[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Avocado afternoon at Grand InterContinental Seoul ParnasLobby Lounge at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas presents the Avocado Royal High Tea Set.The set offers avocado cream dacquoise; avocado scones with clotted cream; avocado brownies; brioche sandwich with roasted avocado; roasted avocado stuffed with mushroom, spinach and chicken; and avocado salad with harissa shrimp. Guests can choose either coffee or tea to accompany the food. The set costs 75,000 won person. It is available from 2 p.m

May 24, 2019

[Herald Interview] Chef puts faith in gimbap

For chef Kim Rock-hun, gimbap is the perfect meal for the times. A roll of rice, vegetables and other ingredients wrapped tightly in a seaweed laver sheet, gimbap is tasty and healthy. Typically served in bite-sized slices, it is convenient to pack and eat on the move. “It is ‘slow fast food,’ filled with healthy ingredients. Can there be a better meal?” Kim, 49, said during an interview at his cooking studio in Dogok-dong, southern Seoul.  The only problem, a

May 24, 2019

[Seoul Food Alley] Chicken stew alley with fishy vibe in Dongdaemun

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries specializing in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. -- Ed.Hidden among massive shopping malls, the back alleys of Dongdaemun are filled with old eateries that have been serving spicy meals for decades. Tucked away near Pyounghwa Market, the wholesale market for clothing, is a meter-wide alley serving c

May 22, 2019

[Seoul Food Alley] Buildings filled with stir-fried Korean blood sausage

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries specializing in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. -- Ed.Though not spread across a labyrinth of narrow alleys, Sillim-dong Sundae Town is still a complex cobweb of eateries. Sundae, Korean blood sausage, refers to pig intestines stuffed with glass noodles, vegetables and various spices. Often served

May 19, 2019

Michelin-starred chef back with another casual dining spot

The first time Michelin-starred chef Yim Jung-sik went into casual dining, he zoomed in on Korean cuisine, putting the spotlight on naengmyeon -- cold noodles -- and gomtang -- beef bone soup -- at the much-publicized Pyunghwaok. Over a year has passed since Yim branched off from his multi-starred namesake restaurant with Pyunghwaok, and the chef is generating buzz again with Jungsik Cafe. Situated in the same building as his Michelin-starred restaurant Jungsik, Jungsik Cafe opened in April, rep

May 17, 2019

[Herald Interview] What makes a good bar, and a good bartender

When veteran bartender Keith Motsi goes to a new bar, he orders beer. “Always, beer first,” said Motsi, the new head bartender at Charles H. in the Four Seasons Seoul. “You see what you get when you order something so simple.”  Head bartender Keith Motsi (Four Seasons Seoul)With beer, he added, a smile and the coldest glass will do. “If they cannot do it (right), do not bother. Just don’t go there.”According to him, bars are not just about the drinks. They are about hospitality and making people

May 16, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Barbeque night at Grand Hilton Seoul 　Grand Hilton Seoul’s buffet restaurant presents an outdoor barbeque promotion. Along with the usual buffet menu, the chefs will prepare grilled meat and seafood at the outdoor terrace. Guests may sit outside to enjoy the ambiance.The promotion runs through Sept. 30 during dinner hours on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The buffet costs 85,000 won per person. For more information, call (02) 2287-8271.Avocado afternoon at Grand InterContinenta

May 16, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Frozen desserts at The Westin Chosun SeoulThe Westin Chosun Seoul’s Lounge & Bar presents new frozen treats for summer. It offers two types of bingsu, topped with seasonal fruits, watermelon and green grapes, at 36,000 won. For a different treat, parfait topped with grape ice cream is available at 27,000 won. The promotion continues until the end of August. For more information, call Lounge & Bar at (02) 317-0365. Barbeque night at Grand Hilton Seoul Grand Hilton Seoul’s buffet restaurant presen

May 10, 2019

[Weekender] Traditional liquor-based cocktails beckon adventurous drinkers

Fancy a glass of sujeonggwa-tini? Sujeonggwa is persimmon punch made with cinnamon and ginger, usually served as dessert. To create sujeonggwa-tini, local distilled spirit is added to the sweet traditional drink, and the mixture is shaken with ice in a reinterpretation of traditional Korean liquor. As its name suggests, sujeonggwa-tini is similar to martini, with strong soju serving as the base. Pine nuts are sprinkled on top as a garnish. The drink is one of nine cocktails mixed with Korean liq

May 10, 2019

[Weekender] Wine aficionado’s love affair with Korean traditional liquors

What is South Korea’s representative booze? Most people would probably say soju. But Lee Ji-min, a wine aficionado-turned-Korean liquor promoter, begs to differ. In her view, there are many local liquors more qualified for that title. “This may sound radical, but I want to see those green soju bottles on grocery store shelves replaced by our finest traditional spirits one day. I want to contribute to making that happen,” she said. Lee Ji-min, a PR expert and promoter of Korean traditional liquor

