Restaurant Review - Burger Joint New York

Burger Joint New York chases the dreams of a perfected burger, fries, and a drink New York style.  Bringing the location from the original in New York, the restaurant is located in Hongdae off of the main party streets on the second floor, Burger Joint New York is the place to go for a simple set meal. The concept is simple where you tell DON'T want on your burger. Yes, tell them the things you do not want to include which makes life a lot easier. Just goes to show the amazing service that goes into each and every burger. 

With an extremely simple menu, which is recommended for most burgers anyway, making an order is extremely easy. Because they are cooking up their burgers fresh, it can take a while if there is a line. For the most part, Burger Joint New York is extremely popular with the locals as well as the foreigners. It is one of the very few restaurants that offer Dr Pepper which is a must have for many. This hip hop themed restaurant is a place for foreigners to feel comfortable with staff that speaks a good amount of English, making you feel like you are at home. 

Directions: Take exit 9 of the Hongik University station stop on the green line 2. Go straight until the light and take a left after you cross the street. Go straight until you pass the Taco Bell on your right. After the Tony Moly on your right and before the light, take the street on the right going up. Go straight and before you reach the intersection, Burger Joint New York will be on your left in a hidden alley by the Watson's drug store. Be sure to look carefully because you can miss this second floor restaurant with a black exterior. 

Address: 358-51 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul

서울 마포구 서교동 358-51

Phone: 02-324-8999

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

Quick Pick Up - Etarte

Etarte is a Korean chain that you can find in many subway stations that strictly whip up egg tarts. The difference with these egg tarts is the fact that they're topped with some kind of amazing flavor. It is the perfect snack and quick pick me up for anyone who is starving when trying to catch their train. Tarts range in price that start around $2 and goes up to $3 which can be a little pricey for a small bite sized dessert, but it is definitely recommended for anyone who's looking for a quick sweet bite. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Duex Amis

Duex Amis is the one place behind the Garosu-gil shopping area to rave about for layered creme cakes. Cakes served at Duex Amis are topped alternate between cake and creme topped with a mini macaron for your pleasure. There is quite the number of cakes and pies to choose from, but you definitely can't go wrong with their signature Salted Caramel which is a layer between chocolate and caramel. For those who are looking for something fruity, their Strawberry Tiramisu is also a hit.

Duex Amis has open seating which is perfect for the spring and summer seasons. They have a center piece of fresh flowers daily which definitely sets the girly mood and is the perfect place to hang around to give you that bubbly feeing. It is the perfect down time location when in the area for some shopping damage. Because it is located in the back street, you are away from all the noise and busy areas which makes it that much more enjoyable. 

Cakes at Duex Amis are extremely moist in taste and layered perfectly that makes it hard to resist. With cakes by the slice ready to order, making a selection may be difficult. If you're looking to grab a whole cake to go, they also have the option in the store which allows for you to bring home the goodies. 

Directions to Duex Amis: Directions: Straight from exit 8 of Sinsa station of the orange line 3, take a left when you reach the Tous Le Jours bakery on the corner. Take a left and a right at the following block to walk parallel to the Garosu-gil shopping street. Go straight and you will see Duex Amis on your right within the same block.

Phone: 02-3443-0030 

Address: 539-9 Gangnam-gu Sinsa-dong

서울 강남구 신사동539-9

Hidden Treasures - ONE CHU

ONE CHU is a small modern looking spot in Sinsa behind the streets of Garosu-gil that is serving a  creative churro with their coffees. Koreans sure love their coffee, but it's always the same baked goods over and over again. ONE CHU is a place that whips up fresh churros when ordered topped with all things amazing.

ONE CHU offers different flavorings for the churros they fry up, the best one may be having ice cream paired with your churros. Regardless of what flavor you choose, whether it be sweet or plain, it is the one place that guarantees freshly hot churros. They are definitely authentic to taste and not just the quick sprinkle of cinammon on top since they serve it with a variety of dipping sauces.

The drink menu varies from coffee to juices to alcoholic beverages. Their fresh sangria is one well-recognized thing on the menu that a lot rave about. The environment is extremely classy and spacious, allows for a great date setting and meeting for chit chat. They have a small outdoor patio that guests can sit, just a short walk from the main shopping street. Drinks and churros will set you back roughly $10.

ONE CHU Address: 서울시 강남구 신사동 551-1
Sinsa-Dong 551-1 Gangnam-Gu Seoul, Korea 135-890
Phone: 02-516-3202
Closed Mondays, Open Tuesday-Sunday 1pm-11pm

Hidden Treasures - Fresh Green

Fresh Green is a small and extremely hidden spot in Itaewon that is serving up fresh Lemonade, Limeade, and Sugar Cane Juice. When I say fresh, I mean fresh. They have the fruit right there in their small outdoor stand. A refreshing lemonade is always the go to, but if you're looking for something sweeter, go for the fresh sugar cane juice. This is not something that is offered everywhere, but naturally sweet and enjoyable for all. Looking for a taste of both? Go for the mix which is a twist to the traditional drinks, yet still awesome!

Fresh Green only has seating for just two so this cute little yellow shack is a stop by for a quick pick up. Drinks start at a measly $3.50 and is the perfect go to for a hot summer day, especially for those who are shopping in Itaewon. Because the drink is made fresh to order, it is recommended for anyone who is looking to satisfy a thirsty stomach. Located right by the famous Tartine bakery, take exit 1 from the Itaewon station and go straight. Take a right up the second alley and you will see this little stand on your left.

Restaurant Review - Vapiano 바피아노

The concept of Vapiano definitely brings it back to New York with quick service and ordering to eat at different stations within the same restaurant. This Italian specialty restaurant cooks up everything Italian which includes pastas, pizzas, salads, sweets and more. Simply order from each station that you desire, creating your own dishes by swiping a card that is your "bill." When ordering, you will be given a buzzer that allows for you to pick up your orders when ready. 

Vapiano offers two floors of seating as well as an outdoor patio that has picnic style benches. It is the perfect place to go to enjoy an Italian meal with high benches and a different style of seating. The atmosphere is welcoming to the busy businessmen during lunch hours and a romantic atmosphere into the later hours at dawn. It is such a popular place that foreigners and Italians themselves go to Vapiano to enjoy a true meal. The difference of Vapiano and many other Italian restaurants is the fact that there are foreigners cooking up the goodies. 

With an open kitchen, you can see everything being made by a true chef. Dishes average at a price of $15 and portions are fairly large. It is definitely recommended to be shared between guests, but not recommended for foreigners because the Italians were able to down a few sample platters themselves. 

There are two locations in Seoul, the address and phone number is as follows:

Samsung 945-27 Daechi-dong Gangnam-gu, Seoul 02-554-7257

Dongdaemun 591-53 Jeonnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02-3707-1708