Vegetarianinkorea

Suji's opens another location!

I received this press release today....

Suji’s Deli open in Hyundai Department Store Kintex

Suji’s Hospitality Company (Suji’s) – Suji’s Deli officially opened to the public in Hyundai Dept. Kintex on Aug. 26, 2010.

Suji’s first Artisan deli offers more than 30 different items ranging from daily chef-made Gourmet foods as prepared foods, deli sandwiches, salads, snacks, deli meats, and a variety of cheeses, spices, and sauces. The company, which started with 1 store in 2005, has grown to 6 locations in Japan and Seoul. During that time, Suji’s, developed a reputation for the most famous brunch restaurant in S.Korea. Suji’s Deli uses all house-cured meats. Sandwiches are topped with freshly made condiments and served on fresh baked bread.

The Suji’s Deli location is on B1 floor in Hyundai Department Kintex store in Ilsan area. (Tel: 031-822-2233)

Directions:

By Subway take Seoul Subway Line 3 to Daehwa station Go out exit 1 and walk to Hyundai Department Store Kintex.

By Bus: See the Kintex Convention Hall Website: http://www.kintex.com/english/location/bybus.jsp

By Car: See the Kintex Convention Hall Website: http://www.kintex.com/english/location/bycar.jsp

You tell me

I had this dish (for the first time ever actually) this weekend. Do you know what it is?

The Hyatt (and JJ Mahoney's)

Saturday night I headed out the Seoul Hyatt to bid farewell to a friend that was moving back to the US.

We first met up in the Club Level Room amidst the upper level hotel rooms to share a bottle of wine  and have deep conversations about what the future holds for our families. 

 

(Or maybe just to joke around and gossip)

Then we headed downstairs to JJ Mahoney's bar to listen to a live band.

 

 

The band was AWESOME.

So awesome in fact, that I didnt mind paying 56,000KRW for two drinks.

(!!!!!!!!!!!)

If you havent yet ventured up to the Grand Hyatt in Itaewon overlooking Seoul, put it on your MUST DO list. There are several fantastically posh restaurants and bars to choose from and the ambiance is UNREAL.

(I think today is type in ALL CAPS day apparently)

Seoul Grand Hyatt

London Tea

Nestled around the corner from the Capitol Hotel, on a street that is filled with mechanic's garages, is a beautiful little jewel called London Tea.

 

The restaurant is tiny. Seats maybe 10 people inside, with a few tables outside. The "kitchen" is maybe 4 5 or 6 feet wide by MAYBE 2 feet deep. Tiny!

 

But what those two women can do in that tiny kitchen? Amazing.

I ordered the apple and cheddar omelet...

 

 

Apple and cheddar in an omelet? Seems obvious, but I'd never considered it before! Brilliant. And that little salad on top with a tangy dressing was the PERFECT match.

My dining companion got the french onion soup omelet...

I don't recall the exact prices of these omelets, I believe they were around 9500KRW.

We washed them down with flavorful refreshing teas served in mason jars.

 

This place really is treasure found in the midst of a corner full of blue-collar businesses. 

London Tea offers Wi-Fi and is open every day from 10am-9pm!

Classically cool.

Tama Tama

Located outside of the Yongsan Military Post Gate 1, and just around the corner from both the War Memorial and the iPark Mall, is a wine and pasta bar called Tama Tama.

 

 

 

Now, I did not eat there, but the drink prices were pretty reasonable and the atmosphere is very relaxing. Great place to go for after dinner drinks.

Suji's

I've been passing by Suji's at least once a week for the past year and a half and have not once dined there. Craziness- I know. So on a rare clear blue sky day, I asked a friend to meet me for a bite to eat.

 

 

The interior is quaint and comfortable. Colorful. Cozy yet not claustrophobic.

The server was unbelieavably sweet and prompt. Seriously- I felt like he was fresh from a proper etiquette server's academy. If there is such a thing.

My meat-eating friend got the Reuben. (Full disclosure- this was a couple weeks ago, and I am not really "in the know" about meat sandwich names, so I could be wrong here. But it sure looks like a Reuben and I KNOW it had sauerkraut)

 

She loved her sandwich and I asked her specifically about the meat and she said it was fantastic (not dry or tough). Sure looked like a generous piling of meat.

There were a few vegetarian options, and I was debating over breakfast or lunch, but opted for the veggie quesadillas.

 

I know veggie  quesadilla seems like the safe choice, but MAN- these things were GOOD. I've eaten a lot of veggie  quesadilla in my time, and never had ones like these. Stuffed with a myriad of veggies, that had marinated in some sort of lime juice concoction. So good.

(my spell check refuses to believe quesadilla is a real word. Silly thing)

No meal is complete without dessert. This is the tiramasu cheesecake.

 

It was not what we expected as the cheesecake part was a surprise, however it was very tasty and rich. Lots of flavor-melding going on.

I chose the apple/berry crumble.

This was out of this world. I'm going to go out on a risky limb here and say that I enjoyed this fruit crumble more that the pricey tart I had at Tartine. I felt like it was home-made- that day- just for me.

Egocentric? Maybe.

Fantastic lunch Suji's!

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Suji's is located at the front end of Itaewon. Look at the arches, and it is directly on your right, diagonally above the Skin Food Store.

Need cupcakes?

A friend recently started her own customized cupcake and cake business here in Seoul.

She made these garden themed cupcakes for an event a friend of mine hosted in June. 

 

 

Just look at the tiny little details on those cupcake toppings!

You can check our her website here- Butter Sugar Cream.

Favorite Summer Time Food

Strawberry season is coming to a close. Do you know what that means? CHEAP STRAWBERRIES.

 

I love to buy strawberries, kiwis and mango (it is hidden at the bottom of the bowl) and throw it together for a great breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Dos Tacos in Gangnam- hidden 2nd location!

(maybe you already knew about this, but I did not!)

I had been to Dos Tacos in Gangnam before. And just like my first visit, when I went recently it was BUSY. So busy they had a waiting list! I placed my name on the list, but it didnt look very promising that I would be eating tacos anytime soon.

After about 15 minutes, the hostess came out and told us that there was a 2nd Dos Tacos location down stairs in the basement of the same building! A SECOND LOCATION!!!

And it was only half full of customers! There was ample seating! And cooler temperatures! It was fantastic.

 

I had a soft taco with whole pinto beans and a hard taco with refried beans.

SOOOO good. As always.

Dos Tacos

http://dostacos.co.kr/

Gangnam Station Exit 6,  5 minute walk

walk past Krispy Kreme, and turn right before the Kyobo bank.

Dubai Take 2

Last week I made my 2nd trip to Dubai restuarant in Itaewon. I remembered my first trip as pleasant, and this one was even better!

 

Good spacious restaurant. Although pretty warm temperature wise.

Clean decorated bathrooms as well.

 

fabulous yellow lentil soup.

 

various salads.

trio of dips including fantastic baba ganoush and hummus.

Their falafel has really improved. Held up well. Love the sesame seeds.

I don't remember what this was, some sort of meat kebab dish.

(who cares what its called, its meat! haha)

Dubai is a block down from the fire station in Itaewon, above the UN Club.