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Desserts From Sex and the City Now Available in Seoul

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter For most people, Payard may not ring a bell. But for fans of ``Sex and the City,'' Payard is the place where Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte always meet up, chat about their love lives and indulge in what Carrie called the ``best desserts in New York.'' Fans don't need to fly all the way to New York City to visit Payard Bistro and Patisserie and taste its renowned desserts. Payard recently opened its first branch here at the sixth floor of the Shinsegae Main Store in downtown Seoul. In New York, Payard is considered a ``must-stop for anyone who wants an elegant dining experience,'' whether its for coffee, brunch or dinner. With such high expectations, we trooped off to Payard to see if the Seoul branch lives up to the reputation of the New York original. Payard's menu in Seoul features hot and cold sandwiches, panini, soups, souffles, salads and pizza. It looks tempting enough, until you glance at the prices (which exclude the 10 percent value-added tax). Sandwiches start at 9,000 won, while soups and salads start at 12

Jun 12, 2008

Summer, the Way It Used to Be...

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Here is a little peek into how Koreans survived the summer heat during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Essential Hardware Hanok (traditional homes) whether they were imperial palaces or shanty shacks, were built with hwangto (red mud) and covered with hanji (traditional Korean paper) wallpaper. Hwangto is a natural air conditioner that sucks up humidity and keeps the air relatively cool. That's why it is produced as a widely used moisturizing pack for women these days. In addition, paper-covered lattice windows and doors provided relaxing, diffused light and ventilation. A large nobleman's house typically had terraces overlooking a garden and daecheong, a wide-open hall exposed between chambers. They provided the perfect napping place. In the middle of the wood-paneled floor, there would be a pyeongsang (wooded lattice bedstead) with a wooden pillow, which doesn't get warm like cotton-stuffed ones. Completing the perfect nap on a lazy summer afternoon was a long woven bamboo cylinder called jukbuin or literally ``bamboo wife.'' Hugging t

Jun 12, 2008

Imperial Palace Features Qingdao Cuisine

By Kim Tae-jong Staff Reporter The Imperial Palace Hotel holds an authentic Chinese cuisine promotion at its Chinese restaurant, Cheonsan, through June 30 For the promotion, the hotel has invited two guest chefs Li Jian-bao and Luo Jin-hua from the Haiqing Hotel in Qingdao, China. They offer authentic dishes from Qingdao, relatively unknown to diners here, compared to Cantonese or Beijing dishes. Traditional Qingdao cuisine features a range of fresh seafood due to its location in eastern Shandong Province, near the Yellow Sea. ``There are a range of different Qingdao dishes featuring seafood,'' Luo said. ``These dishes have now become very popular among Chinese people as they are becoming more interested in health food as well as taste.'' Considering nutrition and the preferences of Korean diners, the two chefs have chosen 24 different dishes from their specialties. ``Most of all, we want to introduce food that best captures Qingdao cuisine,'' Li said. ``Also, we're trying to create something that can satisfy Korean diners.'' Of the 24 dishes, the rest

Jun 12, 2008

Hotel Lobby

Millennium Seoul Hilton Millennium Seoul Hilton will host the 51st Gourmet Circle Dinner at Seasons, the hotel's French restaurant on June 20 and 21. The dining event starts with a champagne reception at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a seven-course meal, complete with wine pairing. The dinner costs 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 317-3060. Westin Chosun Seoul The Westin Chosun Seoul invites guests to ``Welcome to the Classics'' concert at the hotel's Grand Ballroom at 5 p.m. on June 22. Guests staying at the Weekend Shopping & the City Package on June 21 or 22 will receive two tickets for the concert. The package is available from June 5 to 29 at prices ranging from 185,000 won to 355,000 won. For more information, call (02) 317-0404.

