Making makgeolli in Seoul

"Makgeolli-bitgi," or makgeolli making and sharing, was designated a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021. Korea's long-held tradition of making makgeolli is found in literary compilations in Goryeo (918-1392), and cookbooks from the Joseon period (1392-1910) contain detailed makgeolli recipes. The distinctive taste of makgeolli sets it apart from other types of rice wine. The milky drink has both a sweet and slightly sour flavor, which can be compared to that of yogurt o

March 18, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Andaz Seoul Gangnam presents afternoon tea Andaz Seoul Gangnam, located at Apgujeong Station in Seoul, showcases its new tea set for spring. The menu features fresh seasonal fruit and tea, with three savory bites such as its A1 cheesesteak sandwich and four sweet dessert items such as citron dacquoise and mugwort madeleine. The tea set will be served with the Andaz special coffee or premium tea. The promotion is available from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Jogakbo, located on the second floor of the hote

March 17, 2023

Wonhyeongdeul creates desserts keeping ingredients’ original form

For many, cilantro is an ingredient that you either love or hate. Love it or hate it, a dessert cafe in Seoul is offering up irresistibly sweet, vividly colored cakes – with cilantro as the main ingredient. Located in an old, narrow alley in Euljiro in Jung-gu, Seoul, dessert cafe Wonhyeongdeul turns unlikely ingredients into fancy, delectable and aesthetically pleasing cakes. Opened in July 2021, Wonhyeongdeul is a second brand of Seomgwang, a cafe and wine bar located in the same buildin

March 11, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul introduces new Italian lunch set Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's Italian restaurant Boccalino has launched a Lunch Delight set. The set menu features an Italian antipasti semibuffet, with seasonal ingredients and a main dish to choose from a variety of options, including fresh pasta or beef steak. A selection of artisanal cheeses is also available. On Mondays, Boccalino diners can bring their own wine without a corkage charge. The set menu is available every day from 11:

March 10, 2023

Make 'bunsik' great again

Bunsik, literally food made with flour, has its beginnings in the early 1960s. Since rice was scarce and expensive in postwar Korea, the government promoted the consumption of mixed grains and flour noodles. The campaign to eat more mixed grains and flour faded out in the 1980s, and bunsik came to mean inexpensive eats that you could either have as a snack or as a meal in itself. Most small diners, known as "bunsikjib," serve what have become popular street food -- from gimbap, tteokbo

March 4, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul marks International Women's Day Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is set to celebrate International Women's Day with special promotions. On March 8, the first 100 female diners at the Italian restaurant Boccalino will receive a Rosso Valentino lipstick as a gift from Valentino Beauty. Female guests checking in on March 8 will receive a special card, a rose and a gift set worth 63,000 won, including cream and peeling pads from cosmetics brand L’LOVE. For inquiries,

March 3, 2023

[Temple to Table] Butternut squash jeon

Society attributes a variety of adjectives to temple food -- healthy, natural, clean, etc. Are such words accurate? The Ven. Dorim disagrees, saying, “Temple food is not that grand.” Monastics use the same ingredients that ordinary Koreans used to eat in leaner times and prepare them in ways to enhance the taste. Temple food is neither extravagant nor special. The most important factor in temple food is the person who prepares it, according to the Ven. Dorim. Traditionally, temples m

Feb. 25, 2023

[Korean Flavors] Yun Seoul’s Kim Do-yun believes time builds quality of Korean fine dining

It is rare for a fine dining chef to suddenly close his restaurant for months just to study the ingredients he wants to know about -- especially soon after the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. Kim Do-yun, head chef at the Michelin-starred Yun Seoul in Mapo-gu, Seoul, reopened his restaurant in March last year, eight months after closing its doors. “I went to France, Germany, Italy and cities like New York just to study ingredients, like food that can give noodle aroma and certain

Feb. 25, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Park Hyatt Hotels present ‘Suite Escape’ package Park Hyatt Seoul and Park Hyatt Busan present "Suite Escape," offering romantic staycations for couples until March 31. The package includes the standard benefits of one night at the Park Hyatt's suite room, a hotel dinner in the evening, and breakfast for two to begin the day. Park Hyatt's own welcome amenities are provided for all package guests. World of Hyatt members will receive the additional benefit of chocol

Feb. 24, 2023

Not your ordinary meat skewers

The history of barbeque skewers for threading, storing, and cooking meat over fire dates back to the Middle Ages. This versatile tool has stayed with people over centuries and up to today, as can be seen in traditional markets and modern restaurants with variations by countries and regions. Russian shashlik are skewered grilled meat cubes widely enjoyed across Central Asia, while souvlaki from Greece are chicken, beef or lamb with vegetables on skewers. First records of the Korean version of s

