mary eats

Bali
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station, exit 1.
Phone Number: 02-749-5217
Hours: 12:00p.m. -10:00p.m. (Tue-Sun)
Price: $ Rice dishes from 8,000won, noodles from 11,000won
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Good for groups
Cuisine: Indonesian
Overview:
Tucked above Pattaya, Bali is Seoul’s only Indonesian restaurant. Fish, Prawns, Chicken, and Beef are all offered in a variety of ways from skewered with peanut sauce, satay, to smothered in Indonesia’s national condiment Sambal Oleck, an earthy, tamarind heavy chili shallot sauce. Lighter dishes include the country’s national dish Nasi Goreng. Similar to Chinese fried rice Indonesia’s version comes with chicken, beef, or seafood, and is a few degrees fiery than it’s northern neighbors. Beers like Tiger, or Bintang are necessary to keep the heat at bay. Watch out for the chili sauce provided at the table. It is incredibly hot, more so than anything here in Korea, a little goes a long way.

Buddha’s Belly (Haebongcheon)
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Noksapyeong station, exit 1.
Phone Number: 02-749-8826
Hours: 11:00a-m-11:30p.m. Closed Tuesdays
Price $$
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Intimate, take out
Cuisine: Thai
Overview:
This closet sized Thai take out joint is a regular spot for the budget conscious. Only six tables and a couple of out door TV trays accommodate the neighborhood hipsters. If the restaurant is full, take advantage of the take away discount and leave with a three meal set. Phad thai and Green Curry are among the better offerings, spring rolls are best left off the order slip.

Buddha’s Belly (Itaewon)
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station, exit 1.
Phone number: 02-796-9330
Hours: 12p.m.-2a.m. last order 10:30p.m. Everyday
Price: $$
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Intimate, hip and hot
Cuisine: Thai
Overview:
Read a full review of Buddha’s Belly in the Korea Times by moi.
Sip cocktails or nosh on authentic Thai treats, Buddha’s belly doubles as a restaurant and a late night flirt zone. Industrial charcoal walls are enlivened with chic Thai art, and red velet booths and chaise lounges make for prime posing. Dishes here are given a step up with more generous portions, and served or fine plate-wear. Cashew chicken and Panang beef are winners.

Pattaya
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Itaewon station, exit 1
Phone number: 02-793-4888, www.ipattaya.co.kr
Hours: 11:00a.m. -10:30p.m.
Price: $$ Curries from 12,000won, stir fires from 16,000won
English Menu: Yes
Atmosphere: Bright, good for groups
Cuisine: Thai
Overview:
If you have eaten at Pattaya and would like to write a review, click here.

Pho Saigon
Seoul, Korea
Subway: Nopsakpyeong Station exit 3. Continue down banpo-ro towards the bridge. Cross over the sky walk and take your second left. Across from the Capital Hotel
Phone number: 02 794-1622
Hours: 11:00a.m-10:30p.m.
Price: $ Pho
Atmosphere: Well styled hole in the wall
Overview:

Pho Saigon reviewed in the Korea Times, by me, November 3, 2006

Embassy and office workers crowd the cozy space during the lunch rush. Arrive just after two, and the place is yours. You can’t do wrong with the restaurant’s namesake, Pho, a hearty bowl of toothsome rice noodles, topped off with your choice of thinly sliced steak or brisket, if you can’t choose, both. Various spring rolls, the majority cracklin crisp and a couple of veggie noodle dishes round the menu. Don’t leave without a Vietnamese coffee. Hot or iced, its sugary kiss is better than a melted coffee icicle.