Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Welcome the New Year at hotels

By Kim Rahn The end of 2011 is near and people are busy preparing to greet the New Year. For those who want to close 2011 and welcome 2012 in a special and memorable way, hotels present countdown celebrations, packages and many other offerings. The Grand Hilton Seoul offers two “Countdown to the Dragon” packages. The year 2012 is the Year of Dragon according to the Chinese zodiac, and it is said that this is not an ordinary year of the dragon but the year of the “black dragon” that comes once every 60 years. With the Welcome Black Dragon package (165,000 won), guest can enjoy a one night stay in a deluxe room and free tickets for two for the countdown party at Club Babalu including two cocktails. Lucky Black Dragon package (215,000 won) users will receive the benefits plus buffet breakfast for two and two tickets for 2012 Arts Concert. Other benefits for both packages are two mini bottles of Jagermeister, a cheese platter, and a discount VIP voucher for the High One Resort in Gangwon Province. The packages are available from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1. For more informati

Dec 22, 2011

Chefs in sky to serve Etihad passengers

By Lee Hyo-sik Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) flagship carrier, plans to have experienced chefs onboard flights connecting Incheon with Abu Dhabi next year to serve first-class passengers freshly prepared meals as part of efforts to provide a high-quality premium service. The airline is currently offering the unprecedented in-flight meal service to its diamond first-class passengers on flights between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, Melbourne, London and Paris. It will expand the ``first-class chef service’’ in 2012 to other routes connecting Abu Dhabi with Incheon, Frankfurt, Geneva, Narita, Brussels, Milan, Munich, Casablanca, New York and other international destinations. Etihad operates A330-200 airplanes on the Incheon-Abu Dhabi route, which was launched in December last year. The daily flights provide 2,800 seats each week to and from Korea, while code sharing with Asiana Airlines. The airline has hired about 110 chefs since launching the premium service in May. They are fully qualified and classically trained international chefs dedicated to food service

Dec 22, 2011

Hotel Lobby

Grand Hilton Seoul For ladies planning a party, Grand Hilton Seoul offers a Get It Party Ladies package. The package includes a one-night stay in a three-bedroom or four-bedroom unit at the Grand Suite serviced residence, a bottle of red wine, imported beers, juice, Lindt chocolate and other snacks. Guests can also have pizza and wine or beer at the Barbalu nightclub. Available through Feb. 29, the package is priced at 199,000 won for a group of four, and 219,000 won for a group of six. For more information, call 02-2287-8400. Renaissance Seoul Hotel Couples who had their weddings at Renaissance Seoul Hotel this year will have a chance to win a prize if they share their wedding stories with the public between Jan. 2 and March 31. A complimentary three nights’ stay in a pool villa at the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa will be offered to eight couples among wedding customers who write stories with pictures on their personal blogs or wedding-related online communities and register through the event section of the hotel’s website, www.renaissanceseoul.com. Two

Dec 22, 2011

Bidding farewell to 2011

By Lee Hyo-won, Kwon Mee-yoo and Noh Hyun-ji The countdown for 2012 is nearing, but there is still time to decide how to spend the last hours of 2011. Concert halls, theme parks and eateries are offering ways to welcome in the New Year with a little pizzazz. Riding a bell Every New Year’s Eve, thousands of people fill the streets of Jongno, northern Seoul, to hear the ringing of the Boshingak Bell marking the start of another year. However, standing outside in the cold for hours in the crowd to hear the bell is a physically demanding endeavor. For those looking for a warmer way to greet the New Year, book a window seat at venues near the bell. Many establishments take reservations and will open for extended hours. Some even offer special deals for the night. The most sought-after spot is Baekseju Maeul, a “makgeolli” or Korean rice wine bar operated by Kooksoondang. Located on the second floor of a building right across from the bell, it offers an unmatchable view. For a fixed reservation fee depending on the number of people, the bar provides unlimited makgeolli and

Dec 22, 2011

In pursuit of new style of hansik

By Kim Rahn When trying to get inspiration in cooking Korean food, Chef Lee Sang-hoon at the Renaissance Seoul Hotel’s Korean restaurant Sabiru refers to foreign cookbooks, not Korean ones. Lee studies, for example, how to display food from the books, because he thinks Korean dishes don’t need to be displayed as they have been since the Joseon Kingdom. “For example, 'milssam,' or assorted vegetables in flour wraps, comes as a separate appetizer, being almost always served first. It doesn’t need to be. It can be served in the middle of a meal; or be included in a salad if it is well harmonized with the vegetables used,” the 40-year-old said. Such new attempts and study by the chef with 16 years of experience are part of efforts to better introduce “hansik,” or Korean food, to the world. “Foreign people will eventually seek authentic hansik made in traditional ways. But before that final stage, there needs to be an interim stage where they become familiar with it. To present Korean food in a way foreigners feel familiar with, we have to first understand their culinary c

