Seoul Restaurants

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Attached are photos of the local Korean food which I tried while in Seoul in Oct 2007. Essentially, Korean food consists of a lot of hot pot dishes (e.g. fish, meat, vegetables), soup based (e.g. ginseng chicken soup), vegetables and grilled seafood (especially squid). There are also many small side dishes that come with every meal (e.g. Kimchi, vegetables, beancurd etc).

The dishes can be quite big and filling, so do not order too much or else you cannot finish them :-)

One of my favorite meals in Korea, courtesy of the venerable and elusive Chicken Truck.

Sometimes difficult to find, as they are always on the move.
It's somewhat illegal to sell food like this, so they are often chased around by the police. They move from one area to the next, but often keep the same weekly schedule.

Favorite Dish: These nomadic mobile BBQs offer up a delicious meal of whole skewered chicken, usually stuffed with rice and ginseng.
Usually one chicken for 6,000 won, or two for 10,000 won.

A worthwhile meal to try, if you can find one.

tip: get his business card, so you can call and find out his schedule.

Korean fish markets are one of the truly great cultural experiences in Korea. Yeungdeungpo markets is a huge warehouse with hundreds of seafood vendors. Each of them has tanks full of various live fish. When you go, wander until you see the fish you like. The vendor will pull if from the water, smack it on the head to kill it, then skin and slice it in front of you. Take your fresh fish to the back of the warehouse where there are dozens of restaurants waiting to prepare your dinner. Your total price, depending on what fish you order, will be 20,000-40,000 won per person.

The market is said to have 700 vendors, mostly selling to restaurants. This is known as one of the world's largest fish markets.

This market was featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern on the Travel Channel in 2008 or 2009.

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I experienced a truly korean typical food, same where in Dong Dae Mun Market with a Korean girl that I knew in Changdeok Palace.
Thanks Lynn you make me felt like a dragon, just missing the fire balls, God so hot.
But anyway I enjoyed the kimchi.

Craving some vietnamese pho, we tried this place out as the usual spot (Hoasen) was closed for a holiday.

Food tasted good, but was relatively a bit more expensive, with less seafood in the soup...

At least it was open on New Years Day, though.

Hwasung is the restaurant specializing in Shabu cooked only with Korean’s premium A degree beef.
It's a bit price (around 25'000 Won) but very delicious and you get plenty of meat, vegetables and rice.

Favorite Dish: Shabu

If you want to have Darkhanmari in the local style, head to this place. Since 1978 you can taste the Grandmother's style Chicken Dish.

You will simply get a table, your pan, the whole chicken and all ingredients. And then, you are on your own.

But here is it, how it goes:
1. Boil the pre-boiled chicken for 5-10 minutes only
2. Cut the chicken into adequate-sized pieces to eat (use the scissors)
3. You may put "duk sari" (rice rolls) into it and then boil it again
4. Put garlic sauce after cutting the chicken
5. Mix hot pepper, soy sauce, vinegar and mustard for sauce
6. Put kimch'i and boil if you like hot taste
7. Eat the chicken with the sauce after boiling

You can order drinks (soju....), water and additional "duk sari" at any time.

Let me give you some advice... drink your soju slowly... the heat and the spices don't match well with a lot of soju.... trust me.

If you need to order something, just scream "yogiyo" and the waiter will come over.

Favorite Dish: Duh... Darkhanmari of course.

I went here with a few local friends upon recommendation by yet another friend. Walking down the concrete stairs into the basement, you might be swayed that it is rather plain, but after you round the final corner, you will be in the middle of a well decorated and Indian-themed atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: Well all had something different, but all was good. Among our favorites was the chicken & spinach curry.

Prices are on the slightly more than average side, but quality and atmosphere are better than average.