Korean paella chef competes in world tournament with ‘Samgye-paella’

A nation’s renowned traditional dish does not always have to be cooked and served by the locals to be the best-tasting version. Chefs from around the world today often discover their own mix of recipes, adding unique flavors while still maintaining the essence of the original. An online preliminary round of the 2021 World Paella Day Cup hosted by the Tourist Office of Spain is currently under way to decide on the eight chefs who will compete in the final round on Sept. 20, to be held i

Aug. 27, 2021

Expeller-pressed perilla oil from Happy Jungeun

Perilla oil or “deulgireum” is a staple of many kitchens in Korea. The traditional oil adds a layer of nutty, aromatic warmth to bibimbap and namul, Korean vegetable dishes, and is known for its high content of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, which help support a healthy immune system. For schoolteacher-turned-CEO Chung Jung-eun, it was the health benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids present in perilla seeds that played a huge role in her decision to harvest perilla and p

Aug. 21, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel offers ‘Truly Flavors’ promotion Flavors, the luxury buffet dining establishment at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, is offering the “Truly Flavors” promotion, with a special selection of pass-around dishes that celebrate the restaurant’s variety of cuisines. 　 The promotion began Monday and runs to Sept. 30, featuring freshly cooked dishes served by the chefs. Dishes are decided daily, chosen from among filo pastry lamb chops, macaroni with a three-chee

Aug. 20, 2021

Classic and laugencroissants in Bukchon

At Artisan Croissant Bukchon, a small bakery located in Seoul’s Gye-dong, one will find various riffs off the popular buttery pastry, including the shop’s scrumptious laugencroissants and classic plain croissants. The bakery, which opened in 2017, is a sister shop to the prominent Artisan Bakers, which opened in Hannam-dong in 2012 and currently has four locations throughout Korea. Unlike Artisan Bakers, which specializes in everything from sourdough to pastries, Artisan Croissant

July 31, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas offers meals for private gatherings Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas has launched a special lunchbox “Grab & Go Surf and Turf” promotion of meals prepared by hotel chefs with top-quality ingredients for small private gatherings. The “Grab & Go Surf and Turf” includes lobster, steak, abalone, dried yellow corvine, salad and dessert. The prepared meals will be served until Sept. 30 and priced at 110,000 won for four and 180

July 30, 2021

The Margaux Grill at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul recognized for wine selection

The Margaux Grill, the luxury steak restaurant, at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul was recognized by Wine Spectator, winning the Best of Award of Excellence. The Margaux Grill houses a wine cave that holds 4,000 bottles of some 800 varieties of wines that encompass tastes from wine beginners to professional sommeliers. The guests to the restaurant can take a tour of the wine cave to select wines. Wine Spectator is an internationally renowned wine magazine published in the US and annually recognizes

July 23, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Wellness package at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul Fairmont Ambassador Seoul offers a wellness package that features a 60-minute body treatment at spa ESPA located at the hotel. The wellness package includes one night stay at a Fairmont Room, buffet restaurant for two, a body treatment for one, Balmain travel hair kit and complimentary use of swimming pool and fitness center. ESPA at Fairmont will deliver a 60-minute inner calm massage body treatment that helps relieve fatigue and restore energy.

July 23, 2021

New Burgers in town

There are plenty of burgers to be had in Seoul. Burger fiends can take their pick from global heavyweights like Shake Shack or homegrown classics like Brooklyn the Burger Joint. There are also newcomers, like Pound, an American-style joint that opened in Seoul’s Sinsa-dong near Garosugil this May. At Pound, one will find owner-chef Eom Yoo-sang’s tasty, no-frills take on the perennially popular hamburger. “I like to be able to taste the patty,” said Eom, 32, in an

July 17, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

High tea at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas offers a special tea time for the summer season at The Lobby Lounge from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The promotion runs through August. Summer Passion Royal High Tea comes with premium tea or coffee and desserts featuring seasonal fruits and savory dishes, including coconut shrimp and a beetroot sandwich. A to-go option is also available for those who want to enjoy tea time at home or for special occasions. Summer Passi

July 16, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Mayfield Hotel offers summer packages Mayfield Hotel in Seoul presents the Summer Garden Picnic Package and Golf & BBQ Package for the summer season. The packages include a stay at the hotel and breakfast for two. The Summer Garden Picnic Package is for families with kids, and offers gardening activities at the hotel’s garden of more than 100 plants accompanied by a special instructor. The package is priced at 260,000 won. The Golf & BBQ package includes golf at the hotel and

