Traditional Korean Eat - Sam Gyeop Sal (BBQ Pork)

Sam Gyeop Sal or Sam Gup Sal is a popular Korean type of BBQ, BBQ pork. The name comes from the literal meaning of three layered flesh because the fatty slices of pork belly shows three different layers. Thick, whole pieces of bacon-like meat is served raw for you to place on grill to cook. The grill differs from restaurant to restaurant which is usually a charcoal BBQ grill or on a simple metal pan. One thing to look out for is a place to drain out the fat and oils from the pork meat. Each restaurant has their own way of marinating the meat, but after whole pieces of the pork belly is cooked up, it is then cut into smaller slices to consume.

Like other kinds of BBQ meat, simply take a piece of meat, dunk into the pepper paste and enjoy. Many Koreans like to wrap it in a piece of green leafy vegetable (lettuce and or perilla leaf), add a raw or cooked piece of garlic, some cooked kimchi, and other random vegetables that are offered. In addition to the pepper paste, there is also other options of soy bean paste, and sesame oil (usually with a hint of black pepper and salt).

Nonetheless, Sam Gyeop Sal is one popular type of BBQ among locals and foreigners, especially with a bottle of soju, the traditional Korean way. You can of course enjoy Sam Gyeop Sal without the alcohol, especially with all different restaurants offering different ways to consume this popular pork. For the more popular and unique versions of Sam Gyeop Sal, the Jeju Black Boar is one thing that many Koreans crave. It is different in taste and texture, sometimes still cooked with the hairs of the boar. Without actually having to go to Jeju for this boar, it has been imported all across Korea; it just has to make it's way to America.

Anyone who is conscious of their health and do not want a slab of fatty pork, there are restaurants that cook up this meat with a separate layer to drain out the fat. There is surely an immense amount of fat that goes into Sam Gyeop Sal, but nonetheless there are plenty of ways to enjoy this traditional Korean eat.

Hidden Treasures - 長壽갈비집本家

長壽갈비집本家 is my favorite BBQ place in Korea since the first time I had it. In fact, this was actually the first place I had BBQ when I first came to Korea. Since then, not much as changed about this place. 長壽갈비집本家 has years of tradition which many are oblivious to because it's so hidden off in the streets of Myeongdong. 

The one thing that caught my eye about this restaurant was the fact that there was someone grilling the meat out in front. That smell is honestly, unforgettable. Unlike other BBQ places in Korea where they put it on your grill and leave it as is to cook, there is someone here that cooks every piece to perfection. One order of their beef ribs is $9 which can be a bit pricey for a small amount of meat to some, but trust me when I say it is worth it. 

In addition to their must order BBQ beef ribs, there are other beef entrees that guests can order. They have an extremely small menu, with a sole concentration on beef. All dishes are served with a side of vegetables and jigae to be shared.

With two floors of seating, the restaurant offers a less BBQ congested area because all of the cooking is done in front. Therefore, you leave with the benefit of not smelling like Korean BBQ which happens almost at every other BBQ place. The restaurant caters to foreigners with the menu in English, Chinese, and Japanese, making it easier for guests to order. This is definitely a must visit for all.

Restaurant Review - KO Cafe Gome Home

KO - Cafe Gome Home is probably one of my favorite healthy Korean locations in Itaewon. Their mottos is "Korean Healthy Food, Served Fast" which they live up to. They offer a whole new take on incorporating traditional Korean eats of bibimbap which allows you to choose the topping of bulgolgi (thinly sliced meat), chicken breast, of tofu and the best option for those who cannot tolerate the spicy kick of traditional chili paste, you can also choose the alternative sauces of sour spicy chili paste and  lemon soy sauce that is not spicy at all.

They also serve up simple rice dishes, glass noodles, porridges, soups, and even dishes paired with salads and other types of meat.  There is also a Korean-American fusion of salads which allows for you to decide on your own dressing of ginseng, perilla seeds, Korean raspberry or say sauce and olive oil. They have a small selection of sandwiches and traditional Korean desserts that are in the shape of a hexagon called 고메홈육각과자 which you can also pair with ice cream. They offer a handful of combos and specials that won't set you back too much and is perfect to share between two. 

