International Food in Korea I

As Seoul has become globalised, its reputation as an international city has been fostered by the wide variety of foods from different cultures that one can enjoy here.  Korean food itself offers a dizzying array of ingredients in every price range, and one can easily find restaurants offering haute cuisine, such as French and Italian, as well as Asian cuisines, predominantly Chinese and Japanese.  One of the biggest attractions of Seoul, though, is that one can find not only these well-known culinary traditions, but also the cuisine of almost every country across six continents.  The Itaewon area, in particular, is characterized as being a hub for food from all over the globe.  Join us as this series explores the world of ethnic food that Seoul has to offer.

West Asian Food: Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese, etc.

Indian cuisine is a favorite among restaurant-goers in many countries, particularly the UK.   Indian restaurants have met with success in Seoul, as well, starting with Ashoka, which was the first to open in 1988, at the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon.  Most employ Indian and Pakistani cooking staff, who are able to faithfully reproduce the cuisine of their homeland.   The atmosphere of many of these restaurants, as well, makes you feel transported to India or Pakistan.  Indian food has become quite popular in Seoul, so Indian restaurants can be found not only in Itaewon, but throughout the city.

There are religious dietary restrictions on the use of certain meats in the cuisines of India, Pakistan, and Nepal, but another trait they share, largely due to the hot climate in the region, is the liberal use of strong spices.  As the number of people visiting India has increased and interest in Indian culture has grown, though, the spiciness of Indian food has become appetizing to more people.  Truly the “Land of Spice”, India’s tropical climate provides for the wide variety of indigenous plants from which Indians derive the spices used in their cuisine.  In fact, these spices really constitute the foundation of Indian food preparation.  Just as red peppers are thoroughly dried, ground, and used as a flavouring for most Korean dishes, the spices of Indian cuisine are truly an indispensable part of Indian cooking.

Choose from a variety of curries made from authentic Indian ingredients and spices, but don’t forget to order some tandoor-baked naan bread for dipping — it couldn’t taste better!  One perennial favourite is tandoori chicken, which is brushed with a spicy sauce and baked in a tandoor.  Follow it up with an Indian yoghurt lassi, which makes a nice dessert.

Since Nepal is predominantly Hindu like India, Nepalese cuisine has been heavily influenced by that of its neighbour, so spices play a similarly central role.  However, the flavours of Nepalese food are generally not as strong as those of Indian food, so those who have not yet acquired a taste for the strong spices of Indian food may find it more appealing.

Unlike India, Pakistan is a Muslim country, so there are fewer restrictions on the consumption of meat.  In all cooking, halal meat, which is slaughtered according to Muslim rules, is used exclusively.  Although Pakistani restaurants do not have pork on their menus due to religious dietary restrictions, one meat that is commonly featured is lamb, including grilled leg of lamb and lamb chops.

<Western Asina Restauratns in Seoul>

• DAL(Indian)
The Indian cooks present their traditional cuisine. The tandoori dishes are recommended, as are the many kinds of curry, including lamb, chicken, and cheese, all of which are delectable with naan bread.  The Art-Nouveau interior in Mumbai pink and dark green surrounds you in an exotic atmosphere, so that you feel like you could be in India.
- address: 144-2 Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone:  02-736-4627
- website: http://dalindia.com

• Ashoka(Indian)
This is a global chain restaurant named after Ashoka, the Indian king that popularized Buddism. It was this restaurant that first introduced Indian cuisine in Seoul. Relax and enjoy their authentic Indian cuisine.
- address: 119-25 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-792-0117
- website: http://www.ashoka.co.kr

• Everest(Nepalese)
The proprietor here is Nepalese, so this is the place to have rustic home-style Nepalese cuisine. The most representative dishes are various curries and tandoori chicken.  They also offer traditional beverages, such as chai, (sweetened black tea with milk), and lassi (yogurt shake).
- address: 148-1 Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-766-8850
- website: http://www.everestfood.com