Dec 15, 2011By Kim Rahn

Creativity and#8212; key ingredient for good chef

By Kim Rahn There are three small-sized pieces of food on a plate. They look like a tart, a beef steak and a chocolate, as if the appetizer, main meal and dessert are being served on one plate. But when tasted, voila! The tart was beef, as was the chocolate-looking food. The three pieces were all beef, all main courses served in three different ways. This is the creation of chef Manu Lee at the Imperial Palace Hotel’s Italian restaurant Verona. With the dishes, the 28-year-old won the grand prize in the main course category at the Black Box Culinary Challenge organized by Meat and Livestock Australia last September. In the competition where contestants were required to create a dish in 24 hours after the main ingredients were revealed, what he had to deal with was beef brisket. “Brisket is not used widely because it is dry and tough. So I chose braising to make it as moist as possible. I also decided to present three types, like an appetizer, main and dessert, to give visual pleasure,” Lee said. “For the ‘appetizer,’ I boiled the meat down with tomato juice to m

Dec 15, 2011By Kim Rahn

Hotel Lobby

Novotel Ambassador Gangnam Pub bar Gran-A at the Novotel Ambassador Gangnam presents special 2011 Christmas parties on Dec. 23 and 24. From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., set menus will be offered, including a Christmas buffet and two glasses of liquor at 60,000 won. Johnnie Walker and snack set menus are also available. A bottle of Johnnie Walker 12-year-old Black Label with snacks is available for 290,000 won; Johnnie Walker 18-year-old Platinum, for 400,000 won; and Johnnie Walker Blue Label, for 490,000 won. The pub will also feature two special cocktails: Noel in sparkling red and Snow Love in a cool flavor. The entrance fee is 15,000 won for room guests and 30,000 won for others. For more information, call 02-531-6868. Ritz-Carlton Seoul The Ritz-Carlton Seoul is holding an Origami Party for child guests on Dec. 18. Origami is the art of paper folding. Origami artist Kim Sae-ik will lead participants in the creation of unique Christmas decorations made of paper. An award ceremony will follow the event, with prizes such as gift certificates for the Oksan Buffet and h

Dec 15, 2011By Kim Rahn

Buddhist temples, special place to greet New Year

If you are tired from the typical year-end drinking parties, allow yourself time to consider spending the New Year in a quiet mountainside Buddhist temple. Thirty-eight Buddhist temples across the country are running special temple stay programs for "greeting the first sunrise of the New Year," according to the Templestay Information Center that handles all general information concerning temple stay programs. Most of these programs start on Dec. 31 and continue until early January. Temple stay programs generally let laypeople and non-Buddhists experience monastic life ranging from early-morning chanting, Zen meditation and tea ceremonies to domestic chores, during an overnight stay at a mountainside temple. In addition to routine activities, the special year-end programs provide various other events such as a bell-tolling ceremony, movie screening, mountain hiking, experiencing traditional Korean folk games and a meditation program for healing family relationships. Simwon Temple in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and Geumsan Temple in Gimje, North Jeolla Province,

Dec 12, 2011

Jordan, the land of inspiration

By Yi Whan-woo Put aside the geopolitical location of Jordan that may lead a potential tourist to think of the country as a Middle Eastern nation caught in the whirlwind of political and religious conflict. In actuality the desert nation surrounded by Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia offers a near paradise experience with sincere local hospitality, historical aspects and special cuisine. From the ancient city of Petra in the South to its capital Amman in the North, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is about the same size as South Korea and is abundant in eye-opening and inspiring tourist sites. Dead Sea and spa After more than a 10-hour flight from Korea, it may be a good way to unwind by starting with a tour of the Dead Sea. The famous salty body of water is located a short drive from Queen Alia International Airport, the gateway to the country. One can relax by floating effortlessly to enjoy the sun in one of the world’s first health resorts. The amazing place is made of waters from incoming rivers, including the River Jordan, which evaporate, leavin

Dec 8, 2011

Benikea hotels offer warm welcome for winter travelers

By Lee Hyo-sik It is a must for travelers to secure an affordable and comfortable place to stay before setting out on a trip. It is more so for those who plan to take a trip during the winter season. For those who plan to go skiing in the mountainous Gangwon Province, fly to Jeju Island to climb up the snow-covered Mt. Halla and eat fresh seafood, or go anywhere else in the country, 45 Benikea hotels offer high-quality accommodation at affordable rates. These budget hotel chains certificated by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the state-run promoter of tourism at home and abroad, have made all the necessary preparations to serve winter travelers and meet their diverse needs. ``Benikea stands for `best night in Korea.’ This new-concept hotel chain has brought the best and most comfortable hotels in Korea to provide quality services at lower rates for those who cannot afford to stay at Lotte, Shilla or other high-end hotels,’’ said Kim Jung-hee, manager at KTO’s Benikea Business Department. Korea has been struggling with a chronic shortage of affordable lodging fa

Dec 8, 2011By Lee Hyo-sik

Travel & Food

Travel & Food

Welcome the New Year at hotels

Chefs in sky to serve Etihad passengers

Hotel Lobby

Bidding farewell to 2011

In pursuit of new style of hansik

Creativity and#8212; key ingredient for good chef

Hotel Lobby

Buddhist temples, special place to greet New Year

Jordan, the land of inspiration

Benikea hotels offer warm welcome for winter travelers

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