[Weekender] Koreans recharge with boyangsik

It has been almost a month since a heat wave began sweeping across Korea. With temperatures breaking records, the unbearable heat has sapped people’s strength and made them lose their appetites. Here’s where boyangsik steps in. It refers to food that strengthens and replenishes the body. Though the nutritious dishes can be consumed at any time of the year -- such as when recovering from a surgery or after giving birth -- they are often sought after in summer. (123rf)In Korea, there is “sambok,”

Aug. 9, 2018

Korean-Chinese food is ‘more than just a cuisine’

Though more simply referred to as “Chinese food,” the Chinese dishes served in Korea are different from the authentic Chinese food of China. Chinese food is well known for being adapted by other cultures. For example, chow mein, orange chicken and broccoli beef are clearly not authentic representations of true Chinese food, but they now form a separate genre of cuisine: American-Chinese.In Korea, the country’s own version of the blend exists as well, due to the close geographical and cultural ti

Aug. 9, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Live in history at Nine Tree HotelNine Tree Hotel recommends guests to take a history tour of Seoul, with its Seoul Cultural Footsteps package. The package includes tickets to four palaces; Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung. Tickets for Seodaemun Prison History Hall and Seodaemun Museum of Natural History are also part of the deal. Breakfast for two are included well, along with a free bear doll and a late check-out option at 3 p.m. available.The package will be availa

Aug. 9, 2018

[Epicurean Challenge] Fish in water? Sliced fish in chilled broth

Mulhoe, cold raw fish soup, is a summertime delicacy in Korea. The dish could be described as sliced raw fish in cold soup with vegetables, or sliced carpaccio in seasoned broth. Though mulhoe can be consumed throughout the year, it is often enjoyed in summer. The broth, chilled with ice, cools the seasonal heat. Flavored with red chili paste, the broth also awakens a sluggish appetite with its spicy, sour and sweet taste. The harmony of the sweetness of the fish and spiciness of the soup leaves

Aug. 9, 2018

[Photo News] Have a sip of Vietnam in Seoul at Cong Caphe

Koreans who want to enjoy Vietnamese coffee are lining up in front of Cong Caphe in Yeonnam-dong, western Seoul. Cong Caphe, a Vietnamese cafe franchise with more than 50 stores, launched its first overseas store in Seoul on Tuesday. Cong Caphe in Seoul (Yonhap)News of the launch has been spreading on social media since it was made public on July 10. On Friday evening, a long line formed in front of the store, with people waiting to have a sip of Vietnamese coffee despite the scorching heat.  On

Aug. 5, 2018

[Herald Interview] Sweet treats blossom in hands of wagashi master

In a dimly lit room, a masked man in kimono focuses on his hands. Adding refinement to his artwork using bespoke utensils, he eventually blooms a beautiful, pastel-hued flower, yet an edible one -- wagashi.Junichi Mitsubori is a third-generation artisan of wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets made with bean paste, sugar and glutinous rice. Running a century-old shop handed down from his grandfather to father and then to him, he may seem like an average artisan who has inherited a family business

Aug. 5, 2018

Bugs on the table! Wait, they’re on the menu, too!

We have been told that insects will be a valuable food source in the future. But it is not easy to embrace the idea of having worms, crickets and grasshoppers on our plates. There are pioneers, however, bringing the future closer to us. While figuring out more efficient ways of farming and retailing edible bugs, they also work on developing recipes, inviting those with brave hearts. Dried crickets (Im Eun-byel/The Korea Herald) Edible Coffee at Seocho-gu, Seoul (Edible Coffee)Edible Coffee is a

Aug. 2, 2018

Enjoy Oktoberfest at Grand Hilton Seoul

For those seeking to experience the largest beer festival in the world while still staying in Seoul, Grand Hilton Seoul presents the 2018 Oktoberfest.　The hotel has been hosting Oktoberfest since 2007, attracting more than 1,000 visitors each year. This year’s event will take place on Sept. 8 at the hotel’s Convention Center. 　 Oktoberfest in Seoul (Grand Hilton Seoul)“If there is Chuseok in Korea, in Germany, the largest traditional festival is the Oktoberfest,” general manager Bernhard Brender

Aug. 2, 2018

[Home Cooking] Oi buchu kimchi: cucumber kimchi made with garlic chives

Oi buchu kimchi (Korean Bapsang)Cucumbers are in their peak season. This recipe is a quick and easy kimchi you can make with summer’s abundant cucumbers. It’s crisp, crunchy, and delicious.Buchu, or Korean garlic chives, is commonly added to oi kimchi, but you can use scallions instead if you like. Although not used in this recipe, a little bit of julienned carrot or red pepper will give the kimchi a nice pop of color. To make kimchi, you will need to salt the cucumbers first to draw out some wa

Aug. 2, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Eels for summer at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s Japanese restaurant Genji prepared a special eight-course set menu for guests who have lost their energy in the scorching summer heat. The course menu includes classic Japanese dishes such as sashimi and tempura. But what stands out the most is the Orotson eel teriyaki. Orotson eel is a wild, not farmed, eel found in the mud flats on the western coast of Korea. It is considered a great delicacy both in Korea and Japan, greatly n

