Three places in Seoul to experience first flush green tea

The first flush, or the very first plucking of a tea plant’s harvest season, yields tea of the highest quality. In Korea, green tea made with the first pluckings is known as "ujeon nokcha," highly prized for its sweet, soft and subtle flavor. When the tea leaves are harvested indicates the quality of the tea, among other factors. The first pluckings of the year are of the highest quality because the nutrients stored in the plants are highly concentrated by the time spring arrives

April 18, 2024

[Graphic News] Beverage exports reached $572m in 2023

Exports of South Korean beverage products jumped to a record $572 million last year, helped by the popularity of Korean culture, government data showed Monday. The country’s beverage exports jumped 11.5 percent in 2023 from $513 million a year earlier, according to data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Corp. By country, beverage shipments to China accounted for 21 percent, or $121 million, followed by shipments to the United States with $83 million, Cambodia with $54 million and

April 15, 2024

Korea’s soul food: Top gukbap places in Gangnam

When it comes to Korea’s favorite soul food, gukbap -- a bowl of rice and boiling hot soup -- ranks up there for its deep, rich taste. The broth, typically made by simmering beef or pork bones for hours, and various toppings such as meat, liver and intestines make for a flavorful, hearty one-dish meal. Sundae gukbap, or blood sausage gukbap, is a popular form of the dish, which is enjoyed across the country. It is a nutritious meal with a balance of protein and carbs and is enjoyed with in

April 13, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

  Rolling Hills Hotel presents Children’s Day package   Rolling Hills Hotel in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, is offering a Children's Day package in collaboration with fruit gummy brand Haribo. The promotion includes a one-night stay in the hotel’s standard room, Goldbears-themed stickers, a drawing kit with a coloring canvas, color pencils, a tumbler and more. Goldbears, or Goldbaren, are Haribo’s iconic mascots. The package includes a buffet breakfast and access to t

April 12, 2024

[Graphic News] Four out of 10 households say their children don’t eat kimchi

A recent survey on Korea’s kimchi consumption has shown a shift in preference toward shop-bought kimchi rather than home-made kimchi. And 4 out of 10 households found that their children did not eat kimchi. According to the 2023 Kimchi Industry Survey Analysis Report by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., 40.9 percent of the 3,183 households surveyed answered that their children do not consume kimchi. The ratio of children that do not eat kimchi has been rising gradually, from 3

April 10, 2024

[Herald Interview] Thai chef brings savory flavors of her home to Seoul

Tipaporn Phianthong, the head chef of Saffron -- the modern Thai cuisine restaurant at Banyan Tree Phuket -- has ventured beyond her home turf Thailand to bring the gastronomic excellence of Thai cuisine to Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul and its guests. The 31-year-old Thai chef arrived in Seoul last week with excitement to connect with Korean diners via Thai dishes. “Many people might be familiar with Thai cuisine’s spicy flavor. But, what makes our food tasty is the aroma of Thai

April 4, 2024

Jongno’s famous rice cakes with modern twist, old tricks

Tteok, glutinous rice cake that is enjoyed as a sweet dessert or filling snack, dates back to even before the Three Kingdoms period, when people made the rice cakes by pounding grain flour. Nowadays, this distinctive rice cake is enjoyed by many people for its chewy texture and the panoply of fillings, from fruit to beans and even butter that blend well with its mild flavor as well as its aesthetics. Thanks to the popularity of tteok among young dessert lovers and foreign travelers, tteok is eve

March 30, 2024

Four Korean entries among 2024 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

The 2024 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list has revealed the top 50 selected restaurants in Asia, with four restaurants in Seoul among the rankings. Japan’s neo-French style restaurant Sezanne, helmed by British-born chef Daniel Calvert, was announced as the top winner at an awards ceremony held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas on Tuesday evening. The ceremony marked the finale to the gastronomic summit that kicked off this year’s edition in Seoul on Saturday, gathering

March 27, 2024

Asia’s top chefs share their recipes, techniques in Seoul

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 held the first #50BestTalks event since the pandemic in Seoul on Monday, led by gastronomic experts from Asia who touched on various topics from their recipes to fermentation techniques. Created in 2002, the world’s prestigious international gastronomic event kicked off this year’s edition in Seoul on Saturday. The five-day event, joined by 1,000 industry insiders, ends Tuesday with an awards ceremony where the list of this year’s top 50 re

March 25, 2024

[Herald Interview] Chef Damien Selme keeps dishes simple, authentic

For Damien Selme, offering a stunning gastronomic experience to the guests of Park Hyatt Seoul, is, of course, his highest priority. The newly named executive chef highlighted that such opportunities are not only for the diners, but also for his fellow chefs. French-born Selme, 39, who has built his career as a chef at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, Shanghai, Busan and Seoul, did not hesitate in sharing his dream of leaving a legacy. “One of my greatest interests is what will hap

