FatManSeoul

The only thing better than eating a delicious wrap filled with tender morsels of snail is getting served the same by swearin’ granny. Yokjengi Halmoni Jip specializes in a pond snail cuisine.

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 [...]

Beware! They’re coming for your taste buds! Daseulgi Haejangguk (다슬기 해장국) is helping aid North Korea in their attempts to take over your mouth via their delicious marsh snail cuisine. This old hanok on the west side of Gyeongbuk Palace is the landing site of the next invasion from the north, featuring haejangguk, salads, and [...]

Hidden among the posh boutiques of Samcheon-dong is the best deal in town for cheap eats: Moksuidonna Ddeokpokki is easily one of the most famous places in all of Korea to get the spicy simmer of rice cakes and pepper sauce, and with justification. Unlike common street stall ddeokpokki that’s all spice and flash but [...]

- Mark Twain “I’m not telling you, ‘Never eat a hamburger.’ Just eat the good ones with real beef, you know, like the ones from that mom-and-pop diner down the street, … And it’s so good that when you take a bite out of that burger, you just know somewhere in the world a vegan [...]

The Korean blogosphere is buzzing about Chef Kim Hu-nam (김후남) and his bistro, Star Chef.  Chef Kim, whose training as chef included time working in Conneticut, has brought a new and vibrant touch to the bistro scene here in Seoul.  While the Japanese-French style of bistro food has dominated the Korean scene with its obsession [...]

One of the great things about Korean bakeries is that the major chains are constantly trying to one-up each other with new and exciting flavors for each season. By remaining sensitive to flavor trends at large, all the major and many of the minor players try to understand the changing palates of their customers and [...]

One of the great things about Korean bakeries is that the major chains are constantly trying to one-up each other with new and exciting flavors for each season. By remaining sensitive to flavor trends at large, all the major and many of the minor players try to understand the changing palates of their customers and [...]

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 [...]

Anguk-dong teems with great eateries, but among the most popular is the tiny hole-in-the-wall mandu restaurant called 천진포자 (Cheonjinpoja) where diners can munch on some of the most delicious and authentic Chinese-style mandu out there. The restaurant itself is tiny, with only one real table supplemented by stools and a low bar hugging the walls. [...]