May 10, 2019

[Weekender] Makgeolli makes a comeback

123rfLong overshadowed by soju and beer, makgeolli is poised for a grand comeback, with more brewers blending tradition with a modern twist. The oldest alcoholic drink in South Korea, the milky, unfiltered rice wine was traditionally the drink of farmers, but latest renditions have taken on a new variety of tastes and flavors, plus a premium image, to win over young, sophisticated sippers. At E-mart, the country’s largest retailer, makgeolli was the fastest growing liquor, logging a 24.6 percent

May 10, 2019

[Seoul Food Alley] ‘Army stew’ represents tumultuous mid-20th century history

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries specializing in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. - Ed.Though its name can be translated to “army stew” in English, the official translation of budaejjigae, approved by the Korean Food Foundation, is actually sausage stew.The dish features more than just sausages, however, being a fusion of Korean-st

May 8, 2019

New spot, new dessert, fresh vibes at Happy Happy Cake

When pastry chef and owner Kim Min-jung expanded Happy Happy Cake to Seoul’s Nonhyeon-dong, she wanted to create a new cake for the new location. Kim looked for an ingredient she had not used before and settled on one that would be familiar to everyone. “We eat rice every day,” she explained why she focused one of the most basic and essential staples of the Korean diet. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)Rice, Kim discovered, proved challenging to work with.“It was harder than we thought because ri

May 3, 2019

[Seoul Food Alley] Discovering Gongdeok Market’s ‘food alleys’

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries that specialize in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. -- Ed.Gongdeok-dong, situated in western Seoul, is a neighborhood where diverse groups mix -- office workers, residents and foreign tourists too.It also is home to the nearly century-old Gongdeok Market, where a wide variety of products from grocer

May 2, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Barbecue night at JW Marriott SeoulJW Marriott Seoul’s The Margaux Grill presents the Grill in the Secret Garden promotion. The promotion allows diners to enjoy barbecue while listening to live jazz. Salad and appetizers are to be served on an unlimited basis. Freshly cooked foods will be passed around and the Surf & Turf plate will be served at each table. Rotisserie and carving stations will be prepared, too. A cocktail will be provided for each person. The meal costs 140,000 won per person an

May 2, 2019

Blue Bottle to debut in S. Korea this week

Blue Bottle Coffee will officially debut in Seoul later this week, a South Korean affiliate of the upscale US coffee chain operator said Tuesday.   The new cafe will open in Seoul's eastern Seongsu neighborhood -- a trendy hangout spot where young artists and designers renovated existing buildings into art spaces, fine restaurants and cafes to woo customers -- on Friday, Blue Bottle Coffee Korea, Ltd. said in a press release.  (Yonhap)The location will house a roastery and a training center for

April 30, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Barbecue night at JW Marriott SeoulJW Marriott Seoul’s grill restaurant The Margaux Grill presents the Grill in the Secret Garden promotion. The promotion allows diners to enjoy barbecue while listening to live jazz. Salad and appetizers are to be served on an unlimited basis. Freshly cooked foods will be passed around and the Surf & Turf plate will be served at each table. Rotisserie and carving stations will be prepared, too. A cocktail drink will also be provided for each person. The meal cos

April 26, 2019

[Seoul Food Alley] Town dedicated to Korea’s all-time favorite snack

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries specializing in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. - Ed. Tteokbokki (Lee So-jung / The Korea Herald)In the heart of Seoul there is a “town” for tteokbokki, the beloved finger-sized rice cakes stir-fried in a thick, fiery red sauce. Dubbed “Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town,” indicating its location near Si

April 24, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Back to ’80s at Seoul Dragon City Seoul Dragon City will launch Newtro Night party at its lounge bar King’s Vacation on April 26. Newtro is a compound word of “new” and “retro,” referring to retro-inspired trends of now. For the party, the lounge bar will be decorated under a retro-mood. The music playlist will be filled with tracks from the ’80s and ’90s. The dress code is, of course, retro and the staff members will be dressed in a similar manner. The party will go on from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. A D

April 19, 2019

Massive shrimp burgers at Zesty Saloon

On weekdays, there are only 30, and on weekends, there are only 50 shrimp burgers sold daily at Zesty Saloon, a new hangout that opened in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong in March. “We make our patties with just shrimp,” said Zesty Saloon CEO Yang Jun-hwan, 34.  Zesty Saloon sells burgers and tater tots from its perch near Seoul Forest. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)After making the shrimp patties, Yang and his team lightly coat them with bread crumbs before frying them to a golden crisp and topping them

April 19, 2019