Marrakech Nights, Moroccan Food in Itaewon

This is one of my (Meg's) favorite restaurants in Seoul. We often go on weekends because they put out a great buffet for just 18,000 won. Our group consists of a mish-mash of vegans and carnivores and Marrakech manages to appeal to everyone. There are plenty of meats (lamb, chicken), vegetables and dips (hummus, baba ganoush, zaluk, and teruka) to choose from. The staff are really friendly. Hookahs are available. There's a big screen TV on one side of the wall to catch a game or enjoy some music videos over dinner. While your there take a minute to look at the mixture of family photos and traditional paintings that cover the walls. Not only will your stomach be thanking you for the food but you'll also notice a warm-fuzzy feeling for supporting this family establishment.



(map coming soon)

Directions: Leave Itaewon station exit 3 and walk straight down the street for 10 minutes. Look for the sign; it's on the second floor.

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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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Sala Thai

Sala Thai has several locations in South Korea. We frequent the Jeongja, Bundang establishment. The green curry with chicken calls to me longingly every time I eat there, but this time I forced myself to try one of the many other options. I added chicken to this dish of thick noodles, vegetables, basil and spicy thai sauce and it did not disappoint. It was full of chicken and vegetables and just spicy enough. Also on the plus side, there were enough green curries ordered by the table that I was able to negotiate a taste trade to satisfy my green curry craving. The spring rolls and Thai iced tea are also popular among our crowd, although I don't have a picture here. The Thai iced tea is a milky black tea but tastes much better than it sounds. The food is reasonably priced. Most dishes fall between 9,000 and 13,000 won. The restaurant has a really nice atmosphere and is a good place to come and enjoy some delicious food with friends or a date.














Map of Sala Thai Locations (Bundang, Jamsil, Bucheon)

View Sala Thai in a larger map
Sala Thai Jamsil

Go out Exit 7 at Jamsil Station and go into the Lotte Castle Gold. The Sala Thai is on the second floor.

Sala Thai Jeongja (Bundang)

Go out Jeongja Station Exit 4 and walk north along the main road, so that you are walking parallel to the river and the river is on your right. Keep walking until you get to the 폴라리스 Building. Sala Thai is on the third floor. (see the map)

Sala Thai Bucheon

On the eighth floor of the Hyundae Department Store. The closest subway stop looks to be Songnae. You can navigate the map above to find directions.

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Ganja: Indian Food in the Seoul Finance Center, Gwanghwamun/Jongno, near City Hall

When I first went to Ganja (website), I went to the location on floor B2 of the Seoul Finance Center in Jongno, near Gwanghwamun Square and close to City Hall. However, I did not realize that there were actually 9 locations (including one in Busan and one in Daegu). This review is from the Seoul Finance Center location, though I hope it applies to other locations as well:

Ganja is good. I like Indian food, and really, it would be hard to objectively rank all the Indian restaurants I've been to in Seoul, just because a lot of them are so similar in quality and in food offerings.

But Ganja is good. Their curries were extra smooth, extra creamy, and extra savory, brimming with just the right amount of meat. While perusing the internet before writing this review, I saw that the new ZAGAT Seoul guide called Ganja's curried "addictive," and I would have to agree. Especially good was the chicken makhni, an orange curry, which I would have licked out of the bowl if it would have been socially acceptable.

The naan was the perfect texture, not with a significant number of burnt spots like some places pieces, and tasting soft and buttery. The samosas and chicken appetizers were bursting with flavor.

In short, everything was exactly how a good Indian meal should be.

The atmosphere was very blue (though according to the Ganja website, the other Ganjas have different looks.) The only downside really was the prices, which were a bit expensive. Compared to Yeti's 3-person set for 45,000 won, Ganja's least expensive set is 35,000 per person during dinner. A curry by itself will run about 15,000-20,000 won. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend it, though I can easily understand if you want to do more budget-friendly Indian.

Directions:
Ganja has seven locations in Seoul. You can use website to get directions, but the maps are rather vague in my opinion. Take a look at the interactive map below showing all the locations:

(map coming soon)

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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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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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