Reviewed by Lee

Cuisine: Vegan
Price: $
Reservations: No Reservations
Suggested Items: W12,000 Buffet

With the abundance of samgyeopsal, fast food and fried chicken outlets engaged in a nightly war for patronage with dazzling neon signs, one could be forgiven for thinking Korea is a land so preoccupied with the consumption of animals, that it would be best for vegans to look elsewhere. You may be surprised to know that Korean cuisine for the ordinary plebs throughout most of history was primarily vegetarian in nature. Stocks of rice and kimchi with various other vegetarian banchan were the staple diet for the commonfolk, while a lot of the meat-heavy dishes were mostly enjoyed by the aristocracy.

While not actually a vegan myself, I appreciate many of the reasons that more resolute individuals would choose to bestow this respectable burden upon themselves. In many countries other than Korea, veganism as an idea enjoys more widespread popularity and therefore better accommodation at your average restaurant. For those of you who are, or know a vegan, you’ll be well enlightened to the fact that not only are vegetarian options absent from most restaurant menus, vegans themselves are looked upon with a range of reactions ranging from curiousity to contempt.

Having dined at most reasonably priced restaurants in the Seolleung area, I was surprised to find that a new restaurant has recently entered the fray – and all of the dishes are vegan. Entering the restaurant on the second floor, I admit that I was half expecting to receive some not-so-subtle vibes of Hare Krishna or New Earth spirituality, which I was prepared to meet with a well-calculated air of nonchalance. Whether or not there are any spiritual undertones, I didn’t find them overtly explicit, although the open and overstaffed kitchen area did grab my attention a little.

From what I could deduce, the only menu item is a buffet selection for W12,000. The variety on offer is fairly good, with vegan spaghetti, tofu, soups and salads all well-presented. There’s a cacophony of colours to choose from (I was looking forward to using that word), with deep purple cabbages, intensely orange pumpkins and dark green broccoli. I’m pretty sure that they don’t buy their produce from the local Homeplus.

The buffet selection is small compared to some of the mega-buffets around the place that can feed an army of wedding guests, but the dishes are well made and creative. The cabbage rolls are full of healthy goodness with well-balanced flavours, and the pumpkin soup is warm and rich. There are home-made sour dough and rye breads on offer, with fig jam as well as more preserved vegetable options than you could poke a metal chopstick at. You can give the imitation-meat bulgogi a miss, because it’s a little flat and rubbery, while the Neapolitana spaghetti is nice, but cold. There are also a couple of obscure things on offer like home-made peanut butter and ‘Mulberry Leaves and Solomon Seals Tea’. It was also nice to eat celery again, which doesn’t seem to have a permanent place on the supermarket shelves here.

Overall, I quite enjoyed the experience and will eat there again. It’s no fine dining destination, but vegans from afar are likely appreciate what it offers; a small oasis of inventive vegan cuisine without any New Age drawbacks.

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Other Amenities: The front counter is also a small shop, selling a range of vegan produce.

Phone: 02.565.4324

Location
Within walking distance of Seolleung subway station on line 2
Take subway line 2 (green) to Seolleung station and go out of exit 2. Walk straight out and up the small ‘hill’ and take the first conspicuous left (there are lots of restaurants on this street). It’s on the second floor opposite Holly’s coffee.
The restaurant is within 200m of the subway station, so don’t walk too far.

From Lee's Korea Blog

Cuisine: Seafood
Price: $$
Reservations: Recommended (takes reservations and is usually packed)
Suggested Items: Crab legs, Sushi, Mongolian grill, Pasta bar, Desserts

A few weeks ago we attempted to check out D’Maris Seafood and Buffet on a Saturday night. Not a good idea. Even though the place is huge (sits over 200+) it was packed with over an hour wait. We were starving, so we left but only to return the next day. Sunday afternoon was a much better choice as there was no wait. I don’t even know where to begin, there was so much food! We started off with cold salads, smoked salmon and crab legs. Then hit the sushi bar with some tempura. The Mongolian grill and pasta bar was also a great choice. You pick out all these fresh ingredients and give them to the chef to cook up right in front of you!
The desserts were also pleasant.
This place really surprised us as most buffets here (outside of the 5star hotels) are usually not that good. However, this one provided us with not only a variety of food but quality.

If going on a Fri or Sat I highly suggest making reservations. Also, you have a 2 hour time limit on weekends.

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Phone: 1644-3791

Website: http://www.dmaris.co.kr/

Location

Bucheon

Busan

Bundang

Exit the subway using the SE exit. walk straight 300 metres, cross the street at the lights. it is on your left hand side.

