Spice Table in Itaewon Written and Photographed by Yerim Park Not enough Asian food in Asia? Well, maybe in Itaewon. That's what the experienced restaurant couple behind Spice Table thought. This new restaurant offers a satisfying blend of Asian flavors while maintaining that international "Itaewon" feel that everyone can appreciate. Spice Table is flexible without compromising attention to detail. There is a wall of wines, a romantic ceiling high windows that creates a lofty feel, and a row of dynamic spices offered in an open kitchen on the second floor. They dim the lights at 9 PM for those who want to hang around after dinner for another bottle, or for those who want to end their night with some food with their drinks. The menu at Spice Table includes a blend of Southeast Asian flavors, offering a general range of foods like spring rolls, noodles, stir-fries, and Thai curries. But the spice does not stop there – they add their own creations. Last we...

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1. Daktoritang at Samgeori Pocha in Hongdae 2. Slider Hamburger from Yaletown in Sincheon 3. Jae Sung from Hanspoon 4. Omija 5. Chateau le Puy wine from VineStock 6. Sundried Tomato Tartine at Macaroni Market in Itaewon 7. Hummus from Petra Palace in Itaewon

Groove Restaurant Directory Le Quartier Latin Go out Sinchon Station exit 3 (line 2) and walk straight until you get to the big church. Make a right and walk about 500 meters. Look for the large French Flag. English Menu and Staff. #:02-333-9874. Prices: 4,000-26,000. Authentic French Bistro with reasonable prices. Naked Grill Naked Grill is located at Yongsan-gu, Hannam Dong 29-21 towards the UN Village. English menu and staff. #:02-749-4225. Prices: 4,000-12,000. Tacos and Homestyle American favorites for eat-in or take-out. Via Di Napoli Samsung Station exit 5 (line 2) and it is across from the City Airport Terminal. English Menu. #:02-557-6736, http://www.viadinapoli.co.kr/ . Prices: 12,000- 30,000. Freshly made pizzas and Italian Food in Gangnam Beer O’Clock Head to exit 1 of Shinchon station (line 2) Go behind the Hyundai Department store towards the 7-11. Turn left on the third street up. 2nd floor. English Menu and staff. #:02-333-9733 www.beeroclock.ca . Pric...

Via Di Napoli By Brian Dye  Http://kissmykimchi.com Via Di Napoli is a Napolitan Pizzeria smack dab in the middle of Gangnam near the Coex, just across the from the Lucky Seven Casino. Via Di Napoli caters to the Italian in all of us (or the part of us that loves Italian food.) It's nice to know you don’t have to go all the way to Italy to savor a piping hot pizza pie. Once you enter the restaurant, despite its subterranean depths, it feels as if you’ve stepped into an Italian palazzo. You’ll find a wide open space with Romanesque arches and a tiled mosaic floor. The décor marries the deep browns of the furniture with the eggshell colored walls. A big open kitchen showcases the cooks prepping meals for the scurrying waiters that are continuously crisscrossing the floor. I was impressed with the authentic wood fire Italian brick pizza oven manned by a chef. A glance at the menu reveals that pizza is the way to go at Via Di Napoli. I played it conservative and wen...

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...

Yunnan Love Food Will Travel: Yunnan, China By Daniel O’Sullivan Ask anyone in China to name his or her favorite place in the country, and Yunnan, in the southwest, will invariably crop up. Even amongst those who have never been, the province enjoys a special, almost mystical reputation as a place of stunning landscapes and diversity. It's easy to see why. In the north, rugged mountains mark the outer fringes of cultural Tibet, while in the south, borders with Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar are the point where China drifts seamlessly into Southeast Asia. One thing not commonly celebrated about Yunnan however, is food. In China, neighboring Sichuan, with its reputation as the "culinary capital" usually garners the honors in that respect. Elsewhere in the region, the proximity of the hot and tangy tastes of Southeast Asia also mean that the flavors of the province usually receive little more than a footnote in the traveling gourmand's recipe book. On a recent trip thr...

