Buzz
Explore the freedom exploration writing and photo contest with your entry by Phan Tuyet Nhung, savoring the essence of Seoul's cuisine, South Korea.
Before watching Korean films, the enticing and visually appealing food captured my attention. The actors' expressive eating scenes ignited a strong desire to indulge. Deciding to visit Korea, I researched extensively, noting the 'must-try' dishes to avoid missing out.
The most frequently seen dish in films is grilled meat. Coincidentally, both my first and last meals featured grilled meat. The meat here seems pricey, around 9000w for 200g, so opting for buffet restaurants is a wise choice. Buffets usually have a time limit of 1.5-2 hours (perhaps locals are excellent meat enthusiasts), exceeding the time limit results in a penalty, complimentary water (almost every place offers it), and freely available panchan. Interestingly, Koreans indulge in grilled meat all day long. On my first buffet experience with pork priced at 9900w/person in Sinchon, three of us struggled to finish one plate. Despite the thick-looking meat, it turned out tender and juicy when cooked, paired with a touch of sauce, wrapped in curly lettuce, absolutely delightful. While it was freezing outside, the indoor space was filled with smoke, enhancing the dining experience. Grilled meat here is often accompanied by garlic and green onions (for those who can't eat it raw, grill it, sweet and savory, no pungent smell), soybean paste soup – slightly salty but still flavorful and satisfying.
For the final meal in Hongdae at Meating near Sulbing cafe, the restaurant offers a variety of meats, both beef and pork, with or without marination. Despite being hungry, we only managed 1.5 rounds. It's recommended to opt for non-marinated options, allowing you to consume more. I was tempted by marination initially; it tasted good at first, but then it became overly sweet, leading to a sense of aversion.
Koreans, when they drink beer, often pair it with chicken, creating a trend known as chicken and beer. Whether it's for studying or hanging out, they gather with friends, enjoying cold beer and nibbling on chicken throughout the evening. I chose Kyochon in Hongdae, previously endorsed by Leeminho, as it is one of the oldest chicken restaurants. The menu includes Kyochon-flavored chicken (garlic sauce style), honey-glazed chicken, spicy chicken, with the option to choose half and half. It's advisable to choose both drumsticks and wings to avoid monotony. I opted for the whole chicken, plenty of white meat, quickly consumed, and the spicy taste surpasses Kyochon's, with a side of tasty white radish. Press the black button on the table, and the staff will bring more. Being a bit shy, I raised my hand to call, but no one came; later, I saw the table next to me pressing the button, so I tried it, and the staff appeared immediately. The beer here is light; I finished a large glass without getting even slightly intoxicated.
Craving delicious and affordable seafood in Seoul? Look no further than Noryangjin Market – open all day, perfect for any mealtime. It was bustling when I visited in the evening, and after selecting the seafood, a guide led us to a cooking spot. A 3000w/person fee for seating and additional charges for preparation. We bought two unidentified fish for 30000w, using the heads and bones to make a delicious soup. The king crab, nearly 1.8kg, a steal at 50000w, served three people comfortably. The soft-shell makes it easy to cut without using pliers, with a sweeter taste compared to regular crab. I particularly enjoyed the fresh and crisp sashimi, rolled with seaweed to enhance the flavor. I also tried raw octopus (2 for 10000w), mixed with sesame oil, providing a refreshing and slightly salty experience. For those averse to raw, dipping it in the hot pot reveals a marvelous sweet taste.
When in Korea, indulge in traditional dishes at ancient wooden houses. I tried one in Insadong 16-gil, and it had several options. Being in a hanbok, I got a table easily in the cozy but crowded spot. Opted for a set for two at 20000w, served for two or more. They brought out a plethora of dishes – each with its unique taste. Kimchi, pickled soybean sprouts, a type of seasoned greens, mixed cabbage, acorn jelly, chives, and clear noodles, all deliciously filling. The main course was tenderly cooked beef with a savory soybean paste and soft rice. I was impressed by the marinated spicy green crab – fresh, flavorful, and a bit spicy. I tried raw squid (2 for 10000w) mixed with sesame oil, initially apprehensive but found it to be fresh, crispy, slightly salty, and not overpowering when consumed. Those who don't eat raw can dip it in the hot pot to experience the magical sweetness.
Corn and cabbage stir-fried chicken – once a craze in Vietnam, I wanted to see how it compares in Korea. On Nami Island, the apparent hub of Dakgalbi, every eatery seemed to offer it. I chose a place near the ticket booth, by the river, for a pleasant environment. Priced at 11000w/serving, suitable for two or more. I recommend this for three people; afterward, you can order seaweed-mixed rice, which unfortunately I couldn't eat due to personal preferences. The dish includes chicken, tok, onions, potatoes, corn, and plenty of chicken – not overloaded with vegetables like in Vietnam. Wrap it with lettuce, kimchi, and yellow pickled radish to avoid getting too heavy.
Myeongdong market is famous not just for cosmetics and clothes but also for Myeongdong Kyoja, highly praised on TripAdvisor. I arrived around 5 PM, and it was almost full; the place often has private tables for solo diners. I ordered noodles with dumplings, thankful I only got two bowls; I doubt I could finish more. The bowl was huge, and the noodles were chewy, the soup subtle – typical for Korean taste, where most dishes are mildly seasoned. Dumplings were plump with minced meat and chives, dipped in soy sauce and sesame oil. It didn't meet my imagined level of deliciousness.
Army stew (Mukshidonna Tteokbokki) – Located near Anguk in Insadong, find it on Google Maps. I arrived at lunchtime, and there was a waiting line. This stew originated during the war when Korea was impoverished, and the US aid mostly consisted of canned goods. Koreans came up with the idea of mixing everything, mainly tok, ham, sausages, with rice cakes. They give you an order sheet to choose the stew; I picked the budae flavor with fresh seafood for a sweet and rich taste. It comes with ramen – chewy and never gets mushy, dumplings not that great, and cheese to pull with pan-fried rice at the end. With the amount of tok, it's better for three people; you'll be chewing a lot. This is the best dish I had in Seoul, excluding grilled meat.
Isaac's bakery – located in Samcheongdong, a tiny and cute shop with older gentlemen working. Prices range from 2300-3600w. It takes a bit of time if you order when they just start, but the filling is worth the wait. The fried bread with butter is fragrant, soft, and melts in your mouth; it disappears in an instant, relieving the afternoon hunger.
Korean desserts offer a rich variety, but being consistently full, I opted for bingsu. Sulbing Café in Hongdae is renowned for it. Ordered a bowl of green tea bingsu for about 10000w, the green tea syrup perfectly complements the chocolate, and it includes crispy bits. It's generous for two people, and they even have watermelon bingsu, but I was too full to give it a try.
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