Korean enoki mushrooms recalled in US

The US Food and Drug Administration flagged South Korean enoki mushrooms for the third time in the last two months as a possible source of listeria. H&C Foods, a Brooklyn-based company, recalled boxes of enoki mushrooms imported from Korea’s Green Co. after the FDA released evidence of potential contamination. Enoki mushroom samples from Sun Hong Foods Inc., Guan’s Mushroom Co. and H&C Foods tested positive for listeria bacteria, which can cause serious food poisoning in

May 5, 2020

'Dalgona' treats gain popularity

Convenience stores are enjoying a sharp rise in dessert sales as consumers try to soothe the COVID-19 blues with sweet treats. In line with the trend, Korea’s leading convenience store chain CU has introduced dalgona-inspired products. "Dalgona" refers to a Korean street snack made from brown sugar and baking soda. The "dalgona coffee" challenge -- making a DIY latte with a coffee foam on top -- went viral online recently, with people showing interest in the drink wi

May 3, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Sip coffee at Grand InterContinental Seoul Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas’ Grand Deli is to present its original coffee selection through its private brand D’Gold. D’Gold coffee bean blends have been carefully selected by the hotel’s chief barista, creating a balance between premium beans from Brazil, Ethiopia and Costa Rica. The medium body coffee is enjoyed best as iced Americano or as iced latte. D’Gold is available at Grand Deli and costs 7,500 won for A

April 24, 2020

Brunch at home with Bimbom

Bimbom co-owner and chef Sim Ka-young has been attracting brunchers with her toothsome eats for over nine years, ever since she started out in Hannam-dong, Seoul.　 Now at two locations -- one in Gyeongnidan-gil and another near Seoul Forest -- Sim shares years of exprience in “Brunch Time,” a compilation of Bimbom’s recipes and know-how, released this March. “‘Brunch Time’ features well-loved dishes from Bimbom, and sadly enough, dishes that are no longer a

April 19, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

24-hour stay at JW Marriott Dongdaemun JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul is running a Stay & Relax package that allows guests to check-in at desired hours and stay for a maximum of 24 hours. The deal includes a one night-stay at Deluxe Room or Executive Suite, breakfast for two adults and two children under 12 at the executive lounge and a voucher credit worth 40,000 won that can be used at the hotel’s restaurants. Also, a Barbie doll will be gifted per room. Prices start at 29

April 17, 2020

Culinary scene finds way out in takeaway, delivery service

As more people are staying in amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, restaurants are turning to takeaway and delivery services to attract customers wary of coming into contact with others while dining out. Luxury hotels are offering contactless dining suitable for customers celebrating a special day at home or for those conducting an important business meeting over a meal. Lotte Hotel Seoul in central Seoul launched meal sets that can be picked up at a drive-thru on April 6. In the fir

April 16, 2020

App deliveries, ready-to-eat foods fill tables amid #StayAtHome time

While #StayAtHome challenges have been trending around the world, perhaps one of the most challenging tasks at a time like this is preparing three meals a day at home. In response to the call to stay at home, people are flocking to online food delivery platforms, purchasing ready-to-eat foods. Orders on grocery delivery platform Market Kurly have skyrocketed in recent weeks. Market Kurly offers a wide range of groceries and merchandise for delivery by 7 a.m. the next day for orders placed

April 4, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Safe delivery from Mayfield Hotel As more people are staying in these days, Mayfield Hotel in western Seoul is presenting food delivery service. The hotel’s bakery Cafe Delice presents a lunch box deal for four people, consisting of six Italian dishes, from pasta to salad. The deal is priced at 90,000 won. The bakery also offers one-person lunch boxes, offering a choice one pasta and a drink, at 20,000 won. Korean restaurant Bongraeheon also offers a lunch box deal, consisting of nin

April 4, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Budget meal at InterContinental Seoul Coex InterContinental Seoul Coex’s Sky Lounge presents dining promotion “Piatto Unico” where authentic Italian cuisine will be offered at reasonable prices every Monday. The menu is available for lunch and dinner on Mondays until June 30 at the price of 30,000 won per person and can be paired with 15 types of wine at 30,000 won per bottle. Piatto Unico refers to dishes typically served in a trattoria. The promotion meal features today

March 27, 2020

Simple lunchbox recipes for homebound, officebound

Supermarche chef-owner Lee Hyung-jun has come a long way from his French fine dining roots. It was 2007, Lee recalled, when he helmed a French fine dining spot in Seoul’s Hannam-dong before moving on to another upscale French restaurant in 2011. Lee then stepped away from fine dining to launch a deli-style eatery called Epicerie Collage in 2014 before taking this concept a step further with Supermarche in 2019. “Supermarche is like its name, which means ‘supermarket’

