Three chefs explore Korea on motorbikes
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Herbert Michael Richter, from left, Bernhard Butz and Charles Muther in Richter’s restaurant Zweiter Stock in Itaewon, Seoul. / Courtesy of German Bikers Korea
By Kim Se-jeong
German Bikers Korea is a club for motorcyclists looking for weekend getaways on two wheels.
Herbert Michael Richter, Bernhard Butz and Charles Muther, who joined the group last month, speak German and they’re all chefs.
Richter from Germany runs three German restaurants in Seoul, one being Zweiter Stock in Itaewon where the group meets. Butz, also from Germany, is executive chef at Millennium Seoul Hilton, and Muther from Switzerland is Korean Air’s executive chef.
They met in Korea in 2000 and have been friends ever since. Butz left Korea and returned last year to reunite with the others.
“We work under high stress,” Butz said, adding that riding motorbikes gives them the chance to burn off stress on weekends. “With a motorbike, you can get the wind in your face and your mind and body can relax,” he said. “Riding a bike feels like yoga.”
What they are looking for is simple: traveling around Korea and eating interesting food.
So far, they have ridden to Bears Town Resort in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, an inter-Korean border post in Gangwon Province, Mount Bukhan and Bugak Skyway in Seoul. They have also visited several Buddhist temples while passing Mount Seorak in Gangwon Province, and tried the local fare there.
The three say the group is open to anyone who enjoys a motorbike ride. Having a motorbike is a must.
“Come and join us. Let’s have fun, excitement, adventure and relaxation, while exploring Korea,” Ritcher said.
“We also provide marriage counseling,” he said with a laugh.
They are willing to share stories and tips to non-Korean bikers on getting a new license in Korea, which can be a long and humbling experience.
Korean authorities do not recognize any motorbike licenses from abroad, and require foreign applicants with licenses from their home countries to take a driving test. The road test is made in a way that an applicant with almost 20 years of experience can fail multiple times. When applicants go to a driving school to get practice, they’re often rejected because they don’t speak Korean.
The bikers say riding motorbikes is also a good way to discover Korea.
They hope the Korean government will relax the road regulations so they can ride on the highways.
With flexible rules, “Korea will attract more people who want to explore the beauty of Korea on a motorbike,” Muther said.
To join the club, e-mail
.