mix & malt

mix & malt

종로구 창경궁로 29길 3

tel: 02-765-5945

what was consumed: sous vide steak, shrimp & asparagus salad, asparagus side, chili cheese nachos, ginger soda ... specialty cocktails!

i had been spending a lot of time near snu hospital. i knew of a few good eats around there (the church i attend is in deh-hak-no), but i was looking for some place new, some place i had never been. my cousin recommended one of his favorite places: mix & malt. thanks j!

tucked behind sung-kyoon-kwan university, in one of the alleys near snuh, is a cool, expat owned bar/restaurant that specializes in some good western eats and some excellent cocktails. food wise: i hear they're known for their sous vide steak. i don't know anywhere else in seoul that offers this (mind you, i have limited knowledge), but mix & malt does a delicious version, including the creamy mashed potatoes all covered with delicious gravy (salty! not sweet! excellent!). the other dishes we ordered were also delightful - well dressed salad featuring asparagus and shrimp, chili cheese nachos with homemade chips (and, again, not a sweet chili! love it), delicious fries, seasonal greens, etc. YUM.

if you're looking just for a place to grab a cocktail (or even if it's to accompany your meal), you're in the right place. the staff offers interesting combinations, as well as the traditional. sit at the bar to increase the likelihood you'll get a taste of the mixologist's newest creations. and even for you non-drinkers, mix & malt has a series of house-made soda combinations that are DE-LISH. i could really go for one of their ginger sodas right about now ...

also, if they are in, be sure to say hello to the owner and his lovey dog. the dog seems to love the attention.

mix & malt! go/come, sit down, have a drink, and enjoy. i can't wait to go back!

online: https://www.facebook.com/MixMalt/

sanchon (산촌)

sanchon (산촌)
서울특별시 종로구 인사동길 30-13
서울특별시 종로구 관훈동 14
tel: 02-735-0312

what was consumed: buddhist temple cuisine, for dinner; set menu (aka all veggie, all the time)

lots of people say that it's hard to find vegetarian cuisine in korea. they're not necessary wrong, as it is common to find fish-based broths and bits of fish/meat in what feels like ever little dish. but what these folks haven't gotten a change to taste is the traditional korean cuisine in the buddhist tradition. all veggie, all the time, using local spices and celebrating the natural and pure flavors of the things that grow around us.

dinner included 16 different parts, a variety of different flavors and textures and dishes, all vegetarian. the meal started with a large plate with small bites, accompanied by rice and pumpkin porridges. then came the next set of bites including the pancake topped with kimchi "salad." and then, the "meal" that included 18 different bowls of banchan that should be enjoyed with a bit of rice (not mixed like bibimbap, i was told) along with the traditional dwenjang soup. the meal concluded with some dehydrated veggies and rice snacks served with cinnamon tea. and for "service," we were served a taste of the pine tea (a fermented wine made with a variety of different fruits. bjl said it tasted like a sweet and fruity schnapps. hahaha).

i was tempted to ask for more of the things that i loved (like the fried kelp! or the pancake+kimchi salad! or or or ... so good!), but i was scared that they'd say no. but it was so good! i could eat forever. the flavor palate was to be expected: a strong emphasis on the natural flavors of the vegetables, less on the use of spices that would otherwise mask the flavors. there also seemed to be the use of using one veggie (primarily mushroom) to flavor other dishes. i tried to taste and relish all of the flavors, but soon retracted to my more usual ways and began shoveling food in to my face. oh well.

if you go for dinner, be sure to stay for the "traditional" show (included with your meal). while a little kitchy and definitely targeting tourists, and despite the black light that makes all of the performers look like the scary characters of korean horror films, there's something a little great about introducing this part of korean culture to guests. especially in this day of hallyu, psy, and bulgogi (all of which i also love, mind you). and especially during peak tourist season (i.e., when the weather is good - the spring and fall, also probably during the summer), i've heard that sanchon is packed. so be sure to make reservations! they do lunch and dinner.

bjl mentioned that, despite finding the experience worthwhile, he says that no one does veggie better than the indians. agreed - the indians have some pretty darn tasty cookin'. but the purity and simplicity of korean buddhist cuisine holds its own and should be highly valued. go! try! enjoy!

online: http://www.sanchon.com/ 

mool-go-gi jah-ri (물고기 자리)

mool-go-gi jah-ri (물고기 자리 )

서울특별시 종로구 종로5길 32-5 삼선빌딩/서울특별시 종로구 청진동 11-6 1층

tel: 02-725-6688

what was consumed: "well-being" set meal (feeds 3-4) and includes grilled whole fish, sweet baked fish, stewed fish in kimchi, sashimi salad

calling all fish lovers!

bjl and i ran into nat on our way to lunch and we sort of invited ourselves along to her lunch. and i'm glad we did!

nat took us to what she says is one of her favorite lunch joints around the office. while they have a large variety of items that may be ordered a la cart, the server suggested the set-menu once she took a look at our 4-top. the set menu included the restaurant's best sellers, so we were happy to oblige.

our meal came out quickly and deliciously. the grilled fish was perfect - nice and crispy on the outside, served whole, flaky and delicious on the inside. and the stewed fish in kimchi! and while the entire meal was delicious, the grilled and stewed fish were definitely my favorite. pick the delicious meat off the bones of the fish (asian style!), mix the broth of the stewed fish and kimchi (just like home!), and finish off the meal with a bit of toasted rice in water (oops - picture not included). we left mool-go-gi jah-ri with full bellies and huge smiles on our faces.

so, if you have a hankering for fish, be sure to check out mool-go-gi jah-ri (aka the place of fish) and order away! and don't forget to invite me, please.