Cuisine: French

Price: $$

Reservations: Recommended

Suggested Items: Daily specials, any of the desserts

Le Saint-Ex was one of the pioneers of Itaewon’s Restaurant Alley.  A classic French bistro, it delivers homey Gallic cuisine in a transporting atmosphere.  Like most foreign restaurants, it isn’t cheap, but it is also a good deal for what you get–and for what they can get as ingredients in Korea.  The menu is written on a blackboard, and it rotates regularly.  The salads are great, and the salmon was hearty.  The big draw is the dessert table.  All these desserts require a cup of thick French coffee to complete the experience.  I recommend the Floating Island–creme Anglaise topped with a meringue and coated with a glassy layer of caramel.  It’s like eating a giant toasted marshmallow with golden cream inside.

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Other Amenities: English, French and Korean menu.  English spoken.

Phone: 02.795.2465

Website: http://www.lesaintex.com/

Location

Yongsan-gu, Itaewon-dong, 119-28 140-200 Seoul, Korea

Itaewon.  Behind the Hamilton Hotel, across from Three Alleys Pub.

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Cuisine: Cafe

Price: $$

Reservations: None

Suggested Items: Chocolate Choux, Terrines

Okay, now we’re getting into serious territory with Korean bakery-cafes.  Passion5, on the Hannam side of Itaewon, is a massive gourmet bakery with a German touch on the first floor.  The second floor is a posh cafe that delivers extraordinary food.  It’s pricey, but this time the quality matches the price.  The thing to get is the Chocolate Choux–a large cup of real hot chocolate that you drink in three stages.  Stage one: sip.  Stage two: toss in a chocolate bon bon.  Stage three: wash out the remnants with your choice of kirsch or rum served in large eyedroppers.  This cup o’ choco costs W10,000 but is a full dessert.  Also try the Mediterranean inspired fare.  The Vegetable Terrine is delicate and petite but a power punch of flavor.

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Other Amenities: English menu

Phone: 02.2071.9505

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Location

Korea 서울특별시 용산구 한남동 729-74

Hangangjin Station, exit 3.  Walk a few meters, and it’s on your left.  Next to Toque.

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Cuisine: Burgers

Price: $

Reservations: Not required

Suggested Items: BBB Burger, Pop Burgers

On the hunt for real American burgers, it’s refreshing to find a place that does it right.  The owner of Burger B lived in America for a while and traveled the country on an obsession with finding the secret to the perfect burger.  They do very well here.  The burgers almost have a “smashburger” quality with a slightly crispy exterior to the meat.  There isn’t much filler.  The toppings, or rather the bottomings, include wonderfully shaved onions.  The buns are freshly made and unique.  And you get your choice of cheeses and sauces.  The largest item, the BBB Burger, contains a huge hunk of meat and whatever else you choose.  The Pop Burgers, which come in sets of two, are like upscale sliders.  The controversy of Burger B comes with their fries.  They are thin and crispy, which are my preference but not everyone’s.  The ordering process can get a bit confusing too.  I put this restaurant into the “Cheap” category because it’s possible to get a burger and fries for under 10,000 won.

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Phone: 070.8870.9220

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Location

Korea Seoul, Mapo-gu, Seogyo-dong 362-7

South of the Hongdae Park, across from Kraze Burger.

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Cuisine: Buddhist temple cuisine

Price: $$$

Reservations: Recommended

Suggested Items: Set menu, Ju-Jeon-Boori, Omija-Tangsu

I’ve had Buddhist cuisine a few times but never like this.  In the past it felt like it was weeds and mushrooms, lots of green and gray, like eating the grass clipping bag after mowing the lawn.  Baru takes it somewhere, dare I say, sophisticated.  And it’s delicious!  I’m addicted to the Ju-Jeon-Boori, molecule thin slices of fruits and vegetables that have been dried in a way to make them just like chips.  I could eat a whole bag of those.  The set menu comes out with dishes that are too beautiful to eat, surprising in textures and whimsical.  This was a vegetarian meal that made me feel satiated and opened my mind.  Especially the Omija-Tangsu, with sweet-and-sour crispy coated mushrooms done Korean-Chinese style.  The set menu goes for 53,000 won per person.  Bring a camera.

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Phone:02.2031.2081

Website: n/a*

Location

110-170 서울시 종로구 견지동 71번지 템플스테ㅣ 5층

71 Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-170

Near Anguk and Jonggak Stations, across from the big Jogyesa Temple in the Temple Stay Building, 5th floor.

