Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kimiki]

if anyone has found a non-korean eatery that does not bear all three of these characteristics--

1. overpriced
2. noticeably small portions
3. unskillful or at best inconsistent flavoring to inadequately adapted dishes

--then please let me know. i always leave those places feeling underfed and overcharged. in other words, i guess the term is, 'ripped off'? yet numerous friends and acquaintances seem to think so many of these establishments are the bees' knees.... why are these places so popular? is it a result of lowered standards or are people just so eager for something slightly different that they'll put up with the disappointing aspects of these places? and why do they feel entitled to overcharge so much? 20,000 won for 2.5 oz of pasta covered in what's essentially a mayonnaise and milk sauce with a few unshelled shrimp and mussels on top... 15,000 won for a "burrito" slighly larger than a pencil case and filled entirely with rice.... how do these places stay in business???? it is an offense to foodies everywhere.

don't mean to sound harsh.... of course i know there are highly-skilled chefs here. i have and i do patronize numerous korean restaurants where i feel i get excellent value and top-notch delicious fare. but every time i see another so-called italian or mexican or thai or indian place i just pray no one will expect me to dine with them there anytime soon....

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

What qualifies as overpriced? I got a decent burrito in Incheon for 7,000 won, and it was very large (enough for 2 meals).

[redaxe]

Have you been to On The Border?

It's expensive compared to Korean food, but you really get what you pay for. It's better than a lot of tex-mex restaurants I've been to in the states. Handmade tortillas and chips, huge burritos and enchiladas, carne asadas, steak tacos and fajitas, and big schooners full of margarita or ice cold beer.

I went there a couple times a month, totally worth it.

Also Taj Palace and Chakraa in Itaewon are pretty good Indian buffets. Not super great by any means, but they're cheap enough that it doesn't really matter.

Those My Thai and My China places in Itaewon are pretty good too.

Taco Chili Chili in Haebangchon is decent and cheap, same with Dos Tacos in Hongdae (the pork and shrimp burrito is awesome).

Rocky Mountain Tavern has good comfort food, and their Tuesday buffalo wing nights are the best.

You're probably going to complain that all of these places are "too expensive" though, in which case my response would be "deal with it." If you insist on getting delicious western food at a very cheap price, Asia is probably not for you...

[machoman]

i like dos tacos, even compared to american standards. and its not that expensive. 8-9,000 for a burrito.

i want to find an good/authentic thai or viet restaurant here but none of the ones i've tried are any good. even the ones that are run by viets have been koreanized.

i do here ansan has an asia-town with really good food. haven't been down there yet though.

oh and there's a decent burger joint called valance burger. they have two locations, one at hanyang uni and konkuk uni.

[kimiki]

i haven't tried on the border... whereabouts is it? sounds great.... i will check it out....

i used to like dos tacos but not anymore. they are decent but i need a certain ratio of protein to carbs.... though their burritos are delicious, they all lack substantial protein and don't qualify as a meal, in my opinion.

i know i'm being too picky. not fair to compare the indian food i used to get in midtown NYC to what's available here. or the amazing tex-mex from my small new england college town to dos tacos, etc..... i just miss it, that's all. still love my job though! so can't really say that "asia's not for me...." solution: i just mostly eat at home nowadays. anyway i will try to check out these other places recommended here too. thanks, people....

[Harpeau]

There is a restaurant that I really enjoy at Yongsan I-Park Mall. It's called AMIGO's and it'sItalian. I'm always impressed with the quality o the food. The only downsideis they put this seetcrap on the garlic bread. Otherwise, the chicken salad and the pasta is quite nice. Pretty good bang for your buck. It's around the 5th or 6th floor.

[redaxe]

[offtheoche]

[toby99]

There's also an On the Border in Yeoungdongpo's Times Square shopping mall.

[jlb]

My top 10 ones are here:

http://www.squidoo.com/the-best-expat-restaurants-in-korea

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[machoman]

[northway]

[Harpeau]

I also enjoyed eating at Wang Thai. They have good fish.

[kimiki]