Hmmm...I thought that the red bean always came in cans. But apparently it comes from beans. Now does anyone know how to make it? Here is the question from one of my readers: Dear Daniel, My name's Eugene Rhee and I'm currently living in Seoul. I came across your O'ngofood site and was wondering if you could recommend any classes that specialize in Korean desserts? Specifically I'm really wanting to learn how to make the red bean concoction that's used for patbingsu. I'm not a fan of the canned stuff. I know it's pretty specific and random, but if anyone has a lead I figured it'd be you and your team up there. Thanks ahead of time if you can hook me up with any leads. Have a good one! Sincerely, Eugene 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 t...

Break out the couple T-shirts. The season of romance is about to begin. If you make a cake, it means you might get lucky. (Decorating skills will get you extra points as well.) VIA Cake Wrecks Desperate? VIA CakeWrecks So I got this message from a reader: Could someone please tell me why the heck Koreans think the 14th is so special? Thanks, Lou Dear Lou, I think what happened is that since, the 14th of February is Valentine's Day, Asian countries wanted to balance that day with a holiday for the guys. On February 14th  in Korea and Japan, it is customary for WOMEN to give GUYS Chocolate. March 14th is White Day and Men are supposed to give hard candy, dolls, and gifts to women. In Japan, girls are supposed to give handmade chocolate to the boys they like ( honmei-choko )  and, the following month, the boys are supposed to return 3 times ( sanbai gaeshi ) the value in presents for the chocolate. (Via Wikipedia) The reason why the other months of the year have speci...

This is a question I often get from readers and I wanted to repost it.  It's best to find a local butcher. You'll find them around in each neighborhood, but it really depends on the kind of meat that you would want and the cut. You would go to the chicken guy to get chicken. Most of the fish you can get fairly fresh at a market or you can go to noryrangjin: the fish market. For pork and beef, you'll find a separate shop and it's just important you know what cut you are looking for. Here's a list of cuts of beef and they are applicable to pork as well. 갈비 Short Rib/Plate 갈비본살 Boneless Chuck Short Rib 갈비심 Rib Eye Roll 곱창 Small Intestine 긴 혀 Tongue Long Cut 꼬리 Ox Tail 꾸리살(전각살) Chuck Tender 대창 Large Intestine 도가니 Leg Cartiledge 뒷사태 Hind Shank 등갈비 Back Rib 목갈비 Chuck Short Rib 목심 Chuck Roll 보섭살 Rump Round 볼살 Cheek Meat 부채살(서대살) Top Blade(Flat Iron) 뼈사태 Bone-in Shin Shank 사분도체 Quarter 사태 Shin Shank 살치살 Chuck Flap 설깃 Outside Round 설도상 Top Sirloin Butt 설도하(도가니살) Knuckle 소...

Go Saints and Colts! (that's who are playing right?) I received this message from my buddy James: Hi Daniel, Before I ask google, I was hoping you can help me with something. I was wondering if there are places in Seoul that will be showing the Superbowl live. It would be a Monday morning for us here in Korea (about 8~9am) so I'm not getting my hopes up... just a spot where I can possibly get a coffee and nurse a short stack of pancakes for 4 hours while I watch the entire game. HA! Thanks, James So, I decided to send out a couple of e-mails and the first person to respond was the Wolfhound. Yes, they will be celebrating the Superbowl and kickoff is at 8:25am and they'll be serving their entire menu. Here's Wayne from the Wolfhound: We are planning on being open for it.  This will be our third year in a row showing it.  It kicks off at 8:25am Monday morning if I am correct.  Our full menu will be open however most people order the breakfast...

Here is a message I got today. Hey Dan, This is Justin Jackson, I'm a friend of Susanna's, I've met you once or twice. I'm on the look out for a great jjimdak place some where near itaewon or the surronding area. I was wondering if you had any places you would recommend. Thanks in advance. Justin I know that there are a ton of them in Myeongdong, but in Itaewon? No. Roboseyo says the original place that started the whole Jjimdak craze is in Hyewha. I'm not sure which exit it is. Oh, and you try it in Andong. It's awesome. Any other suggestions? Dan

Hi Dan, I used to live near Nowon Station, and my fiance and I loved this tiny broiled mackerel restaurant near the GS25.  I don't know which subway exit it is near, but there is always a long line of people waiting to be seated in the alleyway outside GS. Also, there is a bar in Hyewha called Basquiat that has a nice ambiance, and the owner's friends occasionally play jazz for patrons. Hope this helps! Savannah

I recieved this e-mail today and I wanted to throw this out to you all, we can help this guy out. Here is his question: Hey Dan, Do you know of any cool spots to eat and/or listen to music at the Haeywa or Nowon stations? I'm trying to pull together a date night with my wife on Wednesday. Thanks man,   L. My answer was: Dude! you're married! Wow.... that's cool. Hyewha maybe, but that's more of a theatre district, but I don't know of any clubs. Nowon is pretty commercialized now and I don't know of any there. The place for music is in Hongdae. I really like Club Evans, but I don't know if they'll have music on Wednesday. I'll ask around and get back to you. Dan So...I'm asking you. Any questions? Feel free to e-mail your foodie tips, suggestions, and questions. I'll try to get to them as soon as possible. Here's my e-mail. Dan

random photo^^ I love getting questions and answering questions. Now, I try and answer all the letters I receive, but sometimes I can't get to them. There are two options. 1) There is a forum section on the Seoul Eats Facebook Group Page (Click Here)  And there is a Seoul Eat's Forum found on the tab bar above or just click here. Recently I received this letter from a reader named Daniel: Hey Daniel, I was looking at your newest post of restaurant recommendations, and you posted this twice. So it must have been a good experience. Plus I've ever had a royal court experience. I checked out the website, but not a lot of useful information unless I have my Korean friend translate it. Was it an easy place to make reservations, if they even take them. Did you pick your set beforehand? Do they have English menus?  Would you recommend Sura-on for a special occasion? Are there any other restaurants you recommend for a special occasion? Thanks. My Response They have Englis...

I am working on a presentation on popularizing Korean food and I need quotes. The presentation will help direct Korea Tourism in how to market Korean cuisine throughout the world. You will get credit for your quote and your voice will be heard. Here are the questions: 1. How do you feel about Korean food? 2. What is your favorite Korean dish and why? 3. How often do you eat Korean food? 4. Have you tried cooking Korean food? What did you make? How was it? 5. Do you feel Korean food is healthy? Also, I'm looking for a reader that has a story that they came to Korea and lost weight because they switched to a Korean diet. I would really like to interview this person and I will take them to a very nice dinner. Please put your name and the country you are from. If you don't feel comfortable putting your answer in the comments, you can e-mail me at seouleats (at) gmail (dot) com Dan

Hey Seoul Eats Readers, I love getting fan mail and I always try to answer them as soon as possible. One reader, Jennifer asked: since last week, i've had this unsatiable craving for pommes frites, but have not been able to find a place that sells belgian fries anywhere. =( do you know of a place you can recommend? oh, and one more question. do you know where i can buy real cheese? i.e. cheese that does not resemble kraft singles slices and posseses actual substantive taste to its existence? i have no cheese(s) to eat with my wine. brie and apples! gruyere! super crumbly blue cheese i always forget the name of! For Pomme Frites, I recommend Mignon behind the Hamilton Hotel. I t has great food and the patio is wonderful to sit out on during the Springtime. I recommend getting the mussels with the pomme frites. If I recall, they might have come automatically as a side. For real cheese, it's around everywhere, but I've been noticing it has been getting expensive. Cheese can be...