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More pictures here

Cuisine: Cali-Mex

Price:$

Reservations: No

Suggested Items: Burrito, Fish Taco

The best way to describe Tomatillo is “Cali-Mex.” It’s the bright fresh interpretation of Mexican popularized by American chains like Chipotle.  The tortillas are made in the store.  Sometimes you can see the dude making them.  The ordering style goes where you choose your meat and then its vehicle–taco, burrito, quesadilla–and the type of tortilla.  The flavors aren’t heavy like On the Border and other Tex-Mex places.  They also serve alcohol and frozen beverages.  I felt the margarita was a bit heavy on the sour mix and light on the alcohol.  They also serve a great fish taco.

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Phone:02.734.9225

Website: http://tomatillo.co.kr/

Location

Franchise locations outside of Jonggak Station, exit 6, Yeoksam Station and Samsung Station [HT to Steve].

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Cuisine: Brunch

Price:$

Reservations: Optional

Suggested Items: Eggs Benedict, any of the pancakes

This tiny, tiny little place at Hannam Ogari serves up a mean breakfast without mean prices.  The owner worked in breakfast slopshops in America and brings some real good breakfast without the prissiness that has diseased the Korean brunch scene.  The pancakes are the stars, and there are many ways to have them, accompanied by housemade patty sausages.  The big find is the Eggs Benedict with two delicately poached eggs with a thick lemony hollandaise on top, all for around 9,000 won–possibly the only Eggs Benedict you’ll find in Seoul for under 10,000 won and much cheaper than the 20,000 won plus the hotels charge, yet the quality competes with the best of them.

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Other Amenities: English menu

Phone:02.794.0508

Website: n/a*

Location

261-6 Hannam-dong
Yongsan-gu, Seoul Korea

Hannam Station (#1 Dark Blue line), exit 1.  Walk up the street until you get to a big intersection.  Northeast corner of Hannam Ogari (5-point intersection).

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Best American breakfast in Korea?

That’s a gutsy proclamation but show us where you can find one better.  Original Pancake Story on the northeast corner of Hannam Ogari is a tiny diner with high ceilings and blonde wood that puts one in the mood for a nice Saturday morning breakfast.  They make their own patty sausage and have an extensive collection of goodies.  Try the classic buttermilk pancakes or go for the veggie omelet stuffed with blue cheese.  On the back of the menu is the real find—hotel quality Eggs Benedict.  If you get there before 9:30, you can get a massive breakfast for under 7,000 won.

Cuisine: Delicatessen

Price:$

Reservations: No

Suggested Items: Reuben

Leo’s Deli makes its own deli meats and piles them generously on their sandwiches.  Having the flavor of a New York deli, the ingredients are fresh.  Leo makes the real corned beef and pastrami.  There are no nitrates to give them that artificial pink color.  You can build your own sandwich or take a classic one like the Reuben.  They also have lox and bagels.

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Phone: 02.749.1210

Location

Go down restaurant row from Noksapyeong Station (line 6).  Take a right after Noxia.  It’s on the left.

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Reviewed by Chris

Cuisine: Korean

Price: $$

Reservations: Optional (takes reservations but not needed)

Suggested Items: Marinated beef samgyeopsal, Dwaengjang jiggae

Bottom line:  Great food at reasonable prices, located in a nice area of town with lots of nearby coffee shops or bars for Round Two.

This is simply my favorite restaurant in Korea because the food is so tasty. The first item on the menu — marinated beef samgyeopsal — is amazing.  The dish comes in two-person portions, but it’s so good I usually end up eating the equivalent of one entire order all by myself.  The beef is cut similar to regular pork samgyeopsal, but it’s so thin that you can easily tear it if you pick it up carelessly to put it on the grill.

The dwaenjang jiggae here is the best I’ve ever had in Korea, and even other Koreans are surprised at how good it is.  Be sure to give that a try towards the end of the meal.

This is a great place to take a date, and after dinner stroll through the trendy Apgujeong neighborhood or one of the local coffee shops.

Prices:  Whenever I eat here, the food’s so good I eat a LOT so it ends up costing me some dough.  If you just eat one or two portions, dinner for two will probably cost you $40.

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Location

Seoul Kangnam-gu Sinsa-dong 657-17.  Phone 02)546-2229, 2252-3.

From Hakdong Sageori (the intersection with the gorilla climbing the building), walk north about 275 meters to the entrance of Rodeo Drive.  Turn left onto Rodeo Drive and walk about 200 meters.  You’ll pass a number of coffee shops, but after you see a coffee shop with “chocolate” in its name (I don’t remember the exact name of the coffee shop), you’ll want to take the next left down a narrow one-lane road.  The restaurant is about 50 meters down the street on a corner.  The red and yellow sign for the restaurant (in Hangul) is visible from Rodeo Drive.

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