New Burgers in town

There are plenty of burgers to be had in Seoul. Burger fiends can take their pick from global heavyweights like Shake Shack or homegrown classics like Brooklyn the Burger Joint. There are also newcomers, like Pound, an American-style joint that opened in Seoul’s Sinsa-dong near Garosugil this May. At Pound, one will find owner-chef Eom Yoo-sang’s tasty, no-frills take on the perennially popular hamburger. “I like to be able to taste the patty,” said Eom, 32, in an

July 17, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

High tea at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas offers a special tea time for the summer season at The Lobby Lounge from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The promotion runs through August. Summer Passion Royal High Tea comes with premium tea or coffee and desserts featuring seasonal fruits and savory dishes, including coconut shrimp and a beetroot sandwich. A to-go option is also available for those who want to enjoy tea time at home or for special occasions. Summer Passi

July 16, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Mayfield Hotel offers summer packages Mayfield Hotel in Seoul presents the Summer Garden Picnic Package and Golf & BBQ Package for the summer season. The packages include a stay at the hotel and breakfast for two. The Summer Garden Picnic Package is for families with kids, and offers gardening activities at the hotel’s garden of more than 100 plants accompanied by a special instructor. The package is priced at 260,000 won. The Golf & BBQ package includes golf at the hotel and

July 9, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul Presents Special Teppanyaki Course Tamayura, the upscale Japanese restaurant at JW Marriot Hotel Seoul, offers authentic teppanyaki course menu featuring diverse seasonal ingredients and summer truffles. The summer teppanyaki course menu will be served throughout July and August and is priced at 180,000 won per person for the seven-course lunch menu and 280,000 won for eight-course dinner menu. Three wine pairings, curated by the hotel’s sommelier, are available

July 2, 2021

Chow mein and Mongolian beef at Woktionary

Served up in a white carton box, the chow mein at Woktionary -- GFFG’s latest enterprise -- with its slick, glossy noodles punctuated by shards of tender pork and nutty sesame seeds, is, for those who miss and enjoy American Chinese cuisine, nostalgically addictive. “We start off by practically frying the pork in hot oil before tossing in the veggies and noodles,” Woktionary head chef Kim Han-su, 32, said in an email interview. Woktionary is the latest brainchild of GFFG --

June 26, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Unforgettable Wedding at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul Fairmont Ambassador Seoul presents the wedding promotion “Unforgettable Wedding: Art Gallery” which will be customized upon request by the bride and groom. The promotion offers a customized wedding ceremony based on a choice of three themes: Magenta, Amethyst, and Illuminating. The wedding menus come in three types that cost from 150,000 won to 200,000 won. Fairmont Ambassador Seoul’s Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 280 gu

June 25, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul launches online store for to-go menus  The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul has opened an online store for to-go dishes that can be picked up at the hotel. All orders need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. The online store’s most popular dish is American-style smoked BBQ that offers beef, pork and side dishes, including roasted potatoes, coleslaw, a brioche bun and mac and cheese. The BBQ menu serves 4 to 6 people and is priced at 220,000 won. The online s

June 18, 2021

Craft takju takes root in Brooklyn, New York

Brewed from locally sourced rice and water in Brooklyn, New York, Hana Makgeolli’s “takju” -- an unfiltered Korean rice libation -- sold out five times after launching some nine months ago, according to brewer and founder Alice Jun. Jun, 28, admits to being surprised by the positive response -- the kind of sales she expected to see two to three years into business, not in less than a year. To meet demand and give everyone a fair chance at tasting their takju, Jun and managi

June 12, 2021

[Weekender] Domestic bliss: Distancing brings happy hour home

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, drinking at home has become the new norm. It is nearly impossible to grab a drink after work with friends in the Seoul city area, with drinking and dining establishments only allowed to operate until 10 p.m. and nonessential gatherings of five or more people banned. Rather than just quenching the immediate thirst with beer from a supermarket or reaching for the same old green bottle of soju, more people -- not just alcohol aficionados -- are joining in on t

June 12, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel celebrates World Environment Day Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel in Songdo has partnered with social venture Tree Planet to raise awareness of environmental protection. “Green Project” will see the hotel plant one tree at a restoration forest in Gangwon Province per each companion tree bought by guests through the hotel. Each tree planted in the forest will be imprinted with the owner’s name. All hotel guests can participate in the project and rece

