busan once again

April 22, 2014 sarah lee

부산 횟집

On our way to Vietnam in January, I spent a few days in Seoul + a quick overnight trip to Busan. For those who haven't checked out Busan yet, it's the 2nd largest city & the largest port in South Korea located in the Southeastern tip. Even with limited time, we were able to make room for one proper meal. We were all business when it came down to deciding on where we would dine for our only evening in Busan. So we went to the expert. Busan Hwejip-부산 횟집, was recommended by Busan resident and amazing blogger Sally Shim (who hails from Portland). This just had to be one of the best, if not the most memorable dining experience for me in Busan. I've been to this city a handful of times, and was never thoroughly impressed with their seafood in the past. As they are really known for that. This time around, I think I underestimated what this city has to offer. Although the selection of food options in general are less than Seoul, I have to give it to them when it comes to shellfish.

farm to table goodness

January 3, 2013 sarah lee

Fresh picked baby carrots from the garden

I guess I can't stop talking about this farm-to-table spot a little ways from Seoul. Bean Table. It's time for a revisit. Need to keep sharing the love...

I had an opportunity to stage for Bean Table my last month in Korea before taking off to the states. Good friend and chef Wonil Lee welcomed me as part of his staff, after some serious convincing. Let's just say, this restaurant is on the top of my list for folks visiting Seoul!

The real deal...

*Authentic Korean flavors + modern presentation.

*Non-GMO soybeans (for those who care about this like me).

*Homemade tofu made with natural sea salt coagulants (this part could get pretty technical if you break it down).

*Fresh and organic produce.

*No MSG or preservatives.

I had a real difficult time finding Korean restaurants in Korea that didn't use preservatives. Dining at Bean Table to me is like eating in my moms kitchen-you can feel and taste the love with each dish. Every bite is well balanced, and the variations of the banchan (side dishes) are seriously endless...

hong kong in less than 24 hours

November 11, 2012 sarah lee

When I travel, I act like I've never traveled before. I know this sounds funny, but every other day whether I'm working or hanging with friends, I plan plan plan...organize, try to be on top of things, and sometimes wear the 'know it all, everything is under control' hat, haha. Then you hand me a suitcase and a plane ticket, throw a map of whichever city, I have this blank face and seriously start breaking sweats...especially if I'm traveling alone.

Hong Kong was one of those cities.

ariake at the shilla

August 28, 2012 sarah lee

For this post, I think I'll just let the photos speak for themselves. I can confidently say... that this is the best sushi I have had in Korea! Recently, a friend introduced me to this sushi haven at the Shilla hotel-Ariake. We were fortunate to dine at the sushi bar, and the experience was just pure joy. A few things that I have never tried before-like the squid sashimi with yuzu zest-wow. I'm personally not a huge fan of squid, but the way Chef Song prepared it almost paper thin, with the texture so rich and buttery-I'm converted. I thought they marinated it in something profound, but soon found out that it was just the pure quality of the squid, haha. The toro & uni were exceptional, and I observed some techniques that were truly quite unique & refined at Ariake. Perhaps you can only see this kind of sophistication at hotels like the Shilla and of course Japan? Haha. Oh do I hope to visit again soon~

o kitchen

September 12, 2011 sarah lee

“What you want is to make things personal. Might not be spectacular, but from there you can say it’s mine. Personal doesn’t mean it’s bad, it’s just personal. It’s memorable to you. Your identity: who you are, where you were, where you have been. Everything connects to everything.”

Susumu Yonaguni’s words as I have an afternoon chat over pasta and wine.

This space in a hanok (Korean traditional house) converted to a restaurant, has an energy that words cannot define. Upon entering, you immediately feel like you want to take off your shoes…like entering your own house. There is no host, or a manager with a suit, but a chef that will guide you to your table with a smile.

