Hi all, My name is Irene and I'm a 20 something girl in Korea and I wanted to introduce some of my favorite eats. "Tokki Jeong" is one of the hottest restaurants in Gangnam area. Their concept is ‘Home style Japanese Food’. The whole restaurant looks like modern Japanese house which is really cool. I recommend this place as for a date since the price range is from 5,000 won to 18,000 won so it’s not that expensive but you can make your girlfriend or boyfriend happy with the good atmosphere and delicious food. I went there with my girls though. The menu is quite diverse from Korokke, fried vegetables, fired meats (Sutbul Gui), Japanese style of soup to Cream Curry Udon. First, I recommend to try Korokke for an appetizer. Especially if you or your partner are sharing, you should order this. It’s very crispy inside and it is full of mashed potato. It is especially delicious with the white cream sauce but... the biggest reason why I'm telling you to get the...

This is a guest post written and photographed by the fabulous Megan O'Brien.  Vatos Tacos in Itaewon Vatos Tacos in Itaewon Vatos Tacos in Itaewon Vatos Tacos in Itaewon It is a fact that Korean food is up and coming on the world food scene. It is also a well known that tacos have been making a triumphant comeback for a couple years now. In the U.S., food trucks have been popping up in cities offering a combination of the two in the form of Korean tacos. The simple presentation of tacos provides an opportunity to be creative and artistic with ingredients and the distinct flavors of Korean BBQ is the perfect filling.  Recently in Seoul, two guys from California and Texas, respectively, have been able to successfully offer Korean tacos in a casual, sit-down restaurant format. With the hip name, Vatos Urban Tacos, you get the impression that the guys know a thing or two about what people in Seoul are looking for in a taco and have given taco enthusiasts in Seou...

It is always great to meet other people that share a love of food. I got to meet with Seoul Grub  a couple months back and he is definitely a foodie. His blog is a great resource for those looking for good eats. Here are some of his favorite places in Seoul. Also, if you are interested in contributing a post to Seoul Eats, please contact me at seouleats at gmail dot com. Seoulgrub’s 5 Favorite “Grubberies” in Seoul! In no particular order: Vatos Urban Tacos 1 - Vatos Urban Tacos: A spunky spot located in Itaewon where they serve up “Tacos, Margaritas, and everything in between,” this place does taco’s deliciously. They have incorporated fresh, authentic ingredients to muster up a delicious fusion blend of Mexican and Korean flavored dishes. Staying true to what a taco should be, Vatos Urban Tacos has a variety of tasty taco choices, finger-licking hot sauces (plural), and a great selection of drinks to accompany your meal. I recommend getting each of the different types o...

Dear Seoul Eats Readers, Miss Tam Chiak was kind enough to post an article that I wrote about recommended foods for Singaporeans visiting Seoul. ( http://www.misstamchiak.com/2011/09/top-5-must-try-foods-for-singaporeans.html ). So I then asked her to recommend dishes that she would recommend for people in Korea visiting Singapore. These dishes look and sound mouthwatering. I can't wait until I make a trip there. Cheers, Daniel Gray Hello Korean readers, 안녕하세요! I am Maureen, a true blue Singaporean living in the sunny island of Asia. By day, I work as a reporter in a daily newspaper. By night, I manage my personal food blog: www.misstamchiak.com   “Tam Chiak” is actually a dialect translation for “greedy”. I love to eat, be it hawker or restaurant. One of the best things about being in Sjingapore, is the food. Our ulti-cultural diversity is reflected in the variety of local cuisine it has to offer, from Chinese to Malay, Indian to Peranakan. I am truly honored to wri...

