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Makgeolli and jeon: Korea's coolest summer couple
Sometimes, all you want is good booze and comforting bites to treat your taste buds -- we all have those days. And when the craving hits hard, makgeolli -- Korea's beloved milky, fizzy rice wine -- and jeon, or savory Korean pancakes, might just be the ultimate pairing. For those wondering where to go for the combo, a good 10-minute walk from Exit No. 2 of Mangwon Station on Subway Line No. 6 will take you to Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, where you can follow your nose to the market'
Aug. 2, 2025 -
Hotels offer midsummer heat-relief menus
As the sweltering summer continues, hotels in Seoul are serving up seasonal health-boosting dishes for under 100,000 won ($72). From refined single-serving plates to convenient takeout, these offerings can be both elegant and budget-friendly. Andaz Seoul Gangnam’s Jogakbo Kitchen presents three modern Korean dishes inspired by tradition, available for dinner only. The standout Yeongju-style dakbaeksuk (72,000 won for two) is a delicate chicken stew infused with seven herbs and slow-cooked for si
July 27, 2025 -
Let 'KPop Demon Hunters' guide your culinary tour of Seoul
In “KPop Demon Hunters,” food is more than just a background addition — it’s central to the characters’ energy and their culture. The film follows Huntrix, an all-female K-pop trio who moonlight as demon slayers. And slaying all those demons leaves them with an appetite. Their meals, featured throughout the film, are packed with iconic and sometimes lesser-known Korean dishes, revealing a deep culinary layer to the storytelling. For writer-director Maggie Kang, the choice to incorporate a variet
July 24, 2025 -
Healthy eating reduces medical bills by 8.6%: study
While it's generally understood that a healthy diet is good for the body, a new study published Monday indicated that healthy eating can also reduce medical costs by 8.6 percent. Researchers from the department of family medicine at Seoul National University Hospital studied the extent to which a well-balanced diet can reduce visits to the hospital and the associated medical expenses. They studied their subjects' annual medical spending, controlling for potentially distorting factors like gender
July 21, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul rolled out its “Kids For All Seasons” package, tailored for families traveling with children. Available through Aug. 31, the offer includes weekend and holiday kids’ activities such as English play sessions and cooking classes, access to the Kids Lounge, an in-room tent setup and a 150,000 won ($108.14) dining credit. Designed to create engaging and educational experiences, this package starts at 750,000 won per night for a Premium King Room. Sono International and T
July 18, 2025 -
Savor bold flavors, cultural mash-up at fusion hansik restaurant Junghee
Ask foodies about the origin of "fusion" cuisine, and they will tell you that chef and US culinary legend Norman Van Aken introduced "fusion" into the lexicon of global cookery when he began serving Caribbean, Latin American and European food at his Florida restaurant Norman's. Fusion food is where tradition gets a little glow-up and classic flavors get a bold twist. It is a boundary-breaking culinary adventure that blends different flavors and ingredients to serve up dishes that are anything bu
July 17, 2025 -
Seoul’s Zest ranks No. 2 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025
Seoul’s vibrant cocktail scene earned international recognition once again at the unveiling of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 on July 15 in Macao, with four bars from the capital featured in the prestigious list, including two in the top 10. Leading the Seoul contingent was Zest, climbing to the No. 2 spot and earning the title of Best Bar in Korea, sponsored by Tia Maria. The bar is known for its progressive techniques and sustainable practices, Bar Cham, located in Seochon, which has gained populari
July 16, 2025 -
Actor Ryu Soo-young shares home-cooked comfort in his debut cookbook
Stir-fried spicy pork in just 9 minutes and a hearty braised chicken stew for under 10,000 won. Actor Ryu Soo-young has compiled 79 such no-fuss recipes in his debut cookbook, “Ryu Soo-young’s Recipes for Life,” aimed at helping anyone — from newlyweds to retired fathers — master the comforting flavors of Korean home cooking. At a press conference Tuesday, the actor spoke not as a celebrity, but as a passionate home cook and self-taught recipe developer. “This book isn’t for gourmet chefs. It’s
July 11, 2025 -
New global food hall Glow Seongsu brings international street flavors to Seoul
A slice of Singapore, a bite of San Francisco and a sip of Hong Kong -- all without leaving Seoul. The newly opened Glow Seongsu, which officially launched on June 5, is quickly becoming the city’s newest destination for global street food lovers. Nestled in the creative heart of Seongsu-dong, Seoul’s ever-evolving hipster enclave, Glow Seongsu houses 10 independent culinary brands under one roof, offering an immersive and photogenic dining experience that spans continents. Marketed as Korea’s f
July 10, 2025 -
Mayfield Hotel Seoul launches kimchi
Mayfield Hotel Seoul launched its first kimchi product, Bongraeheon Poggi Kimchi, based on the traditional recipes used by its signature Korean fine-dining restaurant, Bongraeheon. The product emphasizes a clean, deeply savory profile characteristic of Seoul kimchi, known for its mild balance of umami and a refreshing broth finish. All ingredients, including napa cabbage, radish, green onion, garlic, ginger, gochugaru (red pepper powder), and persimmon and pear purees, are sourced from Korea, th
July 4, 2025 -
Matcha goes mainstream with Gen Z and global stars
Once a niche drink favored by tea lovers, matcha is now at the center of a global frenzy. As social media influencers, celebrities and wellness enthusiasts have embraced powdered green tea for its health benefits and aesthetic appeal, demand has skyrocketed. Matcha, a finely ground powder made from specially grown green tea leaves, has become the beverage of choice for a new generation that prizes both clean living and visual flair. The vibrant green drink has been widely promoted by global star
July 4, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong’s all-day dining restaurant, La Palette Paris, is offering a summer "Meat-erian Buffet" through Aug. 31, featuring premium meats, fresh seafood and wellness-focused seasonal dishes. Highlights include grilled duck in house sauce, steamed black chicken with wild pine mushrooms, Shinan-aged croaker sashimi, and grilled eel, abalone and octopus with house-made sauces. Prices are 75,000 won ($55.16) for weekday lunch, and 125,000 won for weekday dinner and lunch or dinne
July 4, 2025 -
Four Seoul bars secure coveted spots on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025 extended list
Four Seoul-based establishments have been named in the extended 51–100 rankings of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, released Thursday. Pine & Co., ranked No. 52, leads the city’s entries with a concept rooted in symbolism and science. Named for the pine tree, representing longevity, and the pineapple, a symbol of hospitality, the bar blends high-tech cocktail craft with a warm, homey ambiance. Guests are invited into a "mad scientist’s lab," complete with sous vide machines, rotovaps and vacuum-packing
July 3, 2025 -
Three nutritious Korean dishes to beat summer heat
As the summer heat settles in, Koreans turn to time-tested culinary traditions to stay cool while nourishing their bodies. The phrase “Iyeol-chiyeol,” meaning "fight fire with fire," sums up the age-old belief that consuming hot food in hot weather can help maintain balance in the body. Rather than opting for cold meals, many find relief by eating warm, hearty dishes that support the body’s natural way of cooling down. This principle is based on the idea that the body, like a self-regulating eco
June 26, 2025 -
Rising temperatures spark surge in searches for Korean cold noodles, data shows
As the weather heats up, more people are turning to summer-friendly noodle dishes to beat the heat, according to data released June 20. An analysis of search and visit data by Ward, operator of restaurant reservation platform Catch Table, found a 38 percent increase in users searching and visiting restaurants serving naengmyeon, or Korean cold noodles served in broth. The surge in popularity is attributed to the early arrival of summer, prompting more diners to seek a refreshing bowl of cold noo
June 22, 2025