Boiled pork belly is a must menu item whenever a large number of people get together to celebrate or just to enjoy a meal at home. It comes from a long Korean tradition of having to prepare at least one or two meat dishes to entertain properly. No celebration was complete without a boiled pork dish, especially in the Jeolla provinces in the southern part of the peninsula. When presented with a variety of fresh leafy vegetables and ssamjang, it definitely takes center stage on any table. In mak

Lounge at Park Hyatt Seoul presents strawberry afternoon tea set The Lounge, the 24th-floor Korean tea house at Park Hyatt Seoul, presents Strawberry Afternoon Tea, a creative celebration of the return of the strawberry season. Inspired menu highlights include strawberry chocolate cups, strawberry yogurt mousse and Mont Blanc desserts, while strawberry jewelry in an elegant jewelry case, a favorite item of 2020, returns to charm guests for another year. The afternoon tea features a selection

Packed meals sold at convenience stores contain 68 percent of the recommended daily sodium intake, the Korea Consumer Agency said Wednesday. The agency’s report showed that the average amount of sodium found in 25 types of different packed meals -- also known as “dosirak” in Korean -- at major convenience store chains was measured at 1,361 milligrams. South Korea’s recommended daily sodium intake for adults is 2,000 milligrams. One of the packed meals had 2,433 milli

New all-day-dining spot serves up toothsome pasta

American burger franchise Shake Shack has launched new Korean-inspired menu items for its branches across the US. The burger franchise recently announced through its official website that it rolled out its Korean-style Fried Chick’n Sandwich and Korean-style Gochujang Chick’n Bites for all US stores. Inspired by gochujang, traditional Korean red pepper paste, the two items were first introduced in Seoul from September to October. “Our take on the classic was such a hit i

InterContinental’s Strawberry Promotion returns as full table service The Lobby Lounge located on the ground floor of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas presents the Strawberry Gourmet Boutique. Starting with a strawberry mojito and fresh strawberries as welcome items, the Lobby Lounge presents a three-course brunch. Following croque monsieur, fruit salad and onion cream soup with ravioli, lobster and tenderloin steak are served as the main dish. After that, fresh strawberries, seven st

Koreans enjoy edible tokens of appreciation and affection with family and friends during the winter season. It’s considered one of the best ways to leave the year behind by dishing out winter specials to relish the festive mood. Yet, as the virus continues to spread, gorging on food indoors has risen as a major trend to keep the global pandemic at bay. With many self-quarantining themselves, people are reaching out to making iconic winter street foods in Korea at home. Convenient ways o

New Year’s Day is one of the major holidays in Korea when all the families gather together and bid each other good wishes for the new year. It is also a day to have specially prepared food which will not only nourish your body but supposedly bring good fortune. Tteokguk is such a dish which is always eaten on the first day of the New Year. Tteokguk has a special meaning in Korea. We have a saying. “You don’t age a year until you eat a bowl of tteokguk.” Another reason

Popular, fast casual eatery expands to second location

Winter holidays at Westin Chosun Seoul The Westin Chosun Hotel presents the Little Playcation package for families with children seeking for winter holiday getaways. The package deal offers coloring paper, crayons and fabric-cover sketchbook. After a cozy night, guests can have breakfast at the hotel’s all-day buffet restaurant Aria. For those who make reservations for Junior Suite or above, bath salt and a bath bomb from French kids cosmetics brand Nailmatic Kids will be provided, al

Galbijjim, or braised beef short ribs, is a very popular dish for special family dinners or holiday celebrations in Korea. It usually takes a long time to properly prepare this dish but it is an exceptional addition to the table to make for an abundant and special meal. My mother made this especially for my birthdays and I used to look forward to eating galbijjim more than the birthday cake. I first learned to make galbijjim as a newlywed and it took a lot of trial and error over the years to

Park Hyatt Seoul unlocks staycation with ‘Winter at Park’ Park Hyatt Seoul presents the Winter at the Park package, a seasonal getaway. The package, available for stays until the end of February, combines one night in a Park Hyatt guestroom with 100,000 won in dining credits for use with room service and at all hotel restaurants, a gift of Aesop hand balm (75 milliliters) and use of the hotel swimming pool and fitness center. Guests choosing a suite are also presented with a comp

Bagel expert brings 23 years of tradition to Korea

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul launches ‘Sweet Moments’ experience JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul presents the “Sweet Moments” experience until May 2021. “Sweet Moments” includes one night in a Deluxe, Executive Deluxe or Executive Suite room, breakfast for two at Tavolo 24, and complimentary use of the swimming pool and fitness center.  The “Salon de Strawberry with Barbie” is also offered, which is an in-room afternoon tea set

As pandemic keeps people from dining out, restaurants turn to meal kits