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Chaucer
Joined: 20 Oct 2009
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:44 am Post subject: Post of the month |
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| Lots of great lingo, observations, etc. in this post. Just sayin' |
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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| "You take the high road and I'll take the low road...meh" |
That's a Scottish song. Seems like some of the posters here don't know much more about Ireland than the Koreans. |
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dickierok
Joined: 05 Sep 2010 Location: Yongin
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Is this the place with the rugby shirts etc all over the walls? I went in during the rugby world cup to see if they were showing the Ireland game. Greeted with blank stares. They were showing a Mika concert instead. Disgust! |
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rainman3277
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| sorry to stray but being this thread is about Irish bars I had a related question. I went to Wolfhoud this week. First time I had been in a couple years. No reason other than moved out of Seoul. Got the fish & chips and noticed the chips are no longer fresh cut, but store bought it seemed. It's a minor detail for sure, but was just curious if anyone else has noticed a change in the place (food,service,ownership,etc.) Used to be one of my favorite spots in Itaewon. |
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vedder2177
Joined: 17 Jan 2010
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 3:50 am Post subject: |
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| I ordered an Irish Stew there a few years back and got a plate of pork pieces and carrots in gravy. I will never eat there again. Ive got three days left of a holiday back in Cork and I plan to eat and drink like a savage before going back to Seoul. |
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fezmond
Joined: 27 Oct 2008
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:19 am Post subject: |
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| rainman3277 wrote: |
| sorry to stray but being this thread is about Irish bars I had a related question. I went to Wolfhoud this week. First time I had been in a couple years. No reason other than moved out of Seoul. Got the fish & chips and noticed the chips are no longer fresh cut, but store bought it seemed. It's a minor detail for sure, but was just curious if anyone else has noticed a change in the place (food,service,ownership,etc.) Used to be one of my favorite spots in Itaewon. |
the last 2 times i've had the chips i ended up getting potato wedges. maybe they've always been like that but they aren't what i'd call chips |
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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 6:49 am Post subject: |
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| Pretty pissed off to walk into baby Guiness recently and see a Car Bomb on the menu, I didn't stay long enough to have a drink. |
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rainman3277
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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| big_fella1 wrote: |
| Pretty pissed off to walk into baby Guiness recently and see a Car Bomb on the menu, I didn't stay long enough to have a drink. |
I always found it weird and in bad taste to have a drink with that name too, but it seems to be pretty standard in bars, irish or otherwise. I'm not Irish but doesn't 'Black & Tan' has some negative conetation aswell?. |
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MigukCowboy
Joined: 10 Sep 2012
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: Dublin Terrace: Sorry excuse for Irish Bar |
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| Stephen Ireland wrote: |
Went there a few weeks back cause I was homesick. I figured since the Irish Association of Korea often holds events there that it was sure sign of being an Authentic Irish pub.
First off, I expected it to be expensive (it's in Gangnam after all). So seeing Guinness for 15,000 won a pint didn't really surprise me. What did surprise me was the layout, the clientele and the food menu.
The interior of the bar is set up like a beer hall with uncomfortable seating. It was very open but at the same time very closed. No mingling - exactly like a Korean bar. The lightling was also poor.
The atmosphere had alot to do with the Koreans in attendance. I couldn't see another foreigner there - unusual for an Irish bar. I think this was the single biggest problem. When I searched for the location of the bar on naver some Koreans confidently described the bar as an English Pub!
Finally, the biggest problem was the food - Mexican, Korean and a sprinkling of English but not a hint of Irish. I came expecting an improvement over the Wolfhound but now I'm greatful that we even have a wolfhound to go to!
Worst Irish Pub Ever! |
Well. That sounds just like most of the "Irish bars" and "Western bars" in Korea.
Maybe about 20% of them at the most are authentically western. The rest are just as you describe. |
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Skippy

Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:20 am Post subject: |
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I have to things to ask.
One, do you know you are in Korea? Most likely a bar will be operated, staffed, and visited by Koreans.
You want a good Irish Bar, I would think Ireland. If not at least owned and operated by an Irish person. Still even then most customers will be majority Koreans.
Two, what constitutes an Irish bar. Does a bar filled with Irish make it Irish? Is it the drinks/beer? The food?
Take any offer of a place that sells it self as something unique. Everywhere in the world, the adapt or sell to local taste. |
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Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 6:18 am Post subject: |
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| Skippy wrote: |
I have to things to ask.
One, do you know you are in Korea? Most likely a bar will be operated, staffed, and visited by Koreans.
You want a good Irish Bar, I would think Ireland. If not at least owned and operated by an Irish person. Still even then most customers will be majority Koreans.
Two, what constitutes an Irish bar. Does a bar filled with Irish make it Irish? Is it the drinks/beer? The food?
Take any offer of a place that sells it self as something unique. Everywhere in the world, the adapt or sell to local taste. |
Yeah, but...
