The “Coco” in many Hispanic countries is the name given to an irrational fear, equivalent to the boogeyman. In Korea, it is simply a place to get the best fried chicken in the city. Now, now, I hear you say, fried chicken joints are as common as bar brawls in Club FF on a Saturday night. What makes The Coco so special?
Food - Dining Out
As someone who reviews things food- and brew-related regularly, I've got a checklist. Yes, I know having a checklist for a brewpub sounds a bit uptight, but quality control in reviewing is nearly as important as it is in brewing. The point here is that you will find there are things that you need and things that you don't need in order for a brewpub to be great. At the Magpie Brewing Company, the list of “checks” is a short one:
— Good Beer - check
— Good People - check
— Roof/Walls/Seats - check
People rarely venture further than Anguk Station’s exit 6 or exit 1. One curves in towards the shops and galleries of Insa-dong and the other towards the hanok-lined streets of Samcheon-dong. So, walking out of Anguk Station, exit 2, en route to the elusive Vietnamese Embassy, I suddenly found myself in an unexplored pocket of the city. Enter the little hole-in-the-wall called Hu’s Table.
Sub-par sushi, bulgogi, and sweet and sour pork — it’s everywhere. In your local supermarket, at the mall and in the dozens of buffet restaurants scattered throughout Seoul. And it’s not cheap, either. So what’s a foodie to do? To find the best sushi, bulgogi, and sweet and sour pork, Groove Korea tagged along with foodies from Japan, Korea and China as they scoured Seoul for their respective country’s best eats.
This month we’re on the hunt for Seoul’s best sushi.
Dalk galbi — the spicy sauce, the cabbage and kimchi, the stir-fried chicken; it’s cheap enough for students and tasty enough for anyone. The stuff is just good. And no one does dalk galbi better than Yoogane.
Hidden on a nondescript side street just minutes from Hongdae’s bustling shopping district is Gusto Taco, the neighborhood’s top spot for Mexican food.
Décor is minimal; six mismatched stools tucked under a counter, wood paneling and some framed magazine articles make up the entirety of the interior. Food is cheap and filling (at 3,500 won for an order, their tacos might be the cheapest in the city), while staff are relaxed.
In 2002, Bob Weimer and his family took a trip to Korea. While traveling, the Weimers noticed a distinct absence of California wine. The ones they did find were of poor quality that didn’t match the expensive price tag. They began to ponder the possibilities of importing wine from California and creating a new market.
Ten years later, Weimer and his family live in Korea, and what began as a wine-importing venture has turned into Fog City International Café in Incheon.
In the heart of Seoul lies a district known for its shopping, street markets and restaurants: Myeong-dong, an area where Japanese is more commonly spoken than English and vendors busily sell their wares.
Here, wedged between racks of clothes and the latest fashions, is Fugetsu – Korea’s answer to the Japanese influence that has survived the country’s history to become a subculture. The restaurant’s specialty is the best that Osaka, Japan, has to offer in culinary art.
For a truly good curry, go to India. For real biscuits and gravy, visit the American South. And for genuine fish ‘n’ chips, take a trip to … Sinchon.
Are you in the mood for a Christmas feast, but don’t know where to start? Groove Korea teamed up with SunnySmartShopping to bring you this list of Seoul’s best holiday dinners. From your classic turkey and fixings to oakwood-smoked salmon and Australian beef, there’s something on this list for all price levels.
Suji’s in Itaewon is offering their traditional Suji’s Famous Christmas Dinner buffet.
When: Dec. 25
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