Restaurant Review - Bonjour Hawaii

Bonjour Hawaii is a new restaurant in Hongdae that is bringing the concept of Hawaii to Korea. It is one of the cutest concept serving French and Pacific food over three floors of indoor and outdoor seating. Even with indoor seating of air conditioned space, it is the one restaurant where outdoor seating is more preferred. With colored beach umbrellas and plastic school-like seating, the best time to visit Bonjour Hawaii is  during the day where you are out in the sun, but an evening at Bonjour Hawaii to enjoy the food is recommended as well.

With dishes averaging about $15 a plate and topped with a flower, it is the perfect date spot to go and enjoy a few BBQ dishes. Almost all dishes are served with a side of fries, salad topped with sweet dressing and an American corn on the cob. That's right, it's not the Korean chewy corn on the cob, but a yellow buttered BBQ corn. Although the taste isn't amazing because it is a little on the dry side, it is the only places in Korea that serves actual foreign corn on the cob. Another recommended dish is their meat loaf that is topped with gravy and two sunny side up eggs that is the perfect dip for your fries immersed in their gravy. 

The concept of Bonjour Hawaii centralizes around tiki and outdoor seating with coconuts that you can enjoy a drink with friends. Because of this, it is more recommended to visit if you're looking for a place to lounge out and enjoy a drink. With a menu in English as well, ordering is extremely easy. When entering the premises, you simply order before going upstairs to the seating area. Paying first, they provide you with a buzzer that will ring when your food is ready. Simply pick it up from the second floor along with utensils and enjoy your meal. Once finished, someone will clean up after you so you don't even have to worry about putting things back.

Bonjour Hawaii is in a hidden area in between Hongdae and Hapjeong station off of the main street which may make it difficult to find. Be sure that once you see the Castle restaurant, you take a right into the smaller streets and another right after that. 

Address: "Rainbow Street" 395-112 Seogyo-Dong Mapo-gu, Seoul

마포구 서교동 395-112  

Phone Number: 010-9756-5406

Restaurant Review - Burgermine



Burgermine, named People's Favorite Burger, is one unique burger spot located in the Itaewon Haebangchon area that allows for customers to get a DIY burger. This all you can eat option is where you can pick your own unilimited topping of anything and everything after given the patties for your burger. It is a popular option for many because the amount you can consume. This DIY Burger option is just $15 with fries and beverages.

For others who are not looking to down so much, Burgermine makes their own burgers with a variety of combinations. The burgers are rather plain in taste, nothing that special which is reflected in the photo. They offer two salad options which is the garden (a huge plate of veggies topped with bacon bits and a balsamic vinegar dressing) and a chicken caesar salad. There is also the option of other sides which include the mouthwatering Chili Cheese Fries which is not exactly that.

It was a huge disappointment for the simple reason that deep fried fries were topped with sliced cheese and thrown into a microwave. The chilli on top was just not appealing to taste with a bland, can taste. Personally, it is not a recommendation unless you are going for the all you can eat option.

Burgermine is a pretty chill place to go with graffiti on the walls and a dimmed lighting environment. It wouldn't be the best place to take a date, but hanging out with friends is on the list, especially if you are all the type with a big stomach! 

Address:Seoul, Yongsan-gu, Yongsan-dong-2-ga 45-9
용산구 용산동 2가 4-9

Phone: 070-8263-2034

Directions: From the Noksapyeong station on line 6 of the brown, take exit 2 and go straight to the light. Take the hill up on your left and go straight. Go all the way up and after a long 5 minute walk, you will see an international market on your left. Past the market, you will see Burgermine on your right.

Restaurant Review - The Joe

The Joe in Hongdae is definitely not the place to rave for their burgers, but the menu is extremely cheap. Because the patties are frozen and not the best patties are used, the burgers from the Joe is just something to fill a stomach. The one thing that is special about The Joe is their tangy sweet and sour sauce that they layer the burger with. It is definitely something that takes it up a notch. Their fries, on the other hand, is something that is worth making the splurge on. There is a small number of restaurants that actually use nacho cheese on their fries and that is why the freshly battered and nacho cheese melted fries is to die for. Nonetheless, it is the place to go for a quick bite to satisfy any stomach of a club goer and partying in the busy streets of Hongdae. 

For anyone looking to sample The Joe and review it for yourself, take exit 9 of the Hongik University station on the green line 2. Make a left when you exit the station to the first street you see. Take a right at the first intersection and go straight to the corner. The Joe will be on your left before you reach the corner of Taco Bell. 

Restaurant Review - Vatos Urban Tacos

Vatos Urban Tacos is one of the most recognized restaurants in Seoul, not only for its amazing take on Mexican tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, but the whole menu. Vatos puts a twist on the traditional Mexican foods but taking it up a notch with newly incorporated flavors which includes the most basic thing on the menu which explains why they had to move from their original location with a three hour wait to a bigger space that has a two hour wait. 