Aug. 2, 2018

[Epicurean Challenge] Snake-like creature writhes, squirms on grill

Gomjangeo, often mispronounced as ggomjangeo, refers to inshore hagfish in Korean. Hagfish may not sound, or look, appealing, with its degenerated eyes and a snake-like body that produces slime when distressed. But that does not stop Koreans from taking up a culinary challenge with the sea-dweller.  (Shot and produced by Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald) After being thoroughly skinned, gomjangeo goes on the grill. Restaurants and pubs often grill them outside on a strong fire, such as

Aug. 2, 2018

Trendy, toothsome eats at Taupe

Taupe, a new restaurant near Dosan Park in Seoul, quickly reeled in reservations when it soft opened in June. “Yes, response has been very hot,” said Taupe sous chef Kim Chul-ho, admitting he and his team have been very busy whipping up popular eats like their savoy cabbage rolls, pork belly with ginger apple puree, and salmon and green bean risotto. Snap-worthy eats and a picturesque view from its third and fourth floor perch are certainly some of the attractions of this hip, new hotspot. But w

July 26, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Beer night at Hotel La Casa　Hotel La Casa, a lifestyle design hotel in south central Seoul, is offering its “Rooftop Summer Night” package. The package includes a one-night stay in a double room, two bottles of Schneider Weisse Tap 7 beer and a four-piece bruschetta plate. Customers can sip on cool beer while enjoying the city lights on a hot summer night on the rooftop of lounge bar House of Alchemy. The package is available until Sept. 9. For more information, contact House of Alchemy at (02)

July 26, 2018

[Epicurean Challenge] Yet another pig part to devour -- tail

Koreans are known for “thoroughly” eating the pig. We barbecue the meat, grill the intestines, make a soup with leftover meat and steam the feet. But there is more to the list: grilling pig tail and pork rinds.  Pork rinds and pig tail (By Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)When visualizing a pig tail, an image of a squiggly, pinkish, spring-like tail comes to mind. The cute visual isn’t really appetizing. But no worries, pig tail on the grill doesn’t look anything like it. The tail is chopped into

July 26, 2018

[Epicurean Challenge] Revitalize with chicken foot, eel and carp extracts

The idea of gaining energy by drinking unidentified brown liquid may sound suspiciously close to that of a magic potion. But such potions do exist in the real world, or at least in Korea, under the name of “nutritional extracts.”Plastic pouches of murky brown liquid substances may be healthier than one might expect, as they contain “jeup,” or extracts, of various produce considered beneficial in Korea. Talk about sucking the juice out of life. The extracts may not seem very appetizing, akin to o

July 24, 2018

How avocados are gaining ground in Korea

A growing number of South Koreans are discovering the value of avocados. While its oddly soft texture, green hue and rough exterior may have been unsettling at first, the avocado is now being praised locally for its nutritional value. It is noted especially among the younger generation to be full of vitamins, great for the skin, low in cholesterol and beneficial to dieting.For its health benefits and delicious, buttery consistency, the green fruit is being incorporated into more meals. On Instag

July 22, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Indian-themed night at Sheraton Seoul D Cube CitySheraton Seoul D Cube City hotel is offering a novel room package for families, called “My Little Agit.” The package provides a small Indian teepee for children to play in along with Milo & Gabby pillows and the signature Sheraton D-Bear in a deluxe room, along with macarons. Families can enjoy a lavish breakfast at the buffet restaurant Feast and swim at the indoor swimming pool. The deal is available until the end of the year at a starting price

July 19, 2018

[Epicurean Challenge] Chicken bathing in hot soup, samgyetang

Samgyetang, or ginseng chicken soup, is the most often mentioned dish when talking about revitalizing cuisine for the summer season. Its appearance may seem strange, as a whole small chicken sits in the steaming broth -- seemingly taking a bath with legs crossed. (Video shot and produced by Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald)Looking closer, goosebumps on the chicken skin can be observed. While some crave the skin for its melting mouthfeel, others dislike it for the fat.Some places serve a glass of g

July 12, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Superfood afternoon tea at Park Hyatt SeoulPark Hyatt Seoul’s The Lounge offers a specially prepared afternoon tea set, filled with superfoods to combat the sweltering heat. Savories and desserts included in the set features spinach, quinoa, salmon, blueberry and avocado, all of which are known to be beneficial for health. Premium green tea, also a superfood, is served with the set. At 18,000 won per person, guests can enjoy a glass of champagne. The tea set is served on a three-tier ceramic tra

July 12, 2018

Bartender shakes things up with Korean booze-infused cocktails

Ever imagined a glass of whiskey mixed with soybean paste and tofu? While the combination may surprise many, the drink won the top prize at a local bartending competition. Leo Seo, also known as Seo Jeong-hyun, the 28-year-old head bartender at The Griffin in JW Mariott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, concocted the highly unusual cocktail and topped the local 2018 Jameson Bartender’s Ball held last month. In the global edition of the competition, he took fourth place.  Bartender Leo Seo (Park Hyun-koo

July 12, 2018