Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shawnduthie]

Anyone know where I can buy a lot of mint leaves (fresh) and BBQ charcoal (about 40lbs worth) in Seoul (preferably near Itaewon)?

[Caffeinated]

If you don't see mint at the supermarket, you can grow your own from kits they sell at Daiso.

[interestedinhanguk]

I'm pretty sure Foreign Food Mart on the 'Hill' sells the mint. Also, think the Hannam Supermarket (if it's still open, thought somebody said it closed) sells lots of herbs, probably has mint.

Charcoal is at most of the supermarkets (E-Mart, Homeplus etc.), probably with the seasonal stuff. It's like the stuff you get in the bbq places here, not the briquettes you get back in the US or wherever. Make sure you don't get the big single circular pieces; get the little logs.

[Big Mac]

I've bought big bags of lump charcoal at Costco, though only in the spring. I've also bought it at the foreign market in Hannam-dong.

After buying big bags of lump charcoal for my bbq I finally realized that Koreans use these circular charcoal disc things that work pretty well. You can find them at most grocery stores in little packages. They're usually 1,000 Won each. Much more convenient than lump charcoal.

A tip for lighting the BBQ. Buy one of those gas bottles that they use for the portable gas ranges at any convenience store. Go to a hardware store and buy one of those torch connectors that you can attach to the can. Use that to light the charcoal. You'll have it burning in seconds, guaranteed.

[jdog2050]