I mean by all means cater to the local crowd. But at least have frickin Jameson of varying ages, More than just Guiness, and a lame attempt at some Irish food. That and play western music. Doesn't have to be good Western music, or any genre in particular as long as it isn't some cocktail bar techno-dance crap. And have darts and sports. That's not much to ask. If not, don't call it Irish. Call it whatever goofball Korean name you want and advertise that you serve Guiness.
At the same time if calling it Irish and doing everything completely Korean brings in the ducats, who am I to judge. The reason someone opens a bar is to fleece people anyway.
I wonder how the Germans feel when they come here and go into a hof.... At least they get some sort of picked cabbage...  |
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rainman3277
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Skippy wrote: |
I have to things to ask.
One, do you know you are in Korea? Most likely a bar will be operated, staffed, and visited by Koreans.
You want a good Irish Bar, I would think Ireland. If not at least owned and operated by an Irish person. Still even then most customers will be majority Koreans.
Two, what constitutes an Irish bar. Does a bar filled with Irish make it Irish? Is it the drinks/beer? The food?
Take any offer of a place that sells it self as something unique. Everywhere in the world, the adapt or sell to local taste. |
That's some super logic. You need to be irish to order irish alcohol, put some irish decorations on the wall, play western music and cook irish food? It's not going to be 100% authentic but no one abroad expects it to be.
I think I'll go back to N.America and open a calbi restuarant but instead of kimchi will serve coleslaw and instead of soju i'll serve cheap vodka. that's adapting to local tastes right?
Stop being a friggin Korean defender. Koreans are notorious for putting a name on something it isn't and Dublin Terrace is a prime example of that. |
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Steelrails

Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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| rainman3277 wrote: |
I think I'll go back to N.America and open a calbi restuarant but instead of kimchi will serve coleslaw and instead of soju i'll serve cheap vodka. that's adapting to local tastes right?
Stop being a friggin Korean defender. Koreans are notorious for putting a name on something it isn't and Dublin Terrace is a prime example of that. |
Well, as for the first part, let's remember that most Chinese, Mexican, Middle-Eastern, and yes, Korean is adapted to local tastes to some extent.
What, you think General Tso's Chicken is authentic? You think people around the world eat with forks and knives and not with hands or chopsticks? You think some local microbrew is served in authentic Mexican restaurants?
As for the second part, I can't disagree. Might as well have called it Oslo Terrace or Shanghai Terrace. |
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MigukCowboy
Joined: 10 Sep 2012
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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When I am in Korea. I just accept the fact that I am in a weird place where everything is a bit strange.
These places are businesses. They are out to make money. They aren't there to make everything authentic. It's a bar.
I guess i'm just more easy-going. As long as it's a foreigner hangout and there's some good beer I don't care about all the minor details.
Why don't you all start up your own bar? Show them how it should be done instead of whining. |
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hiamnotcool
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| rainman3277 wrote: |
I think I'll go back to N.America and open a calbi restuarant but instead of kimchi will serve coleslaw and instead of soju i'll serve cheap vodka. that's adapting to local tastes right?
Stop being a friggin Korean defender. Koreans are notorious for putting a name on something it isn't and Dublin Terrace is a prime example of that. |
Well, as for the first part, let's remember that most Chinese, Mexican, Middle-Eastern, and yes, Korean is adapted to local tastes to some extent.
What, you think General Tso's Chicken is authentic? You think people around the world eat with forks and knives and not with hands or chopsticks? You think some local microbrew is served in authentic Mexican restaurants?
As for the second part, I can't disagree. Might as well have called it Oslo Terrace or Shanghai Terrace. |
The notable difference in Korea is that these are Koreans modifying the food to the point it doesn't even resemble the country of its origin. In the USA (ahem) it's Korean people modifying Korean food, Chinese people modifying Chinese food, Mexican people modifying Mexican food. There are exceptions and yes, sometimes the local Americans can't tell the difference between a korean sushi chef and a japanese sushi chef, but the market in the USA favors cuisine made by the natives of that country. It just seems more respectful to the culture to me. There are exceptions (taco bell, chipotle grill, etc) but that is usually due to the demand of the food being met with a short supply of native workers that can create the authentic flavor. The locals here in Korea like restaurants run by locals, regardless of what type of food it is. It's profitable but it's annoying to me, and it feels like a ripoff when I go in those places.
And dare I say it's a bit arrogant for someone to take a dish that is indigenous to a certain area and population, modify it beyond recognition, and then claim it is still authentic. It seems wrong to profit off of that that. In every other country I have been in they call that fusion, so you know what you are getting beforehand. There are a few places here that use that term, but most try to play off the idea the food and experience is authentic.
Irish bars are kind of a haven for foreigners to get western food all over the world. They usually try to maintain some kind of integrity for the travelers that can't hack it with the local cuisine. I'm surprised someone pulled that with an Irish bar. |
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