Had an amazing Chicken Bacon Avocado Torta at El Pino 323. Plush, warm bread topped with oozing, flavorful chicken, crisp bacon and creamy avocado. The avocado was perfectly ripe and the whole sandwich was one that you have to grip and hold onto and eat until it is gone. It is not a sharing sandwich unless you cut it in half first. Wow. Possibly the best sandwich I have had in Korea. The bread made the dish and was pleased to hear it was made in house. I had a chance to talk with Chef D. He is intense but passionate about his food and craft. Very interesting but I was polite and understood I was a guest in his house.  We ordered Guacamole but he didn't have it. I let it go and didn't bring it up. He probably used all those delicious avocados on our sandwiches and tacos.  His tacos and enchiladas were also amazing. The rice and beans were definitely Mexican-style since he didn't use the heavier Korean rice. I thought the tortillas were legit.  Directions ar...

Deep-Fried Oreos And they are good! I really wasn't expecting them to be, but the chocolate pieces have a dipped in milk quality and the cream becomes like...warm ice-cream. It's sort of bizarre, but I like them! I wouldn't eat them everyday- especially since they have deep-fried bananas and fun-sized chocolate bars that they deep fry as well. Good dessert and one that I would consider having again. I think this is a contender for Thisiswhyyourefat.com. Cheers, Dan PS. Read more about Bao on the post just before this. Deep-Fried Oreos

Brown Rice Stirfry with veggies at Bao These days I eat pretty healthy and I exercise (My mom would be proud). But I find it is hard to eat healthy outside- especially in the Haebangchon and Gyeonidan area. At home and at work, I usually eat brown rice instead of white but you can't find that at almost any Korean restaurants, so I could forgo the rice (which would make the meal less satisfying) or...I could just eat white rice (which isn't very good for you). This is why I was so happy that I found Bao. It's a great noodle shop that serves up great plates of noodles and rice with lots of veggies and meat in different Asian sauces. They'll stirfry rice, wide noodles, thin noodles, and...brown rice.  I love the texture of brown rice when it has a great sauce and stirfried, it is even better. Over the weekend I had the brown rice stirfy with the Singapore sauce- curry with a nice spicy kick. My friend, David , got the wide noodles with the Malay Sauce: Cocon...

Mini Slider's at Maloney's Pub The burgers at Maloney's pub are simply classic pub fare. The atmosphere has all the fixtures of an Irish bar (without a belligerent yet friendly Irishman). They have Guiness and Erdinger Beer on draft as well as bottles of good Rogue Stout. It seems to be a local handout because I saw quite a few regulars both times that I went. The burgers are a bit grissly but they are moist and flavorful. The first time I went I got the mini sliders. These were good and actually quite filling. They reminded me a bit of White Castle Burgers because the bun is toasted.  And at 10,000 won with fries, it was pretty good value. The second time I went I got the Mushroom and Swiss Cheeseburger. Also, very good. The bun was toasted and the mushrooms were sauteed and there was real, melted swiss cheese on the burger.  The one thing I think they could improve are the fries. I mean they aren't crispy. The pub uses real potatoes to make them and...

Cappuccino from Chan Bros When it rains I get nostalgic for home and near my home there are places that help me fill that void. Growing up, I loved having coffee at Brew Ha Ha! coffee house in Delaware. I used to work as a barista there and I would waste gallons of milk trying to do latte art and make sweet microbubbles. I got pretty good and even got some awards (and many tips$$).  The guys over at Chan Bros Coffee does a good job with it and I would say that they make the best wet foam cappuccino in Seoul. Oh, and they can pull a good shot of espresso. Down the street from Chan Bros is Wing Bakery and they make good pretzels. I mean maybe a tad expensive at 2,400 won for one, but...meh...they are a specialty item here. The pretzels are big and they taste authentic- especially when you put some yellow mustard on it (mustard not included). Cheers, Dan Soft Pretzel from Wing Bakery Pretzel with Yellow Mustard from Wing Bakery