Jun 12, 2008

Chuja Island ― Island of Harmony Between Ocean and People

By Oleg Kiriyanov Contributing writer As soon as Chuja Island becomes visible, the internal broadcasting of the ferry running along the Mokpo-Chuja Island-Jeju Island route says: ``Welcome to Chuja Island ― a paradise for fishing.'' Definitely this small island is famous among many Koreans as one of the best places for fishing. The guidebook says, ``Choose any part of Chuja Island seashore and you will be sure to catch a fish.'' The warm and cold currents that meet there create the perfect environment for fishing. To be exact, Chuja is not an island but an archipelago consisting of 42 small islets and rocks. Four of them ― Sang-Chuja Island, Ha-Chuja Island, Chupo Island and Hoenggan Island ― have people permanently living there and the rest are uninhibited. Chuja Island is situated between the famous resort island of Jeju and the mainland. Though it is closer to Jeju Island (just 53 kilometers to the north and only an hour by ferry) in geographical terms and belongs to Jeju-district, Chuja Island is closer to the mainland's South Jolla Province in terms of tradition, cul

Jun 12, 2008

Enjoy Fondue at Little Swiss

By Christine McLellan Contributing Writer Fondue dates back to as early as the 9th century B.C., when Homer described a fondue-like recipe in Song XI of the ``Iliad.'' By the end of the 18th century, the Swiss had turned to fondue as a staple to survive long, harsh winters with nothing but rock-hard cheese and stale bread. Since then, the fun, communal nature and agreeable taste that characterizes the dish has allowed it to stand the test of time, emerging as a popular traditional meal not only in Switzerland, but around the world. Thus it comes as no surprise that a critically acclaimed traditional Swiss fondue restaurant exists right in downtown Seoul. Little Swiss, located in the heart of Hyehwa, Seoul's theater district, is an authentic Swiss fondue restaurant boasting 10 different fondues in various set combinations and portions. While dinner specials also include alternatives such as fish and steak, the lunch menu offers pastas, fried rice, meat dishes, and other options for big eaters or those who may find fondue too heavy for daytime. Located in a back alley amid

Jun 5, 2008

Where Nights Are Better Than Days in Summer

By Kim Rahn Staff Reporter Even though it's still early in the summer season, a walk can already cause one to sweat. A nighttime stroll can be a good option to enjoy the early summer breeze, and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) recommends five places with attractive night scenes. Starry Night at Songam Observatory Songam Starvalley in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, is a place recommended families and lovers alike. Opened in July 2007, the space complex has a space center with an educational facility, an astronomical observatory, hotels and restaurants. Visitors can learn about the universe and constellations at the center's digital planetarium and other facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Visitors can go up to the observatory located on top of Mount Gyemyeong by a cable car. There they can view the stars through several types of telescopes, as well as enjoy the night scenery from the observatory, including the ridges of Mount Bukhan, night sky and stars. A dance show by small-sized robots at the observatory is also a must-see. Jangheung Art

Jun 5, 2008

Wining and Dining With Strangers

By Kim Tae-jong Staff Reporter While dining with strangers, you may find yourself struggling to look for an icebreaker for conversation. A delicious dish or fine wine could transform such an uncomfortable situation. W Seoul-Walkerhill's gourmet club provides such an atmosphere where even strangers can strike up conversation amid the cozy mood. ``If you go anywhere in the world, you can always see that wine and food brings people together,'' Ciaran Hickey, head chef of the hotel, said. Titled ``Place 24,'' the dinner event is held every two months at the hotel's restaurant Kitchen. Since the restaurant uses two long European tables with 24 seats, the dining event is limited to only 24 guests. The Irish chef believes that the long table also allows a more cozy and intimate atmosphere to facilitate conversation with strangers. ``This kind of table forces people into conversation. You have to talk. When they sit down first, it's quite awkward but after two glasses of wine, everybody becomes friends. By the end of the evening, they are all leaning across the table

Jun 5, 2008

Cold Noodles, Standing the Test of Time

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Naengmyeon, or ``cold noodles,'' is a popular dish among Koreans, and one that with its icy cold broth and soft noodles has stood the test of fickle taste buds. While some may know it as a simple meal served after eating bulgogi or other heavy dishes, naengmyeon actually is a tasty delicacy in itself. This famous dish originated in North Korea. Noodle dishes were a simple and easy dish to prepare, which was important for North Koreans living in mountainous regions with harsh weather. Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, and Hamheung, located in the middle of Hamgyeong Province, are famous for their special and distinctive naengmyeon dishes. Pyongyang, surrounded by one of the most mountainous regions in the nation, used to be famous for its high quality buckwheat. The bitter plant normally grows well in areas with high temperatures and at high altitudes, making Pyongyang the perfect place for it. Noodles made from buckwheat tend to taste a bit bitter but are light and delicate in texture. There is no need to cut them with scissors,

Jun 5, 2008
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