Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Rocky Mountain Tavern

Craving chicken wings? Of course you are. Well there's only one place to go for all you wing desires--Itaewon. For the best wings in Seoul you're going to want to check out Tuesday's wing night at Rocky Mountain Tavern. This Canadian themed bar serves up a wide variety of wing favors and loud, albeit sometimes annoyingly loud music.


At 400₩ a wing, never settle on wing night. You'll be require to buy a beer or a drink to accompany the wings, but why wouldn't you anyhow? With about ten different choices of flavors, there's bound to be one you'll love. A personal favorite is the Creamy Cool. A subtly spicy hot wing sauce and ranch dressing, these wings will make you want to come back every damn Tuesday.

Creamy Cool Wings
For another great taste, go for the BBQ Wings or the Hot BBQ if spice is your thing. Try the Honey Mustard Wings if you're looking something a little sweeter, or the Salt and Pepper Wings for something a little less messy.

BBQ Wings
Honey Mustard Wings
Salt & Pepper Wings
If you're looking for a little drinking give the Halifax Explosion shot a try as well, or a bottle of Moosehead.

Other spots along Itaewon Street have wing nights as well, including the well know Dillenger's on Wednesday nights, but nothing seems to quite compare to those of Rocky Mountain Tavern. Eat your heart out--every Tuesday night!

Address: 210 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul - phone: 02 792 5392 (Call between 6pm-10pm)

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Khajuraho

Close to Hongik University Station, tucked away down an alleyway lined with restaurants is Kuajuraho Indian Restaurant. Wind up the stairs and enter one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants you may ever eat at.

 

Festooned with colorful lanterns hanging from the ceiling, Indian art framed on the walls, and a beautiful tope colored wall behind the tiled cashier's desk--Kuajuraho has a great ambiance that makes the meal ever more special. This is not the mention the light that blasts through the windows in the afternoon or early evening.

If you frequent late nights in the Hongdae area you may recognize Sonu from his kebab cart outside of FF and GoGos. Tell him you know Skyler and he's bound to treat you very well.

The best bang for your won will come in the form of one of their sets. Individually their dishes may be a little steep in price, but believe me, it is worth it. The sets include salad, two Samosas, your choice of curry (the Mutton Malsala is to die for), half or whole Tandoori Chicken depending on your set choice, a choice of plain of Garlic Naan, and Sweet Lassi.

Salad
Samosas
Mutton Malsala and Garlic Naan
Mutton Malsala and Garlic Naan
Tandoori Chicken
Sweet Lassi
For the best Indian food in Hongdae, maybe in all of Seoul, there's no better place to go than Kuajuraho. Seek it out. You won't be disappointed.

Address:
332-4 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul 2F (서울시 마포구 서교동 332-4 2F) phone: 02-325-1206

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Brooklyn, The Burger Joint

Tucked away in Seorae Mauel, also known as Seoul's French Village, are the best burgers in all of Seoul. Brooklyn, The Burger Joint is in amongst a very residential area of the French Village, and unless you're looking for it, you probably won't stumble upon it. But I must say, this is defiantly a place you'll want to hunt down.


There's usually a little bit of a wait, not too long the times I've been, but you'll want to get your name down on the wait list outside. The restaurant is quite small, only seating a little over twenty five people. The hip hop music being played is also a nice touch of ambiance.

 

Start off with a milkshake. These are some of the best milkshakes in all of Korea, maybe in all of Asia. The Nutella with Burnt Marshmallow Shake will forever make your crave it, and the Mint Chocolate Chip Shake will make you droll. The Oreo Shakes also come highly recommended.

Nutella and Burnt Marshmallow
Mint Chocolate Chip
When it comes to burgers, every choice is a good choice. There's the C.R.E.A.M. (Cheese Rules Everything Around Meat) Burger, represent, with sharp cheddar, bacon and horseradish mayo; The George Crum, topped with potato chips, American cheese, tomato and onion; and my personal favorite the Cheese Skirt Burger, a huge seven ounce meaty patty with lettuce, tomato and onion on top and a grilled mild cheddar skirt.