For starters, the Kimchi Carnitas Fries is Vatos Urban Tacos' signature take on the traditional fries by incorporating bulgolgi meat, kimchi and a mix of salsa and sour cream over a bed of fries. The best part is the fresh ingredients and amazing flavor when combined. This is definitely a must order between friends or even for yourself because it's just that amazing. 

One recommendation for the entree that must be made is the chicken quesadilla. Vatos Urban Tacos is the only place that actually has a layer of cheese to top their already amazing quesadilla. Filled with chunks of chicken meat and cheese, the extra crispy and extra layer of cheese makes this quesadilla that much more amazing. Of course, a ton of fresh ingredients thrown on top takes it to the next level. 

In addition to amazing quesadillas, playing favorites is definitely not my kind of thing. The burritos at Vatos Urban Tacos is stuffed with meat, veggies and rice that you would never expect to have a full blast of flavor. Because there is so much variety in their burritos, the owners incorporate a different taste to the traditional burritos which includes a kick of cinnamon. Beans are infused with a hint of cinnamon which brings a taste that traditional burritos lack. With so many options on the menu, it can be difficult to choose the best.

The last of the traditional Mexican foods include tacos, soft and crispy shells. In regards to their tacos, many do not believe it is worth the splurge because Vatos Urban Tacos actually uses a different kind of taco shell. They deep fry their tortillas daily and use a plain flat tortilla, no option of a crispy shell. Nonetheless, although it breaks from the traditional norm, the shrimp taco is actually amazing. Battered, deep fried shrimp is topped with lime juice and a variety of salads and then of course the signature fresh salsa and sour cream. From a personal opinion, the Chili Lime Shrimp is a definite recommendation and for just $7 for two pieces and $10 for three, it is worth a try.

Lastly, it isn't Mexican without any booze. Vatos Urban Tacos offer the traditional beverages of frozen margaritas, and bull dogs but they also offer a twist on the traditional drinks. By incorporating a Korean twist of the Makgeolita, the best of both worlds: Korea and Mexico is bought together. The most popular among the foreigners just may be their iced tea in a mason jar which is nothing closed to an iced tea. Infused with a ton of alcohol, this drink can definitely get a night started. Although it is on the pricier end for about $15 a glass, it is quite the matchmaker with any grub at Vatos Urban Tacos. 

Quite frankly, is it worth it? Yes. You can get lucky on some days and even make reservations a day or two prior to enjoy the amazing food. With superb service and extremely friendly staff on board, it is definitely the go to place for amazing food and drinks in general. Although pricing is a little higher than what most would pay for a taco, it is worth the splurge at least once in your life. 

The Itaewon location's address is: Yongsan-gu, Itaewon Dong 181-8 Phone 02-797-8226 Take the Itaewon train station exit 1 straight and Vatos Urban Tacos will be approximately four blocks down when you reach the light before the McDonald's on your left. Vatos Urban Tacos is on your right along the hill that goes up.

With a second location opening in the famous shopping street of Garosu-gil today, Tuesday June 18th, the address is: Gangnam-gu, Sinsa dong, 532-11 on the Third floor of the Giordano building. Phone 02-548-8226.

Restaurant Review - Irish Potato

If you are looking for the ultimate adult's finger food of little kid's favorites, Irish Potato is the place to go! Irish Potato is a popular Korean food chain known for their freshly fried french fries that is topped with a handful of different toppings is one popular eat in Korea. Guests of all ages are welcomed to enjoy this fried yumminess that is probably not that great for your health. Hey, it's okay to treat yourself a little every now and then. At the very least, it is healthier than indulging yourself in a pack of McDonald's fries only because of the oil that is used. Don't plan on having a full meal at Irish Potato unless you are dining with their healthier options though!

Restaurant Review - Tomatillo

Tomatillos, the Korean equivalent of the American comfort food of Chipotle, literally. With branches all over Korea, you can get your Chipotle fix in Korea at any time that you want. Although it is not exactly the same as Chipotle, it is the closest you can get with a few exceptions. Nonetheless, it is an all time favorite place of foreigners, locals as well. 

With choices of quesadillas, burritos, tacos, tostadas, sides, desserts, and drinks (this includes alcoholic beverages), the choices may even top Chipotle. There are not many fast food joints in America that serve alcoholic beverages, smoothies, and desserts with your order, but Tomatillos is definitely on it. The popular eats at Tomatillos is the quesadillas and burritos, especially the California burrito. This special burrito is stuffed with french fries in place of rice. Not the traditional burrito, but it doesn't take away from the deliciousness of a burrito. You definitely can't find that at Chipotle! 

A meal at Tomatillos can set you back about ten bucks, but hey, you can't complain for the comfort food in a Korean Chain! For those who are looking for something more filling, you can order your meal as a set where you will be offered a side of rice, beans, nachos with salsa and a drink.