Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Control Z]

My husband is hosting a group of clients next week who work in Saudi Arabia but are of Pakistani origin.

What is the most upscale Middle Eastern restaurant in Seoul? I would appreciate any and all advice about where he should take them since he has never hosted this group of people before and I have no idea. Thanks.

[bangbayed]

Mughal behind the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon. Great atmosphere in an old diplomatic residence. A little pricey, but if you want classy Middle Eastern (actually Pakistani) food, it's the best place in Seoul.

[Control Z]

Thank you so much! That is a huge help.

The description you gave sounds exactly like the place he needs.

[Adventurer]

Pakistanis are not from the Middle East, so Mughal does fit with Pakistani and Indian cuisine. As far as Middle Eastern, then we're talking about food from Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt and North Africa.
You do have Marrakesh for North African Middle Eastern food and Petra for Arabic food, and you have a few Turkish restaurants, but I don't know of any good Turkish restaurants in Itaewon, but I heard there is an expensive Turkish restaurant in Seoul somewhere that's good. You do have an Iranian restaurant which would fall under Middle Eastern since Iran is part of the Middle East. I like this one Iranian restaurant in Itaewon, but it's definitely not up-scale. Greek is similar enough to Mediterranean Middle Eastern food.

[Hamlet]

Why would you annoy them with half-ass food that may or may not (you sound confused) be from the part of the world that they are from?

If I flew to a foreign country for a meeting and my hosts brought me to an average restaurant that served steak and potatoes I would be pretty disappointed!!!!

They are travelling to a foreign country--take them to nice Galbi restaurant!!

[moosehead]

Mughal is Sooo Koreanized - the food there is so hot as to be almost inedible.

Try the Taj Palace - it's across from the infamous "Foreigners Restaurant" also in Itaewon. Up the road past the fire station, before the mosque.

There food there is excellent and they have nice tablecloths, pleasant service. Great buffets on the weekends.

For just plain good food - Egyptian - try Alexandria in Haebonchon. Excellent hummus and falafels.

[Control Z]

Thanks for all the replies.

Hamlet, the group in question has visited Korea several times and has already requested that they dine at a Middle Eastern restaurant.

[moosehead]

[Lynns]

Pasha is a beautiful Turkish restaurant in Gangnam. They just moved to a new location, right next door, that is even nicer than the old one. The food there is very good. It's somewhat expensive.

There is a great new Lebanese restaurant in Itaewon, just opened about a week ago. It's right next to the Kraze Burger, but set back a little from the sidewalk. The restaurant is nicely decorated, white tablecloths, looks much nicer than the other Middle Eastern restaurants, and the food we ate was really good. It's not too expensive.

[Papa Smurf]

[bangbayed]

[Gaber]

Prasha is great Turkish cuisine, definitely upscale in terms of decor but still pretty reasonable (15-20 for mains). The new restaurant has a middle eastern style seating section with floor tables and soft lighting which is very cool. Lots of delicious Kebab meat dishes.

[cdninkorea]

Someone mentioned Taj Palace, across from the "Foreigner's Restaurant", and I concur that it's good. Ganga is great as well; I went to the one in the Seoul Finance Building a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Adventurer]

[D-Man]

Absolutely sparkling!