The one recommendation to make to go for their drinks option. They offer a wide selection that beats the cliche coffee drinks, catering around healthy options. There are oriental teas that can be ordered hot or cold to your liking, along with a handful of herbal teas. In addition to this, they have fresh juice and smoothies that are made from real fruits. They have a seasonal menu that is probably one of the best, using fresh fruits and even incorporating vegetables and other healthy options. It is extremely difficult to find fruit and vegetable smoothies in Korea, but this is the place to go! 

For those looking for booze with their meal any time of the day, there is a small selection of alcoholic beverages which includes wine and beer. KO Cafe Gome is a great place for healthy choices that won't have you budging too much. The prices are extremely acceptable and it is a friendly environment, not too loud at all. 

Korean Traditional Eat - Bosingtang 보신탕

I know I am going to get quite the criticism for this blog, but yes, I ate dog in Korea. It is a Korean staple and I love dogs, but at the end of the day, it is a taboo food and I decided to give it a go. Being that there are so many dog meat places in Seoul, finding a good one to try this at was very much needed. 보신탕 (Bosingtang which is dog meat soup, 補身湯 in Chinese) is also known as Gaejangguk 개장국 where dog meat is the primary ingredient. This Korean traditional eat is known to increase virility among men and women, but more favorable for men of the older generation.

The meat is cooked up for quite a while, boiled with vegetables that varies from restaurant to restaurant. The main ingredients include green onions, perilla leaves, dandelions, and spices of Doenjang (된장),  Gochujang (고추장), and more perilla seed powder. There are a handful of Bosingtang restaurants in Seoul, a lot of which are filled with men drinking soju which is believed to compliment the soup. 

Ironic to say, those who run this kind of restaurant usually comes from China, another country that actually consumes a lot of dog meats. In addition to this, Vietnamese people are also known for the consumption of this delicacy. Although a lot of Asian countries consume dog meat, each country differs the way they cook up this special dish. 

In Korea, dog meat is cooked up as a soup which is cooked up with other vegetables. For those who are looking to immerse themselves in the real taste of dog meat, getting the dog meat as chunks will help you truly taste the true flavor of dog meat. From a personal taste, it is a contrast between lamb and pork. Honestly, I would probably not have it again, only because of the concept behind the delicacy in regards to how it is cooked before serving and such. Nonetheless, it's a bucket list check off.

If you are brave enough, I definitely suggest going with a Korean friend who actually enjoys it. It is difficult to find a good restaurant in Korea and the Koreans know the real deal. They know where to go because their parents go. Do not expect every Korean to eat dog meat though because there are a handful who are against it. In fact, most Koreans do not enjoy dog meat. They only go for the sake of their parents who enjoy it. It may be ironic to say that criticism comes from Koreans as well and they're the ones who consume it a lot!

Life in Korea - Take Out

Living in Korea is pretty amazing for a variety of things, especially in comparison to the states for the very reason that it makes life easier and more convenient. One of the amazing things in Korea is of course, the food. It's a little crazy how the same chains that we have back in America are here, but a lot more amazing here. In fact, because of these amazing differences, it is the one reason why I probably eat out here than in back in the states.

Because food in Korea is never a disappointment, eating out all day and grabbing food to go is a common thing. It's also amazing when you are able to get takeout packaged in a special way. There’s a handful of things that is frustrating about getting takeout back at home because the food can get sloppy messy, or simply difficult to handle on the way home. 

Ironic to say the least though, that living in Korea, I’ve definitely learned a handful of new ways and tricks to package takeout which just might come to use when moving back to America. For starters, they always plastic bag everything for you which makes it easy for you to carry it. Utensils are also wrapped in plastic packaging (straws included) which makes it extremely sanitary and you'll always get some kind of utensils, even from Baskin Robbins.

