Recently, I was invited by a group to give a lecture on Korean food. Most of the people were from out of the country and they wanted to experience real Korean food and culture. I had recommend a Royal Court Restaurant not too far from their hotel. That evening we enjoyed 14 courses of great royal court influenced cuisine, a dance and music performance, and a lecture about Korean food culture from yours truly. Dinner was a big success and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. There were a few dishes that were misses, but those were quickly forgotten by the 13 other dishes and side dishes that followed. Dinner went from formal to fun when tables started to order bottles of Soju and beer. I explained to everyone on how Koreans pour each other drinks (pour with the right hand while touching the right elbow with the left hand) and they really enjoyed the respectful attitude that Koreans have toward each other. The most surprising part of my lecture was when I told them that everything prel...

Hey everyone, if you are looking for some Korean Cooking Classes, there is one over at the Institute for Royal Court Cuisine next week. I'm going to try and make it. Here is an article written by Hwang Hye Jung about the classes. I took the photos.  This article is also over at the Seoul Tourism Website. If you can do me a favor, please leave a comment under their article at this link.  They sponsor me. Bossam Here is the Teacher Boiling Rice Cakes Turnip Kimchi Our finished Bossam Cooking Classes at the Institute for Royal Court Cuisine written by Hwang Hye Jung photographs by Daniel Gray Okay, be honest now: how many of you have fantasized about being a palace maid after watching the Korean Drama: Dae Jang Geum? I'll be the first to confess that I have--feel free to laugh. Now would you still snicker when I tell you there is actually a chance for this experience? First, relax- it's the experience minus the uniform and headdress. We all know it's th...

Royal Feast in Downtown Seoul by  Hwang Hye Jung Photographs courtesy of Jihwaja Restaurant Since the airing of history drama “ Dae Jang Geum ” all over Asia in 2005, “Palace Cuisine”( Gung Jung Yiori ) became the buzzword in many countries, especially Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. Just the topic of Palace Cuisine alone has drawn flocks of tourists to Korea, particularly from Japan. Just what is “Palace Cuisine” and how does it actually taste? To find out, there are few higher authorities to turn to than the Jihwaja restaurant group, opened and run by the family of Hwang Hye Sung (1920-2006). Hwang Hye Sung, started her career as a culinary lecturer at Sook Myung Women’s University in the 1940’s. She learned her craft directly from Han Hui Soon, one of the last royal chefs of the Chosun Dynasty, and later facilitated the Korean government’s designation of Chosun Dynasty Royal Cuisine as “Intangible Cultural Asset of Korea #37.” In 1991 Hwang Hye Sung and ...

Han Bok-ryeo (pictures courtesy of Jihwaja) Since Hwang Hye Jung recently did a story on Korea's Intangible Human Cultural Heritage #38 earlier this week, I thought I should give you a bit of background on this woman and pictures. Bok-ryeo Han harkened the renaissance of Korea's Royal Court Cuisine through her work on the famous Korean drama, Daejanggum. It's her food that you see on the show. She is a selfless advocate of the tradition and she is the highest authority on royal court cuisine. Bok-Ryeo Han is the highest living authority on the Royal Court Cuisine Tradition. She was awarded the title of Korea’s Intangible Human Cultural Heritage #38, which means she is the only one who can certify court cuisine chefs and restaurants. Her mother learned from the last royal chef and passed the tradition to her. Sinsello: Royal Hot Pot(pictures courtesy of Jihwaja) MOTTO: “I revived the memory of royal court cuisine so the legacy will not be forgotten You can find he...

  With mixed feel ings I entered Loblaws, my favo rite Toronto supermarket, for the last time before I left for Korea . Dusk cast a golden glow on the autumn maple leaves outside the giant glass windows. Revisiting familiar aisles like a pensive old friend, I bid loving farewell to long-time favorite items, ranging from grade A maple syrup to Canadian back bacon. Suddenly, my reverie was broken as I hit upon the aisle of sauces: President’s Choice, one of the biggest up-market food manufacturers in Canada , has officially launched their Bulgogi Sauce, one of the very first Korean Cuisine products produced by a mainstream company in North America . Standing slightly stunned, a wave of conflicting emotions hit this die-hard Koreophile. Yes, it’s good news that Korean food is starting to get the attention it deserves in mainstream Canada ; however----I’M SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE JUST CITING BULGOGI AND KIMCHI WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT KOREAN FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, with all due re...

This is a homage post to the mighty Robyn Lee Aka Robyn Lee. Robyn came to Korea back in May to cover the Rice Cake festival. She took so many amazing pictures while she was here that I was just utterly blown away. I am a regular visitor of Robyn's Blog, The Girl Who Ate Everything and of her posts on Serious Eats Her pictures make me want to throw my camera away and chop off my trigger finger. I wonder how she makes them all so shiny and luscious. If you want to see more of her picks, I recommend her FLICKR page as well. All Hail the mighty Roboppy! ****From the Campaign to have Robyn Lee Friend me on her homepage^^**** Pumpkin Juk Yukhwae: Korean Carpaccio with pine nut and sesame. Japchae Chef Shin from Asia Live in the Intercontinental Hotel in COEX Sinseollo: Korean Royal Hot Pot Dolsot Bibimbap Korean pressed sweet Chef Rachel Yang of Joule Restaurant and Chef Paul Schenks of the COEX Intercontinental Hotel Oh, How I wish I was a better photographer like her.

I went to Sura-on restaurant for Royal Court Cuisine. My meal had 14 courses and the place also had music and traditional dance performances. It was a great experience, one you must experience in Seoul. This video does have every single course, because some weren't picture worthy, but I did get most of them. Sura-on is located near Express bus terminal station. The map with location can be found here: http://www.suraon.co.kr/introduction/location.asp Dan

The Grand Chef, Volume 1 of 2 Description | More Information Product Information Region Code: 1 Picture Format: NTSC Cast: Kim Rae Won, Kwon Oh Joong, Nam Sung Mi, Kim So Yeon Release Date: November 11, 2008 Language: Korean Subtitles: English Publisher: YA Entertainment Number of Episodes: 12 Number of Discs: 4 SRP: $89.99 UPC#: 880604000817 I am so in love with Nam Sang Mi. She is cute, spunky, and makes me laugh. I'll be the first out out to buy this when this gets released. I hope the Korean version will have English subtitles^^ Dan Here is a press release from Ya Entertainment. Description Starring one of Asia's most popular actors, Kim Rae...

Alternative Title: Shikgaek Genre: Comedy, Drama Korea Casts: Kim Kang Woo, Lee Ha Na, Lim Won-Hie Description: Based on a popular comic book, the film tells the story of two chefs competing for the title of heir to the last Royal Chef of the Joseon Dynasty. (source: Wikipedia) This is the movie based on the comic that came out before the TV show. It's a wonderful, touching movie that's all about Korean food. Warning: if you are following the tv show, there will be spoilers and differences from the show. I am in love with Lee Ha Na, the journalist. I call dibs. Dan