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What you want is what you get … in a cup
With the seasons changing, a new "bingsu in a cup" trend is gaining popularity among young Koreans gearing up to survive the infamously humid and hot summer. Offered mostly by low-priced coffee joints like Mega Coffee, Compose Coffee and Ediya Coffee, the novelty dish packs all the regular features of the snack in a plastic cup usually used for drinks: frozen milk or cream, sweetened red beans, bite-sized rice cakes, syrup of your choosing, and of course, the chunk of shaved ice that makes it on
June 21, 2025 -
Alarmingly high sodium levels found in naengmyeon meal kits
Naengmyeon, or cold noodles, is one of the most popular dishes in Korea, especially in summer, but a government-affiliated agency warned Thursday that prepackaged naengmyeon products contain sodium levels far exceeding the recommended amount per meal. Nine out of 10 prepackaged products sold in the domestic market that were examined by the Korea Consumer Agency were found to have sodium levels exceeding half of the World Health Organization’s recommended daily intake of less than 2,000 milligram
June 21, 2025 -
Cold noodles just the thing to beat summer heat
South Korea's summer is brutal. It can be just as hot and humid as any Southeast Asian country and we cope with the hot weather in many different ways. Some drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, keep their homes cool by minimizing heat sources and turning on the air conditioner all day, limit physical activities to cooler parts of the day and bring portable electric fans with them outside to beat the heat. Another popular way to beat the heat is a bowl of ice-cold mulnaengmyeong. There is like
June 21, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
Park Hyatt Seoul is offering up to 20 percent off room rates with its Early Summer Promotion through Aug. 31. Guests who book three or more nights by Aug. 28 receive discounted stays starting at 400,000 won per night. All guests enjoy access to the pool and fitness studio, and suite bookings include complimentary sauna access. Ideal for a luxury staycation, the promotion provides panoramic views of Gangnam, upscale amenities and a tranquil summer retreat in the city. Kensington Hotels & Resorts
June 20, 2025 -
From Master Chef to writer, Choi Kang-rok shares his quiet struggles, new dreams
Known for his creative ideas and star turns on reality shows like Netflix’s "Culinary Class Wars," chef Choi Kang-rok appeared at the 2025 Seoul International Book Fair on Wednesday not with a knife, but with a pen in hand — and a surprising amount of self-doubt. “I’m very embarrassed to put my life into a book,” said Choi, 47, a well-known introvert, speaking slowly but candidly to a crowd at Coex. He attended the book fair as the author of “Cooking for Life,” his first essay collection and sec
June 19, 2025 -
The visionary behind Seoul’s London Bagel Museum on building more than a bakery
One of Seoul’s most buzzed-about bakeries, London Bagel Museum, became an instant hit when it opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Jongno, in 2021 -- and it still draws long lines four years later. Behind the wildly successful brand is Ryo, whose real name is Lee Hyo-jung, the visionary and brand director who has had a hand in nearly every detail, from recipe development to interior aesthetics, not only of London Bagel Museum, but also of Artist Bakery -- known for its salt butter bread -- as well as
June 17, 2025 -
Chef To Kwok Wai: Merging tradition and innovation at Yu Yuan
“It is about rooting myself in tradition while constantly innovating to reinvent the contemporary dining experience. I believe in respecting traditional methods and recipes, but also in evolving them with the times and in response to the expectations of diners,” says To Kwok Wai, defining his culinary philosophy. To is the head chef of Yu Yuan, the Cantonese fine-dining restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. By focusing on accentuating the natural taste of the ingredients, just as traditional C
June 12, 2025 -
'Thai-lightful' experience at Horapa
We all know the feeling of missing the taste of our last holiday destination. Whether it was a local dish you stumbled upon in a side street or a flavor that just doesn't taste the same at home, food has a way of sticking with you long after the trip ends. That could be the fish and chips you had in England, the tapas you grazed on in Spain or those perfectly crispy samosas you couldn't stop eating in India. You might even find yourself trying to replicate it in your kitchen. For those whose tas