June 11, 2021

S. Korea publishes book on kimchi amid Chinese claims over dish

A national promotional agency has published a book on kimchi and how it is perceived around the world amid a continued cultural feud over the traditional Korean staple. "Kimchi in the Eyes of the World," released on Tuesday, explores the culture of kimchi through stories of foreigners who have tasted the vegetable dish, how the spicy condiment is made, and what social and historical context it carries, according to the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) affiliated with th

June 5, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotion and Packages

Paradise Hotel Busan offers ‘Early Sumcance’ package The Paradise Hotel Busan in the city’s celebrated Haeundae-gu is offering the “Early Sumcance” package for guests to enjoy the early summer temperatures. With the package, guests can use the Outdoor Ocean Spa Pool and Ocean Spa Cimer freely all day and enjoy many activities, including the Play Lab, Haba and Woongjin Bookclub and BMW Kids Driving. The package starts at 220,000 won. Walkerhill Hotel & Reso

June 4, 2021

Artisanal gelato at Gelateria Dodo

It was Gelateria Dodo owner Shin Ye-ha’s penchant for the Italian dessert that prompted her to open her own gelato spot. “I have always liked gelato and there was this gelateria I frequented,” Shin, 30, explained in an email interview. “One day the owner told me the shop would be closing.” After hearing she would no longer be able to get her regular gelato fix, Shin decided to learn how to make it herself and tapped the owner of her favorite gelateria for knowle

May 29, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel offers ‘Famcation in the Park’ package The Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel in Songdo, Incheon, is offering the “Famcation in the Park” package at Songdo Central Park for families staying there. Guests can enjoy kayaking at Central Park from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and kids can ride in a small wagon for three hours. The package starts at 209,000 won. For more information and reservations, call the Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel at (032) 835-1000. G

May 28, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul launches package for family gatherings Fairmont Ambassador Seoul offers a special promotion for family gatherings. For a special get-together, especially ahead of a wedding, guests can enjoy a small or medium-scale Korean or Western-style course meal at Gallery 7. The traditional Korean meal is paired with traditional liquors, while the Western meal is served with wine. The family package is designed for eight guests and costs 1,385,000 won for the Korean meal and 1

May 21, 2021

Hands-on eats at Bistro Anthro

When owner-chef Yoon Areum quietly opened her gem of a restaurant in southern Seoul’s Sinsa-dong this February, she was determined to take a hands-on approach with the menu. Everything from the pasta to the bread to the bacon served at Bistro Anthro is made from scratch. While one might find such an undertaking to be ambitious, Yoon and the crew seem to have mastered it all. Their take on pan de cristal, a high-hydration bread hailing from Catalonia, is airy with a textured crumb and

May 15, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Wine night at Walkerhill’s Pizza Hill The Pizza Hill is holding a wine night every Thursday until Sept.16. The wine night opens at 7 p.m. on Thursdays at the outdoor Pizza Hill terrace at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul. The promotion includes unlimited offer of seven types of Spanish Tapas dishes and four different kinds of wine. The wine night is priced at 99,000 won per person. Designed by the late Kim Swoo-geun, the Pizza Hill building is well known for its unique design. JW Marrio

May 14, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Ananti Hilton Busan opens Infinity Pool 　 Ananti Hilton Busan‘s Infinity Pool with a panoramic view of the ocean is now open with a special promotion. Diners at the hotel’s weekday lunch buffet at regular price can use the Infinity Pool. Next to the outdoor pool are a kids pool, open-air bath and indoor pool. The promotion which will be offered through June 30 and limits the number of those dining in groups to four persons. Reservations can be made by phone or Naver. Fairmon

May 7, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Lounge at Park Hyatt Busan presents Mango Afternoon Tea Set Lounge at Park Hyatt Busan presents the Mango Afternoon Tea Set from May 5 to June 20. The Mango Afternoon Tea Set consists of scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, delicate desserts and a savory menu featuring fresh ingredients. Desserts include mango passion fruit mousse with fresh and sweet mangoes, mini mango eclairs, mango and raspberry panna cotta and more. The Mango Afternoon Tea Set at Lounge is available from 2 p.m.

April 30, 2021

Bean-to-chocolate at Cacaodada

Chocolate crafter Yoon Hyung-won summed up Cacaodada’s approach to craft chocolate when he said, “While the term ‘bean-to-bar’ has long been used in the industry, one could say the term ‘bean-to-chocolate’ is actually easier to understand.” This is certainly true for Cacaodada, which from its inception in 2016 not only makes chocolate bars from scratch but also brownies, cakes, drinking chocolate and more recently, chocolate jam.  Chocolate craft

April 24, 2021