March 27, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Scrumptious breakfast at Andaz Seoul Gangnam Andaz Seoul Gangnam presents the “Mini Break, Mighty Breakfast” promotion until May 31, for guests planning a spring vacation. 　 The promotion allows guests to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast after a relaxing night at the hotel at a discount price of 10,000 won per adult. The regular breakfast fee is 44,000 won per person. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the buffet-style breakfast has been changed to a set menu or a la carte breakfast, a

March 20, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Zest of citrus at Grand Hyatt Seoul Grand Hyatt Seoul’s lounge cafe Gallery presents the Citrus of Spring afternoon tea set, full of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system. The three-tier tray is filled with 16 types of desserts, ranging from yuzu scones, Jeju Island tangerine curd, hallabong compote, clotted cream, tangerine panna cotta, chocolate mousse with tangerine liquid, to tangerine chocolate tarte and more. Diners can select coffee or tea of their choice to pair with the d

March 13, 2020

Wines go vegan

Veganism is a growing trend around the world, and the wine scene is no exception. Following the rise of keywords such as natural, organic and biodynamic, the wine scene has also discovered vegan wine -- wine manufactured free of any animal ingredients at any stage of the process. Though some may ask, “Aren’t all wines vegan?” animal-based products are often involved in the winemaking process, notably the wine clarifying process, called “fining.” Animal-based f

March 6, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Early spring at L‘Escape Hotel L‘Escape Hotel presents a package deal designed for the spring season. As fine dust can halt some from enjoying outdoor activities in the spring, the French-style boutique hotel has prepared various indoor activities. Guests will be offered a total package for coloring activities upon check-in. For guests who post their coloring activity works to their Instagram accounts with hashtags of “#lescapehotel,” and “#hotelpackage,”

March 6, 2020

[Graphic News] Coffee market grows 2.2%

　The South Korean market for coffee drinks expanded more than 2 percent in 2019 thanks mainly to strong sales of bottled products, a market tracker said. 　Sales of coffee drinks came to 1.32 trillion won ($1.1 billion) last year, up 2.2 percent from the previous year, according to Nielsen Korea. 　Shipments of bottled coffee drinks shot up 60.1 percent on-year to 185.8 billion won in 2019, leading the overall market growth. 　In contrast, sales of canned products shrank 6.1 percent on-year

March 1, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Time for whiskey at Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences presents “Mr.Tipsy” whiskey promotion at its lobby lounge Gourmet Bar. The promotion features five samplers from two leading whiskey labels, Johnnie Walker and Diageo Classic Malts. The five samplers present different varieties of whiskeys in small portions, allowing guests to discover their own taste in whiskey. The sampler price starts at 34,900 won. For more informati

Feb. 28, 2020

[Graphic News] Rice consumption dips to all-time low in 2019

　South Korea’s per capita annual rice consumption fell to a record low in 2019 amid changes in diet and eating habits, data showed. 　Per capita average annual rice consumption hit a fresh low of 59.2 kilograms last year, down 3 percent from a year earlier, according to data compiled by Statistics Korea. 　It marked the first time for the amount to fall below the 60-kilogram threshold. 　The latest figure indicates Koreans consumed around 162 grams of rice on a daily basis. (Yonhap)

Feb. 25, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Spring flounder returns to Millennium Hilton Seoul Genji, within Millennium Hilton Seoul, presents a spring promotion for March and April featuring flounder. Flounder, a variety of flatfish considered a great delicacy, is enjoyed in spring. The five-course set menu starts off with egg custard as an appetizer, followed by a spring vegetable salad with flower cake, and flounder sashimi. Mugwort hotpot cooked with flounder and abalone follows, accompanied by steamed rice and Japanese pickles.

Feb. 21, 2020

[Eye] Wisdom in a dish

  While more people around the world are starting to appreciate Korean food -- or “hansik” in Korean -- a basic understanding of true Korean food is necessary for all Koreans, says the Ven. Sunjae, head of the Korean Food Promotion Institute. Since April 2018, the Buddhist nun, known as a master of temple food, has been leading the state-funded institution. “Some questioned why a Buddhist nun was appointed to the position. It is true that I joined the Buddhist order 40 y

Feb. 21, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Strawberry desserts at Mayfield Hotel With spring just around the corner, Mayfield Hotel’s Royal Mile presents the Strawberry Afternoon Tea set until April 30. The set features eight berry-themed desserts, such as tiramisu, tarte, macarons, sandwiches and scones. Guests will also be offered two different varieties of Tavalon tea. Priced at 53,000 won, the set will be available daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information or reservations, call Royal Mile at (02) 2660-9050. Swe

Feb. 14, 2020