enjoy Won Soju by the gla

June 9, 2023

Beat the summer heat with noodles in cold soybean soup

On a blistering weekday afternoon, delightful cries of "siwonhada," or "that's refreshing," echo outside a bustling noodle establishment in the heart of Seoul. A lengthy queue starts to form at 11:30 a.m. catching the attention of passersby. The noodle restaurant specializes in kongguksu, or noodle in cold soybean soup that is rich and creamy. Kongguksu combines simplicity, nourishment and a unique taste that has captivated the Koreans' taste buds for generations. T

June 3, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Westin Josun Seoul launches ‘Viva Summer, Edition 2’ package Westin Josun Seoul presents a summer package that offers guests a blend of cultural experiences and a comfortable stay. As part of this package, the hotel will host the Summer Art Festival on Aug. 11 at 8 p.m., featuring Singer Ailee and Tei, at the Grand Ballroom. Guests will receive two concert tickets along with drinks and snacks. For guests staying in Executive Deluxe rooms, additional benefits include the club lounge a

June 2, 2023

Michelin Guide to cover Busan restaurants in 2024

BUSAN -- South Korea’s second-largest city, will be covered in the Michelin Guide from next year, the publisher said Thursday during a press conference held at Park Hyatt Busan. Michelin Guide Seoul and Busan 2024 will be released as a single volume in February. "Since 2016, we have been writing amazing culinary stories with Seoul, and I'm happy to announce that this story will now extend to Busan," Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guide’s international director said. Th

June 1, 2023

[College Eats] ‘Sharosugil’ a hotspot for foodies

Seoul National University, located at the foot of Gwanaksan, has a signature food alley -- Sharosugil. The “Sha” comes from how the word resembles the shape of the main gate at the university, while the rest is a nod to Garosugil, an upmarket shopping street in Southern Seoul. From delightful, cheap eateries for students to fancy restaurants for couples, the neighborhood of Seoul National University has become one of the most visited places in Seoul for foodies. Because the area is i

May 27, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Haevichi Hotel & Resort debuts Indian course meal Haevichi Hotel & Resort Jeju presents a dining deal at its restaurant Darangswi. Guests can indulge in an Indian course meal, which features five dishes and four drinks, offering a blend of exotic flavors. Starting with appetizers like papadums and Indian traditional sauces, the course provides samosas and a tandoori chicken platter. The meal concludes with a thali of curry dishes and nan, followed by rice pudding for dessert. Each course

May 26, 2023

Forget tea formalities, Woongcha is all about the brew

In Seoul’s tranquil Eungpyeong-gu residential district, a hidden gem awaits just a stone’s throw from Eungam Station. Its unassuming exterior shows the warmth within, adorned with a sign resembling the Korean letter “woong,” cleverly fashioned with a cup and a cupboard. As guests step inside, they are met by Park Jung-woong, 32, the friendly owner of a tea sharing culture space. Here, conversations and small talks take precedence over menus, a rarity in the bustling city

May 20, 2023

[College Eats] Homely, cheap, one-signature-dish eateries around Hanyang University

Restaurants near college campuses are known to be especially cheap. Considering students' low budgets, eateries there tend to offer affordable food that is quick-to-serve and caters to all tastes. Serving one, signature dish is often a sign of the owner's confidence in the taste and quality of food. Built on years of know-how, there is no sophisticated technique involved. Such dishes do not rely on sophisticated ingredients. Instead, it’s the homely taste that pulls in customers.

