Jan 4, 2012

DINING. GANGNAM. SEOUL


Gangnam is hectic, overwhelming and buzzing with neon signs and young people on the go. It's also flooded with street food stands and restaurants.  I will be staying at a friend's home in Gangnam during my visit at the end of this month.  So, I figured I might as well do some homework and see what I can find in terms of good eats.

Tips: if you prefer to take the taxi:  tell the driver the name of the station and Yuck = Station. For example: Gangnam Yuck.  Also, if the station is spelled with a letter "A", try to pronounce it like "Autumn".  Most likely it has the sound of "Autumn" instead of "Apple".
Always make sure to have a copy of the subway map written in Korean. If the taxi driver does not understand you, just show him the map.

Golmokgil
Clams, mussels, scallops, conchs, and other shellfish in a large bowl and streamed up on your table.  It's located north of Hak-dong Station
More infohttp://www.seouleats.com/2011/08/wednesday-night-eats-from-weeks-past.html
Taxi Direction:
Doe-san Gong-wan (pronounced like magic WANd but no "d") saw-gull-ri ( intersection), Star bucks Cup-pee, Non-hyeon dong. 
* From Starbucks, walk south bound. 1st - pass a small street .  At the following larger 2nd street, turn right.  Turn left at the 1st street.  It will be on your immediate left ( or the 2nd building on your left)

Bon-ga ( pronounced like Bo Diddy plus n; not like James BONd) 본가
Korean BBQ and all the side dishes come with the meal.
Beef (most expensive)= So goo gee
Pork=dway-gi-goo-gee
Pork belly ( looks like bacon)=sum-guelp-cell
More info and map: http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004001002002&p=01&art_id=34162&lang=en&tab=map


Subway direction: Nonhyeon Station exit 2 or Sinnonhyeon Station exit 3


Gangnam Gyo-ja
Their specialty is Kar-gook-sue noodles with house made chicken broth.  It's to die for. Yes, it's that good.  They make the best Kar-gook-sue in all of Seoul. It's listed on the above map labeled #6.  Highly recommended!!


on this photo, there are 2 entrances. It's the one on your right side 


Review of original location in Myeong-dong District: http://www.seouleats.com/2009/02/blog-post.html
Subway direction
1. Sinnonhyeon Station exit 6:  After passing skyscraper Kyobo Building, count to 2nd street and turn right. After passing the 2nd street, starting looking for it. Gangnam (pronounce both "A" like "Autumn").
2.Gangnam Station exit 6: count to 3rd street and turn left. Look at the map above #6.  


Gwangyang Bulgogi
Bulgogi is a popular beef dish which has been thinly sliced and marinated. At this restaurant, they charcoal grill it which isn't the common way to cook this dish but regardless, very delicious! Listed as #7 on above map


Subway direction: Gangnam Station exit 1. Walk ahead til you see City Bank. At the 3rd street, turn right. Start looking for the sign.  


Norang Jeogori
In a traditional Korean home atmosphere, they serve folksy entrees and side dishes with different price points. It's labeled as #14 on above map. A set course starting at 17,000 won and up to 30,000 won. 


  


Webwww.norangjugory.co.kr
Subway direction: Gangnam Station exit 5. Follow the map above labeled #14

Haenam Cheonilgwan
Serves traditional Korean full course meal with main dishes and a variety of side dishes up to 15.  A great way to sample many dishes.  It's labeled #8 on above map. Prices range from 20,000 - 40,000 won


Subway direction: Sinnonhyeon Station exit 1. Walk straight ahead til you run into a major big intersection. It is on your right side. Look for the sign.  Look at #8 above map. 


Hanguk Gongalbi
Serves great galbi which is marinated beef ribs and cooked on copper char coiled grill . It's very popular dish with the locals and foreigners.  It's listed as #9 on above map




Subway direction
Sinnonhyeon Station exit 3.  Look at the map above #9


Palpalminmuljangeo
A famous restaurant serving spicy grilled eels. 1 kilogram ( 3 eels)serve about 2-3 people. They serve farm raised eels. It's listed as #15 on above map.




