More Photos of Gyeongbok Palace in HDR

Here's a few more HDR pics of the outside of Gyeongbok Palace...

Spring Menu at OKitchen2

The one place in Itaewon that always excites me is the OKitchen2. As months pass the menu changes and the board outside the restaurant teases me each time I pass it. This week I could hold back no longer and headed into the quirky little Hanok for a taste of their Spring selection.

As always their set lunch runs at either 20,000 won or 30,000 won (if you fancy a little steak), I went for the cheaper option and spent the next hour or so in my own little culinary heaven.

First, the bread; the chefs have added a new sesame crisp to the basket, delicious, but the cornbread still wins out for its crumbly buttery goodness.

Next the “Seafood Plate”, simple yet beautifully presented islands of fishy goodness. Grilled mackerel with miso sauce, a piece of croaker sashimi and a yellowtail tartar - to be eaten in that order, or so the waitress advised. This combination of culinary techniques makes for an adventurous appetizer, each fish brings different flavours and textures, managing to complement each other without one island overpowering another.

Onto the “Vegetable Soup With Basil Pesto”, an unassuming broth with plenty of fresh vegetables and a powerful zing of basil and cheese. Nothing fancy, just tasty.

The third course was “Pork Belly Confit With Dandelion Salad”, succulent belly pork, slices of raw mushroom, bitter dandelion leaves, the odd crouton and a deep fried quails egg (the runny yolk is meant to be used to dress the leaves and soften the bitterness). I left the egg to one side, but I was enchanted by the beautifully bitter leaves contrasting with the salty soft pork. Certainly the best salad I’ve ever had at OKitchen2.

The main course came next and I settled for “Chili Con Carne With Tortilla”, the chili had rich cinnamon undertones and the fresh salsa was gorgeous. I’m always happy when restaurants go heavy on the fresh coriander and while the portion is small it is satisfying.

To finish chocolate cake with cherry compote and a beautiful tuile. The cakes and pies at OKitchen2 are heavenly and this dessert was no exception. A wonderful way to finish the meal.

If you’ve not tried their latest menu then it is worth heading down to Itaewon and taking advantage of their reasonable lunch time prices. OKitchen2 is just down the road from Itaewon station, head towards Noksapyeong and turn right at the first set of traffic lights. The restaurant is just a few metres down the alley on the left hand side. Call them on 02 797 6420 or visit their website here.

Exciting New Pastries?

Just up the hill from OKitchen2, next to Chili King in Itaewon, lies this tantalizing taste of the future. It's still being constructed, but I'm already salivating at the possible pastries that the "Michot Patisserie" could give us...

I Want My Mother!

For those of you interested in some subtitled cinema action this weekend then the International Women's Film Festival in Seoul is offering you a chance to see Bong Joon-ho's Mother on the big screen.

There's a screening this Sunday (11th April) at 11.00 am and on Tuesday (13th April) at 2.30 pm. Both screenings are at the Artreon cinema near Shinchon station (the one on the green line near Hongdae).

Go and check out this fantastic film if you have the time, it's worth your while.

Thanks to the lovely Seoul City Blog for the heads up...

Steve Carell Spreads the Kimchi Love

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Korea in Your Kitchen
www.thedailyshow.com
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Just found this thanks to the Daily Show's moment of zen. In 2003 Steve Carell may have got the recipe a little wrong, but he succeeds in showing the power of Korea's national side dish...

Socks and Barbed Wire

Sometimes your washing needs extra protection, at least one resident in Bukcheon thinks so...

2S2 With Lashings of Blood

If you're at a loose end this weekend then why not catch up with Roboseyo and others at this month's 2S2 meeting where some of you will have the chance to give blood and others will get to see some gorgeous photography by national Geographic photographer Steve McCurry.

For more info head here for all the gory details, just make sure to read all the appropriate links and details if you're thinking about giving blood...

Meanwhile if you're in Suwon why not meet up with these guys for the first ever Suwon 2S2!

Fools Errand To Gyeongbok Palace in HDR

There was I all excited to go see the cherry blossoms at Gyeongbok Palace without realizing that it's closed every Tuesday. So instead of flowers I bring you a rather imposing gate...

Motorcade

Out for a stroll today I happened across a small motorcade of sorts near Anguk station...

April Fools and Serious Business

Unlike some people, I've not got an April Fool's gag for you, so instead a bring you a picture from the Ajosshi Archives. Taken from the Yokohama International School production of Romeo and Juliet in 1994; I present to you the young Ajosshi's interpretation of Mercutio which for some may bear a slight resemblance to the late, great Michael Jackson:

In other news, you should probably head over to Brian in Jeollanam-do to read his lengthy and rather frightening article about his run-in with immigration and the wonderful Kang Shin-who...