the baker's table

the baker's table
244-1 Noksapyeong daero Itawon dong Yongsan gu
tel: 070) 7717-3501

what was consumed: brunch!

t is in town! and considering is 6am arrival (he actually didn't make it to seoul proper until a little later, but it was still pretty darn early), we didn't have difficulty nabbing a table for an early meal (note: it became difficult to nab a table soon after we sat down). 

the baker's table (and mira's bakery) has become the go to place for many expats when it comes to delicious and varied breads. they also offer a variety of different cakes that are great on a rainy day, with coffee, or at any other time of life. yum. it makes me glad that i don't have a glutton allergy and that i can enjoy (within reason? in moderation? oh, who am i kidding ...)

t and i went for brunch and we were not disappointed. mind you, we probably ordered for 4 people and did not hesitate in devouring the entire thing. but it was delish and would definitely be worth a wait. nom nom nom nom nom ... 

online: http://blog.naver.com/mirabakery and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bakers-Table/166508706726020

camping company

camping company
서울 용산구 신흥로 37 1층
tel: 02) 792-0434

what was consumed: grilled meat, camping style!

there's something about theme restaurants that i sort of love. and here in korea, they do it right. 

in HBC, there's a korean bbq place that maintains a camping motif. i'm partial to camping (i have some great childhood memories of family camping trips and the camping company sort of mimicked my experiences). you sit on coleman chairs that are close to the ground, cook atop open flames (though that's pretty common at korean bbq places), drink out of klean kanteens, and everything is served on stainless steel. you order your meats (we ordered pork belly and home made sausages!) and help yourselves to the banchan "bar" that includes some of my camping favorites. good food, fun atmosphere, good for pairs or small groups. definitely a place to check out and one that i'd return to. have fun!

robot kimbap (로봇김밥)

robot kimbap (로봇김밥)
multiple locations (my first was on gyung-ri-dahn-gil near noksapyong at 서울 용산구 녹사평대로46길 3)
tel: 02-794-9595

what was consumed: kimbap, dduk bokki, pork stir fry over rice 

i've been seeing robot kimbaps pop up in lots of different places. and i, for one, am happy about it as i can never have too much kimbap!

what makes robot kimbap different, though, is their healthy eating mantra - brown rice and natural ingredients, clean eating. i'm not the best judge, but i know when i enjoy what i'm eating.

when looking for a light meal or a snack or or or, i will look for a robot kimbap nearby. the kimbap is fresh and the various combinations of flavors is super yummy. they have a pretty extensive menu, though (as many boon-sik places do), and if it's anything like their kimbap, then i'm gonna say that it's worth the try. yay kimbap! yay robot kimbap!

online: http://www.robotfnb.co.kr/

swi:t b

swi:t b
yongsan-gu itaewon-dong 673, seoul
tel: +82-2) 792-0749

what was consumed: ice cream!

sometimes, fog machines just work. friend simon and i were walking past swi:t b after dinner and were drawn in by the magic that is the fog machine. lucky for us, they serve ice cream which was exactly what we were looking for.

swi:t b serve soft serve (and for whatever reason, soft serve is exceptionally delicious in korea) with your choice of syrup topping. they have a variety of flavors and can even make one that is not on their menu. they have a variety of other ice cream desserts that they make with the softserve as the center/base. 

note: swi:t b is a "brick and mortar" version of an ice cream stand. they put 2-ish sets of chairs right outside, but they're usually occupied (though not necessarily by swi:t b customers. oh well). the idea, though, is for one to purchase, then consume while walking. i like it!

online: http://www.switb.co.kr 

look at me! i'm so mesmerized by the fog ... hahaha