Written and Photographed by Troy Zitzelsberger Ankara Picnic The first few times I walked by Ankara Picnic, I might have well have been blind. The size of this restaurant gives a whole new meaning to the term hole in the wall. If not for the long line I never would have known of its existence. There are only 6 stools so it’s basically standing room only, a Turkish flag on the wall, and the counter.   I found the simplicity of the establishment a relief; in my mind it means the focus is where it should be, on the food. At this point on my journey to find Kebab stardom, I have tried most of the establishments so my taste buds know what they are seeking: and I am happy to say they finally found it here.  The only thing more simple then the décor is the menu; chicken kebab (₩ 4,000), lamb kebab (₩4,000), or mixed (₩ 5,000). The price is right, so how about the food. I ordered one of each. The first thing I noticed was that this is the only kebab establishment tha...

Written and Photographed by Troy Zitzelsberger Mr. Kebab This first time I had doner kebab was, oddly enough, in Berlin.  The large Turkish immigration brought with it what can be considered a new take on fast food.  These swift roll up’s, consisting of either chicken or lamb and various vegetables are a quick, affordable meal.  Meat and vegetables, sounds simple enough, but what makes this sustenance unique is the sauce.  Either a white yoghurt based sauce or a spicy red sauce (for those that can handle the heat.)  To my surprise, there are numerous kebab joints lining the streets of Itaewon.   I have taken it upon myself to try each and every one to find out which is truly, the Kebab Raja. First stop, Mr. Kebab.  Lured in one late night after pool league with my Turkish friend to ensure there would be no language barrier when I attempted to order extra meat, I approached the counter reminiscent of times past.  After my friend order...

Hi folks, I would like to introduce Troy Zitzelsberger to you. He is an unofficial food critic in Seoul (aren't we all) and he is going to contribute from time to time. He is here introducing J-Chili Food Cart in Itaewon. Cheers, Dan  JChili Late night, after hours…Itaewon. As I emerge from the depths of Spy Bar I spot a gleaming beacon of Joy known to all as J Chili. For at the bewitching hour, there is nothing better than a greasy all beef patty fully loaded with whatever strikes your fancy.  I approach the counter like millions before and all that remains is a decision, bacon deluxe or BBQ. I choose both with hot sauce to boot. J Chili  With all the powers of my burger combined: lettuce, onion, tomato, bacon, cheese, BBQ and hot sauce. I am now ready to indulge and indulge I did. It was love at first bite. The reasonably sized all beef patty was juicy, the condiments were flavorful, and the bun held up against my kung fu grip. And now to answer the ...

UZBEKI FOOD- VERY NICE! It was raining when we tried to find it. No surprise there. But finally we did, out of exit 8 at Dongdaemun Cultural Centre station, straight ahead about 50 metres and then left, down the first alley you hit on the left hand side. The whole alley is littered with Russian lettering, passport services, phone cards, and then the tastier words like 'shashlik' and 'somsa' in welcoming neon lettering.  My friend and I chose a place called Tabassum. It's non-descript, a few tables inside a fluorescent room, us and a table of Korean men the only inhabitants. The waiter, speaking perfect English and Korean (and undoubtedly Uzbeki and Russian) quickly navigated us through the menu. Prices are good, nothing really exceeding 8,000. We ordered somsa, shashlik, palmeni, and qozon kebab. We also ordered a few 5,000 won bottles of 9% Russian beer. Good stuff. The first thing to arrive was the somsa, a savory pastry stuffed with minced ...

This article is written by Anders Riel Muller. South Korea, Part II: Modernization and  global ambitions On April 19, 2011, in  Uncategorized , by tkerssen  Anders Riel Muller South Korea’s development model has often left outsiders wondering how this country went from being one of the world’s poorest nations to an economic super power in less than 50 years. The model has been hailed as one of the best examples of rapid industrialization with relatively little social and environmental costs. Clearly these observers never ventured far outside of Seoul. The social, human, and environmental costs are apparent the further you get away from the urban centers. Even though Korea finally achieved democracy in the late 1980’s successive governments have more or less followed the same economic trajectory. The official image of Korea as a dynamic, global and high tech society is what most visitors and mainstream Koreans see. Environmental, social, and economic policy is centered o...