Bulkoki, Kim Chi, Kalbi...take your pick
Written: May 29 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: So many restaurants
Cons: No chopstick lessons given
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| jwcumming's Full Review: South Korea |
As promised in my “Shopping in Korea” review, here is my review of places that are great places to eat while in Songtan. But here is my tip on how to save money. When you buy merchandise, use dollars. When dining or clubbing, use Korean Won. The Money Exchange outside the Main Gate to the base (which is also conveniently located next to the entrance to the Shinjang Shopping Center) gives the best exchange rate. The exchange rate is usually between 1100 and 1300 WON: $1.
There are almost as many restaurants in this town as there are Nightclubs and Blanket shops. This is a good thing because you will NEVER get bored with the choices. They do have American food as well; the Burger King is decorated with Vintage 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s décor. The Chicken Sandwich meal (4000 WON) is actually cheaper than the Whopper meal (4500 WON). Across the street is an even better fast food restaurant, Lotteria. Their “Big and Best” burger is the best fast food burger I have ever had. They also have a Bulgogi Burger (Korean Barbecue) that is out of this world. The Teriyaki Burger is pretty good too. They have their own version of the McRib that is so much better, Kalbi Sandwich. Stay away from the Rice Burger; it’s a Whopper between two rice cakes. Not exactly a good combination. A few shops down is Classic Fried Chicken. This place could put KFC out of business if they ever went International. I recommend everything there. Koreans have mastered the art of Fried Chicken. There is even a Domino’s but be careful what you order. Their pizza toppings are a little different than American.
If you want pizza, I recommend Pizza Club. Pizza Club has by far the best pizza. I recommend the Bulgogi Pizza or the Hot Pizza. The Bulgogi Pizza has Korean BBQ’d Beef. The Hot Pizza has Bulgogi, hot peppers, and all kinds of spices. It is absolutely fantastic. Oh, and don’t forget to get the Garlic Bread.
But, let’s not forget you are in Korea. If you wanted American food, you probably would have stayed in Korea. The first place that is a must stop is Sam Il Bulkoki House. Walk down the Shinjang Shopping Center; take your third right, then your first right. It will be on your left. It is a traditional Korean Bulkoki Restaurant. This means you have to take your shoes off at the door (make sure your socks are clean!) You will be sitting down on a pillow to eat. I recommend getting the Kalbi. Menu price is 10000 WON and worth every bit. Kalbi is Korean BBQ ribs. The ribs are cooking right at your table on grills built into the table. It is absolutely fantastic. There will be about twelve sides that are put in front of you as well as a bowl of rice and a bowl of seaweed soup. Here is the thing though. All in your party will be eating from the same side dishes. You’ll get used to it. There will also be a plate heaping with lettuce leaves. Here are directions on how to eat Bulkoki (this will work for all types of Kalbi, Beef, Pork, Chicken that is cooked Bulkoki style):
Take one of the lettuce leaves and lay flat in the palm of your recessive hand. Using chopsticks, take a couple of cooked pieces off of the grill and dip in marinade dish. Place in center of leaf. Take a couple of bean sprouts and other vegetables (from the side dishes) and place on top. There will be a dish that contains a red substance that looks like chili puree; this is red bean paste. This condiment is almost as much of a staple as Kim Chi here. Dip your chopsticks into the paste and then spread the paste onto your leaf contents. Fold the sides of leaf around contents snugly (don’t do it too tight, the leaf will break and you’ll be wearing your Bulkoki). Place the entire thing in your mouth. Do not try to bite a piece of the bundle off; this is another way you’ll be adorned with food. I heavily recommend trying the kim chi. The best is the cucumber; the radish kim chi will give you a major gas problem which is not prudent with the club scene. DO NOT get rice in the kim chi!!!! This is a very bad thing to the Koreans. Another thing you can do is put some of the rice on your spoon and dip in your soup (without dumping the rice to the bottom. Rice brings out incredible flavor from the soup.
Other good Bulkoki houses are the Pine Tree (from Main gate of base take left, it will be on right about 100 feet on the second floor) and Bulkoki House (kitty corner from front door of New Town Hotel). Kalbi is the most expensive Bulkoki, other types range from 6000 to 8000 WON.
Blue Opera is another favorite restaurant of mine. It is on the Main Strip of the Shinjang, you can’t miss it. It has a huge gothic motif with a giant white gargoyle protruding from the front. They have incredible coffee here (from what my friends tell me, I can’t have coffee). I love their hot chocolate and teas. The tables have little buttons on them. Ring the button for service. It is a very relaxing atmosphere. Excellent service is definitely an asset here and the variety of food is outstanding. I recommend everything on the menu. Really. Menu prices range from 4000 WON to 12000 WON.
Another restaurant that is similar to Blue Opera is Classy. Classy is located on Arragon Alley (first alley on left after you enter Shinjang). Classy will be on the left. Ask to sit upstairs, the seating up there is incredibly comfy. The best dishes to order are Bib Bim Bop (6000 WON) or Spicy Octopus (16000 WON). The latter is pretty self-explanatory. Bib Bim Bop is an incredible dish. The bowl contents have a base of rice. On top of the rice are beef, sprouts, lettuce, and a few other vegetables. There will also be a fried egg sitting on top and a helping of the red bean paste too. Using your chopsticks and spoon tear the egg into as many pieces as you can. Mix everything in the bowl; make sure you mix the red bean paste all over everything. You can use both your chopsticks and spoon to eat. For an appetizer, I heavily recommend the boiled wantons. Incredible dipping sauce comes with it.
There is also a Chinese restaurant above Burger King, the Golden Gate restaurant above the nightclub that has the best Meatball sub in the world (5000 WON), and a Cajun Restaurant called Mardi Gras right outside the gate on the left on the Second Floor. There is a Filipino restaurant directly outside the door of the New Town Hotel.
Hope you enjoy these restaurants, they are the best in the town. Look for my review of the nightlife, coming soon. Oh, and there will be one more review to this series after that. Here’s a hint: Yaki Mandu, Chicken on a Stick, and Mrs. Kim Burgers. Anyo and Come Sum Ni Da.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jwcumming
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Member: Jason Cumming
Location: Manchester, NH
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 2 members
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