FatManSeoul

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 [...]

Oftentimes you’ll see bulgogi, galbi, and samgyeopsal translated as “Korean Barbecue.” Fatman hates this translation. While the use of the term varies slightly worldwide, in its home country, America, barbecue has a very specific meaning. Barbecue is a method of cooking using indirect heat. Whether the heat source is burning charcoal, wood, or a gas [...]

The uberblog of Koreablogs, The Marmot’s Hole, found a fascinating article about the increased popularity of Korean and Asian food across America – including at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky: The new Korean menu at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., is a hit, and the best proof is the empty plates. Dishes come [...]

Fatman wonders if some of this is a false trend, or at least partially unrelated to the recent economic downturn. From the Korea Times: Despite the slow economy that is forcing consumers to tighten their purse strings, a Pizza Hut restaurant in southern Seoul is enjoying a busier lunch time these days, as customers are [...]

The Korea Times has an update on more products found to contain melamine: Lotte Confectionary’s “Choudy” Nestle’s Kit Kat Mini Mars Korea’s Peanut Snickers Fun Size and M&M’s that’s in addition to the already identified: Misarang (custard and coconut flavor) Nabisco Ritz Cheese Cracker Sandwiches Lipton Milk Tea Powder Cadbury chocolates Creamer and coffee products [...]

Eid el-Fitr celebrations mark the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting for observant Muslims.  We’d like to wish everyone a happy Eid, and send them over to Auntie Beeb for a primer on celebratory cuisine for this holiday.  Then head over to this LA times article for an account of Eid in Afghanistan, complete [...]

It was a poorly kept secret that Julia Child, the beloved French Chef, had been an OSS (Office of Strategic Services- a precursor to the CIA.  No, not that CIA) spy during World War II.  Too tall to join the military (188cm!), she served her country by working at OSS headquarters and in the field [...]

When you’re eating out at a Korean pub, dried fish is definitely on the menu. Eating some of these is a straightforward task, but some fish need a little finessing. Nogari are small walleye pollock fish that are first dried and then briefly roasted and charred before serving. But while some fish are small enough [...]

Chicago Gluttons have posted what might qualify as the world’s most hilarious and hyperbolic restaurant review, covering the glory to be had at their local galbi joint, San Soo Gap San. Because we have too much time on our hands Because we love our readers so dearly Fatman has taken a stab at identifying the [...]

The Seoul Food Festival (English Link. 한국어 여기) is still a relatively new festival (it started in 2007) so it’s still finding its feet. Fatman is a new blog, so we sympathize. We also sympathize with all the people who can’t seem to find their way around! With five venues and inconsistent translation, it’s important [...]