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The Dark Side of Seoul Tour was a blast! Joe was a knowledgeable and accommodating guide that told interesting stories with a dramatic flair! I was legitimately creeped out by a few of them.
Experienced Tour Guides
Our guides are old hats in Seoul, Korea. Some are bloggers. Some are interpreters. Some are chefs and food writers. They ALL have a passion to show visitors around their ‘hoods.
Unique Immersive Tours
These aren’t conventional tours. These are the insiders’ guides to Seoul with no propaganda and no trips to salesmen.
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Unbelievable Stories
Never be at a loss for party conversation again. Brag to your friends at home the real Seoul food you ate, the tales you learned, and the people you met.
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Tour Tips – Things to do in Korea
The New Guide to Noryangjin Fish Market
One of the best places to visit in Seoul is Noryangjin Fish Market. It's like an aquarium where you can eat the exhibits. Unlike a lot of fish markets around the world, many of the fish are still alive in tanks. Because of that, it doesn't smell as rank as other...
The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Insa-dong
Insa-dong is one of the top tourist destinations in Seoul. It's been one of my favorite places since I moved here in 2004. I've watched it go through a ton of changes, and it's currently going through another makeover. Many of us pine for the lost Insa-dong of yore....
Parasite Filming Locations
If you're in Seoul and are a film of the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," you will be interested in visiting some filming locations. Most of the film was shot on a sound stage. Half the Parks' house was digitized, so it's not available. Yet there are a few iconic shots...
Restaurants in Myeong-dong: A Quick Guide
Where are the good restaurants in Myeong-dong? Short answer: There aren't any. No, that isn't entirely true. If you're looking for great food in Myeong-dong be prepared for disappointment. Here's why. A long time ago, Myeong-dong was a great vibrant place for food....
Michelin Guide Seoul: Why You Shouldn’t Rely On It
Two articles recently came out on Korea Exposé about Seoul's Michelin Red Guide. KÉ Interview: British Food Critic Roasts Michelin Guide on Seoul What the British Food Critic Doesn’t Know The first interviews British critic Andy Hayler, who claims to have eaten in...
Top Things To Do In Seoul: Palaces
The Short and Blunt Guide to Seoul's Palaces Palaces are one of the top things to do in Seoul. If you're coming to Seoul for a short time just go to one palace. Seriously. From my own experience and from talking to guests on our...
Tour Stories
Adventures we have on our excursions
Yonhap Feature: Visitors learn to make their own Korean dishes
Here is my latest feature article for Yonhap News. I started working on this in Seoul then finished it when I came back to New York. I am introducing a few different options for people who are considering a Korean cooking class in Seoul. The table below didn't make...
Our First Official Food Tour
Since I first started the Food Journal, I have been talking about doing Korean food tours. Finally, we're getting around to doing them professionally. We've assembled a great team, with Veronica Kang's deep connections in the restaurant industry, Jennifer Flinn's...
Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern: South Korea
We're reaching the end of the hype week for the South Korea episode of "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern." This has all been in the works since we first got the call to help with the show back in August 2008. I don't think I have another Bizarre Foods post left in...
The Original ZenKimchi Korean Food Journal
Crispy Onions Rings made with SOJU!
One night, I noshed on a multi-hour old onion ring. It was still light and crispy. Not greasy. It came from our new little experiment that we’ve implemented at OK Burger on the Cheonggyecheon.
New York celebrity chef Hooni Kim marries Korean flavors to local ingredients
Hooni Kim, Michelin-starred chef of Danji and Hanjan restaurants in New York City, sees the marriage of Korean food culture with American food culture as Korean flavors married to local ingredients. At this time, one can't be a "locavore" and make authentic Korean...
Behind-the-scenes with Anthony Bourdain, What Is It Like?
This and many photos credited to CNN "Who's that old geezer?" Oh, Christ, not now. We were shooting the final shot with Anthony Bourdain before he returned to the hotel and jumped on a flight back to New York. He was sitting at a lonely street food cart in...