Subway direction: Sinnonhyeon Station exit 1. Look at above map #15.  


Unknown: A famous restaurant serving jja-jang-myun made with fresh home-made noodles and black bean sauce. The walls are adorned with celebrity autographs.  This dish is typically served at Korean version of Chinese restaurants.  




Subway direction: Sinnonhyeon Station exit 4. Walk strraight ahead til you see Ritz Carlton Hotel. Across the main street. Turn left. A very small building on your right side.  You might see the owner gentleman making fresh noodles front of the window.  The restaurant is located across from Ritz Carlton. If you are uncertain, go into the hotel and ask for the direction. They provide English service.  
Taxi: Ritz Carlton Hotel, Gang-nam


Hong Yeong Jae
A natural restaurant focusing on creative dishes made out of fermented soybean paste.  Located north of Samseong Station ( Green line 2)
Review & map: http://www.seouleats.com/2011/09/hong-yeong-jae-how-restaurant-that-bean.html


Taxi direction: Before getting in a cab, call the restaurant # 02-548-8340. Ask someone there to explain the direction to the taxi driver or ask your hotel concierge to write the direction in Korean and then give to the driver. Seoul, Gangnam-gu Samseongdong  109-8 (서울 강남구 삼성동 109-8)


Mitaya Japanese
Fresh sashimi at an authentic setting.  Dining here can be expensive. But hey, you are paying for the ambiance and freshest fish it has to offer.  
Review and maphttp://www.seoulgrid.com/blog/mitaya-gangnam-japanese-sashimi/#more-4430
Web: www.mitaya.co.kr
Subway direction: Gangnam station exit 8. At the 1st street, turn left. Count to 3rd street on your left side and start looking for the restaurant on your left.


갯벌의진주
Grilled clams. It's very popular during lunch and dinner hours. There is second  location on the same street about 100 meters apart. 
Review and map
http://www.seoulgrid.com/blog/grilling-clams-at-%EA%B0%AF%EB%B2%8C%EC%9D%98%EC%A7%84%EC%A3%BC-nonhyeon/




Subway direction
Sinnonhyeon Station exit 3. Pass Angelinus Coffee. Turn right at 2nd street. Turn left at 1st street. Start looking for the restaurant. 


Raw 
They serve Japanese style ramen noodle soup.  



Subway direction
1. Gangnam Station exit 6. Walk all the way down to Sinnonhyeon Station. On your left, there is a sky scrapper building, Kyobo Building. It located behind this building.  
2. Sinnonhyeon Station exit 6 or 7. Behind Kyobo Building. 


Din Tai Fung
One of the more affordable Chinese import dim sum restaurants in Seoul.  
More infohttp://visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=555553 and
http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004001002002&p=01&art_id=33304&lang=en


Subway direction: Gangnam Station exit 5. Walk for 2 blocks and turn right. Pass Marche Restaurant. Din Tai Fung will be on your left side.

Sinjeong
Famous for Shabu Shabu dishes and roast duck. Pricey
More info and map: http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004001002002&p=01&art_id=34170&lang=en&tab=info

Sachenok
http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004001002002&p=01&art_id=33486&lang=en&tab=rate

Urliji-man-doo
Dumplings and dumpling hot pots.
Info and map: http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004001002002&p=01&art_id=34168&lang=en&tab=map

Yet-gol
Kimchi stew
Info and map: http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004001002002&p=01&art_id=33361&lang=en

DINING. SINSA DONG / APGUJEONG. SEOUL

As I am preparing to visit Seoul end of this month, it's only natural that I do some heavy duty research on where I would like to check out and eat.  So here is my preliminary list that I have compiled so far and perhaps, this perks your interest as well. When I am in Asia, I prefer the local or other Asian influence food. So do not expect to see Western/European influenced restaurants listed here.


