FatManSeoul

Yes, you can get a glass of absinthe here. But startlingly, rare alcohol plays second fiddle here to a wide range of very delicious coffees and the best cupcakes in Seoul. Got that? The best, bar none.

Seth’s Travelog has put up a post ranking coffee according to his experiences in Asia. Now, we know taste is highly subjective, but we have to say . . . Seth, you really need to get out more! Leaving aside the fact that you spoke of Japan without mentioning the sacred Doutor Coffee Co. (Hallowed [...]

The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting article on the expansion of Dunkin’ Donuts in Korea today, saying that the chain was looking to almost double the number of stores in South Korea, along with turn Koreans into morning coffee drinkers. We ask you, do Koreans really need any help with that? There’s a few [...]

Fatman has a whole post devoted to the foods of Andong (as well as posts here and here right at home)  over at Hub of Sparkle, but one place deserves special mention. It is not merely the best bakery in Andong, or Gyeongsang-do.  It is the best bakery in Korea.  Maybe the best bakery in [...]

Looks like Stafford of the Chosun Bimbo has hit a rough patch in his relationship with Starbucks Korea . . . UPDATE:  Fatman just had our own special repeat of Stafford’s problem – a latte with only a smattering of foam to insulate our coffee.  Not cool, evil corporate entity!

Set in the picturesque area near Hanseong University, Song’s Kitchen is an old converted hanok nestled into a hollow, making for an almost Brigadoon-like space of cute kitsch. This cosy, artsy space plays host not just to a large collection of ceramic, glass, and ticky-tacky, but also to an impressive open kitchen that turns out [...]

From business journalist Daniel Gross in today’s Slate Magazine:  Do Starbucks spell financial doom?  Gross connects the density of Starbucks in a country’s financial capital with the catastrophic financial losses of the past few weeks. My tentative theory: Having a significant Starbucks presence is a pretty significant indicator of the degree of connectedness to the [...]

Ok, so FatMan’s first thought upon hearing the word “Kaya” was that it must be referring to the small Gaya Confederacy of the early Three Kingdoms Period centered in the Gimhae area of the Nakdong River Basin. But just like so much of the food scene in Seoul, Fatman was about to be blown away [...]

Lots of eateries in Korea straddle the line between cafe and bar and restaurant. They may not have full menus, full bars, or even much in the way of bean based beverages, but their appeal lies in having a little of them all. A bit of coffee or tea, a limited wine, beer and liquor [...]