Most travelers seek out popular restaurants while visiting a foreign country. But spontaneous ventures to street vendors can leave a lasting impression, if one finds the right place. From ordering food at crowded outdoor vendors to enjoying small talk with the staff before the menu is served, the unique cultural codes of the city are easily captured through the experience. Gilgeori toast, or Korean street toast, is one of the main street food menus for commuters who want to grab a quick breakfas

Farmers' markets return to Seoul, connecting producers and consumers

For those unacquainted with Korean cuisine, kimchi can taste and smell a bit strong. But don’t let that first impression scare you off from the amazingly rich, versatile and savory world of kimchi, says Son Jong-won, executive chef of L’Amant Secret, a Michelin-star restaurant at L'Escape Hotel in Seoul. At a cooking demonstration on Tuesday with 20 foreign guests, the chef showcased how the fermented cabbage, which has a varying mix of pungent, sour and spicy tastes, can ta

To go forth and become a monk is not a trivial matter. Its purpose is neither to seek bodily comfort nor to be warmly clothed and fully fed, nor to seek honor and wealth. Rather, its purpose is to escape the cycle of birth and death, to sever one’s affections, to walk in the bright wisdom of the Buddha and to save sentient beings by showing them the way out of the threefold world. Baru gongyang, the monastic communal meal, is a Buddhist practice that promotes solemnity and pensiveness. Eac

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents ‘Autumn Holiday at JW’ package JW Marriott Hotel Seoul greets autumn with a promotion filled with autumn-themed gifts, presenting a seasonal staycation. Featuring a choice of Griffin Suite or Deluxe Room, the autumn package includes a facial serum, volumizing cream and softening lotion set by Cle de Peau Beaute, with a total value of 150,000 won. Mont Blanc desserts crafted by the JW Marriott Seoul pastry team are available for package guests to tak

No need to go to big-box store for tipple, specialty shops offer variety of beverages fit for solo drinking at home

Two popular on-the-go meals in South Korea, gimbap and tteokbokki, have been named on CNN’s list of the top 50 street foods in Asia. Gimbap, the seaweed-wrapped rice roll stuffed with vegetables, eggs and various meat sliced into bite-size discs of goodness, has long been Koreans' go-to soul food along with tteokbokki, a dish made of white rice cakes in a thick, fiery red sauce. Stressing gimbap’s portable size, the US news network said “not unlike Japan's makizushi (

The fall season is here, and so are family reunions as the Chuseok holiday approaches . Women of the house traditionally prepared food for the ancestral rites and later, the extended family sat down to a table overflowing with special dishes prepared for Chuseok, a time of thanksgiving. "Jeon" has been a constant staple among the ancestral offerings and later on the family dining table has had an assortment of jeon, typically slices of zucchini, fish and meat covered in a thin coat of

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul unveils ‘Autumn Holic’ tea set The Lounge at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents the Autumn Afternoon Tea Set through Nov. 30. The tea set includes a selection of desserts, savory items, premium teas, coffee and champagne. Guests can choose among a choice of nine teas -- US organic tea brand Rishi Tea, Homage Coffee, custom-blended for JW Marriott Hotel Seoul by America’s Trinidad Coffee, and Korean traditional teas. The tea set is priced at 100,000 won for

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents ‘Feeling Lucky at JW’ package for Chuseok holiday JW Marriott Hotel Seoul celebrates the Chuseok holiday with a promotion created for guests seeking a luxury hotel staycation without leaving the city. The package is available for four days only, for stays from Sept. 9 to 12. The package features a luxury stay in a choice of a deluxe room or Griffin Suite, as well as entry in a raffle with prizes including a Migak teaware set by Korean ceramic brand

Last week, it was reported that South Korea’s export of instant noodles hit a new all-time high in the first half of the year. Yet the country’s leaders in the industry differ on how to spell the product in English. Nongshim, the perennial industry leader of instant noodles in the country, spells it “ramyun” on its homepage and on its exported product packages. But Ottogi and Samyang inscribe “ramen” on products that are shipped overseas. When inquired abou

Want to sample the gorgeous sunny beaches of Korea‘s popular holiday destination, Jeju, but can’t get away? Don‘t worry. Some places are bringing the island’s exotic vibes to Seoul. Gochibi The owner-chef of Gochibi, an Italian fusion restaurant located in Seochon, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Jongno-gu in northern Seoul, was born and raised in Jeju. Gochibi is a word from the Jeju dialect meaning “go family.” The small restaurant has fewer than 10

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul unveils Chuseok gift sets JW Marriott Hotel Seoul celebrates the Chuseok holiday season with a selection of gifts chosen by expert connoisseurs, available for purchase until Sept. 6. 2022 Chuseok gift sets come in six categories: Beef, Seafood, Gourmet, Beverage, JW Exclusive and JW Experience. The Beef Selection includes aged lamb chops, marinated bulgogi and six other premium meat sets. The Seafood Selection presents Wando abalone on seaweed. The Gourmet Selection

When the Ven. Jeong Kwan served Master Hyanggok at the temple Myogwaneumsa in Gijang, northern Busan, he loved to have bamboo shoot kalguksu, a noodle soup. In the surrounding South Gyeongsang Province, bamboo is not as common as in the North and South Jeolla provinces, making bamboo shoots a rare commodity. The Ven. Jeong Kwan shares her fond memories, saying, “Master Hyanggok had a strong build and enjoyed eating. He even taught me how to cook bamboo shoots.” Eaten at the beginn

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents signature cocktails for end of summer Mobo Bar at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents a trio of signature cocktails for the end of the summer season, paired with a diverse menu of small bites in a terrace garden. The three signature cocktails are created from a unique blend of premium liquors and natural ingredients grown in the bar’s own greenhouse. The wild pearl is a Korean-style martini made with local spirit Hwayo and dry vermouth. The alpine tonic co