July 9, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul Presents Special Teppanyaki Course Tamayura, the upscale Japanese restaurant at JW Marriot Hotel Seoul, offers authentic teppanyaki course menu featuring diverse seasonal ingredients and summer truffles. The summer teppanyaki course menu will be served throughout July and August and is priced at 180,000 won per person for the seven-course lunch menu and 280,000 won for eight-course dinner menu. Three wine pairings, curated by the hotel’s sommelier, are available

July 2, 2021

Chow mein and Mongolian beef at Woktionary

Served up in a white carton box, the chow mein at Woktionary -- GFFG’s latest enterprise -- with its slick, glossy noodles punctuated by shards of tender pork and nutty sesame seeds, is, for those who miss and enjoy American Chinese cuisine, nostalgically addictive. “We start off by practically frying the pork in hot oil before tossing in the veggies and noodles,” Woktionary head chef Kim Han-su, 32, said in an email interview. Woktionary is the latest brainchild of GFFG --

June 26, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Unforgettable Wedding at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul Fairmont Ambassador Seoul presents the wedding promotion “Unforgettable Wedding: Art Gallery” which will be customized upon request by the bride and groom. The promotion offers a customized wedding ceremony based on a choice of three themes: Magenta, Amethyst, and Illuminating. The wedding menus come in three types that cost from 150,000 won to 200,000 won. Fairmont Ambassador Seoul’s Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 280 gu

June 25, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul launches online store for to-go menus  The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul has opened an online store for to-go dishes that can be picked up at the hotel. All orders need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. The online store’s most popular dish is American-style smoked BBQ that offers beef, pork and side dishes, including roasted potatoes, coleslaw, a brioche bun and mac and cheese. The BBQ menu serves 4 to 6 people and is priced at 220,000 won. The online s

June 18, 2021

Craft takju takes root in Brooklyn, New York

Brewed from locally sourced rice and water in Brooklyn, New York, Hana Makgeolli’s “takju” -- an unfiltered Korean rice libation -- sold out five times after launching some nine months ago, according to brewer and founder Alice Jun. Jun, 28, admits to being surprised by the positive response -- the kind of sales she expected to see two to three years into business, not in less than a year. To meet demand and give everyone a fair chance at tasting their takju, Jun and managi

June 12, 2021

[Weekender] Domestic bliss: Distancing brings happy hour home

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, drinking at home has become the new norm. It is nearly impossible to grab a drink after work with friends in the Seoul city area, with drinking and dining establishments only allowed to operate until 10 p.m. and nonessential gatherings of five or more people banned. Rather than just quenching the immediate thirst with beer from a supermarket or reaching for the same old green bottle of soju, more people -- not just alcohol aficionados -- are joining in on t

June 12, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel celebrates World Environment Day Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel in Songdo has partnered with social venture Tree Planet to raise awareness of environmental protection. “Green Project” will see the hotel plant one tree at a restoration forest in Gangwon Province per each companion tree bought by guests through the hotel. Each tree planted in the forest will be imprinted with the owner’s name. All hotel guests can participate in the project and rece

June 11, 2021

S. Korea publishes book on kimchi amid Chinese claims over dish

A national promotional agency has published a book on kimchi and how it is perceived around the world amid a continued cultural feud over the traditional Korean staple. "Kimchi in the Eyes of the World," released on Tuesday, explores the culture of kimchi through stories of foreigners who have tasted the vegetable dish, how the spicy condiment is made, and what social and historical context it carries, according to the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) affiliated with th

June 5, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotion and Packages

Paradise Hotel Busan offers ‘Early Sumcance’ package The Paradise Hotel Busan in the city’s celebrated Haeundae-gu is offering the “Early Sumcance” package for guests to enjoy the early summer temperatures. With the package, guests can use the Outdoor Ocean Spa Pool and Ocean Spa Cimer freely all day and enjoy many activities, including the Play Lab, Haba and Woongjin Bookclub and BMW Kids Driving. The package starts at 220,000 won. Walkerhill Hotel & Reso

June 4, 2021

Artisanal gelato at Gelateria Dodo

It was Gelateria Dodo owner Shin Ye-ha’s penchant for the Italian dessert that prompted her to open her own gelato spot. “I have always liked gelato and there was this gelateria I frequented,” Shin, 30, explained in an email interview. “One day the owner told me the shop would be closing.” After hearing she would no longer be able to get her regular gelato fix, Shin decided to learn how to make it herself and tapped the owner of her favorite gelateria for knowle

May 29, 2021