Hey guys! I just got back from Korea, and gain 2 kg from my 10 days of trip. Gosh! *i am still in denial! I thought all the stairs i took in Korea train stations and all the walk will shed the calories, apparently my intake was still much higher than the output. Haishh.. As i mentioned on my VLOG here, i did not expect much from Korea, since i’m not a K-Pop nor K-Drama fans, and not even a fan of bibimbap. Well, i can eat bibimbap, just not a fan of a bowl full of vegie. Haha.
Anyway, i love doenjang-jjigae (soyabean paste stew) a lot! it is something that i always order when i visit every korean restaurant in Jakarta / Singapore. But apparently most of doenjang-jjigae that ive tried in korea is rather bland. so sad =( Maybe i am that one ‘anak micin’ who loves salty or stronger taste. Haha.. I have tried a lot of korean food within my 4 days of trip in Seoul, But in this post, im just gonna share my favorite! ❤
1. Saemaeul Sikdang (Korean BBQ)
Even tough i don’t really like bibimbap, i like Korean BBQ! Well on additional note, i think i’m more to a BBQ person rather than a shabu-shabu person. We tried one fancy korean bbq named TWO-PLUS KBBQ in Gangnam area before we went for this one. And apparently the fancier one is less nicer than this Saemaeul Sikdang. HAHA. Well, TWO-PLUS BBQ has a very nice aged tenderloin, but the beef tounge is such a flop.
Saemaeul Sikdang can be called a house of pork, since they only served one kind of beef meat. And i have to say all the pork meat here are good! Or maybe i can say that they marinated all the meat nicely, so when you grill the meat, you can still taste the sweet tasty flavour out of that juicy meat. They give plenty for a portion as well, which can fulfil your hungry stomach that wont burn out your wallet. And of all doenjang-jjigae that i’ve tried, this place has the best soyabean paste stew so far. Haha.. It has salty and spicy flavour with tender tofu inside. It’s so my kind of soup.
I learn that they have many outlets around seoul, but we went to their outlet near Sinchon station exit 3. *When you’re out from exit 3, take the second right, and you’ll see many shops on your right side. Just go straight a little bit, and take the first right turn rightaway, you’ll see this restaurant on your right side.
Saemaeul Sikdan (Sinchon Branch)
18-46, Changcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
2. Sim Seun Tang / Simpson Tang (Budae Jjiage)
I remember i first tried an army stew or Budae Jjigae in a small korean stall in Dhoby Ghaut Cathay, Singapore. I still remember how it looks and taste like, a very nice korean hot pot with a lot of things inside, accompanied with nice soup and instant noodle.
After trying a few army stew in Singapore, i always thought that the soup in an army stew, wouldn’t be that much. But apparently the one that i’ve tried in Sim Seun Tang, is a little bit different. The soup is so plenty, like you’re eating a bowl of ramen. Or Maybe it’s the way they have it here in Korea? Anyone wants to share?
Anyway, this budae jjigae that i tried in Myeongdong area is so nice, love the spicy salty kinda tangy soup based. Guess all ingredients in army stew is the same everywhere else, whereby they put sausage, spam, kimchi, mushroom, ham, and instant noodles. So what makes the different is the soup based. and i think they have a nice soup to slurp during winter times. and if you like korean side-dishes, i have to say they have great side-dished too! love the salted fish and spicy fish-cakes. haha.
You can find this restaurant at the junction of Myeongdong area, just opposite Olive Young. Well, i know the direction dont help much. Haha.. Since myeongdong is full of labyrinth that i myself got confused, and they have a lot of Olive young as well. Anyway, if you see a rather big junction with Citibank and Olive young on the right, this Simpson Tang is on your left building, on the second floor. Sorry guys, but that’s all i can remember. Haha..
Simpson Tang (Myeongdong Branch)
2-3 Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea (level 2)
3. Yoogane Dak Galbi
This is a super must try when you’re in Korea! I know they have the same Yoogane brand in Jakarta and Singapore, But you cant miss this one out. The spicy stir-fry chicken mixed with instant noodle is the best! and if you’re a cheese lover, order extra cheese on the side, and dip it with your spicy chicken! Trust me, it tastes like heaven! Haha.
Well, not everything in Yoogane is spicy. So for you who cant take spicy food, you can order half-half with your friends. so, half side of the pan is pure stir-fry chicken, and the other side of the pan is like the pan full of spicy-goodness!
You can choose your carbs, between rice, noodles, sticky noodles, or udon. Since all of us is instant noodle lover, we dont even think when we order the carbs. Instant noodle it is, where-ever we go. Haha.. Anyway, dont wear anything fancy if you’re planning to go to Yoogane Dak Galbi, cause you’ll be out smelly from head to toe.
Yoogane Dak Galbi (Hongdae Branch)
163-11, Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Closest to Hongik University Station Exit 9
4. BHC Chicken
Was wondering around what to eat that night in Myeongdong area, and then my friend said that she wants chicken and beer. So we went to this area, where the whole stretch of the street is selling chicken and beer. We took a stroll, and looking around which one worth the try. Apparently they have Chir-Chir on that stretch too, but Super quite on that busy night compared to the other stalls.
So we decided to pick the one with the most people, assuming that place should be nice. and we cannot be more right, BHC is hands-down the best fried chicken after KFC. They have crispy skin outside with the tender juicy chicken inside. And the Sprinkle Chicken flavour is the best! More over if you like salty cheese sprinkle mixed with onion and garlic. Best topping ever!
We just found out that BHC Chicken is a fast food chain in Korea. Trust me, i dont google anything of these beforehand. haha.. I guess, this is the most unprepared trip yet very enjoyable one. Anyway, let’s continue, BHC also have a wide range of flavour to choose from, from just a normal fried chicken, salty, sweet, until the very hot one. You just have to choose which one that you feel like pairing with your full pint of beer!
Other than the sprinkle chicken, we also ordered the boneless spicy chicken. Apparently it was very spicy for the average ones. Well, it is nice too, but we cant take much of that. So, we are sticking to the sprinkle chicken. haha. Anyway, BHC uses 30 natural ingredients and sunflower oil to flavor and cook the chicken. So, this might be your healthier choice of Fried Chicken. haha
BHC Chicken (Myeongdong Branch)
21 Myeongdong 7-gil, Euljiro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu (Euljiro 1-ga Station, Exit 5)
5. Cheong Sujeong
This is another random restaurant that we entered, right after we stroll around Bukchon Hanok Village with our Hanbok. And we are so grateful that we found a gem in the midst of all nice-looking cafes in that area.
My friend ordered mussels bibimbap, and i ordered spicy bbq pork. My friend said she likes the mussels bibimbap so much, and all the side-dishes. Since im not a seafood lover, i dont like this bibimbap at all. And apparently they are very famous for their mussels bibimbap and mussel rice. So if you are a mussel lover, guess you should try out this restaurant when you visit Hanok Village.
On the lighter note, i love their spicy bbq pork so much! They serve in a very big portion that myself cant finished it at all. luckily my friend helped to eat as well, else i feel so bad to waste such a good food. Love the juiciness of the meat, and the sweet-spicy seasoning! Best spicy-pork bbq so far! Super recommended if you’re around.
Cheong Sujeong
91 Samcheong-ro, Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hope this blog helps when you travel to Seoul!
Do let me know, what’s your favorite Korean Food? ❤ ❤
JENITA DARMENTO 