1. Star Burger in Gangnam for their excellent homemade Bacon Cheeseburger. 2. Deux Cremes in Shinsa for their delectable Banana Tart. 3. Butterfinger's in Gangnam for their orgasmic blueberry pancakes. Brian from Kiss my Kimchi CEIA Brazilian Restaurant (soon to be re-opened in Gangnam) for unlimited and top quality Churrascaria style grilled meats served to your table on a spear. Sortino’s Italian Restaurants (lounge/restaurant and Pizzeria/ bar) for a wide choice of excellent Italian food and great wine (the closest experience you can have to eating in Italy). Sideway Wine Bar in Gangnam for wine choice, ambience, decor, and a Frenchman who knows his wines and is willing to give expert advice with a side of humor. Besides, who needs food when you have great wine (granted, they do have a decent selection of dishes if you need it).  Manuel Lara

Marche Buffets in Seoul by Bryan Fox Aristotle preached that virtue was to be found in the mean, and in moderation. But this month we’ll be taking advice from a different Greek figure, Dionysius, and indulging in the delightful excesses of the city’s burgeoning ‘Viking’ buffet culture. Five years ago, ‘all-you-can-eat’ in Korea was limited to kimchi plates thrown alongside your main course. Not anymore. The city now boasts dozens of buffet restaurants, some specializing in seafood, and many in varied Western cuisines. So roll up your sleeves, loosen your belts, and get ready to chow down – here follows a tour of Seoul’s finest ‘open dining’ experiences… Todai Todai’s theme seems to be variety. The international franchise, in the COEX Mall, bills itself as a seafood buffet, and the sushi/sashimi bar is a main attraction. Pick up a pair of chopsticks at the beginning of the line and select from dozens of fresh rolls, wraps, and sashimi. But raw fish is not the only thing w...

Soy Cutlet: photographed by Chalica Pack Hello readers, writers, and photographers, This is the final call for food reviews, photos, stories, and restaurant news for this month's article. I've gotten several photographs and stories but there is always room for a couple more. If you are interested in having your article in, please e-mail me at seouleats (at) gmail (dot) com Oh, and one of the writers in the Groove Dining Section is starting her own blog. Her name is Chalica Pack and her blog is http://www.vegetarianinkorea.com/ Let's all wish her luck and be sure to check out her blog.

Bulletin Board Beer O’Clock has reopened in Sincheon. We have Canadian style Donair, pizza, and lots of beer. It is Canadian owned and friendly to all. Go to www.beeroclock.ca/ Zenkimchi has a new dining section. Check out restaurant reviews with full maps at http://www.zenkimchi.com/dining" Tartine in Itaewon is now serving Romanian peasant style bread. We also have chocolate, coconut, and lemon meringue pies on the weekends. 02-3785-3400 Hey all, I just wanted to let you all know to check out all the seriouseats posts on South Korea at "http://www.roboppy.net/food/2009/05/bucketloads-of-snapshots-from-south-korea.html" 2 for 1 Fish and Chips nights are back at the Wolfhound on Tuesday Nights. www.wolfhoundpub.com Anyone know where I can get ricotta cheese in Seoul? lonography@hotmail.com Ola! Mario in Itaewon has a new Chef Mariosole. It is most authentic Italian food that you will find in Seoul. 02-793-9003 You can download the Korea episode of Bizarre Foods with An...

Here is one of the articles I wrote about the best ramen in Seoul. And yes, I know that Tum Sae Ramen is Korean style ramen. I included it because the Japanese tourists I talked to raved about it. Dan The Best Japanese Ramen in Seoul By Dan Gray When I think of Ramen I think of my favorite foodie movie: Tampopo by Juzo Itami . It is a food movie told in vignettes about a group of adventurers seeking to make the perfect bowl of Ramen. It epitomizes the Japanese’s obsession with food in a way that explains the profusion of Ramen shops in Japan. In Japan you will find Ramen shops on every corner and there are many excellent home chefs that make their own. Ramen has several components: the broth, the noodles, the meat, and vegetables. The perfect bowl is a subtle balance of each. The broth gives zip to the noodles, the crunch of vegetables counterbalances the soft noodles, and the savory pork (or other meat) transforms this snack into a meal. Recently, Japanese Style Ramen has started ...

Salt baked Cod made by Chef Anna Kim The new issue of Groove is out. You can find the magazine in most of the local expat bars, restaurants and shops in Seoul, Daegu, and Busan. I am still adjusting to taking over the dining section so any suggestions are welcome. I'm not actually happy with the way the pictures turned out this month, but that's something that I and the magazine designer will work out for next month. Groove Magazine is looking for contributors. If you are itching to jump start your writing career, it's a good place to start. The first article I wrote for the Groove was back about 2 years ago. I wrote an article about my adoption story and it helped me find many connections in the writing field in Seoul. Well, if you are interested in contributing articles to the Groove, you can e-mail the editor at traceystark@gmail.com If you are interested in contributing food reviews, pictures, recipes, or any other food related pieces to Groove Magazine or to Seoul Eats...