Itaewon : a foodie trip
If you stay in Korea and are looking for foreign food, Itaewon seems to be the best spot in only one area. I have been in Korea for a while, so I have been there several times. But my memory being what it is, I always forget beforehand, and when I get there, the smog gets away. Yeah, I have been there before. And before before. Previously, I have collected info about places I wanted to visit and realizing that many of these places were in Itaewon, I decided to make a foodie trip there (once more).
My trip was physically absolutely non-demanding. Because what I had to do was going down (or up) the (same) street.
From Itaewon station, exit 2, let me introduce the places I stopped by (in distance order, from the closest to the furthest. You need 5-10 minutes to get to the furthest shop) :
1- Petra Palace.
As you can see on the picture, it's an arabian restaurant. It reminded me of the numerous kebab places in France. It's the kebab I know. So for me it's the real kebab. I went there because I was craving for falafels and tabuleh. I got both of them.
The tabuleh was for 6 000 won and the falafel plate ( 8 falafel balls with a small salad, 2 sauces and 2 flat breads) 9 000. I was happy with both, the tabuleh tasted very fresh with lemon juice. I could get enough with just the falafel dish, but for me it was a vacational trip so viva la vida loca.
contact : http://www.petrapalace.com/
2- Ben's cookies
It's a very tiny spot. I wonder if the rent is cheaper. You can fit 3 people inside : 2 employees and 1 customer. The shop can be easily spotted since the front is bright red. There was a classical choice, including chocolate and nuts. I chose the milk chocolate and praline for 3 160 won ( I was surprised by the number). The cookie tasted AWESOME, extra buttery with whole nuts and big chunks of chocolate.
In 5 seconds, it was over. I definitely recommend to take a snack there.
Contact : http://www.benscookies.com/
3- High street market
It's a place I spotted on Facebook, thanks to foreign friends. When I saw some pictures, I thought it was a supermarket, but it has a more humble size. It's a grocery. I think for most things I can find in Daejeon in Costco or at some foreign food groceries in Eundaendong, but I was happy to discover a big spice section, with stuff I couldn't not find elsewhere, like poppy seeds or dried cilantro.
So, this is what I bought.
Contact : http://highstreet.co.kr/ (you can shop online)
I went back and forth the street several times, because I didn't visit in the same order. I also wandered a bit, so I could spot other places including
D'Buzza : A name that pops up each time you google italian pizza + Seoul. The place seemed rather small and crowded. I will try next time.
Elbon : the place I want to visit next time to try their molecular cuisine. I saw the young chef a couple of times on a food channel at the gym. I guess he's a superstar. I didn't like much the decoration you can see from the glass outside, I wonder how are the other Elbonzz in Seoul, like the one in Garosugil.
4- PLANT
To conclude my foodie journey in Itaewon, I went to a place in the back of the main street, where there are many other places to eat and drink. It's nice, it feels like a small village. So from Itaewon station exit 4, you turn right, then right, then go straight and turn left (don't worry I'll give better directions later). There, there a small baking lab and coffee named PLANT. I really wanted to go there, because I am fond of a blog written by a korean woman who tells her adventures as a vegan in a not very vegan country, especially few years ago, before the nowadays vegan wave. I checked the blog maybe last year or 2 years ago. And I came across again recently and found out that she was opening a shop now, I thought it would be cool to pay a visit.
It's a small place in a quiet tiny street. Inside, there are few seats and 2 young women baking in the kitchen. I made a guess on who was the blogger but was too shy/lazy/bad at small talk to try to speak to her and ordered a coffee. I didn't try the vegan goodies because of my previous visit to Ben's cookies. It's a laid back place that constrasts with the coffee chains run by corporations. I have been several times to this kind of place where the atmosphere, decoration and products are "homemade" and it's a very refreshing alternative for us consumers, especially if you read the woman's blog (click here) and you can see that she has conviction about what she does.
Contact : http://www.facebook.com/STUDIOPLANT
Directions :
After Itaewon, I wanted to visit bakeries in Hongdae area, but I was worn out ( I am a small little thing these days), so it'll be for another day.
-Lise-Anne.