Feb. 17, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Mayfield Hotel Seoul launches Relay Festa promotion Buffet restaurant Castle Terrace, located in the Mayfield Hotel's lobby floor, is launching a “Relay Festa” event, offering up to 30 percent discounts for guests visiting through March 17. On Mondays, a 20 percent discount will be offered to neighboring residents living in Gangseo-gu or Yangcheon-gu, upon presenting their identification cards. On Thursdays, for graduating students and newly entering freshmen, a 20 percent disco

Feb. 17, 2023

[Korean Flavors] Chef Son Jong-won creates innovative, wholesome Korean fine dining experience

Stepping into the lavish interior of Eatanic Garden, a contemporary Korean fine dining restaurant located on the 36th floor of Josun Palace Hotel in the middle of Gangnam, Seoul, one is hit by the exotic mood and energy of the place. Traditionally, hotels have been at the center of gourmet experiences. Many of the restaurants listed in the Michelin guide around the world are located in hotels. That is, hotels have, for many, come to symbolize a place that guarantees a once-in-a-lifetime gourmet

Feb. 11, 2023

[Weekender] ‘Come grab coffee by the sea in Busan’

BUSAN -- South Korea’s southeastern port city of Busan is a popular holiday destination for those seeking to enjoy quality seafood and relax at the beach. But in recent years, tourists have been flocking to the city to get a taste of something different -- coffee. Global coffee competition winners are opening up cafes in Busan, with a shared goal of transforming the city into the next coffee hub like the Australian city of Melbourne. At the forefront of the movement is barista Jeon Joo-ye

Feb. 11, 2023

[Temple to Table] Gim jangajji and Gamjajorim

The secular world uses meat flavored stock to make food more savory, but at temples, vegetable stock is an indispensable ingredient. To make vegetable stock, most temples boil white radish, shiitake mushrooms and kelp. However, kelp is not used at Jinkwansa. Ginger is also a common ingredient in Jinkwansa's wintertime temple food. In addition to its warm energy that helps the body maintain heat and aid digestion, its distinctive scent enhances the flavor and removes the undesirable smell of

Feb. 11, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Andaz Seoul Gangnam presents ‘Romance at Andaz’ package Andaz Seoul Gangnam offers staycation package named, "Romance at Andaz," available throughout the year. Package includes one-night accommodation at the hotel's suite, featuring Andaz' signature comfortable bedding and bath bomb set from La Cuvee Maison. Breakfast for two at Jogakbo, sparkling wine, cake and a bath bomb set are included in the package. Complimentary minibar and access to fitness center and ind

Feb. 10, 2023

Nourishing traditions for Jeongwol Daeboreum

On the day of the first full moon of the lunar calendar, which falls on the 15th day of the new year according to the lunar calendar, Koreans celebrate Jeongwol Daeboreum. The history of Jeongwol Daeboreum dates back to the Three Kingdoms period. With traditional food and drinks shared among families and neighbors on this festive day, people send their wishes for a healthy and fruitful new year to the first full moon. Special days mean special dishes. On Daeboreum, ogokbap (rice mixed with fiv

Feb. 4, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul presents special dim sum brunch Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's authentic Cantonese Chinese restaurant, "Yu Yuan," presents "Weekend Champagne and Dim Sum Brunch," starting Saturday. Yu Yuan's special brunch features Hong Kong's unique food culture, yamcha, which means to enjoy a variety of food including dim sum, with tea for breakfast and lunch, with friends and family. All dishes are prepared by dim sum chef Jia Wen Li, who has more than

Feb. 3, 2023

Simple namul cooking tips

Koreans traditionally harvested fresh vegetables in the summer to be dried and stored for the winter months. On Daeboreum, the dried vegetables are prepared as namul. Nine different types of namul are enjoyed on Daeboreum, including fernbrake, thistle, radish leaves, green pumpkin, eggplant and castor beans. The type of namul served can vary by region. These days, people keep the tradition of having namul, but try to make it simple, by having two or three different types instead of all nine namu

Feb. 3, 2023

[Korean Flavors] Onjium updates traditional dishes using seasonal ingredients

Every Monday at Onjium, a restaurant next to Gyeongbokgung Palace where the seasonal menus are inspired by Joseon-period royal cuisine, the hallways and kitchen counters are filled with fresh vegetables and special ingredients that have been flown in from around the country. “For our seasonal winter menu, we are going to use pheasant from Goryeong in North Gyeongsang Province,” said Onjium Restaurant Head Chef Park Sung-bae. “I still visit the market every week, such as Noryang

Jan. 28, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents seasonal delicacies JW Marriott Hotel Seoul's buffet restaurant, Flavors, presents a series of gourmet journeys through Feb. 28. The restaurant serves a buffet of seasonal seafood dishes in Western, Chinese, Korean and Japanese styles, including scallops and pen shells, clam stew, deep-fried oysters, braised rockfish, tuna tataki and seafood soup. The dessert selection features 10 creations made with seasonal strawberries. The Lounge at the hotel’s eig

Jan. 27, 2023