Meet Market • 미트마켓

For my friends who have known me long enough and have grabbed a meal with me on different occasions, they all probably know about my fondness for meat and rice. I have to say, prior coming to this place, I've had a really good piece of steak and a really good rice meal, but never had steak AND rice at the same time. The two don't really go together you know, especially growing up in western countries where rice is not a main staple. I've gotten used to the fact that I usually have my steak with mashed potatoes, asparagus, or salads on the side. But never a well-cooked rice. So imagined my surprise when I had my first meal at Meet Market (미트마켓), where they serve their steak with asparagus AND rice! Seeing two of my most favorite food in one plate, I was beyond ecstatic!

And it didn't stop there. The steak was perfectly cooked—it got some crispy parts on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside—just the way I like it. The meat, asparagus, and rice was perfectly seasoned too. Everything was delicious, including the soup and salad that they served for the appetizers. The service was excellent and they have an open kitchen so I was able to see the chefs doing their thing. This place is probably one of my favorite restaurants in Seoul. Sadly, I think they are no longer at this location that I've visited. I'm not sure if they closed down or moved to a different location but I just found it this place has now been replaced by a bakery cafe. Even so, thought It'd still be fun to share this story ;)

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Izawa • 이자와

Izawa (이자와) is another gyukatsu (규카츠) restaurant that is nearby Atto Gyukatsu that I've shared a couple of posts ago. This place, also in a basement, has a slightly bigger seating area compared to the other place. Gyukatsu (규카츠) is what I always order, and sometimes their Steak Don (스테이시동) if I come with a friend and we want to mix it up a bit and order to share. Their set menu comes with salad, side dishes, miso soup and rice and if you ordered their 2 persons set menu, it also comes with a choice of drink. I personally come here more often cos I like their gyukatsu slightly better. I think the beef is more tender and the stone plate grill that they use makes it easier to grill the meat (plus they change the grill plate for you quite a bit so your meat doesn't stick to the grill).

I've came here a couple of times and the place is pretty packed during lunch and dinner hours (you might have to wait in line for a bit, especially if you come in big groups more than 4 people). But Koreans usually eat pretty fast, so the wait time is not that long. Or you can always come before or after the lunch/dinner rush, like I do all the time ;)

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Izawa (이자와)

Address: 서울특별시 서대문구 연세로 29 지하 1층
Telephone: 02-322-5776
Hours: 11:00 - 22:00
Break Time: 15:30 - 16:30 (Weekdays)

Tokyo Bingsu • 도쿄빙수

Bingsu is probably my favorite Korean dessert, especially during summer. A bowl of this fine ice shavings on a hot day could make the hot and humid summer days in Seoul more bearable. Tokyo Bingsu (도쿄빙수) is one of the new bingsu places I tried when I was wondering around Mangwon-dong with my friend, Jesselyn. Although they are well-known for their Tomato Bingsu (토마토 빙수), we opted for their Oreo Bingsu (오레오 빙수) since we weren't sure if we would like the Tomato ones and kinda felt like eating something sweet. The bingsu was great. The snow-like ice shavings were covered in condensed milk and top it off with the oreo crumbs, it made a perfect combo. And it's not too sweet either. I found out later that they have multiple locations in Seoul. Not a lot like those chain stores, but you got different options. Next time I visit, maybe I'll be brave and try their Tomato Bingsu.

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Tokyo Bingsu (도쿄빙수)

Address: 서울특별시 마포구 포은로8길 9
Tel: 02-6409-5692
Hours: 12:00 - 22:00

Instagram: @tokyobingsu

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Summer at Haeundae Beach • 해운대해수욕장

When you talk about popular summer beach destinations in South Korea, I'm pretty sure Haeundae Beach (해운대해수욕장) in Busan (부산) will make it to the list. I've heard that this most famous beach in Busan attracts so many visitors—local and tourists—over the years but I just didn't know how many people until I've seen it for the first time in the summer. When I first started walking into the beach area, it wasn't so bad. All I saw was rows and rows of neatly organized blue umbrellas on the beach and blue towels laid under them for people to rent the space to chill or get away from the sun.

But then right when I walked passed those umbrellas and finally laid my eyes on where the sand meets the waves, it was unreal. There were sooo many people around me!! I haven't seen a beach this crowded my entire life! (But then again, I have to say that I don't go the the beach that often but yes, I've been to some of the busier beaches—like the ones in Bali, for example). It was fascinating to see but also overwhelming at the same time. I mean, wow. There were practically every people from all ages doing all kind of things from swimming, chillin' on the water floating on those bright yellow red donut floats, playing in the sand, watching their kids, to just sitting down on the sand sunbathing while playing with their phones. Just the sheer amount of people was fascinating to me. Anyways, after staying there for a good maybe 10-15 minutes, we decided to leave cos just face it, it was all just too much (for me at least) and the sun was way too hot to just stay there and sunbath. 

 

Haeundae Beach (해운대해수욕장)

Address: 부산광역시 해운대구 해운대해변로 264
Subway: Haeundae Station. Exit 5.

Check Visit Korea website for more info about beach opening hours, night swimming, and other notices.

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Atto Gyukatsu • 아토 규카츠

Gyukatsu (규카츠) was one of the food that became 'a thing' in Seoul last year. Or at least according to my observations since I encountered quite a number of newly opened gyukatsu places around Seoul and started to see more pictures of it online afterwards. And when one of my favorite restaurant moved away from its original spot and replaced by a gyukatsu restaurant, I felt like it was a perfect time to try it out.

Atto Gyukatsu (아토 규카츠) in Sinchon (신촌) was the first place I got a taste of these delicious deep-fried breaded beef cutlets. I ordered the one person gyukatsu set meal which was served with rice, miso soup, and side dishes. The server gave me instructions on how to cook the meat according to your liking, put wasabi on top of it, dip it in the sauces and all that while putting down the tray in front of me. I followed his instructions and started eating. And man it was good. The meat was tender despite of the crunchy breading and the sauce goes well with the meat and rice. I personally feel the wasabi was unnecessary, but hey, I don't really like spicy food in general so for those who do, it might be better with the wasabi. If you are around Sinchon, this place might be worth a try. The restaurant is actually located in the basement so look out for their entrance (pictured below) and just follow down the stairs to the entrance.

p.s: There's actually another gyukatsu place that I visit quite frequently around here that I'll be sharing soon. Stay tuned! ;)

 

Atto Gyukatsu (아토 규카츠)

Address: 서울특별시 서대문구 명물길 38
Tel: 02-363-4588
Hours: 11:00 - 22:30
Break Time: 15:30 - 16:30
Subway: Sinchon Station. Exit 3.

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