Korean Job Discussion Forums

kermo · Last edited by kermo on Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

Last week's Veggie Club was a resounding success. We were running out of plates and sharing chairs. Petra was absolutely packed, and they did a very nice job with the hummous, pita, menezala, etc., etc.

The next meeting is on Sunday, November 4th.

We'll meet at Taj Palace, which is in Itaewon and very easy to get to.

If you're starting at the subway station, take Exit #3 and walk straight out until you get to the first intersection. You'll pass a Starbucks and a KB Bank. Turn right, and the Taj Palace is on your right, on the 2nd floor.

Please RSVP here or on Facebook or on the blog so I can get a reasonable headcount.

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

Something later than 1pm and I'll try to make it. Maybe like a supper.

kermo · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:12 pm Post subject:

Dome Vans · Guest

I'd like an evening one because the last one sounded so good. But it's not all about me. Am mightily disappointed to have missed the last one. Realing could have done with getting falafelled up. Not like Incognito, but I'll definately be turning up for the next on.

Whack another onion on the grill for me!

Dome Vans · Guest

Actually scratch that. I've just been seeing that it is a sunday, a lunch one would be very good. But as I said, it's not up to me.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

For those who live a couple hours away from Seoul (like me) it's best to have Sunday dinners no later than 6pm.

Saturday dinners can be later (if I miss the last bus, I'll just stay over in a motel...)

As it starts getting really cold, though, I think more lunches ought to be scheduled in.

I'd like the club to go to that new vegatarian restaurant (SM Ching hai affiliate) in Insadong again in the near future - their soy steaks dinners are the best in Korea (and maybe the only ones in Korea...)

kermo · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:28 am Post subject:

kermo · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:30 am Post subject:

We had an amazing dinner party a few weeks ago-- it was a pot-luck feast with merriment lasting well into the night.

It would be great to have another. You're welcome at my place, but you'd have to make the bus trip out to Yongin. Does this sound workable or do any of you want to volunteer your place?

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

Like Dome Vans, I'd be up for a Saturday dinner and a few drinks, but Sunday isn't really ideal.

kermo · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:10 pm Post subject:

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

That sounds like a good formula - it's easier for old geezers like me to make the Sunday lunches.

I'd be up for a Saturday evening (Korean-cultural) dinner-show at the Sanchon in Insadong though sometime, as the veggie club has only gone there for lunch. It's pretty expensive at around 38,000 won, but it'd be fun going there at least once with a sizable group.

(They also have several traditional Korean wines for the not-so-anonymous alcoholic types ...)

kermo · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject:

Ok, that works for me.

Question for all of y'all-- do you actually like Korean vegetarian restaurants? I'm not really a fan. I much prefer Indian, Italian or Middle-Eastern food. I'm creeped out by the fake meat they use in the SM Chinghai places, and bored by the "8 kinds of steamed leaf" they serve at that fancy Sanchon joint.

Please list your favourite types of food, so I can plan restaurant visits that suit everyone's palates.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I've been under the impression that most expat vegetarians (that I've met over the years) have overall good opinions of the various Korean vegetarian restaurants, but they also want to enjoy varieties of different ethnic vegetarian foods, especially Indian, Middle-eastern, Mexican, and Italian.

The Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) run most vegetarian restaurants in Seoul. Their buffets are usually very good values for the price (if you get there at the right time), and they are advertised as being completely vegan. All of them are closed on Saturdays and open on Sundays.

The SM Ching hai meditation runs a couple elaborate buffets in the greater Seoul area and at least one regular restaurant. Their menu is also said to be entirely vegan. They serve and sell the most fake meat products (made by the Korean company, "Vegefood".

Historically, faux meats are traced by to Chinese Buddhist emperors in ancient times who commissioned their best cooks to make them.

Both SM Ching hai and the SDA places sell a variety of (frozen, canned, or boxed) vegetarian products that are hard to find anyplace else in Korea.

Sanchon is probably the most famous traditional Korean vegetarian restaurant in Korea (attested to by the glowing New York Times review printed on their menus...) Although pricier than the buffet places, the atmosphere and decor are much classier and steeped in Buddhist culture.

Although the ethnic places may offer tastier and more Western-oriented fare, they are less suitable for strict vegetarians/vegans who may be concerned about cross-contamination from the meat preparations made and cooked in the same kitchen.

Especially fried foods like falafel and pakoras become somewhat tainted if they are cooked in the same oil as meat, and the consciousness of a carnivorous cook may also be an issue...

I suggest trying to keep a balence between the non-vegetarian foreign ethnic restaurants and the vegetarian Korean ones.

robot · Joined: 07 Mar 2006

Gotta work Saturdays, but I'm free Sundays, so I'll likely come out...

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

Kill R-teacher and eat him.. that counts as a veggie meal right??

I mean he is a vegan and all.