Grape variety with mango taste grows popular in Korea

A new grape variety called shine muscat is an increasingly popular choice on South Korean dinner tables.Shine muscat is distinguished by its unique taste, which includes mango flavors. The yellow-green berries carry a musky flavor, but without much sourness.  Shine Muscat (Yonhap)The variety is more expensive than others in Korea. E-commerce platform E-mart Mall sells the grapes for 1,890 won ($1.68) per 100 grams, while green grapes imported from the US cost 770 won per 100 grams. According to

Nov. 2, 2018

Intricate French-style desserts at L’Aubenuit

L’Aubenuit owner-patissier Lim Ho-yeon patiently waited for the opportunity to serve his patisserie’s namesake dessert. “This was something I had in mind when I was in France,” Lim, 30, said. Lim was in France for six years. Before France, Lim studied Korean cuisine in college. He then started to develop an interest in desserts. In 2011, he decided to delve further into the realm of sweets, traveling to France to study dessert at two schools. Fast forward six years to Lim’s return to Korea and t

Nov. 1, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Mediterranean cuisine at Grand Hilton SeoulGrand Hilton Seoul presents the “World Gourmet Travel – Mediterranean Cuisine” promotion, introducing a variety of Mediterranean dishes. During the promotion, the buffet restaurant offers over 100 choices of European dishes, such as veal sirloin with potato salad, sea bass with citrus dill sauce and beef stroganoff pilaf, mussel salad and more. The promotion will continue until the end of January. The price ranges between 70,000 and 85,000 won per perso

Nov. 1, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Lobster dining at Vista Walkerhill SeoulVista Walkerhill Seoul‘s Italian restaurant Del Vino launches Aragosta di Mare promotion, introducing various lobster dishes.The five-course meal starts with lobster avocado salad, followed by lobster soup and lobster oil pasta. Grilled lobster and beef tenderloin steak will be prepared as the main dish. For dessert, vanilla gelato and raspberry cake will be served.Along with the course meal, a glass of extra dry sparkling wine will be offered. The price o

Oct. 28, 2018

Vault Steakhouse holds promotion celebrating Michelin recognition

Vault Steakhouse is offering a special promotion to mark its inclusion in the Plate category of Michelin Guide Seoul 2019 for the third consecutive year. The list of Michelin-star restaurants was revealed at an awards ceremony held last Thursday. Vault Steakhouse, located in southern Seoul, made it to the The Plate category, which recognizes restaurants that serve quality food prepared with fresh ingredients.  Dry-aged porterhouse (Vault Steakhouse)Celebrating the recognition, Vault Steakhouse h

Oct. 27, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Halloween fun at Millennium Seoul Hilton The Oak Room, the Millennium Seoul Hilton’s traditional English-style bar, will host a Halloween party on Oct. 27. The bar will be decorated with jack-o’-lanterns, staff will be dressed in costumes and a live trio will be singing. A face painting artist will be on hand to decorate guests’ faces with Halloween-inspired designs. Entrance is free, and those who arrive in costume will be given a free welcome drink.Cafe 395, the hotel’s all-day dining restaura

Oct. 18, 2018

Latest list of Michelin stars in Seoul released

Much awaited news for foodies and food connoisseurs, the third edition of the Michelin Guide Seoul has been released. An awards ceremony revealing the latest list of star chefs in Seoul was held at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul on Thursday. This year’s ceremony was held under the theme “Journey to Passion.” Korea’s Michelin star recipients pose at the “Michelin Guide Seoul 2019” award event held at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap

Oct. 18, 2018

Multifaceted sushi at Sushi Ryukou

In a city with plenty of sushi options, it can be a challenge for a new sushiya to stand out from the crowd. Sushi Ryukou took that risk, opening in Sinsa-dong this August. “I wanted to show my own personal approach to sushi,” co-owner and chef Kim Kwang-min, 33, said. Kim honed his skills while studying and living in Japan for six years and racked up more experience at a Seoul hotel.  Sushi Ryukou‘s negi toro maki (front) is beautifully layered with sushi rice, nori, tuna, the white part of the

Oct. 11, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Halloween fun at Millennium Seoul Hilton The Oak Room, the Millennium Seoul Hilton’s traditional English-style bar, will host a Halloween party on Oct. 27. The bar will be decorated with jack-o’-lanterns, staff will be dressed in costumes and a live trio will be singing. A face painting artist will be on hand to decorate guests’ faces with Halloween-inspired designs. Entrance is free, and those who arrive in costume will be given a free welcome drink.Cafe 395, the hotel’s all-day dining restaura

Oct. 11, 2018

No tricks, only treats, at Seoul Dessert Fair in late October

Horror has never been sweeter.The 18th Seoul Dessert Fair, South Korea’s largest dessert festival, will feature a variety of Halloween-themed sweets -- from “blood bags” containing fruit-flavored drinks to Frankenstein candies to zombie cupcakes.(Instagram @seoul_dessert_fair)Each round of the dessert fair features a seasonally apt theme such as cherry blossoms for spring and watermelons for summer.The upcoming festival, slated for Oct. 20-21, is the fourth of 2018 and promises a Halloween party

