Seoul (Insadong)

[laurajoy]

There are a couple of great posts recently about Seoul. Trouble is, I don't know the city and am finding it really hard to figure out where most of the places that posters mention are located. Can someone who knows the city give me a few yummy places to try in Insadong, where I'll be staying? (Or perhaps Gwanghwamun or northern Myeong-dong)
Thanks!

[rmcindoe]

Try the Ipanema Brazilian Churrascaria Restaurant near the City Hall Subway Station and go to Korea's answer to "Stomp" , an internationally acclaimed show called Nanta, which is nearby. There is no need to understand Korean to enjoy the show because it is 95% nonverbal and you see translations in 6 or so languages when necessary. Here are the links for the restaurant and the show:

http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/south-korea/seoul/what-where-to-eat/contemporary-restaurants-in-seoul/ipanema-brazilian-churrascaria-restaurant.html

http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/en/index.asp

[lost squirrel]

I'll second Nanta, it was a lot of fun. (even when I had to go on stage and pound flour for a gyoza filling - embarrassing and fun)

[schung]

here is a place:

Koong www.koong.co.kr (733-9240): Known for its Duk Mandoo Jungol (rice cake and dumpling stew). Decided to try it after reading a review in the newspaper. Located in the antique and art district of Insa-Dong. Tough to find, so make make sure to get precise directions. The soup base was very good: Beefy, with the right amount of seasonings. The black pepper was plentiful, without being overpowering. The rice cake is uniquely shaped into little round balls. And the dumplings had a thick al dente skin filled with meat, tofu and chives. Very similar to the dumplings at Mandoo Jib (544-3710) in Apkujeong-Dong, but with a slightly different filling - chives instead of kimchi. Worth a trip if you're in the neigborhood. Can visit the antique and art shops after lunch.

[prasantrin]

I love Koong! Assuming it's the one I went to, that is (it's got a large window out front and you can watch the old ladies make mandu?).

They have very good. . . cheun, too? In Japanese it's called chijimi, but I seem to have forgotten the Korean word. It's like a savoury pancake.

[lost squirrel]

I think in Korean that's called pa-jhong or something.

[klyeoh]

They seem to spell it "pajeon" in English language menus. This pic of a selection of pajeon is taken at Han-Miri in Samsung-dong. It specializes in hanjeongsik sets.

[schung]

you're right. it is called jeon. jeon is when u use a flour batter. so pa jeon is spring onion jeon, kimchi jeon is made with kimchi. i prefer the bindaeduk which is the mungbean based pancake. much better, jeon is basically just a flour batter with some scallions thrown in. lots of people love it, but i'm not a fan.

[klyeoh]

I tried one restaurant in Insadong during my last visit: Sanchon, which serves vegetarian/Buddhist temple cuisine. You can visit their website for more details:

http://www.sanchon.com/

[lost squirrel]

I just came back from a quick weekend trip and followed Schung's list. I had my front desk call up the restaurants I wanted to try and get directions. They wrote some info down, I took a taxi. Overall it was pretty easy, if not exactly amazingly delicious. I'm just not a fan for Korean food overall, I think I'm spoiled :(

[schung]

where did you eat? i hope you weren't too disappointed with my taste!

[lost squirrel]

Not at all! I only tried one or two places from your list and I enjoyed them both. I think that the beef and pork quality in Tokyo is a bit better than in Seoul though.

I liked Bon Ga, even though I had a tough time finding it. The greens were a nice counterpoint to all the kimchi I ate.