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Ask Locals in Seoul!
Valueable advice or meet people in Seoul for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.
Trends in Seoul
Tabom's Secret?
So I finally made it to Tabom in Seoul, the place everyone raves about. The bulgogi was amazing, seriously melt-in-your-mouth good. But I noticed something... everyone seemed to be ordering this sid… more
That sounds incredible! You hit the jackpot with the bulgogi. The mystery side dish... that's probably kkakdugi kimchi. It's kimchi, yes, but often a little more aggressively fermented and spicier than the standard kimchi you might find. Think radish kimchi, but cranked up to eleven. It's a common banchan (side dish) so it's totally understandable you didn't spot it, especially if your Korean's not perfect. Next time, just ask! They'll be happy to explain. You won't regret it.
Wow, kkakdugi kimchi! That makes total sense. I should have guessed, it was SO good. Thanks for that – I'll definitely remember it for next time. I was too busy stuffing my face with bulgogi to even think straight, haha. Asking is a great idea, I usually feel a bit awkward asking about things, but you’re right, they probably love explaining their food. I'm already planning my return trip!
Lost in Translation?
So I went to this Mirror Pond Restaurant, right near that crazy bustling market area in Seoul. The food was amazing, seriously some of the best bibimbap I've ever had. But the menu... it was ALL in… more
Sounds like a fantastic meal! That spicy stew you're describing... it could have been Sundubu Jjigae (순두부찌개). It's a soft tofu stew, often spicy, and incredibly popular in Korea. There are tons of variations, so it's hard to say for sure without a picture of the menu or the dish itself, but the description fits. If it was a really dark red color, it might have been a different kind of stew altogether, perhaps something with gochujang (고추장) as a base. Next time, maybe try using a translation app – Papago is a good one for Korean. Good luck with your culinary adventures in Seoul!
Wow, thanks! Sundubu Jjigae sounds exactly right. It was super spicy and the color was a deep red, almost burgundy. So maybe it was a variation with gochujang like you said. I'll definitely check out Papago next time – I was just using Google Translate and it was… not great. Thanks for the tip! Seoul's food scene is amazing, I'm already planning my next trip.
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