Baskin Robbins is actually amazing in Korea for amazing flavor combinations and a new flavor every month. In addition to this, Baskin Robbins offer actual ice cream cakes that are the cutest thing and made with different flavors. They even slice cakes of different ice cream flavors and piece them together for the ultimate ice cream cake, without an actual cake bottom like back at home. Last rave about Baskin Robbins in Korea is that when you get ice cream packaged up, you actually pick the flavors that you want, not the ones that are fridge packaged already. It is extremely common for families and friends to get buckets to go or enjoy within the ice cream shop. For anything to go, they will offer utensils and candles for cakes, along with dry ice to keep the ice cream from melting.

In addition to my favorite place in Korea, real food takeout in Korea is also amazing. Mini cakes and desserts are always packaged up in palm sized boxes that keeps the cake from sliding around and smashing the cakes against the walls of boxes. Pizza takeout is even more amazing with handles that help to balance the box when walking. This definitely makes it easy to hold a pizza pie without having to burn your hands.

 

The one last thing to rave about is combination takeouts. When ordering a mix of dishes, they will separate the two to prevent any sauces from spilling over. This goes for fried foods as well. When paired with a salad, crispy chicken is separated from the veggies and dressing is on the side (even for doggy bags). It's pretty amazing that Koreans actually care about their food tasting good outside of the restaurant. That's definitely the total package there.

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Bonespe

Bonespe is bakery, a Lotte trade that is in almost all of the Lotte Department stores of Seoul. There is a Bonespe bakery located in Cheonho, along Cheonho Rodeo, a popular drinking and eating street. With freshly baked pastries and breads, Bonespe offers a handful of delicious goodies to be purchased while you're shopping around for everything else. Furthermore, they offer packaged goodies that are extremely popular among Koreans to give as gifts and cakes to enjoy in a group setting.

It is one of the Korean favorites to bring home to enjoy with the family as well as a quick bite while shopping. The best part is the sale price that Lotte Department stores offer for their baked goodies. On average, pastries range from a little over a dollar to two, but they can be picked up as a lot for under a dollar. This is a deal considering breads and pastries are extremely popular in Korea, especially as a snack to share with co-workers. Like many other Korean bakeries, Bonespe offers the same kinds of pastries, but of course with their own twist as well. Be sure to pick up a freshly baked pastry to enjoy with your family or to refuel for a day of shopping!

Restaurant Review - School Food 스쿨푸드

School Food 스쿨푸드 is a restaurant that takes Korean school food for the young as an upgrade for the adults. School Food offers a fun play on traditional Korean foods of kimbap, ddukbokki, ramen, and naengmyeon, and other fried goodies. With an upgrade on the kid's menu, School Food offers more variety and a mix of deliciousness in the traditional eats. 

On average, dishes at priced at $8 a plate. Served with a cup of soup along with radish, the dishes are filling but it is always an option to order a large quantity to share. Anything on their recommended list is definitely recommended, especially with the sushi list. Kimbaps in Korea are so typical that it's hard to find good tasting kimbaps.

School Food offers you the next closest thing to Japanese sushi rolls, especially with their fried shrimp roll. It is definitely great to be able to find sushi rolls outside of a real Japanese restaurant. The food is simple, yet fun to eat, a big kid's version of lunch.

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Bing Bing Bing

Bing Bing Bing 빙빙빙 is one place that is serving up quick shaved ices, the Korean traditional eat of bingsu or just patbingsoo (with red bean). It is an extremely small location that seats roughly fifteen and almost always has a line. With a limited number of flavors, the most popular and recommended is the blueberry lemon and condensed milk. They also have a regular one that caters to the more traditional taste, but definitely try them all. 

Because the location is extremely small in size, locals are always lined up outside waiting for a seat. One of the better things about Bing Bing Bing is the fact that the small space allows for the locals to quickly enjoy their dessert and get on with their day (unlike most other places in Korea).  Bing Bing Bing offers extremely quick service and allows for take out as well which is one popular thing to get if you're on the go. 

