Since I've got some free time (for now..), just felt like updating this blog with a post about FOOD! Remember when I said I wanted to talk about my past travels? Well here it goes...
I went to Seoul, Korea last April and I must say it is not easy finding real Korean Halal Food. Itaewon has tons of Halal Restaurants but they mostly serve Mediterranean or Indian Food which is totally NOT what I've come to Korea to experience. So, I shall not talk about it hahah. Anyways, here are some of my food picks while I was in Seoul.
1.
Drama Cafe *Halal*
Nami Island
Korean Pancakes
10,000 Won (~S$12)
'Dosirak'
6,500 Won (~S$8.00)
If you are travelling to Nami Island for a day trip, Drama Cafe is a great place to stop by and have
lunch. Their speciality is the 'Dosirak', which is like a Korean lunchbox packed with rice, egg, kimchi and other toppings. You will be a given a pair of gloves to shake these 'Dosirak' as violently as you can so that the ingredients mixes well. I ordered one with and cheese and the other with tuna. If I remember correctly, I think I preferred the one with cheese better. I also added in a Korean Pancake, which is not that bad but I would have liked it more if it was crispier.
Price wise, its kinda expensive but most probably due to its location.
You will be able to find it at the outside left of the Nami Library, further at the back.
2.
Osegyehang Restaurant *Vegetarian*
14-5, Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
+82 2-735-7171
(Photo from Tripadvisor)
Extremely SPICY Soup Noodles!!
Black Bean Noodles (Super YUMMY!)
Tucked away in one of Insadong's quiet alley, this vegetarian restaurant is probably one of the best finds. I've totally forgotten what I've ordered but there was one that is still stuck in my mind which was the BLACK BEAN NOODLES! It doesn't look like much but the taste it to die for! I totally recommend it and it would be such a huge miss if you don't try it. The other items were quite good as well. I really like the ambience of the restaurant as it exudes a kind of traditional Korean house feel. Other than that, the price is affordable too. So, if you are travelling on a budget and don't mind adding vegetables to your diet, this place is definitely a place to consider.
I found out about this place when I enquired about vegetarian restaurants at Insadong's information centre. It's pretty hard to find it if you don't have a map. So, I would suggest to go to an information centre and get directions.
3.
Yang Good Korean BBQ Lamb Restaurant *Halal*
Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Nonhyeon-ro, 95 gil, 15
+82 02-567-7060
(Photo from Wordpress)
Really friendly and helpful staff!
Cold Noodles :P
Now, saving the best for last! After days of eating vegetables, desserts, seafood and whatnot, finally I found a place that serves halal MEAT!! Sadly, I visited this place during my last few days in Korea and I wished I had came here sooner. I could be a little bias when I say its one of the best BBQ meat I've eaten but I'm not kidding, especially when you are in a place where there is limited halal food choices. Its best to come to this place for dinner or supper as it only opens in the evening till the wee hours of the night.
Recommended: Marinated meat and cold noodles!
Being our first time eating Korean style BBQ, we put the whole piece of meat onto the grill (as you can see from the 2nd picture).
However, it was apparently the wrong thing to do as the staff there were all looking at us in a weird and puzzled way.
(Like where the hell do all these noob people came from?!)
Thus, one of them actually came and help us cut up the meat.
Thank you! Lesson learnt.
Price is pretty reasonable for BBQ meat, around 20,000-35,000 Won (~S$25-S$40) for 2 portions, depending on what type of meat you choose.
It took quite a long time to find this place as I thought it was near Gangnam station as the address was in Gangnam but we were suppose to go to Yeoksam Station which was one station away. Even upon reaching Yeoksam Station, it took a couple of locals and turns before reaching.
Apart from having to rely on these restaurants to fill our tummies, there are also many interesting cafes which Seoul is known for having. Here are some of which I've visited..
4.
Dal Cafe
Samcheongdong
Green Tea 'Bingsoo'
Along the streets of Samcheondong, you will be able to find this cafe known for its 'bingsoo' which is almost the same as our 'ice kacang'. I feel that this cafe is a little pricey for me but they are pretty generous with their bingsoo portion and additional toppings. The waffles are so-so (really like its presentation though). Overall, this cafe is a great place to chill and unwind awhile, after all those walking.
5.
Caffe Bene
near Ewha Women's University
SLURPP!
I decided to visit popular Korean cafes in Seoul where Singapore has yet to have an outlet. One of them was Caffe Bene. Sadly I didn't manage to take photos at the other cafes :( Many of you may have heard of Caffe Bene before, cus its everywhere in Seoul! I went to the outlet nearby Ewha Women's University. I like that it was quiet and had a great alfresco area.
At Caffe Bene, they also serve 'bingsoo' but with a variety of modern flavours. I choose cookies & cream which I absolutely LOVE! How I wish in Singapore there is such a thing as cookies & cream 'ice kachang.' However, I think that the ice portion for their bingsoo may have been a little too much.
(Just look at the amount of ice I've wasted at the 2nd last pic! :O)
Alright that's all from me! For the halal restaurants, even if they a hold a halal certificate, they will still sell alcohol or rice wine. So, don't be too surprise and doubtful as the reason why they are allowed to sell alcohol is mainly because of business survival.
Next stop, I will be heading to Taiwan this coming end of May.
So do look out for the next HFJ in Taiwan!
