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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Mix1
Joined: 08 May 2007
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 Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| hogwonguy1979 wrote: |
Back to the food quality topic that is so true with the western chains that come here and get Koreanized. When On the Border first opened up in Sinchon back in 2007, we went there a lot because management from the Dallas HQ were there training and do quality assurance, it was good. As soon as they left and the Korean management took over the food quality went down and the prices went up but the locals still seem to love it. |
Exactly. It's a pattern.
Used to go to a great high-class Mexican restaurant in Yeoido. The food was amazing: on par with most Mexican restaurants in the US (even the Southwest). They had a Mexican cook. They later fired him and the food turned to absolute CRAP! They stole his recipes but somehow couldn't get the taste right. NEVER went there again. (rubbery, tasteless, ridiculously small portions! Mexicans would be insulted to be served that crap)
But Mexican food was suddenly trendy for Koreans so it didn't matter, the place was hopping. Anywhere else and the place would be out of business.
Koreans are all about the money; quality control is WAY down the list.
For business (strictly turning a short term profit), that's fine. For consumers who know better, that's terrible. |
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fustiancorduroy
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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| hogwonguy1979 wrote: |
| Back to the food quality topic that is so true with the western chains that come here and get Koreanized. When On the Border first opened up in Sinchon back in 2007, we went there a lot because management from the Dallas HQ were there training and do quality assurance, it was good. As soon as they left and the Korean management took over the food quality went down and the prices went up but the locals still seem to love it. Its why we've never gone back to one. We won't go near the new one that opened in Itaewon last week |
???
I dunno, OTB still tastes about the same to me as it did when it opened. It certainly hasn't been "Koreanized" (not that's necessarily a bad thing). Every one I know IRL who likes Mexican food still likes OTB.
Regarding the argument that Western food in Korea is worse... I still have to disagree. It may be made with different or unexpected ingredients, but this doesn't make the food worse. It may not be authentic to the original flavor, but that just means the foods have been adapted to suit the local palette of Koreans. This happens with food anywhere in the world.
Now if a place claims to be authentic, then they should stick to a Western recipe with Western ingredients. Otherwise, they can change the food and it can still be "good", just not good to you. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, I think the guy writing about OTB was just giddy with joy that something resembling Mexican food back home was in Korea. Then went back the next time and found out that it tastes just like OTB back home- mediocre processed bag food.
And when I said bring OTB to Itaewon, I meant Off-Track Betting. As in picking ponies. A place I can drink and smoke and the floor is littered with betting slips. Get some primetime races going on. Even harness racing would do. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Regarding the argument that Western food in Korea is worse... I still have to disagree |
So you think it's better? |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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The only western food that is better in Korea is cakes. Cakes back home are so over-sweetend and have icing that makes your teeth ache. Cakes here aren't like that.
Aside from that, I can't really think of any western food done better here, although the fried chicken is certainly close enough so as not to be an issue. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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The only western food that is better in Korea is cakes. Cakes back home are so over-sweetend and have icing that makes your teeth ache. Cakes here aren't like that.
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They must be pretty bad in the States then, is all I can say. The cakes you get from Paris Baguette and the like have no substance at all, just loads of light artifical cream like stuff like shaving foam. Cakes should weigh you down a bit IMO. |
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cabeza
Joined: 29 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
The only western food that is better in Korea is cakes. Cakes back home are so over-sweetend and have icing that makes your teeth ache. Cakes here aren't like that.
Aside from that, I can't really think of any western food done better here, although the fried chicken is certainly close enough so as not to be an issue. |
I don't know if I would go that far. Some cakes here are OK. I think in America a lot of things are over-sweetend. I remember eating white bread there and it tasting like their where spoonfuls of sugar in each slice.
Yeah they do chicken pretty well, more variety than from where I'm from. Though in the US you guys have the whole southern fried tradition thing. But i guess fried chicken is fried chicken. |
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optik404
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Nah, cakes in the US are a lot better than here. If I'm gonna eat a cake, I want it to be sweet. Same with cupcakes. Cupcakes here are strange and they scare me. |
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Mr. BlackCat
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Location: Insert witty remark HERE
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| Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
The only western food that is better in Korea is cakes. Cakes back home are so over-sweetend and have icing that makes your teeth ache. Cakes here aren't like that.
