Koreans are getting fatter these days and part of that reason is the influence of western foods - especially dairy. Cream, butter and cheese are trending food products and it is coming around in various forms such as snacks, meals, drinks and toppings. These days you'll find that many barbecue and hot pan grilling shops (like dakgalbi or pork rib joints) will offer cheese as a topping. Koreans tend to wish to indulge a bit more. Nowadays no-carb eating is becoming more popular so more people are eating proteins and cheese is thought of as a non-carb food. Unfortunately, many of the cheeses are processed (including the mozzarella) so dining no-carb in Korea can be a tad difficult. Another attributing factor is the rise of the "singles" lifestyle. Many more people are choosing to stay single so they tend to indulge more and these new types of food are considered comforting. There have been a rise in western-style cocktail bars where bartenders will talk with you...

The love of my life brought me dinner from cafe mamas. It was ok. I mean I wouldn't eat there regularly not did I think it fit my palate, but it was interesting. The first thoughts that came to mind were soft and cheesy. This was followed by the thought of my arteries clogging up with grease.  The balsamic salad was topped with delicious but too much homemade ricotta (which seemed more like a drained cottage cheese), dried cranberries and nuts. This was served with a very soft white bread which seemed too plush to have been baked in an oven (this is not a complement). The sandwich was a grease bomb. It was oozing with cheese and grease from the beef. It was artfully decorated with a slice of eggplant before being pressed in the panini press. Like I said too much mozzarella  cheese that was more stiff than oozie (my fiancé did takeout, so this might have had something to do with it). Anyway, it was a bit too much it made it dense and impossible to eat. Well, it could definitely...

The Les Toques Blanc is the chef's and food industry association in Korea. Once a month, we meet at a different hotel to enjoy a wide range of delicious foods and hear about what others are doing in the industry. It's a great way to network with others in the industry and to keep abreast of what's going on.  Oh, and the food. Yeah...awesome stuff. On Monday night at the JW Marriott over by the Express Bus Terminal, Chef Fredrick made an incredible spread of food. There was USDA Prime Beef, Potatoes Gratin, Tortellini, Creme Brulee, and a huge assortment of cheese.  I think I spent my evening just tasting all the wonderful bries, emmertels, goudas, feta, and edams and...much more. I just used the walnuts like a cracker to give a bit of crunch to the luxurious eats and paired this all with some great wines. After dinner there were announcements and presentations about what was going on in the industry. My friend and business partner, Jia Choi, gave a presentation on the ...

My ice hockey playing, Nascar loving, computer geek of a sister has a pretty cool, fat cat. Here is the cat dreaming of cheetos. I am submitting this to Cheetos.com . I hope they will pick it up! Cheers, Dan Come take a cooking class or take a Culinary Tour in Seoul! http://www.ongofood.com Pictures are taken either with my Panasonic DMC-G2 Camera with 20mm Lens or with my iPhone 4G Join the Seoul Eats Facebook Group Page to keep to date with the latest events.

Sandwich made from High Street's Meat and Cheese on rustic bread   High Street Market Interior Sometimes you just wanna relax in your own home and make an occasional sandwich when hunger strikes. But something as simple as a sandwich in Korea can be difficult. Often you have to get the bread at one place and then get the meat at another and the condiments at another. And if you are looking to make a gourmet sandwich, that could be even more difficult. Luckily, High Street Market in Itaewon has it all (and more) under one roof. High Street Market specializes in meats, breads, and cheese. It's a place where you can get your gourmet products without getting ripped off. I mean you could get some of these products at the Korean department store, but I am sure that you'll spend at least 1/3 to half more for the same thing. Take cheddar cheese. I love cheddar cheese (and I don't mean that yellow monstrosity that you get at Costco). I love aged, mature cheddar that is s...

Cheese Glorious Cheese Chaource and Epoisses: I "heart" you. Oh Cheese, oh light, oh creamy metamorphosis of mother's milk You complete me in a way that Renee Zellweger never could. If only she was made completely of cheese. Oh Cheese, oh light, oh suspension of cream in a caress-able form How I would like to dress you in silky garments, and buy you magnum after magnum of luscious wine so later I could take advantage of you. Oh Cheese, oh light, oh how to prepare you for a long night of enjoyment I set you out so you so the chill leaves your body, light candles and adorn the table with riches from all around the globe: kalamata olives, beluga cavier, foie gras and the ripest suntouched tomatoes- but you are the centerpiece of my heart. Oh Cheese, oh light, I taste you with reverance A tiny nibble to sate my passions and then slow sips of wine to blossom my appreciation Oh Cheese, oh light, I thank thee You give me a reason to get up in the morning. Through...