By John Redmond
Contributing Writer
The centrally located district of Itaewon, once described in a Lonely Planet guide as “A Country and Western style ghetto,” has undergone a major face and image lift. Starting about four years ago there was a boom in terms of Mediterranean style cafes and restaurants.
This trend continued embracing New York and Middle Eastern style cuisines with Itaewon now home to some of the finest international supermarkets this side of Sainsburys.
The most recent addition to this boom is OK2, a New York style restaurant, housed in a restored “hanok,” a traditional Korean house, specializing in European-style cuisine.
Seating about 50 people OK2 has the look and feel of a downtown New York restaurant, complete with coffee colored tables, chairs, soft lighting, a combination of booth and group table seating, original art work on the wall, and laid back jazz music adding to the overall ambiance.
The menu at OK2 being European is very extensive in terms of pasta, risotto and fish, and I decided to order a dish from the specials menu. Pink salmon with marinated vegetables dressed in vinaigrette, and as an entree, the clam chowder, served with home made bread.
What sets OK2 apart from other restaurants in Seoul is the staff. Owner Susumu Yonaguni and his wife run Oh Jeong-mi Food Art Institute, where aspiring chefs are trained in the art of preparing gourmet European meals.
There not being a great demand for female chefs in Korea, Susumu decided to employ former and current students at OK2 and his original restaurant O Kitchen.
Not only is he guaranteed quality chefs and waitresses, it’s also a great opportunity for them to get some on-the-job training. The clam chowder was a delight, Not too rich yet very creamy and served with croutons and cubed vegetables. With a hint of herbs and spices.
I would have preferred a little more spice but then all I had to do was add a little pepper. Problem solved. The pink salmon was absolutely great. Not only in taste but in presentation. Served on a bed of marinated vegetables and fruit, laced with vinaigrette and fresh roe, it was a culinary experience from my past.
The fish was delicate to the point of almost melting in your mouth and the vegetables and fruit were cooked to perfection. The fresh roe was a nice touch and the complementary homemade bread rounded off a perfect main course. The desert menu looked equally appetizing -- the apple pie with ice cream seemed to be a popular choice along with pecan pie and cheese cake.
Another bonus is the wine list, boasting vintages from some of the finer vineyards around the world, including some reasonably priced Australian wines. Susumi, originally from Japan, learned his trade during his 25-year stay in New York followed by eight years in London.
He has been living in Korea for the past seven years with his Korean wife, Jamie Oh. Entrees at OK2 start at 8,000 won and mains are between 16,000 won ? 18,000 won, with deserts starting at 4,000 won. Apart from the separate wine list, other drinks include a large selection of imported and local beers, a great range of coffee, plus iced drinks including juices and soft drinks.
OK2 is open from 12:00pm ~ 2:00pm and from 6:00pm ~ 10:30pm. Closed on Sundays.
For more information call 02-797-6420. To get there leave Itaewon subway station at exit #1 and walk away from the Hamilton Hotel to the third lane on your right. OK2 is on the left.