Steamboat & Tofu @ Hooi Kee Steamboat Restaurant, Bukit Mertajam, Penang

This place sounds like your usual Chinese steamboat restaurant. However, they do have some of their signature dishes which I think was pretty good and worth trying. Depending on the amount of people, you can choose the sets at different prices. One thing worth trying is their 'starter'; deep fried tofu. Really plain, simply tofu but when dipped in their special dip (not sure what's inside but seems like alot of green onions, chilli and, seasoning etc), it was brilliant. 

Deep fried tofu with special, delicious dip

We had the half-half steamboat (half tom yum / half clear soup). They offer some really fresh seafood, meatballs and bean curd (which I really like :). The soup tasted quite perfect; not to bland, not too salty to the point you felt it's loaded with MSG. We also had a plate of their special Teochew fried noodles (I'm not too sure what it is called but there's a picture here I'm sharing); something I've never really eaten before.

Tom yum soup / clear broth 

The simple, yet tasty Teochew fried noodles. Perfect for sharing :)

Overall, this place is worth trying; if you happen to be in Penang mainland. In fact, I've heard of people from the island that drives all the way here for a good steamboat;) A huge shop with many ahjummas (aunties) as servers. Quite efficient as well. 

Address: Tingkat Binjai 12, Taman Sri Rambai, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening hours: 5.30 to 10.30 pm (Close on Mondays)

Fried mung bean pancakes, bindatteok (빈대떡) @ Gwangjang Market, Jongno, Seoul

Gwangjang market is the nation's first traditional market offering all types of items such as crafts, hanbok, beddings and food. We were there specifically for their specialty, fried mung bean pancakes or bindatteok. There were lots of people mostly locals at the food market eventhough it was a cold winter's night. A great place to try out their traditional food such as red bean dessert, bibimbap, dumplings, stuffed pork blood sausage, mung bean pancake and so forth. Look out for this specific store front which had like a super long queue (if you want to dine in). I was not too sure if they are all tourists but from the sound of it, majority are the locals themselves. We decided to just skip the queue and ordered a take away, which was such a brisk instead of queuing up. This fried mung bean pancake is commonly eaten with a bottle of soju (Korean wine).

The mung bean pancake store front. Look for the banner!

Only one ahjumma was working on the pancakes

The stacks of bindatteok that can easily be ordered for take away rather than lining up to dine in.

This pancake is on a greasier side but tasted really good. We were not bothered by passer-by that stared at us while we stood, eating the pancake. Just order one to share as it's quite big. Whether the other stalls are just as good, we're not too sure but I do see locals eating at some other stores as well.

The ever-so-attractive dumplings at many stalls. We simply chose one with a friendly ahjumma (aunty)

Dumpling was a disappointment but the soup was definitely comforting on a chilly night.

Hours of operation: Food market: 09:00-23:00 (Open year round)
Directions: Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1), Exit and 8 or Euljiro 4-ga Station (Line 2), Exit 4, walk for 100 m.

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If you think the poisonous puffer fish can't be eaten, think again @ Geumsu Bokkuk, Gangnam, Seoul

When my high school buddy suggested a famous puffer fish stew for dinner, my first question was, 'Is it safe to eat?'. Yes, we are talking about that poisonous, ballooning fish. Bok kuk 복국 (puffer fish soup) is a hot, clear soup with plentiful bean sprouts and green onions and with chunks of fish meat. Seemed super healthy, I would say. My friend brought me to her regular shop at Gangnam called Geumsu Bokkuk, a nice-looking restaurant with ahjummas (aunts) as servers. 

Mostly locals, indefinitely

Loved the sides as they were slightly different from the usual ones

Puffer fish stew; clear broth, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and green onions 

….and chunks of puffer fish meat

My 'kawan dua abad' working in Seoul for past 12 years! 

Our spread. Puffer fish stew with healthy brown rice. 

While this may not be a major attraction in Korea, it is definitely something unique to try if you have the time to spare (or if you've already eaten everything else that a tourist usually eats). Honestly speaking, it tasted like normal fish cooked in clear broth. Really healthy, in fact, I felt that Korean meals are not greasy, lighter and with lots of vegetables. Loved the ambience, but price-wise was slightly on the higher side (but less than 20,000 won per person). Well-worth a try because you might probably not find it anywhere else in the world except for Korea and Japan!