C.R.E.A.M. Burger

George Crum

George Crum
Cheese Skirt
Cheese Skirt
For an extra ₩5,000, make it a meal adding fries and a soda. They have a great collection of foreign sodas including Dad's Root Beer, which is real hard to come upon on South Korea.

Delicious Dad's Root Beer
Brooklyn, The Burger Joint has the best burgers in Seoul. Take a trip to the French Village, wonder through the back streets and get your name on the list for one of the best burgers you'll ever eat. A truly good burger has to be sought out in Seoul, and believe me, this place is wort seeking out.

Menu
Address: 551-32 Banpo-dong  Seocho-gu, Seoul, phone# 02-533-7180

Ho Lee Chow

Americanized Chinese food. If you've been to amy Chinese restaurant in the United States you're probably familiar with the concept. Sweet and sour everything, lemon chicken, and of course the ever so popular orange chicken are staples of Americanized Chinese. Of course these dishes do exist in authentic Chinese cuisine, but they're not as common as they are in the American Chinese food scene.

Well if you're looking for a taste of Americanized Chinese food in Seoul there's only one play to go--Ho Lee Chow. Located behind the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, Ho Lee Chow serves up all the Americanized Chinese favorites. The restaurant itself looks very upscale and has a fancy sit down feel to it. Depending on when you go it might be difficult to land a table without a wait or it may be so dead that the waitstaff has nothing better to do that wait on you hand and foot.


When you are seated you're welcomed with a pitcher of hot tea, a nice and often missed touch. The worst part about your visit to Ho Lee Cow will be deciding what to eat, as everything on the menu looks absolutely amazing.

Tea

Start off with a bowl of Hot & Sour Soup. I've always favored Egg Flower Soup over Hot & Sour, but this Hot & Sour soup will change you. There is so much flavor in the soup that you'll wish you could have it wi every meal.

Hot & Sour Soup

Next order an appetizer. Get that full Ho Lee Chow experience. Their Vegetable Spring Rolls aren't bad, but they don't seem as authentic and restaurant made as I would have liked. They reminded me of the spring rolls you could buy in the frozen food section in the States.


Vegetable Spring Rolls

I know it's not too adventurous and it's not very open of me to order what I ordered, but sometimes you just have to have some Sweet and Sour Pork. The sweet is emphasized, as the sauce is very reminiscent of the American style. The dishes are designed to feed more an one, but with a good appetite you'll easily be able to kill an order solo.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and Sour Pork

Is Ho Lee Chow the best Chinese in Seoul? Hard to say, but it is easily the best Americanized Chinese food you'll find! Ho Lee Chow damn good.

Yongsan-gu, Itaewon-dong, 119-25 (용산구 이태원동 119-25, 서울특별시), #02 793 0802

Saturday, December 1, 2012

갓덴스시 (Gatten Sushi)

Gangnam is full of illustrious restaurants to fit any appetite, but if you're in the mood for sushi (and come on, why wouldn't you be?) then get on the waiting list at 갓덴스시.


As you take exit 12 from Gangnam station walk only a few dozen feet to find 갓덴스시 on your left, just up some stairs. You might have to put your name on a waiting list as the place has a solid following. Trust me though, it is worth the wait.


After sampling a wide range of various sushi it was clear that everything, yes everything, was delicious. If you have your eye on something you've seen on the menu but doesn't seem to be making it's track around the restaurant, no worries, just request it from one of the many sushi chefs.

Menu

Two personal favorites had to be the Seared Beef as well as the Shrimp Tempura Roll (which we had to request).
Shrimp Tempura Roll
Seared Beef
You can order sake by the bottle as well if you're looking to get your drink on with your sushi.

 




In a word--indulge. Your taste buds will be in sushi heaven. The price is more than reasonable. Focus more on your food than your wallet.

822-4 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, +82 2 2051 1477