Beer and Popcorn at CGV This is going to be a quick post since I am about to go out for a run before I head out to work. These days, I am trying to lose weight, although I do lapse back into eating some things I shouldn't. The problem is that in Korea there is so much to eat (that's good and it's too easily accessible.) For example, I was headed to to CGV movie theater with a friend to watch Captain America and they were advertising a beer and popcorn set for only 10,000 won. This set included two beers and a tub of popcorn. Of course, we had to get it since we were about to watch Captain America. Then there is my other little addiction in the HBC (Haebangchon): Casablanca Sandwicherie. Damn it, their Lamb Chili Sandwich is off the hook and it is the perfect drunk food. I've been trying to ween myself off these, but I think I went in for two last week. It's so good because the bread is plush, the ground lamb is flavorful and the additions of chickpeas, l...

Sandwich Rating: 1 star. Pizza Rating: 3 stars. Stick with the pizza. The panini sandwich that i had was a disappointment. It wasn't pressed enough, it needed cheese and the argula overpowered the tiny amount of proscuitto inside. The one good thing was that it came with roasted potatoes. I mean for 6,5000 won, the sandwich wasn't sooo bad. The bread was good, but this just wasn't a panini. Dan

It was another great weekend of friends and food. My good friend Suji of Suji's Restaurant was back in town and what that generally means is that we have a lot of fun. Saturday morning started with a kimchi and bulgogi class in the morning and after cleaning up (strangely, I am back to washing dishes even though I now am a business owner). Lunch was at a Korean restaurant we were testing out for our taste tour and at night we had another Night Dining Tour. One couple on the tour were adopting Korean kids so I really wanted to meet them. We get a lot of people on the tours of people that are in Korea to adopt Korean babies and I am always very happy to meet them. It makes me imagine what my parents were when they were thinking about adopting me and my sister.  After taking them to my favorite makgeolli place, I had to rush off to meet Suji. We were scheduled to go to Patrick and Emerson's going away party on the embassy compound. I got to meet them while I was working with Am...

Sandwich made from High Street's Meat and Cheese on rustic bread   High Street Market Interior Sometimes you just wanna relax in your own home and make an occasional sandwich when hunger strikes. But something as simple as a sandwich in Korea can be difficult. Often you have to get the bread at one place and then get the meat at another and the condiments at another. And if you are looking to make a gourmet sandwich, that could be even more difficult. Luckily, High Street Market in Itaewon has it all (and more) under one roof. High Street Market specializes in meats, breads, and cheese. It's a place where you can get your gourmet products without getting ripped off. I mean you could get some of these products at the Korean department store, but I am sure that you'll spend at least 1/3 to half more for the same thing. Take cheddar cheese. I love cheddar cheese (and I don't mean that yellow monstrosity that you get at Costco). I love aged, mature cheddar that is s...

Ham and Cheese Baguette in the French Village Whenever I am in the French Village, I try and make it into the Paris Croissant for a Ham and Cheese Baguette. It is the only place in the city that will do it to Parisian specifications. The bread is crusty with a chewy interior. There is a bit of butter smeared on both sides and there is just ham and good cheese. It's a perfect light lunch for 4,000 won. Dan

Lamb Chili Sandwich from Casablanca I spent the day in search of the perfect sandwich and by nightfall, I had found it. One of the newest additions to Haebangchon is Casablanca. It has vampire hours for it opens at 5pm and closes at 9:30ish. They only do takeout for their most valued guests and, and, and ... all of this is moot for the sandwiches are delicious. If Chef Wahid said that I would have to hold my breath for 3 minutes while he stuck my hand in a tank with piranas, I...might actually do it. The lamb chili sandwich I had for dinner was a delicious. Flavorful ground lamb that melded with mouthfuls of potato, refreshing pops of lentil and chick peas, and a cool acidic dollop of yogurt. The bread was plush and the crunch of pickle and lettuce made this a sandwich to remember. I think I'll go back there tomorrow to see what else I can try. Dan Casablanca in Haebangchon Casablanca in Haebanchon Chef Wahid

Coca-Cola Pulled Chicken Sandwich I didn't know that my sister was now a cook. She has introduced me to the world of New-American Eats. Here we have Jill showing off her Coca-Cola Pulled Chicken Sandwich. She chopped up onions and put them in a slow cooker with a whole chicken and then dumped a can of coca-cola that was mixed in a bottle of ketchup and let it slow cook in a crock pot for 3 hours. After it was done, she pulled the bones out of the chicken and shredded it with a fork and plopped it on some bread. It was tender and a tad sweet. The coke flavor was minimal, but I did get a whiff. I would have to say it was pretty darn good after adding a few veggies (see my take on the sandwich below with a bit of cucumber, sliced radish, and served on wheat bread). My sister did a good job with it- I think I'll have it for breakfast tomorrow. Here's the recipe: 1 chicken, cut up 1 1/2 lg. onions, sliced 10 to 12 oz. Coca Cola 10 to 12 oz. catsup Lay chicken in ...