Bing Bing Bing is probably the only place in Seoul that offers the bingsu to go, but it makes it that much more enjoyable as you're on the run in the heat, especially if you're trying to check out the many locations of Hongdae. It can be a little pricey for just a cup, but it is the perfect quick pick me up for you to be well on your way.

Phone: 070-7723-7191

Address:마포구 서교동 395-199 독막로7길 57, 서울특별시

395-199 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu Seoul

Hours from 12PM to 11PM daily

Hidden Treasures - Bong's Food 봉스 떡볶이

Bong’s food 봉스 떡볶이 is a small chain in Korea with the original is located in Sookdae, serving up a less spicy version of the Korean traditional eat of rice cakes and probably the only place that I recommend for EVERYONE who lives and will visit Korea. Ddukbokki is the number one Korean staple food, along with blood sausages 순대, fish cakes 오뎅, and a variety of battered fried goodies 튀김 (which ranges from vegetables to dumplings to fish cakes even).

For starters, Bong’s Food serves up very soft and a less spicy version of ddukbokki that is recommended for anyone who is trying out this Korean traditional eat for the first time. Because it is less spicy, it is tolerable and actually enjoyable for anyone who cannot take spice. It does have a tint of sweet compared to other ddukbokki stands and locations which means it’s a great dipping sauce to be used with other items on the menu.

The blood sausage they have uses the top of the ladder meat of A+ which means a high level and tastier version. Compared to those served in the streets, there is definitely a big difference. Personally, I’m not a fan of blood sausage, but I was persuaded to give this a try and it is amazing. It’s the only place that I will eat blood sausage ever, beats all of the average C rating meat that the rest of Korea uses.

In addition to the amazing blood sausage, they are the only spot that offers fried fish cake which is amazing when eaten fresh. Coming from Busan, it is the one place in Seoul that offers the famous Busan fish cake. Anyone who lives in Korea knows that Busan carries the best of the best.

On another note, 납작만두 comes from Daegu, a new style of dumplings that no one offers in Seoul. Being that is a flat pancake like dish, it is known for many to dip it in the amazing soy sauce that the store whips up daily. For those who come from Daegu, they are known to wrap the Namjak with practically everything on the menu and use it as a bread.

The best part about Bong’s food, in addition to the menu of course, is the price. Most dishes are priced at an average of $2.50, some for just two bucks and set menus start at $4. Depending on how hungry you are and the variety you want, a meal at Bong’s Food won’t set your wallet back too far. It’s also a great place to pick up a quick eat and sample all of the Korean traditional eats in one spot because they have set menus.

The company orders fresh ingredients daily, from all over Korea of Busan, Daegu and their secret locations which is different from all other places. Opened from 11-11 daily, it is the place to go to. Be sure to go during the less busy hours so you don't feel so rushed to get out which is usually from 2-7PM. The owner is so chill, he'll definitely take the time to talk and explain to you why you should eat everything on the menu and I would take his advice, seriously. They speak English so it makes ordering easy for all.

Address: Yongsan-gu, Chungap-dong 2-Ga 67-5

용산구 청파동 2가 67-5

Directions: Take exit 8 or 10 from the Sookmyung university exit and make a u-turn. Take the first right and go straight (follow the tunnel under and keep walking) up towards the school. After approximately 5 minutes, you will see a Starbucks on your left and a Skin Food on your right. Bong's Food is located behind the Skin Food so follow the block around.

Phone: 02-312-3500

Korean Traditional Eat - Tofu Soup 순두부찌게

Soondubu Jjigae (순두부찌게) is a popular Korean spicy soup that is made with tofu, vegetables, chili powder, and a variety of seafood which includes oysters, mussels, clams, and shrimps depending on the restaurant of dining. The last kick of the dish is a raw egg that is cracked and dropped in while the soup is served to you, still boiling. Paired with a bowl of white rice and banchan (side dishes), it is extremely popular to consume during the winter because it is an extremely hot dish, but be sure to not burn your tongue!

