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| Chad Murphy, owner and manager of the Bull & Barrel, with staff in Itaewon. / Photo by John Redmond |
By John Redmond
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| The Bull & Barrel in Itaewon. / Photo by John Redmond |
For most foreigners living in Korea, however, Christmas can be a very lonely experience. Aside from the phone calls and Skype conversations, family contact is very limited.
A traditional Christmas dinner is also impossible to prepare without a fully functioning kitchen and access to the right foods, which is out of the question for many international students, teachers and workers in temporary overseas posts.
To meet the need for a true Christmas experience, many bars in Itaewon offer a dining experience complete with Christmas turkey, Santa Claus and gifts to be shared among friends and work colleagues.
Below is a list of three bars with Christmas specials.
The Bull & Barrel in Itaewon offers two sittings for its annual "Christmas Dinner Buffet," on Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. and Dec 25 at 6 p.m.
Guests can enjoy roast turkey with homemade chestnut stuffing and turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, cod au gratin, roast ham, roast potatoes, green beans and seasonal vegetables with truffle and herb butter sauce.
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| Tobia Jerling, center, owner of Hidden Cellar, has a drink with staff in Itaewon. / Photo by John Redmond |
The meal comes with dessert and a complimentary glass of mulled wine or beverage of choice.
Tickets cost 40,000 won. For more information, visit the Bull & Barrel page on Facebook.
The Hidden Cellar in Haebangcheon will host a "Christmas Eve Dinner" on Sunday at 3 p.m.
For 30,000 won, guests will dine on tomato, cream cheese and basil bruschetta, butternut soup with coconut cream, roast leg of lamb, roast chicken served with garlic butter roasted potatoes, sauteed asparagus and pumpkin pie dessert.
Participants are asked to bring a gift worth about 15,000 won for a Kris Kringle-style secret Santa.
Visit the Hidden Cellar Facebook page for bookings.
A Pinoy-themed Christmas party featuring bands, dancers and DJs will take place at the JR Pub on Sunday, beginning at 6 p.m.
A buffet menu comprising roast turkey, pulled pork, fried chicken, baby back ribs, ham with cream sauce and macaroni is available for 25,000 won.
Visit the JR Pub Christmas Eve Dinner Party Facebook page for bookings.
