Korean Job Discussion Forums

ucfvgirl · Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Location: Bundang

I would like to make curry at home and I forgot to bring Masala with me. Does anyone know where I can buy it in Seoul? I am in Pundang, but I will travel wherever I have to to get it.

peppermint · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 12:38 am Post subject:

There are a few imported food shops around Itaewon that cater to the 3D workers and carry great Indian and middle eastern type foods. The easiest to find is right next door to What the book.

You'll definitely find spices there, though you might have to mix up a masala blend yourself.

lawyertood · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:01 am Post subject:

check Hannam market...I think I saw some there

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

Cacique · Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

Saunagukin · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:02 am Post subject:

Another one is kitty corner from 3 Alley Pub. Says Halal over the door...or used to. They have garam masala. I think the one by What The Book is bigger/has a wider selection.

pappayo · Joined: 13 Jun 2005

there is a store close to the noksapyeong station beside itaewon. it is a little store owned by the same guy the runs the delhi indian restuarant that has an awesome weekend brunch buffet for 12,000 won.

xeno439 · Joined: 30 Nov 2005

Where can I get coconut milk to make some Thai food?

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

Saunagukin · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:12 am Post subject:

Coconut milk is also in the above-mentioned Halal markets & Hannam.

keithinkorea · Joined: 17 Mar 2004

The great little shop next to 3 Alley pub has moved and is now pretty tricky to find, it's only a couple of minutes walk away but it's up a tiny little alley close to the the jazz bar.

The one next to WTB is very good also. You can get masala, curry leaves, cocnut milk, popadom, mango chutney basically everything you need to make a curry.

It is hard to get some of the more obscure ingredients. Curry making is one of my hobbies and you soon learn to adapt to the lack of availability of some of the ingredients you may be used to from back home.

memorabilis · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul, Korea

Does anyone know of a place to find tamarind paste? I looked in those stores, but no luck. (Ginger paste was even a challenge!)

Things are certainly more of a challenge to find than when I lived in India! hehe.

Also, does anyone know of a restaurant or place to get chaat?

keithinkorea · Joined: 17 Mar 2004

memorabilis · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul, Korea

Hey keithinkorea,

Yes chaat are snacks like samosa, pav bhaji, bhel puri, dhokla, etc and that's what chaat masala is for.

I imagine my chaat dream of bhel puri will go in vain. As for samosas, they are a nightmare to make... too much work and you have to deep fry things, which stinks up your appartment. I'd rather buy.

I don't think there is much difference between British Indian and its continental cousin - Punjabi food. Unless you're talking Anglo-Indian stuff like kedgeree and mulligatawny soup. But as you know, India has so many varieties of cooking.

I'd also like to find an idli cooker and a tawa (the flat pan with a lip used to make dosai). The tamarind paste is for sambhar (tomato lentil soup). If I can find that and a coconut I'll have everything required for yummy, yummy south indian breakfast.

Thanks for the coriander tip! I made channa masala (which is Punjabi) yesterday, and I think I'm going to make rajmah masala tomorrow. I feel like I'm starting to get in business.

Saunagukin · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:13 pm Post subject:

I bought tamarind paste(in a block) in Hannam. They don't always have it, though. It is in the back, facing the meat counter, with the other Thai/Indian/Chinese condiments & spices. I have definitely seen it in the Halal market near What the Book and the one near 3 Alley...which I have as yet been unable to find since its move. Any more details on their new location would be great.

Memorabilis - did you say you want a whole coconut? I saw one once in Hadon (Haddon?) Market. That's a pretty good market for foreign stuff...lots of Japanese & Thai stuff. From Hannam O-Geori, it's up the hill(not toward Hannam Market) a while, past the UN village. Maybe best to take a cab. That hill is pretty steep. I think they put an ad in Kscene.