For those that didn't have a chance to pick up a copy of April's Seoul Magazine. Here are some of the food places I wrote about. I recommend you pick up a copy because you'll get lots of great events and the maps will show you where all of the restaurants I mention are. Let's support the good restaurants in Korea, because I am tired of them closing because people don't know they exist! Dan Quick Bites: Seoul Digested Published in the April Seoul Selection Magazin e. Reprinted with Permission By Daniel Gray The Frypan: University Project Turned Franchise Hongdae University is known as the school for aspiring artists. The scene is eclectic and energetic and many of the restaurants and eateries reflect this idea. The Frypan restaurant was started as a school project by a group of university students. Their signature dish is boneless chicken breast that is breaded and fried served over a bed of freshly fried potato chips. It is like a battleship of chicken st...

Originally Published in the February Issue of Seoul Selection Magazine. Kaiseki at Kyotofu Seoul Kaiseki Tofu Dessert at Kyotofu Tofu dessert sounds like a health food experiment gone horribly wrong; but when you open up a dessert place next to Edward Kwon's The Spice and Passion 5, you must have some game. They do. The Kaiseki (Japanese Coursed Meal) dessert will have you...pun intended...eating your words. The sweet tofu with kuromitsu (Japanese black honey) tastes like a fine flan and I couldn't believe that the creamy, rich black sesame ice cream was made with soy milk. The Green Tea (matcha) creme brulee has all the caffeine pow of a shot of espresso but with a subtler flair. It was almost perfect except the yuzu cheese tart. It had a spongy, fickle texture (next time, I will ask for a substitution). Oh, and the vegan chocolate was also quite good. Kyotofu Yongsan-gu, Hannam-dong 682-1 02-749-1488 Go out Hanganjin Station (Line 6) exit 3. Price Range: 10,000-3...

Pancake Original Story Photographed and Written by Terri Walton   I can’t think of a more delicious way to escape the cold winter chill than brunch and you can do so at Pancake Original Story. They have excellent versions of brunch classics such as pancakes, homemade sausage patties and waffles. Other items, like the omelettes, pale in comparison to these gems but are still decent. Pancake Original Story is a Hannam-dong staple. As I entered the tiny restaurant I could smell the reason why. The sweet scent of pancakes hung in the air. I looked around. The restaurant was full, so my party and I decided to brave the cold—instead of escape it—on the patio. Some details I admired while waiting for my food were tire wheel lights, mix and match wooden chairs and shelves of colourful beverages. The urban rustic motif matched the made from scratch meals Pancake Original Story served up.  On the patio our coffees, which came out promptly, kept us warm.  Steam rose off ...

by Hwang Hye Jung In a world where the word “naked” seems to become overused in marketing of products ranging from fruit juice to an actual chef, Johnny Lee of Naked Grill in Hannam Dong still believes in its class and marketability. “The word ‘naked’ is a concept----nothing hidden, everything fresh,” says Johnny as he proudly shows off his open kitchen in which diners see staff preparing sausages, lettuce, and all other details in plain sight. A young spunky Korean American who moved back to Korea for good four years ago, Johnny came from a family of restaurateurs, living and learning the culinary business as he grew up mostly in California. Johnny officially opened his own venture Naked Grill in September, however, before that he had an even more daring venture. “Burgers and tacos have always been my passion, before I found our present locale, I decided to launch the first-ever Taco truck in Korea six months ago. Our beef and chicken tacos, which feature typical L.A....

My favorite new street is over by the Hannam UN Village. It's the street where my friend Johnny has the Naked Grill. If you come out Hangangjin station, you take a bus to Dankuk University and cross the road and go up the hill. I know not convenient to get there, but it's worth the walk. If you look at this post, it has better directions. My friend Ben went to the Naked Grill today for a cheesesteak and he said it was pretty awesome. So what else is up there? There's the Banana Grill for good hamburgers. They're not the best in Seoul, but they are decent. I had the mushroom burger and it had good (but thin) meat in a plush (but too big) bun. I also went up to the Naked Grill for a pancho burger. The Naked Grill makes good tacos, but their burgers need a bit of work. I found the meat a bit gristly, but the pico de gallo was good and the price wasn't too expensive. I recommend their tacos (you'll often find the taco truck parked at the Hard Rock in Itaewon.) ...

Story and Pictures by Chalica Pack Walking into the Hannam-dong location of Chakraa Indian restaurant, I instantly felt like I was going to have a wonderful dining experience. The Hannam location is perfect for a romantic dinner or quiet meeting. With low lighting and beautiful decor, I felt very relaxed. And the bottle of good red wine on the table certainly added to my ease. The staff are all native to India, as are the owners. I was lucky enough to enjoy a lavish vegetarian feast with Shanthi Prince, who co-owns Chakraa. Shanthi Prince and her husband came to India 10 years ago. Between their 5 popular restaurants and 2 school-age daughters, they keep very busy. We started our meal off with a bowl of spicy muligatwny soup served with a separate small bowl of white rice to add texture. I have had good lentil soup before, but the spiciness of this one made it original and memorable. Next was a dish of samosas, a salad,and a plate of grilled vegetable...

Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you know that Toque is having some specials this month. It's a quaint restaurant that serves up homestyle Americana cuisine. I'm a big fan of their brunch, burgers, and chili. They have some other specials as well this much. Be sure to tell them Seouleats told you! Dan Dear Toque Friends,   I hope everyone is enjoying this BEAUTIFUL weather! May in Korea is the "Family Month" of the year and we have some upcoming events for this special month.   1. We have started handing out  Toque Stamp Coupons  this month.  We give you one stamp for every bill over \30,000. The offer is: a free cappuccino or latte after 3 stamps, \3,000 discount after 5 stamps, one free appetizer after 8 stamps and  40% off your bill (excluding alcohol and Chef's Course) after 10 stamps.   Many of our regulars and enjoying this benefit and looking forward to the 40% food discount so come by to get the coupons.   2. May 5th is   "Children's Day"  ...

Very interestingly, I recently got an invite from Shanthi of Chakraa restaurant of Seoul and she said that she appreciated my review of Indian Restaurants in Korea. Here is what I wrote. She was also kind enough to invite me to go talk to her at her restaurant and she even sent me some pictures of her food. So here are some drool worthy pictures for you. Dan

The Banana Grill in Hannam Dong-near Danguk University has delicious handmade burgers. the meat is high quality and dripping with savory juices. I had the Mushroom burger today and it was scrumptious. The mushrooms were sliced thin, seasoned, and lightly sauteed and the sweated onions add a bit of sweet. I often complain about buns, but this one was toasted (which is a sign they care The prices are reasonable and you can make it a set with a drink and fries for 3,000 more. Banana Grill: Recommended Seoul B/D 261-6, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea 02 792 3088