Res2go (Seoul)

Hungry for tasty meat, tired of high end restaurants and ready for good junk, but not in your usual fast food joint? (hang on a sec, I'm drooling right now, just thinking about Burger King's garlic burger - there) How about fusion Japan-Korean-Californian at Res2go?

As the name hints, you can pick up your dose at Res2go, but the place is also very comfortable, particularly at their Itaewon branch, a perfect spot for a power brunch, with its large windows facing West (Noksapyeongdae-ro and Yongsan Army Base). The decor? Hypey / happy design, just retro enough: half sixties for the colors, half nineties for the typo (you know, the cute web sites which made you feel like clicking on every icon?). Pure marketing, of course, but much more comfortable and less aggressive than - say - Golden Arches & Co.

Teriyaki, yakisoba, great LA Galbi, all kinds of meats (beef, pork, chicken, combos, salads), in Californian portions. Taste-and-price-wise, a smarter choice than your usual chain of family restaurant.

Res2go Itaewon / 레스투고 (fusion Japan-Korean-Californian)
Itaewon branch: 559 Itaewon-2-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, ROK
Tel: +82.2.749.9297
Apgujeong branch: 636-9 Shinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, ROK
Tel: +82.2.6080.7543

Seoul Village 2012 - more tables here
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Photo: Res2go

KUAI 19 (Seoul)

Restaurants and shops come and go on Garosugil, but KUAI 19 has been here for relatively awhile because it's a good mix of location, food, atmosphere, and cost.

On the Eastern side of the "tree lined street", this Chinese restaurant is a bit closer to Shinsa Station than the other end. The building is not very old but has been smartly refreshed : a balcony focusing on plants instead of the non-existent view, layers of pink and purple paint enlivening bare walls and ceilings... you almost feel like in an old country house. Heck, the other day, between bright summer sun and a quick rain, I almost felt like in onet's home in Giverny ! Inside, it was rather like a bistro in old French Shanghai.

Following a classic formula for Chinese joints, the ground floor is for the take-out and the upper level one big room packing as many customers as possible (about fifty with a quite fast turnover). The room is rather narrow and long : noisy, but you're never far from a window giving on either the balcony or Garosu-gil.

Service is both efficient and friendly, including within the staff of youngsters (ie the closest girl dashes to help you, a boy instantly relieves her from her trays).

Food is more than OK : mainly noodles and mandus, with tasty classics (fried rice, jjajangmyeon, jangpong...), and some innovating twists and a fair price-quality ratio. Perfect for a quick lunch or a power snack.

KUAI 19 (restaurant)
Garosu-gil, 545-19 Shinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, ROK 135-889
Tel +82.2.511.8119 / +82.2.3444.7919 Fax +82.2.3444.7918

Seoul Village 2010

The Gaon (Seoul)

Gangnam-gu - Shinsa-dong - 631-23 beonji 135-895 Seoul

The Gaon (restaurant)

Tel : +82.2.3446.8411

Photo : "Gaon Gimchi Clinic" (at Gaon, the preparation of Gimchi requires surgical precision - Copyright Stephane MOT 2004)

To my humble opinion, the reputation of Korean cuisine should normally surpass that of Japanese cuisine within 15 to 20 years. Koreans clearly don't play in the same league and the Japanese know it (they adore Korean food). They can fool Westerners with their sense of presentation but as soon as the public tastes actual Korean cuisine, the game is over - for good. Unfortunately, up to now no Korean restaurant could really visually match their cuisine, but for some prestigious places embalmed in the cult of Tradition.

Gaon created the very much expected precedent, setting from the start the standards at the highest level. To me, Gaon is simply the very best Korean restaurant in the World* because it perfectly honours the great Art Culinaire of Korea. The chef manages to reinvent the classics and masters to the perfection each element (taste, flavor, color, texture, temperature...). And to make it even more sublime, each course is presented in a dish specially designed for it by a great master in ceramics.

SM2003

* if you find a better one, please send the address ASAP

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addendum 20081210 :

Sad, sad, sad news about The Gaon : "Annus Horribilis".


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