Sinsa-dong Area 
South of Hannam Bridge. A cute upscale neighborhood for boutique shopping, latteing, and luncheons. It has an European vibe with Euro prices to match.
Taxi: Shin-sa Yuck = Station or Ga-row-sue-gil ( main street listed as "Garosugil" on above map)

Yum Thai
Authentic Thai


More infohttp://www.seouleats.com/2009/12/yum-thai-authentic-thai-food-in-seoul.html
Subway direction: Sinsa Station exit 1. Walk for 3 minutes and count to 4th street ( 1st - small street. 2nd - bigger street. 3rd & 4th - small street) and located 2nd building on your right side; just before S Oil Gas Station and across from J Tower)

Pro Con-jawng Gye-jawng
Specializes in soy sauce marinated fresh crab. Not one of the cheapest meals you'll have in Seoul.  Since the menu is written in Korean, point to 80,000 won item on the menu. I believe this price is for 4 persons. but for 2 persons, then point to 55,000 won which is listed below.  It's listed as #9 on above map.


Webwww.prosoycrab.com
More infohttp://www.seouleats.com/2011/12/soy-marinated-crab-pro-soy-crab.html
Subway direction: Sinsa Station exit 4. Count to 2nd street and turn right. Look for it on your left side.

Uri-gang-san
A traditional korean meal with 25 different side dishes. It's always packed during lunch and dinner hours. It's listed on the above map.


Subway direction: Sinsa Station exit 6. Turn right at 1st street. Turn left at the 1st street. Look for the sign on your right side.

Poong Worl
A Japanese izakaya restaurant specializing grilled dishes, sashimi, scallops, oyster, omelet, and more. Expect to pay about 25,000 - 30,000 won ( $30) including alcohol.




More infohttp://www.seouleats.com/search/label/insadong
Phone02-547-9923 (Most likely, they speak English)
Subway direction: Sinsa Station exit 8. Walk ahead and count to 3rd Street. At this major intersection street, turn left. This is the street, Ga-row-sue-gil. Count to 3rd street on your left side and turn left. At the 1st street, turn right. Start looking for " Paper Garden". Pass. Poong Worl is next to 7/11 store
Map: Link - the map shows the location of Paper Garden. 


Hyundai Department Store
If you have absolutely no idea what you are in the mood for, head over to Hyundai Department Store. You have the option of heading to the basement where there is a food court with a variety of Korean food and a grocery store section with a plenty of Korean snacks to choose from.  Or head to the top floor where there are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well.  I recommend Crystal Jade dim sum restaurant on the 5th floor. 
Subway direction: Apgujeong Station exit 6.


Sawore Boribap
A restaurant specializing boribap which is steam barley which comes with healthy vegetable toppings.  
Webwww.aprilbori.co.kr
More info: 
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FO/FO_EN_6_4_4.jsp?category=&areaCode=1,1&recomm=&gotoPage=8&cid=349124#selectBox and map:
http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004001002002&p=01&art_id=33634&lang=en
Tip: if the menu is written in Korean, order the item with price 8,500 won. This is for boribap





Direction: Exit 2 of Line 3 Apgujeong Station, look to your left. There are a few steps leading down to the restaurant; by CGV Cinema. 


Gae-song House
An elderly woman from North Korea serves some great North Korean cuisine. 
More info: 
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FO/FO_EN_6_4_4.jsp?category=&areaCode=1,1&recomm=&gotoPage=9&cid=398448#selectBox
Direction: 
Exit 4 or 5 of Apgujeong Station (Subway Line No. 3) >> Across the kwanglim Church. Look at the map above. 

Mok Ro Pyeong-yang Man-doo
Serves Mon-doo dumplings and soup Mon-doo guk.
More info and map: http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004001002002&p=01&art_id=33609&lang=en&tab=map


Mongnyeonsikdang
http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004001002002&p=01&art_id=33608&lang=en






Photos:
www.seouleats.com
www.koreataste.com