Seoul Girl

Foreign food is readily available in Korea, but may there be a warning that many restaurants haven’t mastered the art of catering to our foreigners’ palettes. Often, unless it’s owned or operated by a foreigner, the chances are slim or the food has been altered to the Koreans’ likings. After all, this is no Kansas…no place like home. But I have found some restaurants much better than others. I am no food connoisseur, but I like to believe that I have learned some tricks and crafts of defining a ” good food” along the way from my former years of traveling and sampling local and international affairs. Also, a big thanks goes out to some of the friends who have taught me the enjoyment of ” dining, eating, and drinking” with a passion. Foreign food is more expensive than Korean. If you are living on a tight budget, it’s more sensible to eat Korean food.

ITAEWON: Located just North of the Han River on the central district. It has the largest foreigner population in Seoul since a large presence of the USA military and foreign embassys and consulates are stationed here. This district is located on the subway (brown line 6, Itaewon or Noksapyeong stop)

1. Maraccech Night: Moroccan: similar to other Mediterranean foods of Jewish, Greeks, Lebanese, Turkish, etc. There are 2 locations, but I recommned the one closer to Noksapyeong Station and across the street from the only Macdonald. Take the ramp up to your left. It’s on the ramp. Owners are Moroccans. Speaks French, Korean, English, and Arab.

2. Thai Orchid: Of course Thai food. A great curry dishes. It’s located near Itaewon Hotel. Itaewon exit 2. Walk for about 3-5 minutes. Pass Itaewon Hotel and it’s on the third floor.

3. Waz Wai: An Indian restaurant. Itaewon exit 3. Walk up. turn on the 1st right (this district is called “hookerhill”). Turn on the 2nd left. Walk up. when it dead ends, turn right. walk straight as possible. pass the mosque and start looking for the restaurant on your left. Indian Staff.

4. WolfHound: An Irish Bar and restaurant: the best Fish N Chips. Located in an alley street behind Geckos Terrace. Itaewon exit 4. From top of the staircase of the exit, turn left. Pass Geckos Terrace. Turn on the 1st right. Once on the alley street, start looking for the sign on your right. It’s on the second floor.

5. Sortinos: Italian for best traditional thin crust pizza and sangria. Itaewon exit 3. Walk up for 3-5 minutes, passing a gas station and start looking for an Italian flag. Before Rocky Mountain Tavern. The owner is an Italian-Canadian

6. Geckos Garden: Noodles ,Salads, Pastas, Sandwiches: mediocre at best and overpriced. But it has the best terrace/garden to enjoy the ambiance on a sunny weekend. Located near Bricx bar (look at the map provided on the Bricx entry for the direction). Itaewon exit 1. Pass KFC and turn on the first right into the little alley street. At the dead end, turn left. The sign is on your right.

7. Chef Meili Deli (also sells sandwiches and other German/Austrian food): Though a bit overpriced, I find it to have that authentic European deli meat and cheese taste lacking in so many Korean or American, for that matter, selections. Itaewon Station Exit 4. From the top of the stairs, turn left and pass Geckos Terrace. Look up and straight ahead and you will see the building with the sign. Own by an Austrian

8. Pita Time: They have the best pita sandwiches. I recommend the Chicken Cesare Pita. Itaewon exit 4. Walk ahead for about 5-7 minutes and start looking for the sign. It’s on the 2nd floor. Own by Canadians.

9. Hollywoods Bar and Grill: They have good Chicken Cesare salad and other entrees. It’s no gourmet, but it has one of the better bar food selections. Even the steak is reasonable. Itaewon Exit 2. It’s located on the third floor, top of an Italian restaurant “La Tavola”. Owner is a Korean American

