Seobu Gamja-guk One of the dishes that came out of necessity is gamja-tang or pork-bone potato stew. This dish has its origins from the Incheon dock area where laborers that were working in the construction wanted to have a cheap and hearty food after a long day of work. The soup consists of pork spine that is slowly cooked with potatoes and topped with sesame leaves. The result is a satisfying dish that goes great with a bowl of hot rice. This was often cooked throughout the day and then eaten at the end of the work day. This dish goes perfectly with a chilled shot of Korean soju. After the first train line was built that would connect the Incheon area with Seoul, one entrepreneur decided that he wanted to make a restaurant focused on this dish. The first restaurant of this type was built near Noryangjin station, which was near the end of the han river railway construction. The dish became a big hit and soon many copycat restaurants started popping up all over Korea. The name gam...

Song Gane Kamjatang and Bossam Restaurant in Hongdae Taxi Drivers have their pick of the land in Korea and where they eat the food is often as authentic Korean as you'll find. You won't find Taxi Drivers parked outside of faux Italian restaurants carrying their ultra-made-up girlfriends drinking overpriced pumpkin lattes. Nope, you'll see them in real Korean restaurants eating soups and stews and meat- that's why the cabs smell so delicious (not really) when you get inside. Anyway another great place is Song Gane Kamjatang (potato and pork stew) and Bossam restaurant in Mapo-gu. It's not that far from Hongik University Station (Line 2).  I highly recommend their Kamjatang- the broth is rich and porky and potatoes are delicious. The Bossam is great as well, especially with fresh oysters. If you have problems finding the place- ask a taxi driver, they all know where it's at. Directions: Go out Hongdae Station Exit 3 and go straight. Turn right on the fir...

Potato and Pork Bone Stew My friend Steve Hatherly from TBS eFM radio has been telling me about this amazing potato and pork bone place for over a year and so we finally decided to go check it out. The place is amazing and it's ALL, about the soup. They must cook the pork bones 24/7 because the broth is so thick and luscious that its what I perceive molten gold would taste like (I mean if we could drink it). It's soooo good, that I have dreams about the broth. The secret is to eat the potatoes last and you have to mash them into the broth and pork bits to make the best mashed potatoes ever. Yummmm...Check out the video. Dan The place is called Seobu Gamja-guk (서부감자국) 서울시 은평구 녹번동 181 02 356-4555 It's up by Yeonsinnae all the way up on the Orange line. Here's a map: View Larger Map