Itaewon: Going Gangnam Style?
Courtesy of MYK Inc.Foreign quarter transforms into hip destinationBy Kim Young-jinWhen Vatos Urban Tacos, a Mexican-Korean fusion restaurant, opened in Itaewon, Seoul, in 2011, its client base was 80 percent expats with Koreans making up the remainder.This was the sort of ratio expected, given the district’s concentration of foreign residents.But after moving last year to a better location and developing a good word of mouth reputation, business is booming. However, what’s most remarkable is the change in the breakdown of its patrons.“It’s the complete opposite,” said co-owner Sid Kim, a Korean-American, as he surveyed a bustling weekday dinner rush. “Now it’s 80 percent Koreans, and 20 percent expats. And we’re packed.” The streets of Itaewon, Seoul, especially behind the Hamilton Hotel, have transformed in recent years to feature colorful facades and new options for wining and dining, attracting a new wave of interest in the area. &nb
Feb 14, 2013