Buccella, bakery and cafe

Visited Buccella at its Cheongdam location and enjoyed a delicious sandwich with a friend. The menu is filled with drool-enducing pastas, salads, and sandwiches, however, the usual rule of ordering different meals in an effort to taste as many dishes as possible went straight out the window, apparently the grilled salmon camembert sandwich was calling to both of us that day. The salmon was grilled and covered with a delicious camembert sauce enclosed in a soft airy ciabatta-like bread. While waiting for your meal you can help yourself to even more bread as you enjoy the beautiful interior and relaxed vibe Buccella has to offer.

Here's the phone numbers for all locations:

Not the best picture ever (the sandwich is much bigger than it looks here) but you can see how airy the bread is... yum. Also the menu didn't state it but you get a generous side salad.

Directions:

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Fugetsu, Japanese in Hongdae

(Directions and map at bottom of post)

Fugetsu is a popular Japanese restaurant in Hongdae. One of the main dishes served here is okonomiyaki. Okonomi means "what you like" and yaki means "grilled." Each table is equipped with its own grill. If you are new to Japanese cuisine (as we are) this would be a good place to start because your server cooks your food for you. I would not know where to begin to cook my own okonomiyaki.

The menu has many options to choose from. We ordered a beef modanyaki (okonomiyaki with noodles). The server mixed cabbage with egg and plopped it on the grill with some beef in the middle. After some time he added a layer of noodles and Katsuobushi (dried, fermented and smoked skipjack tuna). The paper-thin pink-brown shavings look alive as the heat causes them to wave and dance on top of the other ingredients. When the beef is cooked through the server flips the savory pancake and spreads a layer of mayo and okonomiyaki sauce on top. I never expected Japanese food to include mayonaise but the end result was quite delicious. It blended well with the sweet teriyaki/worcestershire-like okonomiyaki sauce.
In the picture below you can see that we also ordered a seafood soba noodle stirfry. It was a nice accompaniment to the other dish because it was a little plainer and not sauce heavy.
They did not have an English menu available to us so it's best to know some Korean, although the menu does have a lot of pictures to help you out if your knowledge of Korean is low.

Directions: Walk out Hongik University Station Exit 5. Take your first left (not the intersection with the KFC immediately when you come out, but the next left) and then your second right. I've seen some maps of Hongdae call this the "street you want to walk." You will have to walk for about 15 minutes passing many colorful shops and restaurants. Look for this building with a pig sign on the second floor:
It's across the street from a parking area. I tried to get a clear picture of the sign with the big pig but it's still a little difficult to make out. Here's a map to help you out:

View Fugetsu in a larger map

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Burger B, Hongdae

Burger B is recommended 100%. They make good, solid burgers. Moreover, they cook their burgers to order (medium, well-done, etc.) They bun is toasted well; there is lettuce tomato, and onions. Overall, a fine burger. In my opinion, one of the best in Seoul. See picture:

The interior of Burger B is homey. The staff is pleasant and agreeable. There are also quesadillas on the menu, and perhaps a few other things besides burgers. (Unfortunately, I don't remember the full menu, since I only had eyes for their burger.)

Directions:
Go out Hongik University Station Exit 5 and walk straight for a short ways. Turn to the left at the first intersection (not the intersection with a KFC that you'll be at immediately after leaving the subway, though). After you've turned, walk straight for a while until you hit Hongik University itself (it will be right after passing a Lotteria). Then turn right and walk for a while. Burger B will be on this street, on the right side. Use the map below to help you (you can zoom in and out, and move the map selection):

View Burger B in a larger map

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Shim's Tapas, Hongdae

(Directions at bottom of post.)
Trendy? Yes. Hip? Yes. Indie Hongdae atmosphere all over the place? Yes. If you're looking for a cool little joint in Hongdae to kick back with a few friends, enjoy some wine and munch on some tapas, then Shim's is the place to be.

Seoul has a serious lack of tapas restaurants, so Shim's stands out like a shining star. Vongo and Between are two other notable Seoul tapas restaurant, but both of these places tend to focus on appearing upscale and impressive, whereas Shim's is more laid back and indie.

One highlight of Shim's is the bloody mary oyster shot for only 1,500 won (seasonal, though unfortunately, I'm not sure what season is oyster season). There are a variety of other tapas on the menu. To give a few examples, when Meg and I went, we ordered the salmon with "mojo" sauce, spicy chicken with lemon & garlice, and empanadas. (Note: Although the "empanadas" were tasty, they weren't so much empanadas as filling inside puff pastries.) Other items on the menu include: spanish meatballs in onion sauce, pork fillet in caper sauce, as well as small pizzas.