American Eats: Chick-Fil-A For Christmas, I am in Winter Haven, Florida to spend the holidays with my family. Now just because I'm in America, doesn't mean that I will stop eating. So...for the next 2 weeks or so, the blog will become American Eats. The American food culture is fascinating. Just being here for the last couple of days have opened my eyes to how much my eating habits had changed. I think our Christmas dinner had 1 thing that I would say was from the vegetable group: green bean casserole doused in mushroom soup and topped with Durkee's French Fried Onions. Sure there was sweet potatoes with marshmallows and potatoes, but I feel these fit in the bread and starch group. Anyway, my sister was craving Chick-Fil-A and we went to stand alone store. Now I have had Chick-Fil-A in the past, but I remember them as being a "Mall Fast Food Franchise" that was closed on Sunday. I had found memories of this place, but I nothing that I craved from afar. I ...

I met my friend Youngy the other day and I asked him what he wanted to eat. He answered in his British accent, "I must say, I'm a bit peckish for a proper sandwich." So we decided to head over to Suji's for a couple of Bloody Marys and Pastrami Sandwiches. They were delicious. For this post, I'll just say it in pictures. A Blood Mary Youngy A Fat Pastrami Sandwich

Lord Sandwich. It's not even like the place is called "The Sandwich." It's got Lord as an honorific, and if that doesn't scream hoity-toity , then the design of the building will for sure leave you looking twice. Or at least staring hard. But let's take a gander in a bit. What makes a good sandwich lord sandwich? Is it the carefully thought out combination of greens, cold cuts, and cheese? The delicately spread ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard? I mean, the combo list can go on forever. But ask yourself this, what's the staple for every good sandwich? Because no matter what goes inside any great 'wich, the first bite is always reminiscent of its bread. And of course the quality of the ingredients inside are important, but for me the bread can often make or break my entire day . So. Back to Lord Sandwich. After walking past it every day on my way into Sinchon, I met up there with my good friend, Gahyun, for lunch one day. We decided to sp...

This Wednesday Night (after 5pm), Suji's Restaurant is doing a special at all of their restaurants. They will be adding 100 grams (3.5 oz) of pastrami to their already massive 200 grams (7 oz) pastrami sandwich this Wednesday Night. Suji's makes all of their meats and bread in house. This is a New York Deli Sandwich in Seoul, Korea. It's a sandwich so big, that you'll need a fork. Suji's is located at the entrance of Itaewon near Noksopyeong Station. If you are coming from Itaewon Station, walk out exit 4 and walk down past McDonald's. It's on the corner. Disclaimer: The regular price of the sandwich is W15,000 for 200 (7oz) grams of meat. I was invited by Suji's to try their sandwiches. Suji's Restaurant donated product to an orphanage I volunteer at in return for marketing. Dan

Suji's Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich Suji's Restaurant has been on top of the American Cuisine scene in Seoul. They do Brunch, they do Mexican, they do a great burger, and they do Deli meat. Forget the nasty processed Lotte Ham and Spam (I'd rather eat meat rather than processed ears and snouts). Their restaurant makes all of their own corned beef, pastrami, turkey and ham. They even bake all of their bread on premises. It's real homestyle food and it's good. Oh, and those who say that Suji's is too expensive, they dropped their prices by 30% from 1 year ago. It's not that expensive and you get quality food. Here's the contest build and name your own sandwich. Add your entry in the comments section: One 20,000 won Gift Certificate will be given to the best sandwich. One 20,000 won Gift Certificate will be given to the most creative sandwich. Suji's Restaurant will judge the sandwiches Here are your ingredients: Meat:         ...

So another weekend done and done. I spent the weekend giving culinary tours and cooking classes, so I got the check out quite a few places to eat. I ate a ton of Korean food this weekend and I spent Sunday fasting. My stomach needed a break and it's what I used fast once a week in the past. Oh, it's really not that bad and it really helps you appreciate food more. Anyway, I wanted to tell you some of the best plates that I've had recently, I would recommend you go get them yourself. 1. A Turkey Club Sandwich from Suji's Restaurant in Itaewon. Oh, it's good that I think one day, that I'll write an ode about it. Look at all the luscious bits of turkey there. It's so good and they make the turkey and the bread in house. Yummmmmy. 2. The Vietnamese Rice Paper Wrap Sets at Rau Rau I love Vietnamese food and this place has a vast array of vegetables to make your own Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls. We're talking argula, cilantro, peppers, sprouts, roaste...

Steak Sandwich from Buccella Classic Buccella Sandwich with Ham, Crab, Sprouts and with a spicy honey mustard dressing...yeah...as bad as it sounds. Buccella is a sandwich chain that started on Garosugil and has now franchised (wow...every company in Korea franchises so quickly.) They are famous for their cibatta bread (which is awesome, but strangely reminiscent of Retro Oven    It's not a bad place to get a sandwich.