GASTROSeOUL

My trip to Seoul turned out to be a one of a kind gastronomic tour with restaurants tucked into every corner!

With the abundance of food options, it can be difficult to make a choice so I decided to share what is worth trying in Seoul.

Bakers make the Seoul smell better 🙂

On the way from the airport to the subway, I was struck by the smell of freshly baked bread. So many varieties of buns, pastries, cakes, and pies I used to see only in the Korean TV shows! ))))

A coffee lovers paradise

One the biggest surprises was discovering how developed Seoul’s coffee culture was. After living in Asia where the most popular drink is tea, Seoul undoubtedly stands out. At one point I noticed three coffee houses in one building, and later, found 8 coffee shops at one intersection! As a coffee addict I am totally in love with Seoul.

One Thousand and One … kimchies

Kimchi, a savory Chinese cabbage snack, was recently hailed as one of the most useful foods by the American magazine «Health». Koreans serve their favorite cabbage with every meal. This snack is not only rich in vitamins A, B and C, but also lactobacilli, which are found in fermented foods such as yogurt.

My life is potatoes

Korean potato pancakes (or Gamja-jeon) are very simple but yet delicious. They are made by frying grated potatoes with any type of vegetable oil until golden brown. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, Gamja-jeon is a great appetizer or a side dish.

Mandu Hills

And by this title, I do not mean the ancient Indian city Mandu and its hilly scenery.

Mandu, or korean dumplings, are delicious! Dumplings are placed on a wide plate in the pyramids, and before serving they are thrown into the broth again to warm up. Especially interesting to watch how this happens in the markets. Mandu-guk (or dumpling soup) is a perfect warm meal for a cold rainy day.. You can order a mix of meat and kimchi dumplings in one bowl. Kimchi mandu is a must-have during the celebration of Lunar New Year.

Bee – bim – baaap

“Bibimbap” literally means to mix several ingredients (or “bibim”) and “bap” – refers to rice. A bowl with fragrant rice, soy bean sprouts, carrots, lettuce and meat is served with thick soy sauce makes it delicious ! All you need to do is just bibim the topping with bap and eat warm!

Cook yourself!

Korean BBQ is undoubtedly the most well known Korean dish. You can find these restaurants with tables equipped with stoves and hoods on every street. If you have never tried Korean BBQ, I would recommend to go to «681». There, the waiters will not only help you choose, cook, and tell a little history of the dish, but also mix sauces creatively in the best fusion cooking traditions!