Address: Geumsu Bokkuk, 338, Samseong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

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The best chicken ginseng soup (samgyetang) @ Korea Samgyetang VS Tosokchon, Seoul, Korea

Another must-try in Korea would be their chicken ginseng soup (samgyetang) which is considered one of the healthier way to cook chicken. Basically, chicken samgyetang is a small chicken, stuffed with sweet (glutinous) rice, ginseng, dates and some other herbs, and cooked in soup. The most famous samgyetang in Seoul is probably Tosokchon. We decided to try out two different restaurants in Seoul that serves chicken samgyetang; Korea Samgyetang and Tosokchon.

Korea Samgyetang (고려삼계탕)

This is probably a less tourist-ty place which appeared quite popular among the locals; having seen the crowd at lunch hour. Moreover, this restaurant is not strategically located at a tourist spots, hence, probably lesser recognized by tourists.

Korea Samgyetang at Jung-gu, Seoul

Convenient cutleries and awesome kimchi (pickled radish)

Stick to the basic samgyetang (14,000 won) or black chicken samgyetang (20,000 won) to try the authenticity of this dish

Pipping hot black ginseng chicken 

Clear light broth with a piece of ginseng root as part of the stuffing

What we liked about this place is that their broth is clear and on the lighter side (not so starchy), which allows you to easily sip the broth as well. Honestly, the black chicken ginseng and normal chicken ginseng were not really much different taste-wise. So, you might just want to stick to the basic samgyetang and save some bucks there. Each dish also came with a little cup filled with ginseng wine; in case you prefer your soup with stronger ginseng. DO NOT pour the entire cup into soup at one go. Give it a try first to see if it fits your taste bud. 

Address: 1, Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 중구 서소문로11길 1 (서소문동)
Website: Korea Samgyetang (menu)
Directions: City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 2), Exit 10. Go straight for about 100m to arrive at the Korea Samgyetang on the right (adapted from Official Korea Tourism).

Tosokchon (토속촌)

This is definitely the more famous restaurant in Seoul. Conveniently located near Gyeongbokgung station, frequent visits by their past president, and approval from the locals all definitely adds up to their popularity. The line-up will probably be long at lunch hours; even during winter. We were there at 3 pm and there was still a queue (but not too long). 

Yes, it's cold if you have to line up during winter ;p

A really unique place, with unique, traditional Korean house feeling (minus the throngs of people)

Slightly more expensive than Korea Samgyetang; normal (15,000 won) and black chicken (28,000 won)

There's the traditional floor seating and normal chairs.

The extra ginseng on the normal chicken soup (21,000 won). Not much of a taste, really

Obvious larger chicken compared to Korea Samgyetang but not as tender 

Spotted; chestnut as stuffing and super huge ginseng root

Please no stinky feet ;p

Maybe we were still full from our late breakfast earlier; but Panda and I thought that the broth was a little bit too starchy (probably from the glutinous rice). Also, although the chicken seemed bigger (more worth eating?), it was not as tender as Korea Samgyetang's. In fact, it was a little bit hard to chew. Perhaps there are just too many people, that the dish when served was not pipping hot as well (just tad warm). Stick to the normal chicken ginseng soup and forget about paying for the additional ginseng (extra 6,000 won!) because it was really not much of a difference. Again, the difference would come from how much ginseng wine you will be adding into your broth. 

Address: 5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul  서울 종로구 자하문로5길 5 (체부동)

Website: Tosokchon

Directions: Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2. Go straight about 170m and turn left onto Jahamun-ro 5-gil Road. Tosokchon (토속촌) is located 10m ahead on the left (adapted from Official Korea Tourism).

Verdict:

Overall, if you have the chance and if you decide that you loved this dish, go try both of them! I, personally am not a herbal/ginseng fan, but I definitely felt that this was probably one of the best Korean dish. Even my mum agreed on that! Panda and I preferred the Korea Samgyetang's because it was at least served hot, lighter broth and perfect size chicken. Tosokchon will definitely be a good place to go as well (since its so conveniently located) and the chance to experience a Korean traditional house without the need to pay extra. Again, it would be of personal preference :)

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If you think the poisonous puffer fish can't be eaten, think again @ Geumsu Bokkuk, Gangnam, Seoul

Japanese food & movie night @ Coex Mall, Gangnam, Seoul

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