Originally published in the June Edition of Seoul Magazine. Reprinted with Permission. The Gyeongnidan area is one of the hottest places for food thanks to the rise of young entrepreneurs that are focused on taste rather than slippery dreams of franchising. If you are tired of the Itaewon food scene, head out Noksapyeong Station (Line 9) exit 2 and cross to the other side of the street. Here are a list of some of my favorite new establishments. Stop #1: Chan Bros. Coffee Hands down, the best cappuccino I have had in Seoul. The espresso is perfectly pulled from the precise La Marzocco Machine and the milk is gently frothed to create sweet micro-bubbles of moist foam. Chans Bros Coffee Price: 4,000 070-8863-6353 Stop #2: Trevia Pizza di Roma Hand-pulled pizza dough that goes through a baking and then a toasting process to create a snappy crust. They don't skimp on the toppings here. My favorite is the cheese-less Siciliana topped with tomato sauce, fruit capers, anchovie...

Beer O'Clock is known as one of the best western bars in Sinchon. It is run by my buddies, Clarke and Trevor and they decided to expand into the heart of where foreigners live in Gyeonidan. What they decided to focus on here is pizza and that's all that they do. The place is small but they do a variety of different pizzas ranging from bbq chicken, Hawaiian, Meatza, Double Cheese, and the works. The pizzas are sizable and pretty good. I mean it's like dominos but at half the price and with normal toppings. You won't find shrimp tempura, potato wedges, or honey mustard on your pizza pies here. Like I said, not bad and I really like that they will let you have cheddar cheese on your pizza. (Double Cheese doesn't mean extra cheese. They mean cheddar plus mozzarella.)  Located in Gyeonidan across from the Family Mart and the Kimbap Chunguk. 02-792-0007 www.beeroclock.ca

St. John's Special: Beef and Lamb with 2 Falafel Balls on Ekmek Bread with VB beer On the corner towards Gyeonidan. A classic. 5,000 won. VB beer 5,000 won

This is the article written by Brian Dye You can follow his regular adventures at www.kissmykimchi.com Gyeonidan Street runs across from Haebunchon and not far from Noksopyeong station. It’s a long winding road that blends the residential with the commercial into one thoroughly busy thoroughfare. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat while watching the locals go about their daily business. Leo’s Deli anchors the beginning of Gyeonidan. This quaint eatery seems unassuming from the outside except for the sign proclaiming Leo’s as being the place to find an authentic Reuben. Such a declaration has to be put to the test. Let me just say that Leo passed with flying colors, but I shouldn’t get too far ahead of myself. Inside Leo’s Deli presents an inviting atmosphere. Frank Sinatra croons in the background. A friendly waitress with an easy smile arrives promptly to find you a seat. During peak times you may experience a bit of a wait as the space is cozy and comfortable but sma...

If every time you ate it was a gastronomic, tongue enlightening experience, then food wouldn't be special. Special would simply be mundane. Now I don't have anything exceptionally good or bad to say about Manna Teriyaki. All I can say is that it has a convenient location (near gyeongmidan and down from Taco Taco, Chili Chili); it is decently priced (6,500 to 9,900 won); the place is clean, the service is fast, and the food is well prepared. It's a place to go for a quiet lunch or simple dinner. Sorry, but Dongkas are nothing new to Seoul and it is a staple for many people in the city. Now I will say that what makes Manna Teriyaki stand out is their skill in preparation and their food quality. Their Chicken Katsu (7,000 won) has a crispy crust and the meat is moist. The dish came is a subtle, slightly tart teriyaki sauce for dipping. Another time, I ordered the Tuna Teriyaki (8,500). I thought I would get a thin cut of tuna, but I got a steak that had a crispy exterior a...

Cool little joint. The coffee's not bad and they give unlimited shots. I got an iced Americano with 3 shots and he asked me if I wanted another. How's that for service? Dan