By Julietta jameson
Ryan Hong.Credit: Quentin Jones
With stints at Rockpool Bar and Grill and Black by Ezard and training in Chinese, Japanese and Korean cooking, Korean-born award-winning chef Ryan Hong brings his finely crafted Asian influence to The Wilmot adjoining Primus Hotel Sydney. See primushotelsydney.com/the-wilmot
FAVOURITE TABLE
Seocho Sariwon is a Seoul institution. Here they are famous for their authentic bulgogi, a Korean BBQ beef that has been marinated and grilled to make it beautifully tender and delicious. (1321-7 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu)
Berkshire pork belly spring roll.
LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY
Tteokbokki, the king of street food. Made of chewy rice cakes in a spicy sauce often served in a paper cup. Not the best consistency to practice your chopstick skills on but extremely tasty and cheap. You can find this on most street corners, but if you're looking for local street food in abundance visit Gwangjang Market. Don't forget to try the Silkworm (beondegi).
BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET
Seoul has many hiking trails and you can often get some of the best kimchi pancakes served along these in makeshift huts. This can be washed down with a very reasonably priced bottle of makgeolli which is also traditionally drank upon reaching a mountain's summit, so take a bottle with you.
A MUST-TRY DISH
This would have to be Korean BBQ, the cornerstone of Korean eating and drinking culture. Follow the locals and order from a selection of meats displayed on the wall and indulge on the copious amounts of banchan side dishes (all complimentary) whilst washing it down with Soju, best enjoyed as part of a large social gathering. That said, if you truly want a unique Korean 'food experience' get yourself to one of the seafood restaurants and try the Sannakji.
FAVOURITE INDULGENCE
All you can eat ribeye in Itaewon and Yoogane Dakgalbi are very hard to beat.
A BIG NIGHT OUT
Hongik University (Hongdae) is awash with bars but the true epicentre is the park. Stock up on beer and makgeolli and enjoy the vibe and impromptu displays/performances. If you check the dates the park can also be home to a large silent disco. Honourable mentions to Itaewon, Gangnam and Sinchon, which are all crawling with decent bars and food.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Autumn is very pleasant and food wise you can witness Korea's national dish, kimchi being prepared. Kimchi truly is the lifeblood of Korean society and you'll rarely have a meal without it. It is still regularly (especially in Seoul's suburbs) prepared in the traditional way. Large stocks of cabbage and spices on the street fronts being mixed amidst the aroma of garlic, sesame and gochugaru. It is then stored in jars and left to ferment through the winter months ready for spring.
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