Aside from that, I can't really think of any western food done better here, although the fried chicken is certainly close enough so as not to be an issue. |
I just had to log in because I cannot believe it, but I actually agree with SR here. If we're just comparing store bought cakes for under $30, I think Korea wins hands down. I don't even remember the last time I had a piece of cake back home. They always hurt my teeth and gave me a stomach ache, not to mention made me feel overall sick. And I am not a health nut, nor do I shy away from sugar. |
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byrddogs
Joined: 19 Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 12:53 am Post subject: |
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| edwardcatflap wrote: |
| Quote: |
The only western food that is better in Korea is cakes. Cakes back home are so over-sweetend and have icing that makes your teeth ache. Cakes here aren't like that.
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They must be pretty bad in the States then, is all I can say. The cakes you get from Paris Baguette and the like have no substance at all, just loads of light artifical cream like stuff like shaving foam. Cakes should weigh you down a bit IMO. |
I'm of the same opinion. What's with the whipped butter icing? That is nasty. Our office has barred Paris Baguette cakes for birthdays. Usually one of the NETs that lives in the French Concession brings a cake from one of the bakeries there these days. |
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SeoulNate
Joined: 04 Jun 2010
Location: Hyehwa
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 8:19 am Post subject: |
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birthday cakes? Agree.
Anything else? Not a chance.
Although I will admit that Napoleon near Hansung station is flat out amazing w/ those roll cakes. |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Mr. BlackCat wrote: |
| Steelrails wrote: |
The only western food that is better in Korea is cakes. Cakes back home are so over-sweetend and have icing that makes your teeth ache. Cakes here aren't like that.
Aside from that, I can't really think of any western food done better here, although the fried chicken is certainly close enough so as not to be an issue. |
I just had to log in because I cannot believe it, but I actually agree with SR here. If we're just comparing store bought cakes for under $30, I think Korea wins hands down. I don't even remember the last time I had a piece of cake back home. They always hurt my teeth and gave me a stomach ache, not to mention made me feel overall sick. And I am not a health nut, nor do I shy away from sugar. |
Basically the same thing, except I logged in to say that cakes in general suck. I am anxious to turn this into a 10-page debate with SteelRails, but I won't get my hopes up.
The fried chicken, I am tempted to say that Korea does it better than the US. But you have to find a quality chicken joint, not just any old corner chicken hof will do. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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Well Paris Baguette's cakes are pretty bad, but Tous Les Jours or some of the other bakers are better. It's not that they're great, but I guess that American cakes are SO bad.
Inch thick layers of hard icing that should be enough to send an elephant into a diabetic shock.
But yeah, aside from the almost on par fried chicken, western food here is a fail.
EDIT- Second Zyzfer. The Korean fried chicken is really hit or miss, even within franchises. You can get NeNe Chicken at two different stores and have a completely different experience. It all comes down to which store.
I do like NeNe's with its slight curry hint, but I'd rate it as equally good but different than a comparable joint back home. Don Chicken's boneless cheese chicken and hot baked chicken is a mighty good pairing. Garten Beer's fried is better than most chicken hofs. Kyochon and BBQ are overrated crap. The only thing Kyochon has done well is to come up with an innovative way to transport potato wedges and keep them tasting fresh. Pelicana's boneless is oddly good for making Parmesan chicken subs. Mexican Chicken? Needs more Mexican. |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Steelrails wrote: |
| Well Paris Baguette's cakes are pretty bad, but Tous Les Jours or some of the other bakers are better. It's not that they're great, but I guess that American cakes are SO bad. |
No, cakes everywhere suck, and I'm right and you're wrong. The only good cake is an absent cake.
The only cake I can really stomach is those brownie cakes you can sometimes get here, and cheesecake which is not really a cake. I also seem to remember enjoying carrot cake for hell knows what reason.
| Quote: |
| Inch thick layers of hard icing that should be enough to send an elephant into a diabetic shock. |
I don't really have any fond memories of cakes in the US. I think "homemade" stuff was moderately acceptable but those supermarket cakes, ugh. Toss some neapolitan ice cream on the side and you've got this kid's worst idea of a birthday party ever.
| Quote: |
| But yeah, aside from the almost on par fried chicken, western food here is a fail. |
There is a place in my neighborhood called Friend Chicken. Man that place has the worst fried chicken I have ever had. It's basically skin and bones; there is not really any meat to be had. And it's not even cheap! |
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sendittheemail
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:23 am Post subject: |
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It's not just Korean hipsters invading, there are Korean gangstas now too:
http://bit.ly/18pLAer |
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