My only real criticism is that, as a tapas restaurant, Shim's has a license to be creative. Diners at a tapas restaurant select several small plates to sample. Some may hit the mark, and some may fall a bit short. But since each portion is small, any mistakes can be quickly forgotten; a diner is not stuck with one entree for the entire meal. I would really like to see Shim's exercise the freedom of being a tapas restaurant in a large city, and attempt to create bold new culinary combinations for its diners to enjoy.

Directions: Go out Hongik University Station Exit 4 and turn right. Walk straight until the street stops at a three way intersection (There should be a Family Mart at this intersection). Turn left at this three-way intersection and walk straight. Turn right at the next street. Then turn left at the next street. Shim's Tapas should be on the righthand side of the street. See the map below:

View Shim's Tapas in a larger map

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Dos Tacos: Mexican in Gangnam, Hongdae, and Bundang, and Several Other Locations

Dos Tacos is taking over Seoul. There are currently eight locations (as of July 2010; but by the time you read this, there may be more).

Dos Tacos offers high-quality Mexican in a small, trendy setting. (And there's actually cilantro, if you're into that kind of thing). It's not weak, Koreanized Mexican. Nor is it the anemic burritos of Pancho's. It's both reasonably authentic and objectively delicious. Die-hard Mexican purists will probably tell you to hit up Taco Rico instead, where the food is cooked an an actual Mexican person. But hey, let's not kid ourselves; Dos Tacos is really good. The portions are a bit small, though, so I normally end up ordering several things and spending more than I'd like there.

Note for vegetarians/vegans: there are vegetable, fried vegetable, and potato burritos on the menu. For vegans, though, you will have to request no cheese, sour cream, etc.

Take a look at their website (http://www.dostacos.co.kr/) for their menu and for their eight locations:
1. Gangnam Station
2. Apgujeong Station
3. Seoul Station
4. Seohyeon Station (Bundang)
5. Ichon Station (on the Jungang Line; the really light blue line)
6. Seorae (near the French Village and the Express Bus Terminal Stop on Lines 3/7
7. Seoul National University

Here's a google map showing all the Dos Tacos locations to help you out (the website's own maps are rather vague at times). You can zoom in/out or move around at will:
Dos Tacos Locations

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Bobby's Burgers and Shakes, Hongdae

Bobby's Burgers and Shakes (locations in Hongdae and Apgujeong) has a retro, 50s feel to it, with shiny whites and oranges dominating the interior, and smooth graceful seats. The burgers are about 8,000-10,000 won; the shakes are expensive, of course, running about 6,000 or 7,ooo won, and the fries, sides, cokes, etc. are all about what you'd expect (think roughly Kraze prices).
The quality is good, though. These are American-style burgers; and they're delicious. I think they're a bit below Burger B (down the street from the Hongdae location of Bobby's Burgers), but they're juicy and meaty, and they definitely crack the top ten. (And Meg really liked the fries, btw. They're the kind that taste like they have mashed potatotes inside, if you're into that. Personally, I prefer a less mashed texture to my fries, though.)

Directions:
Hongdae: Go out Hongik University Station Exit 5 and walk straight. Turn left at the first intersection (but not at the street that is right outside Exit 5). After you turn left, walk up the street for a while; eventually you'll come to the end of the street at a three-way intersection (which is where Hongik University itself is). Turn right and Bobby's Burgers is right there.

View Bobby's Burger and Shakes Locations in a larger map
Apgujeong: (directions coming soon)

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Yeti (Indian Food in Hongdae)

(Directions and map at bottom of post)
Yeti has a great vibe. You walk down into the basement, take off your shoes, sit on the floor, and suddenly you're in India. This place really went all out on the decorations. Now, there is a giant TV on one wall of the dining room, but it doesn't really detract from the atmosphere at all.

There are dinner sets for two and three people. I went with two other people and ordered the three-person set for 45,000 won. Compared to ordering off the menu, it's a good deal and gives you a good variety (samosa, lassis, chicken, prawns, and curry), but for three people, I personally didn't feel there was that much food.

Overall, the quality of the food was standard Indian. It was certainly well-executed and a bit above average, but nothing spectacular. If you're looking for a relaxing and hip atmosphere, though, Yeti definitely has it.

Directions: Go out Exit 5 at the Hongik University station. Make the first left (not at the intersection with the KFC right when you exit the subway, but the next left). Keep going until you pass the Lotteria and you see Hongik University across the street. Turn right and take the first right and start walking up the hill. It will be in the basement of the building next to the Smoothie King.

Alternatively, if you know where the Playground is, it is in the basement of the building next to the Smoothie King.

View Yeti Location in a larger map

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