May 13, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Mayfield Hotel Seoul hosts wine fair Dionysus Mayfield Hotel Seoul is hosting Dionysus, Seoul's third-largest wine fair, in an expansive 800-square-meter spring garden. The event showcases a selection of over 200 wines, from light, everyday varietals to cult wines with guidance from the hotel's sommelier. Attendees get unlimited wine tastings complemented by gourmet pairings such as peppercorn chop steak and Penang rice noodles, served directly at the table. The event -- featuring perf

May 12, 2023

Nosh - A little corner of Britain in Seoul

British food is often a divisive topic, with many quick to criticize its lack of flavor, creativity and a certain oomph. If you find yourself nodding along to this sentiment, the food at Nosh, an all-day brunch restaurant in Gwanak-gu, southwestern Seoul, might just change your mind. Located on a quiet street near Sindaebang Station, the small restaurant, which is decked out in all things British, complete with photos of Oasis and the late Queen, was overflowing with people on a Friday morning

May 5, 2023

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

The Plaza introduces carnation cakes and bouquets The Plaza presents carnation cakes and bouquets in celebration of the "family month" of May. Boulangerie the Plaza, the hotel’s French bakery and cafe, is selling carnation cakes for 58,000 won. Reservations can be made on Naver and through the restaurant reservation app Catchtable. Carnation bouquets, baskets and vases can be bought at the hotel’s flower shop, Xystum. Visitors must make a prior reservation through Naver. Ca

May 5, 2023

Say 'cheese' the way you like it

There has been a longstanding perception that Koreans are not so much into dairy products. But since the early 2000s, Koreans have been adding cheese to a variety of popular Korean dishes, such as gimbap, dakgalbi and ramyeon. This trend, along with the growing number of people traveling abroad, has made Koreans fall in love with cheese. Today, restaurants and shops that specialize in cheese are crowded with guests, proving the popularity of what was once disdained here as something stinky.

April 29, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Oak Valley launches all-in-one spring picnic set Oak Valley in Wonju, Gangwon Province offers two “Picnic in Nature” sets for guests to enjoy a meal in the hotel’s outdoor facilities. Set A, priced at 60,000 won, includes jamon bruschetta, a cheese platter, homemade macarons, fruit and cold cuts, along with two cans of West+Wilder Sparkling White Wine and two Tomarchio drinks. Set B comes with two cans of Wonju Lager Beer, two Tomarchio drinks, ciabatta sandwiches, potato chips

April 28, 2023

[Weekender] Cozy, affordable ‘imokase’ course menus trending in Seoul

Located in the narrow alleyways of Seoul’s industrial district Euljiro -- dubbed “Hipjiro” for its renaissance as a hotspot for younger locals -- Joil Food is one of the city’s growing number of popular “imokase” joints. Stemming from the Japanese term “omakase,” which translates into “leaving it up to you,” an imokase establishment is a small eatery where the chef, who locals call “imo,” serves an affordable meal for custom

April 22, 2023

Shiny domes of chocolate bonbons offer rare kind of sweetness

Stick With Me Sweets, which started as a modest, tiny chocolate shop in New York in 2014, quickly gained popularity for cute little bonbons with a variety of unique fillings. Last week, SWMS opened its first boutique shop outside the US, here in Seoul. Korean American chocolatier Susanna Yoon said her second shop had to be in Seoul for many reasons. “I’m deeply rooted here (as a Korean American) and returning here feels like I’m at home and it feels really reconnected. I&rsqu

April 22, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul launches new cocktails symbolizing iconic cities Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's speakeasy bar Charles H. is offering four new cocktail creations inspired by different cities -- London, Havana, New Orleans and Hong Kong. The reimagined menu is a collaboration between head bartender, Odd Strandbakken, and beverage creative director, Alyssa Heidt. The duo have crafted 20 distinct cocktails inspired by the world travels of Charles H. Baker Jr. Alongside each artful cocktail

April 21, 2023

Dosirak, a box of delights

It's a whole meal presented in a box with little compartments -- imagine a jewelry box. A dosirak can be anything -- from a humble lunchbox that is eaten at one's desk to a picnic lunch filled with gimbap and other goodies. It can even be elevated to a gourmet meal with morsels of epicurean delights filling up the various compartments. While records of dosirak go back to the Silla Kingdom (57-676), they became more popular during the period of rapid economic growth beginning in the 196

April 15, 2023