Oct. 11, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Autumn stay for ladies at Seoul Shilla Hotel Seoul Shilla Hotel presents the Urban Ladies package for female guests who want to enjoy a city getaway. The package includes a one-night stay at the Business Deluxe Room. The room can hold three guests, and the guests will have access to the Executive Lounge. The guests can also enjoy the outdoor swimming pool complex, Urban Island. The sunbeds are equipped with warmers and the pool is maintained at a warm temperature. The pool is open from 10 a.m. t

Oct. 4, 2018

Korean food festival kicks off in Seoul

A festival of traditional Korean food, known as hansik in Korean, kicked off in Seoul on Thursday as South Korea pushes to promote the country's food culture around the world, the government said.The two-day 2018 World Hansik Festival, featuring cooking shows by star chefs and a program of making traditional Korean pastes, among other events, is taking place at the Convention and Exhibition Center in Seoul, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said. (Yonhap)The event, the third of

Oct. 4, 2018

Diet drink under probe over safety

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Thursday they will look into a pineapple vinegar drink along with other food and drink products that promote their effectiveness for weight loss.The drink in question was selected for inspection through an online petition, which received the most votes from June 8 to Aug. 31 on an online petition forum provided by the MFDS. (Yonhap)The petitioner wrote that the pineapple vinegar drink had caused side effects including diarrhea, stomach pains and menstrua

Sept. 27, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Champagne bubbles at Park Hyatt SeoulPark Hyatt Seoul’s premium vinyl music bar The Timber House is hosting a Veuve Clicquot promotion through the end of the year. Ordering the “Bubbly Lovely” set, customers can choose among three champagne options: Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, Veuve Clicquot Rose and Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame. The set includes a Korean beef cutlet, cheese platter or fruit dessert platter. Prices range from 275,000 won to 625,000 won. On every last Saturday of the month, Veu

Sept. 27, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Art of afternoon tea at Grand Hyatt Seoul The Gallery at Grand Hyatt Seoul, in collaboration with local artist Choi Jeong-hwa, is presenting a promotion titled “ARTernoon -- Your Heart is My Art.”In line with the ongoing exhibition “Choi Jeong-hwa: Blooming Matrix” held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s branch in Samcheong-dong, the pastry chefs have created a collection of culinary art pieces, inspired by the artist’s works, such as tea-bag shaped cookies and mini opera ca

Sept. 20, 2018

Michelin to announce latest stars of Seoul next month

The third edition of Michelin Guide Seoul will be released on Oct 18. Michelin Guide Seoul 2019 will be revealed at an award ceremony at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, in southern Seoul. This year’s ceremony will be held under the theme of “Journey to Passion,” paying homage to passionate chefs and food connoisseurs. Since its launch in 2017, the Seoul guide has had two three-starred restaurants and four two-starred restaurants. A total of 18 restaurants have earned one-starred status. The

Sept. 18, 2018

[Video] Top 3 food combinations in Korea’s convenience stores

For busy workers and students alike, Korea’s convenience stores have emerged as favorite spots to grab a quick meal. The major convenience store chains feature a wide range of food -- everything from individual servings of fruit to basic groceries and ready-made meals. To make a quick meal taste even better, Koreans often mix and match convenience store foods. You can even search YouTube for recipe ideas, such as “legendary combination of foods found in convenience stores,” or “a heavenly taste

Sept. 14, 2018

Aromatic, eclectic eats at Ithaca

The food at Ithaca, chef Kim Tae-yoon’s latest restaurant, is not easy to categorize.The food exhibits Korean, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Italian and Greek influences, all skillfully fused into incredibly aromatic, spiced and texturally fascinating dishes.  Fragrant shiso and fennel add an aromatic layer to Ithaca’s sous-vide whelk, lotus root and tomatoes. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)“The food here has no boundaries,” said Ithaca co-owner and chef Kim, 38. Kim, an avid traveler, explained ho

Sept. 13, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Taste of Mexico at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s flagship restaurant, Cafe 395, hosts a special promotion featuring Mexican cuisine. Special guest chef Eric Daniel Gonzalez from a traditional Mexican restaurant will helm the kitchen to bring an authentic taste of Mexico’s finest foods, in addition to the regular offerings of Cafe 395’s buffet. Hot, cold appetizers, entrees and desserts -- including ceviche, soft crab stew, pork stew with tequila and beef ribs -- will be prepar

Sept. 13, 2018

Gifts to make Chuseok fuller

Chuseok is just around the corner, packed with gifts. The traditional holiday, which falls on Sept. 24 this year, sees people visiting families in their hometowns -- and they do not show up empty-handed. Preparing gifts is not obligatory, but it is considered good manners to visit a relative’s house with a gift, appreciating the effort that the host made. Also, Korean companies offer gifts to its employees in the season, recognizing the hard work and encouraging them. Businesses exchange gifts a

Sept. 13, 2018