Korean Job Discussion Forums

jondepoer · Joined: 02 May 2010

Just a quick note to say that the Flying Pan in Itaewon, if it was ever a decent place to have breakfast, certainly isn't now.

My girlfriend and I were served 5,000 won Americanos that were so weak, you could clearly see the bottom of the cup. It tasted like cigarette butts.

She ordered eggs Benedict, which was served freezing cold. I had the namesake Flying Pan Breakfast consisting of a pile of rubbery Korean style mushrooms, toast with globs of pesto soaking into it. Everything was drenched in Balsamic vinegar, and it was pooling on the plate. The whole thing was tepid. I wondered when it took 5 mins to bring the food - seems like it might have been sitting around.

When we complained, instead of an offer to fix the meal, or even an apology, the surly manager explained that the food was "little cold style". I told him we were leaving, and we walked out, despite his insistence that we pay full price for the untouched food. The thoughts of paying almost 50,000 for that dreadful mess just infuriated me.

Tl;dr: Flying Pan in Itaewon: don't bother.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I've never had a meal in a restaurant so bad that I walked out on without paying because they wouldn't fix it. Thanks for the heads up on this!

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

I was going to go there this morning but there was an hour wait (at 10:30). Maybe they were waiting for everyone's eggs to chill.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 4:31 am Post subject:

If there is one thing Korea does not typically do well it is the "Western Breakfast". I personally steered clear of it and either ate at home so I could make it if I craved it or ate a Korean style breakfast.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

WadRUG'naDoo · Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Location: Shanghai

Dave Chance · Joined: 30 May 2011

Yeah, dropping bills for breakfast, I think not.

Then again, I ain't a morning kinda guy.

Still, not too tough to cover the basics, as stated above.

orosee · Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Location: Hannam-dong, Seoul

That's sad news. I've been there a few times and really loved the food.

alwaysgood · Joined: 15 Aug 2011 Location: Changwon

MollyBloom · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants

You can make a wonderful breakfast at home for cheap. My husband and I make breakfast every weekend and it's delicious. I can understand the craving for Eggs Benedict and waffles, though. My husband also always cooks so I am a little spoiled Twisted Evil

chrisinkorea2011 · Joined: 16 Jan 2011

Yeah i live too far away from itaewon to eat their breakfast but ive been cautioned to avoid a lot of places there anyways, in terms of it going downhill. Like others have said simply cook it yourself. And for those who say they dont have enough time, wake up 30 minutes earlier, or prepare the food the night before. Cut potatoes in thin slices add onions, some salt and pepper, even some meat and voila! you got a healthy cost efficient alternative to runny cold food. lol

banjois · Joined: 14 Nov 2009

I went there a few weeks back, and the thing that kills me is that it was actually a really good hollandaise. But cold, therefore pretty nasty. If it had been warm, it would have been a really nice meal.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:50 am Post subject:

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience.

To this day I've never had a bad meal there. And I would consider myself either a weekly or bi-weekly regular. I find the meals to be of high quality, and their cafe latte is difficult to beat. The meals do come out rather quickly, as they try to rotate you out of there as there's usually a long line-up. I've never been served a meal too cold, just the opposite... usually I have to wait for it to cool down a bit.

However, I think I know the meal you were talking about (the one with the mushrooms -- the Flying Pan breakfast). I've had it once or twice, and I think it's a bit too heavy on the mushrooms. I wouldn't say it is 'bad' though. Just not big on it, and wouldn't have it again. Mushrooms were not steaming hot either, if I remember correctly. I've tried two other meals there I didn't like (the salmon egg one and alladins bowl - not great. my friend tried breakfast at tiffany's and that wasn't so great either). But everything else is good, and the reason I didn't like those is really just my personal taste -- they're not bad, really. Just not crazy about them.

My two favorite meals there are:
- Itaewon Breakfast
- Ham & Cheese Pesto sandwich

Get either of those, and you're doing just fine. I usually order a side of pancakes to go with it (which are quite good too!).

As for service, I find them extremely good. Always 3 or 4 girls on the floor just waiting for you... the guy is quite friendly. Reservations are easy to make (they take your phone number and call).

So, just wanted to add some balance to the post here. Oftentimes a restaurant will not get it right 100% of the time. I think the OP's experience could have been an irregularity...

banjois · Joined: 14 Nov 2009

I've had chilled hollandaise at both the Sinsa and the Itaewon branches....