March 23, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo offers K-pop class DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is hosting the K-pop Dance Class for guests in March and April. Though the dance program is open to all DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo guests, just 20 participants are permitted on a first-come, first-served basis. The K-pop Dance Class is held at the hotel’s GX Room every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Minors must be accompanied by a parent. For more inf

March 22, 2024

Calling all bakery buffs -- Seongsu-dong's must-visit bagel shops

The success of London Bagel Museum has opened a new phase in Seoul’s bakery scene, with numerous unprecedented "styles" of bagels being enjoyed more like a dessert with a distinct Korean style than a simple breakfast bite topped with cream cheese. Seongsu-dong, a former industrial complex and an area known for shoemakers' shops, is a must-stop area for people on a "bread pilgrimage" seeking sweet and savory bagel variations. Some of the trendiest bakeries take rese

March 16, 2024

Flavor-full salads that don't get boring

The quest for salad has become much easier in Seoul in recent years thanks to many healthy spots popping up around the city, including salad franchise shops. It is quite difficult to imagine salad as something mouthwatering or super appetizing. But salads can be nutritious, affordable and delicious if you find the right one. There are many creative ways to enjoy salads; you won't get bored of eating the same basic green salad while on a diet. Here are some shops where you eat a wide variety

March 2, 2024

Boiling, filtering water can remove up to 90% of microplastics: study

Boiling and filtering tap water can drastically reduce the level of plastic particles in it, a study by China-based research team published Wednesday said. Scientists from the Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University conducted a study in which they observed the effect of boiling mineral-rich water, to see if it could lead to reduced human intake of nano/microplastics (NMPs). The researchers took multiple samples of tap water from the Guangzhou region, contaminated with varying levels of

Feb. 29, 2024

Michelin Guide’s Busan selections unveiled, Mosu stays tops in Seoul

Forty-three restaurants in Busan have made the list for year’s Michelin Guide, the prestigious culinary guidebook that has been published in South Korea for the past eight years. Of the 43, 15 restaurants in Busan have been distinguished as Bib Gourmand selections – nonstarred restaurants that offer excellent food at reasonable prices at around 45,000 won or less. Seoul’s Bib Gourmand list now features 57 restaurants, offering a wide range of local and foreign dining options. T

Feb. 23, 2024

[Weekender] 'Too cute to eat'

At Melting Of, a dessert cafe in Seoul’s vibrant Hongdae neighborhood, seven tables buzzed with youthful energy among the predominantly female patrons. "It's too cute to eat!" one woman at a table exclaimed in a high pitch as the order arrived, just a moment before beginning to devour the treats. At another table occupied by a young couple, the woman was absorbed in taking photos of a pandoro sweet bread with cream shaped into a rabbit. She meticulously reviewed each photo

Feb. 17, 2024

Chic and cozy brunch places in Yeouido

Located on the Han River, Yeouido is the country’s main financial district, filled with brokers and bankers in suits. The area's dining options run the gamut, from fancy restaurants for business meetings to decades-old cheap grub spots for busy office workers. What is not well known is that Yeouido has a vibrant brunch scene with several chic and cozy brunch spots to choose from. Besides Yeouido’s already famous Skyfarm Brunch cafe located on the 50th floor of FKI Tower, here ar

Feb. 17, 2024

[Graphic News] Exports of red pepper paste, Korean sauces hit record-high in 2023

South Korean exports of red pepper paste and sauces reached an all-time high last year on the back of the growing popularity of Korean food and cultural content, the Korean customs agency said. Overseas shipments of gochujang, soy sauce and various kinds of seasonings amounted to $384 million in 2023, rising 6.2 percent on-year, according to the Korea Customs Service. In terms of volume, the country shipped 131,800 metric tons of such items last year, the second-largest amount ever after 2021, w

Feb. 16, 2024

No need to fly 15 hours to Barcelona to satiate craving for authentic churros

An unusually long queue formed in the basement floor of The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido last month. Shim Young-mi, 37, was one of the people who waited in line to try the New York-based Luke’s Lobster. She said she didn’t mind the long wait and the relatively high price for a palm-sized lobster roll that costs 21,500 won ($16.50). The price varies depending on how much lobster meat is in the roll -- a lobster roll with 100 grams of lobster meat sells for 29,500 won. “I wanted to t

Feb. 13, 2024

[New in Town] Patties brings flame-grilled burgers to Euljiro

Koreans might not be able to match the US in their love of beef patties, but burgers are one of the most popular options here to grab on the go. At Patties, a new homemade burger restaurant that opened in December near Euljiro 4-ga Station, you don’t want to finish your palm-sized burger in a few bites. Here, the burger is something to appreciate, enjoying every bite in a creative way, such as dipping it in a thick cream soup. Patties’ burgers come in five varieties -- basic, cheese,

Feb. 3, 2024