Seoul’s dining scene is full of surprises – if you know where to go
Hidden speakeasies, a little-known North Korean dumpling house and unexpected food fads are just the start of a taste trip around the South Korean capital.
Mung bean pancake stall at Gwangjang Market in Seoul. Wayne Heeley
Young South Koreans have a drinking game based on three of their favourite things: kimchi, mobile phones and soju. Here’s how it works: your drinking buddy challenges you to name a plant that can’t be turned into kimchi. You google your answer to check it. If it can be turned into kimchi, you lose and have to throw back a shot of soju. If it can’t, it’s bottoms up for your buddy.
The last time my Seoul guide Meggie played, she guessed strawberries and lost. Given that Korea has more than 180 officially recognised variations of kimchi and each inhabitant downs an average of 53 bottles of soju a year, the odds of winning aren’t high.
