City Guide Review: Noodle Tree
Review by Emmy Mildenberg, ETA 2014-2015 City: Seogwipo, Jeju-do (서귀포, 제주도) Restaurant Name: Noodle Tree (국수나무) Food Served: Noodles and Donkatsu Restaraunt Address: 제주특별자치도 서귀포시 동홍남로 54 View Map Directions: In Seogwipo the only public transportation available is by car, taxi, or public bus. If you take a public bus, get off at the bus stop biseokeori on the 780 or Dream Sky Apartment on the 6. The restaurant is a five-ten minute walk from there in downtown Donghong-dong Cost: Dishes range from 4,000~18,000 won The Noodle Tree is not your typical Korean restaurant. Located in the mostly residential neighborhood of Donghongdong, Noodle Tree is a beacon of delicious noodles amidst a sea of convenience stores and gimbap restaurants. It appears to be a rather new restaurant, as it stands out in how bright and warm the inside appears. The fare is decidedly Japanese, although it does offer a small menu of more “typical Korean” options such as mandu soup and dukkguk. The main portion of the menu contains various different noodle dishes followed by several variations on donkatsu. Every time I go to this restaurant I end up calling my friends who live in the neighborhood to see if they would like some of my soup. I am unable to finish my noodles because they give you so many and noodles aren’t good for takeout (or so my host mother claims). My suggestion would be to this restaurant with at least one other person and split a bowl of noodles. The donkatsu is the same size as many other places, but it pales in comparison to the amount of food contained in one of their bowls of noodles. If you’re in neighborhood, be sure to give Noodle Tree a try! Also, Noodle Tree is a chain, so be on the lookout for this restaurant in your neck of the woods.
City Guide Review: Limburg Waffle
Review by Tiffany Monreal, ETA 2014-2015 City: Seoul (서울) Restaurant Name: Limburg Waffle Food Served: Waffles, Dessert Restaraunt Address: 서울특별시 중구 태평로2가 365 View Map Directions: City Hall station (시청역), Exit 1, next to Deoksu Palace (덕수궁) Cost: ~3,000 KRW Limburg Waffle (Deoksugung Branch) is one of three branches in Seoul. They primarily serve liege waffles with toppings, though they do have fruit smoothies, as well. These are, hands down, the best waffles that I have ever had, in Korea or anywhere. Limburg Waffle is a literal hole in the wall, so you order at the window and wait for your order to be prepared. I was there in February and it was very cold, but there was still a line around the corner and we waited for about 15 minutes. I didn’t think that it would be worth it, but it definitely was. I ordered the cream cheese waffle (3,000 KRW) and my friend had the Nutella waffle (3,300 KRW). They also have waffles with various jams, honey comb, maple syrup, and the trusty plain waffle. The waffles are perfect. The have that caramelized sugar on top and the inside is very buttery and soft. They aren’t too sweet so the topping doesn’t get overpowered by the sweetness of the waffle itself. I’m sure that even the plain waffle would be satisfying enough.
City Guide Review: Chef Yun’s Meat House (Gumi)
Review by Kristen O’Brien, ETA 2014-2015 City: Gumi (구미) Restaurant Name: Chef Yun’s Meat House (윤쉐프의 고기집) Food Served: Korean BBQ Restaraunt Address: 경북 구미시 신시로14길 10 View Map Directions: In Gumi the only public transportation available is by car, taxi, or public bus. If you take a public bus, get off at the bus stop “차병원앞정류장 하차.” The restaurant is a two minute walk from there. Cost: Dishes range from 4,000~18,000 won Chef Yun’s Meat House is a cheap and inexpensive Korean BBQ restaurant located in Gumi. The meat is very cheap, and the presentation of the meals is beautiful. The restaurant is clean and has very simple decor, with a variety of round and square tables. I usually order ohgyupsal (similar to samgyupsal, but with 5 layers instead of 3). It comes with plenty of side dishes, and my favorite is their salad. It has a fruity sauce, and tastes super fresh. The restaurant also serves various soups (which is usually eaten after BBQ). The meat is fairly priced and this restaurant is really popular with Gumi natives. Whenever my co-teachers and I are craving Korean BBQ, we go here. The BBQ here is delicious! A must try!