June 7, 2025 -
Seoul hotels double down on 'small luxuries' with fancier, pricier desserts
The price of summer desserts in South Korea’s luxury hotels has hit a new high, with one bowl of bingsu now selling for up to 150,000 won ($108). High-end hotels are banking on what they call “small luxuries” to appeal to locals looking for special indulgences even in a time of rising inflation. On Sunday, the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas released this season’s most expensive offering: a bingsu made in collaboration with French champagne brand Perrier-Jouet. Priced at 150,000 won, it just
June 1, 2025 -
Miss grandma's cooking? We know just the spot
Michelin stars? That sounds nice. But let's be frank. Nothing really hits like grandma's cooking. Warm bowls of food prepared with grandma's love, or perhaps that one secret ingredient in her kitchen, clearly stand out from the rest. That may be why people often find themselves chasing the familiar flavors of dishes their grandmothers used to make; there's just something about grandma's cooking that hits differently. Many grandmas' recipes, often written on scraps of paper, have survived generat
May 31, 2025 -
Promotions and packages
Grand Josun Jeju will host a Thai cuisine-themed buffet event in collaboration with Thai dining brand TukTuk Noodle Thai from June 6 to 8. The hotel’s buffet restaurant, Aria, will serve exclusive Thai-inspired dishes using local ingredients from Jeju Island, including yellow crab curry, black sole and citrus salad and Thai mango bingsu. A highlight includes a hands-on cooking class led by a Thai chef, featuring authentic dishes like yam woon sen and nam jim talay. The class runs on June 6 and 7
May 30, 2025 -
Michelin-starred Yong Fu opens 1st restaurant in Korea at Jeju Shinhwa World
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island -- Yong Fu, a celebrated Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant originating from Shanghai, opened its first restaurant in Korea at Jeju Shinhwa World, marking the brand’s official debut in South Korea. The original Yong Fu, founded by Weng Youjun, earned one Michelin star and holds the prestigious Three-Diamond designation from the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide -- a Chinese fine-dining standard comparable to Michelin. The Black Pearl Guide classifies restaurants into three tier
May 24, 2025 -
Star chefs' creations inspired by Jeju paired with wine at Jeju Food & Wine Festival
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island -- With more than three weeks of culinary programming still underway, the 10th Jeju Food & Wine Festival is drawing crowds as it celebrates a decade of promoting the island’s local flavors. The nonprofit cultural event, co-hosted by the Korea Food & Wine Festival and Cheju Halla University, runs until June 15 at Jeju Shinhwa World in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, and features a full slate of live cooking demos, gourmet tastings, and wine and art showcases — all spotlighting Jeju’s
May 19, 2025 -
Haemok brings taste of Nagoya and Busan coast to Seoul’s Seochon
From the outside, Haemok’s Seochon location could be mistaken for a stark architectural experiment — a subdued concrete structure. But step through its doors, and a transformation unfolds. The atmosphere shifts to a cozy interior reminiscent of a Japanese countryside home. Warm yellow lighting bathes the wooden interior, where the long, communal tables immediately put diners at ease. A central courtyard, or "jungjeong," draws in natural light, giving the dining space an expansive feel. Two floor
May 17, 2025 -
Star chefs bring their signature dishes to Jeju
SEOGWIPO, JEJU-- A select group of culinary stars brought bold flavors and personal stories to life at the 10th Jeju Food & Wine Festival’s “Master Chef Class,” held as part of the island’s growing campaign to establish itself as a global culinary tourism hub. The Jeju Food & Wine Festival, a nonprofit cultural initiative hosted by Korea Food & Wine Festival and Cheju Halla University, celebrates Jeju’s pristine local ingredients and unique food culture. This year, it featured "Master Chef Class
May 15, 2025