First impression? Hmm…definitely something different. As you finger through the menu, you will soon notice that there is no front of the house staff! Well, the usual servers with matching uniforms, aprons, or name tags (as this is the common standard in Korea) are no where to be found. The back of the house runs the show…yup...everything from the kitchen to the main floor…creating dishes, washing dishes, to pouring wine and greeting customers. I think I would say this is a first of its kind in Seoul, and my excitement grew even before I started on the wine…

bistro seoul

June 1, 2011 sarah lee

Bistro Seoul exhibits Korea's traditional cuisine with modern inspiration. Located in Samseong-dong, at the Oakwood center next to Coex, Bistro Seoul is a great place to dine for those who are just tuning into learning what Korean cuisine is about! The most fresh and local ingredients are utilized in their culinary creations, and their take on Korean cuisine is promising.

Recently, I had the opportunity to co-produce a short vignette featuring Bistro Seoul for LI T.V. with Dubu Digital Productions. Hyun Choi, the R&D director of Sun At Foods, and who spearheaded Bistro Seoul, explained that their concept is to amalgamate Korean classic cuisine with modern techniques to compose something exceptional.

sunny california

March 30, 2011 sarah lee

*Beaches of San Diego above, Manhattan beach below*

Essential in the enjoyment...was what my trip to Los Angeles was this time around...I ask myself 'why the heck am I not residing in California?' These photos were taken early March...early March!!!

It was a breath of fresh air being out there for a few days...I took advantage of outdoor activities, strolls along the beach, and eating outdoors. Always have a great time visiting friends and family in Los Angeles, and of course hitting the markets and devouring their fresh produce!

Can't wait to go back for some more 'fun in the sun!' hahahaha...pretty cheezy:)

ode to tokyo

February 20, 2011 sarah lee

This entry is my 'photo exhibit' of Tokyo. I thoroughly enjoyed a short, but a sweet 2 day get away in this city on my way to Chicago, and spent Valentines Day there! So much to share, but I will let the photos speak for themselves...I stayed in a quaint town called Azakusa in the city, that reminded me of 'Insadong' in Seoul...

So prior to my trip, I had to erase my image of what Tokyo would be like, because I wanted my experience to be organic. Tokyo was golden... Tokyo is NOT as hectic as Seoul, the air is cleaner, the bike culture is up my alley, I cannot have sushi ever again elsewhere, the people are genuine, their food/coffee trucks are truly one of a kind, and the shopping just killed me! One funny thing about the vintage style cabs-the doors open/close automatically! You just have to experience it for yourself...

It's the everydayness that lifts the spirit...

haeundae beach, pusan

September 20, 2010 sarah lee

haeundae beach...this was my view from the westin chosun restaurant where i had breaky and afternoon tea everyday!

sipping on banana milk on the ktx, heading to busan

Haeundae beach is at the southeast end of Busan, which is the 2nd largest city in South Korea. Haeundae, now an affluent beach community that attracts Korean tourists and foreigners, is known as Korea's best beach! I could not have gone at a better time-end of august when all the tourists were gone!

last notes of my summer

September 2, 2010 sarah lee

To my fellow readers: I have to apologize for this entry as I have posted a lot of photos of multiple events...hope you all enjoyed your summer as much as I did! Enjoy the tidbits of my last days of this summer...

More posts to follow...

seoul tower...beautiful in the evening!

noryangjin fish market-seoul

July 22, 2010 sarah lee

On our day off last week, the Eddy's Cafe crew (chefs from both gangnam and jukjeon) went to visit the Norangjin fish market with Executive Chef Darren. It was my first visit, and I had an amazing time! We had a chance to check out what was available this season in Seoul, and picked our brains for new menu items. Going to the fish market is definitely a must in Seoul! After our tour, we had fresh sashimi served at one of the restaurants below the market...along with a little soju of course :) A great way to start the day...

will the eating ever end in seoul???

March 14, 2010 sarah lee

inside 'original pancake story' in hannam dong

I'm having such a great time exploring more and more 'hot spots' all around seoul! It seems endless, but I'm sure i'll find my favorites soon enough...Hannam Dong is actually one of the greatest towns to get fabulous food-especially hard finds like 'american brunch' or thai and indian restaurants...I found 'the original pancake story' through zen kimchi's blog recently, which was voted best brunch in seoul. Hhowever, I wasn't too impressed with the pancakes. Maybe I'll have to try their other dishes next time! I think i've been spoiled rotten by Chicago's 'bongo room, tweet, milk and honey, taste of heaven,' and many others! So the search for a great brunch spot continues...