Korean Traditional Eat - 뻥튀기

Ppeongtwigi 뻥튀기 is the Korean take on the Western popcorn which is just popped grain. It comes in all different shapes, sizes, and colors which makes it a heck of a lot of fun. Watching people on the street make Ppeongtwigi is a full blast of fun and loud of course (the more traditional kind) If you ever pass a truck that is selling 뻥튀기 and see how it is made, you'll see that a frisbee like rice grain is literally popped out of a metal machine. It's quite a bit of fun to watch them make it and consuming it fresh is just as good. This cheap eat can usually be picked up for a measly price of $2 for a whole big bag that will last you quite some time. 

It is extremely common to be served in bars and hof restaurants for guests to enjoy drinks with (as shown in the photo). The smaller and bite sized 뻥튀기 is usually served in restaurants just so you can pop them in your mouth. As always, this is served as a "service" which means free with your drinks and an unlimited amount of refills. They all range in texture depending on where you go, but for the most part, they are all made of rice grain and it is the perfect snack with your beer. This extremely cheap street food is popular among children as well and it's extremely light in calories which makes it that much better. This Korean traditional eat takes it to a new level of fun, something to share with everyone in the family. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Snowmounteen

Being that there are so many different version of patbingsoo 팥빙수 (the shaved ice dessert) in Korea, every cafe and restaurant has their own take on it. Why? Because of the way the ice is shaved down for the sole purpose of being a refreshing dessert that is topped off with all things amazing. 

Snowmounteen is a place that serves up this traditional Korean eat along with other drinks that include coffee and bubble teas. For the most part, many go to the popular Korean chain for it's shaved ice. The patbingsoo at Snowmounteen is definitely different from the rest. The texture of the ice is so flaky and thin, it is softer than snowflakes. Is that possible? It sure is at Snowmounteen. 

Topped with a variety of flavors that are milky and fruity, it is definitely a way to refresh yourself on a hot summer day. In addition to the $5 single and $9 double servings of flavored snow ice at Snowmounteen, there are also the option of the fruit incorporated patbingsoos which is something that can be shared between two. With a handful of chains in Seoul, it's definitely worth making a visit to Snowmounteen. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Bingsooro

Patbingsoo 팥빙수 is an extremely popular shaved ice dessert in Korea for the simple fact that is an amazing blend of everything. One place that has a limited menu (which sometimes should be kept that way) to enhance the best flavors of a dish, is Bingsooro in Hongdae. Having just four different options on the menu, Bingsooro offers a milk and green tea blend, strawberry, red bean and a regular snow blend. Fairly priced, patbingsoo is marked at roughly $6. Bingsooro offers an open seating of basic wood interior which is welcoming to a young crowd. Located close to the university, a lot of students drop in for a quick refreshment and are on their way. Because these shaved ice are made fresh, it can take a while with a large crowd, but for the most part, is it an amazing blend of flavor, red bean, mochi and thin pellets of ice that will practically melt in your mouth! 

From the Hongik University station on the green line 2, take exit 9 and go straight until the light. Make a left and go straight for two blocks. You will be facing the university with gray buildings. Before reaching the end where the third light is, Bingsooro will be on your left on the second floor after the light.

Traditional Korean Eat - Cold Noodles 육쌈냉면

Nangmyeon is a popular traditional Korean eat, especially in the summer time because it is served in a bowl of ice. Although it sounds to be peculiar, it is probably the most refreshing meal that you can have. The best part about nangmyeon is many restaurants serve it in addition to their signature dishes. 

육쌈냉면 is one Korean chain restaurants that is favored among locals for this traditional Korean eat. Because the store focuses on the traditional eat of cold noodles, there is a very basic menu to order from. Most order either the regular or spicy nangmyeon. Each order is served with a marinated BBQ pork without the need to order (unless of course you want a bigger portion). This extremely cheap eat will only set you back $5. SAY WHAAAAT? Five bucks for noodles with BBQ meat? Yes. Because it such a cheap eat, there is almost always a line. Service is usually rather quick since there is a basic menu and customers expect a certain quality of food.