10. For that weekend breakfast grub (a divey joint where everyone arrives with their bed heads, hangovers, and circles under their eyes from partying the night before) go to Philly’s bar/restaurant. Mostly made up with local expats patrons. The prices are reasonable. Eggs, hasbrown, omellettes are still a noble concept , so most tend to overcharge. It’s located in Hay Bong Cheun neighborhood, nearest to Nok/sa/pyeong Station(NOT IN ITAEWON, but near) You can either take a cab ..most drivers know the neighborhood and get off when you see signs Orange Tree (bar) or Indigo (restaurant), which are in the same building and ask one of the many foreigners for the better direction. It’s a local favorite, so most should know. OR take the subway. Get off at Noksapyeong station (exit 2) and walk ahead. after 5-6 minutes of walking, take the first left. You’ll see police officers patrolling front of an army compound. walk straight ahead for about 5-8 minutes. as soon as you pass the first street on your left (convenience store on the corner and across are Indigo and Orange Tree), start looking for Philly’s. It’s on your left. The owner is from New Zealand

11. Don’t know the name. Japanese Ramyeun: From Itaewon exit 2. Walk up for 5 minutes. Pass Itaewon Hotel. Located just before Thai Orchid Restaurant. It’s not a big place. Overpriced for ramyeun noodles. Korean owner

12. Don’t know the name: Thai Restaurant. Itaewon Exit 2. After passing Hard Rock Cafe, look to your left. Go into the small open parking lot. Gay Friendly. Own by a Korean.

13. Ali Baba. Egyptian Restaurant. Itaewon Exit 2. After passing first intersecting street, start looking for the sign. Owners are Egyptians.

14. La Plancha. Spanish/Tapa style. Not a true authentic Spanish food. Itaewon Exit 1. Turn right on your 2nd intersecting alley street. Straight ahead.  It’s your left where the street dead ends.

15. California rolls/Japanese. Itaewon Exit 3. Do not go straight. Turn around heading towards the intersection. At the intersection, turn right. Look to your left on the ground level.

16. Taco /Mexican. Noksapyeong Exit 2. Walk straight ahead. After passing the bus stop. Take the underground bridge. Take the exit to your right. Walk up for 2-3 minutes, you will see it on your right, near Thunder Burger and before Lexus dealership.

17. Foreign Restaurant. Indian Food. On the weekends, they have all you can eat lunch and dinner buffet for 16,000won. A great bargain! Itaewon Stn Exit 3. At the first intersecting Street, Turn right. Walk up and look to your left and you’ll see the sign. The staff is Indians.
18. Gyros/Turkish. Fastfood. They sell the food right front of their tiny store. They are one of the best gyros I have ever had in Seoul. Itaewon Exit 3. Look to your right. Turkish owner

19. Buddah Belly/ Thai. Not one of the best Thai food I have ever had. But still pretty good. Place is gay-friendly. One of the owners is an American. Itaewon Stn Exit 1. Pass KFC. Turn right into the alley street. Walk straight til it dead ends. It’s on your left corner and on the 2nd floor. Or the original, Noksapyeong Station Exit 2. After passing the bus stop, take the underground tunnel. take the exit on your left. Next to Istanbul.

20. HO LEE CHOW/ CHINESE. This restaurant offers American style Chinese food, which is very different from Korean’s. But don’t forget to order the rice separately, not included with the meal like in America/Canada. The prices are moderate. Itaewon Exit 2. Go into Hamilton Hotel. Go up to 2nd floor. Exit at the back door and you will see the restaurant entrance door. I hear the investors/owners are Korean-Americans.

21. Don’t recall the name. Greek. Pretty good food. Not overpriced. Itaewon Stn Exit 1. Pass KFC. Turn into the 1st alley street. Turn left at the dead end. Look for Bricx sign on your left. It’s on the 2nd floor.

22. Suji’s. American affair. They serve home cooked dinners like roast beef with mashed potatoes. A variety of selections. But I am not that impressed with their food. Instead, the only times I go there is for their pancakes. Other breakfast choices are mediocre and overpriced. An omelet can cost as much as 13,000 won. But a great roof top terrace with a beautiful garden during the summer days!! From Noksapyeong station. Exit 1. Cross the street at the first pedestrian light to the small island. walk towards the Itaewon blue arch gate. Instead of going into the main Itaewon street, go to your right. Suji is on that corner, upstairs. Look for their sign.