It’s difficult to find out where the best places are and where to avoid. Believe me, this is what I do for a living. I don’t have some magic map, and I usually don’t get secret emails about new places. I network.
To make it easier on all of us, here are some ways to keep track of the best Korean and non-Korean places in Seoul. Many of them are Facebook groups with lively discussions.
Korean Food Lovers Seoul (Facebook) Korean food is everyone in Seoul (DUH). The trick is finding the good stuff.
Mexican Food Lovers Seoul (Facebook) Add your Mexican food finds and tips.
Pizza Lovers Seoul (Facebook) Seoul is going through a pizza renaissance. This is where it gets documented.
Sandwich Lovers Seoul (Facebook) Korea is where sandwich craft goes to die. This is where we find the good sandwiches to keep the good places in business.
Booze Lovers Seoul (Facebook) Share cocktails, wine, beer, and other imbibable finds in and around Seoul.
Burger Lovers Seoul (Facebook) The group, started by Devin Rupert, that started it all
ZenKimchi Facebook Page – We post tips, restaurants, and subjects for discussion
ZenKimchi Twitter – Real time finds from all over the Korean and international internet
Here’s what you’d find if you’d been following us.
On the cover of SEOUL Magazine this month. I haven’t read the article yet, but it’s a small interview.
We’ve been extremely busy as of late. Earlier this month we were fixers for the National Geographic show “Chef on the Road,” which should air sometime in November. I’ve also been working hard with our partners at Korea DMC, setting up an army of websites tailored to tourists and expats. It doesn’t look like much now, but wait till you see what’s coming up!
Food Tours
Our tours are still going strong through the summer. Remember that in Korea, summer is the time to watch scary movies. The logic is that it helps chill you in the heat. So it’s a great time to also go on our Dark Side of Seoul tour ($35). Sign up here.
LINKS
- Check out this omurice that you can hold in your hand
- Waegook Tom does Teokbokki Town in Sindang
- CNN’s Eatocracy dines with mermaids in Busan
- WTF: Carlo Rossi jug Sangria soaked with red onions and drunk with steak? I’d be embarrassed to post that. Turns out it’s another quack remedy spreading through Asia. Seriously, folks. If you’re drinking alcohol as medicine, you’re missing the point of alcohol and medicine.
- Lazy Journalism: Korean article that recommends adding salt if your food is bland
- Those evil bastards at Namyang are getting indicted. We’ll see how hard this wrist slap slaps.
- No Paulaner Biergarten for Pyongyang
- Koreans drink a shiteload of coffee!
- But not as much foreign bottled water
RESTAURANTS
- Byeol Nal Pocha 별날포차 Roast chicken on a cafeteria tray and old school dosirak (bento)
- Abalone feast at Udo Haegwang Sikdang 우도해광식당 off of Jeju Island
- Scrumptious sushi at Sushi Jo 스시조 in Myeong-dong
- The Seoul Reaper: Swiss cheese, ham, fried egg, kimchi, siracha and mayo at Zombie Burger in Des Moines
- Bistro K in Melbourne
- DC rejoice! BonChon fried chicken has opened in Arlington, VA
RECIPES
- Seoulistic shows how to make ramen Korean style
- Quick Cucumber Kimchi from Taking on Magazines via Fine Cooking Magazine
- Green Plum Syrup from Kimchimari
- Korean Chicken, Japanese Salad from The Boston Globe
- A Korean blogger made blueberry pancakes. Guess where they decided to screw it up. (HINT: One thing doesn’t belong on top)
- Ah, that’s better. Thanks Fat Girl.
- Shin makes Sweet Red Beans for patbingsu
From the Instagram
Search for ZenKimchi on Instagram

“Chicken Mu” – I thought only cows went, “Moo!”

Old Unfashioned at Woo Bar in the W Seoul Walkerhill. W29,000.

Jian, he’s a playah! Watch out!

Tea Part Tuesday at Chili King. W5,000 cocktails and half-priced starters. From left: Kim Jong Un’s “Sea of Fire” wings, The King’s wings, “One night in Bangkok” wings

Le Cordon Bleu blue cheese burger at Chili King. Now with housemade bacon.

Finally tried Caffe Bene’s Blacksmith Italian chain restaurant. As predicted, very freakin’ scary. This is an ad for their “Traditional Ingredients Festival.” I guess to them traditional Italian ingredients include kimchi and sweet potatoes on a pizza.

At Blacksmith. Still the land of the $20 spaghetti. Pretty nice Amatriciana Pasta. But not worth near W16,500!

That’s no hyena!

GOOD: Greek yogurt sighting at E-Mart
BAD: It’s sweetened.

Woo hoo! Free facepack with my makkolli!

Clever name.

For when your performance is flaccid.