kiku (기꾸)

kiku (기꾸)

서울특별시 용산구 이촌로 303 현대맨숀

지번 서울특별시 용산구 이촌동 301-160 현대아파트상가 31-110호

tel: 02-794-8584

what was consumed: omakase sushi ... !!!

omg, sushi. so delish. and when it comes from a place like kiku, even better! fresh fish, simple presentation, interesting (and tasty) combinations:

if you get a chance, and you're in a small group (like two ... or one!), be sure to sit at the sushi bar and chat with the sushi chef as he prepare the dishes. he might tell you that you're eating the wasabi incorrectly and give you instructions on how to enjoy it (or maybe that's just me ... hahaha), but for sure he makes for a good conversation partner and story teller. 

so, be sure to make your reservation, and include me! i'm ALWAYS game for some kiku!

jin mee restaurant (진미 식당)

jin mee restaurant (진미 식당)

서울특별시 마포구 마포대로 186-6 선화의원

지번 서울특별시 마포구 공덕동 105-127

tel: 02-3211-4468

what was consumed: soy sauce crabs

one of my favorite korean dishes is blue crab that has been marinated (pickled?) in soy sauce. i love the spicy version as well, but there's little like the salty taste of the sea found in these delicious critters.

jin mee restaurant is located near gong-deok station, off the mapo (i think) police station. they have some online presence (thanks to food bloggers), but not a website of their own. but sometimes these "hole in the wall" places, wrought with photos of the owners on family holidays and autographs from the celebrities that have dined over the years, are worth looking out for.

per person, you will be allotted 1 large-sh crab. the crab has been marinated in soy sauce, topped with a few other things like sesame seeds and chilis. don't worry, though, those who fear the spice. this crab dish is definitely a salty one, not a spicy one. the combination of the salty soy sauce combined with the meaty and sweet (raw) crab meat is just delicious. each crab is pretty decent in size (good thing, too, because each serving you pay for includes just 1 crab) and the large body shell is served separately from the body/legs. the soy sauce has gotten a chance to reach the insides of the crab so that each bite might have a bit of crab and a bit of salt. delish! and don't forget to take the soy sauce that has marinated the crab and pour a bit over your rice so that the delicious flavor might last just a little bit longer.

and, of course, the meal would not be complete without varied side dishes (bon-chon) that accompanies the meal. various kimchees, some dwen-jang soup, and some delicious seaweed varieties. to note is the one that looks like a series of seaweed strings that have been pressed together into sheets. i might have asked for quite a few plates of this - i could have eaten sheets and sheets of this for days upon days. YUM. 

other blogs i've read recommended reservations; good tip! jin mee's tables are reserved for those who called earlier, unless you're friends with the owner (which is always the case, i've found. then there's always a table waiting for you). and so, until i get to that level, i will call ahead and ensure that a table is waiting for me. oh, jin mee. you are not cheap, but definitely worth the visit and the taste. i can't wait to visit you again!

cho-roke bah-goo-nee (초록 바구니)

cho-roke bah-goo-nee (초록 바구니)
서울 용산구 이촌로84길 9-18tel: 02-790-3421

what was consumed: price fixe menu (small)

tasting menus may be one of my favorite things. having the chef tell me what's delicious and how i should eat things? i'm good at following directions! and when the chef is talented, uses ingredients from his own garden (or so i am told), and makes delicious food, i'm all for it. that's how i feel about cho-roke bah-goo-nee.

hidden behind the main street of dong-bu ichon-dong is what has turned out to be one of my favorite dining experiences. i understand there are a variety of dishes that are available "a la cart," but i prefer to order the smaller price fixe set menu. this affords approximately 10 different small-ish bites that come together to make quite a meal. the meal starts with a seasonal porridge and ends with dessert featuring seasonal fruits. the server will come and explain each plate along with suggestions on how to enjoy. 

of course, no one will judge if you inhale each plate (trust me - i've done that one too many times). during the meal, at some point, the chef comes out to check in on you, make sure you're enjoying your meal, and answer any questions you might have. he and his long hair are unassuming and he neither makes the assumption that you know who he is nor announces his arrival; rather, it seems, he wants to make sure that diners are enjoying the food experiences he is trying to create. 

another blogger described his (her?) experience at cho-roke bah-goo-nee like this: not everything was a winner, but everything was definitely interesting. agreed. i liked certain dishes more than others, but i appreciated the entire dining experience altogether. i like to bring guests who visit me here in seoul and recommend the experience to others as well. 

interested? let me know and i will happily accompany you, if i'm not eating at cho-roke bah-goo-nee already.

devil's door

devil's door
서울 서초구 반포동 118-3 BP 4-7
[새주소] 서울 서초구 사평대로 205 BP 4-7
tel: 02) 6282-4466
what was consumed: fried chicken, burger, fried mac 'n cheese, warm spinach dip, sausages, and beer! 

microbreweries and eateries specializing in pub far and/or good 'ol american comfort food are popping up every where in korea. each time, though, i'm happy to see them and excited to see what they have to offer. so, when the devil's door opened their doors, we were excited to try out their fare.

devil's door periodically does a hoppy hour (yes, hOppy, not hAppy). so, calling all beer lovers! this HH is definitely one to check out. sadly, for me, no food is included (or served) during hoppy hours, as far as i've heard anyway. but check it out and let me know what you think!

online: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Devils-Door/267392476780383