[Singapore Vegetarian Food] The Boneless Kitchen

Those of us who have visited Korea before would know the difficulty of finding proper vegan/vegetarian food in the Land of Kimchi.  Even for the nation’s most popular side-dish, kimchi, although it is primarily a vegetable dish, it is not vegan-friendly because of the sauce used in the preparation process.

Singaporeans are very fortunate to be living in a city where vegetarian food is readily available.  The Boneless Kitchen, the first meatless Korean casual dining restaurant in Singapore, moved to its currently location in Tai Seng about 2 years ago.   Garlic, onion, animal products and seafood are not used.  However, egg and dairy products may be used for some of their food.

The restaurant has table-seating and floor-seating options for those who prefer a more authentic dining experience.  And one of the best things about the restaurant is that there is no service charge and GST, apart from the consistent food quality!

A total of 4 appetising side-dishes (banchan) will be served at the start.  Unlike other restaurants, the side-dishes are refillable but with a small charge to avoid food wastage.

Their range of main dishes is comprehensive and has every ever-green Korean dishes including Korean Army Stew (Budae JJigae), Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae), Spicy Soft Tofu Stew (Soondubu Jjigae), Stir-fried Sweet Potato Noodles (Japchae), Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap) Scorched Rice with Vegetables (Bibimbap), rice roll (gimbap) etc which are available in single-person portions.   The cost of main dishes are reasonably priced between $9.90 and $12.90.

Ala carte side-dishes such as Kimchi pancake (Kimchi Jeon), Korean Rice Cakes (Tteokbokki) are available as well.  The side dishes are mostly under $6 and the portion size is quite decent.  Some dishes may contain egg, and diners may request for egg to be omitted.

When I am there with friends, my preference is to go for the hotpot stew (jeongol), which is similar to our oriental dining culture of having steamboat.  The Korean Army Stew and the Kimchi Jeongol are highly popular.  The soup can be refilled at a small charge.  It is quite enjoyable to have a slow meal, laze around in the cosy restaurant and enjoy the K-pop songs.  However, do be mindful and be considerate if the waiting queue outside the restaurant starts to build up.

In fact, the restaurant can get quite crowded especially on Fridays and weekends.  To save the hassle of waiting with a growling stomach, try their online reservation is available through the restaurant’s website (www.thebonelesskitchen.com).


The Boneless Kitchen
1 Irving Place #01-31, Commerze @ Irving Singapore 369546
Opens daily from 12pm to 9pm
Tel: 8457 6464

Directions:
3 mins walk from Taiseng MRT Station

[Gangwon-do, Korea] The Must-Go Place in Chuncheon

There are many scenic places in Gangwon-do (aka Gangwon Province) such as Nami Island, Seoraksan (Mount Seorak), ski resorts.  Besides the play and fun, there is a famous place in Gangwon to visit for it's specialty food - Chuncheon Dakgalbi!  Dakgalbi is pretty common in Korea but Chuncheon is THE place where the famous dakgalbi restaurants congregate.

Getting to Chuncheon Station (in Gangwon Province) from Seoul is easy with ITX connecting Yongsan / Cheongnyangni stations to the Gyeongchun Line.  Chuncheon station is the last station on the Gyeongchun line and it takes about an hour to travel by ITX.  Fret now that the journey is long and boring, you can enjoy the scenic scenery while travelling or if you prefer to get connected, Olleh wifi is available on the ITX.

The local specialty in the Chuncheon region is that Chuncheong Dakgalbi, a stir-fried marinated chicken dish in chilli pepper paste with vegetables (cabbage, sweet potato, onion, scallion etc) and rice cakes.  For years, the chuncheon region has been famous for its abundance in poultry produce.  This dish started off as a side dish to go with drinks in the early days in the 1960s, it gradually grown to become so popular, so much so that a street has been dedicated to this dish.   There is even an annual festival held in Chuncheon to commemorate this dish.  The festival is known as the Chuncheon Dakgalbi and Makguksu (spicy buckwheat noodles) Festival.  The 2017's festival is happening now from 26 August to 3 September and is held in front of the Chuncheon Station.

Exiting from the station entrance, the most convenient mode of transport would be to take a taxi to the Chuncheon Dakgalbi Street.  When I was there, loads of taxis were lining along the side of the road.  The exact location is Myeongdong.  So, you can simply inform the taxi drive to go to Myeongdong Dakgalbi Golmok (명동닭날비골목).  Golmok means alley or street.  The journey is should not take more than 5 mins.  Alternatively, you can walk to the Dakgalbi street if you have a map on hand and know the way.  It takes about 20 mins by foot.

The taxi should let you alight at this entrance signage.  Follow the directional sign and walk into the alley.  There are approximately 20 dakgalbi restaurants in the alley. 



The dakgalbi restaurants are all rather traditional and require guests to sit on the wooden floor.  Once seated and order has been placed, they would start cooking almost immediately, right on the dining table.  The round flat pan is filled with freshly cut vegetables, topped with richly marinated de-boned chicken chunks that were also cut into bit sizes.  No oil is added in the process.  The moisture from the vegetables and the fats from the meat is sufficient for the cooking.  Generally, this is a rather healthy dish since white meat is generally healthier than red meat.

The cooking takes about 10 to 15 minutes.  When done, the chicken is tender and juicy.  The portion is usually generous so my advice is not to eat any heavy meals before having a dakgalbi meal.  At some restaurants, they may even add rice to the remaining dakgalbi and turn it into dakgalbi fried rice!



Dakgalbi is a very flavourful dish that is sweet, salty and spicy at the same time.  That is also one reason why it is popular amongst the general population.  It was said that sweet potato and rice cakes were not part of the original recipe.  Sweet potato, not only added to the sweetness of the dish, it was used as a gauge as to whether the meat is cooked.  When the sweet potato turns soft and edible, it means that the meat is already cooked too.  How interesting!

Getting there: Point A refers to the position of Chuncheon Station and Point B is the Dakgalbi street. 

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[Seoul, Korea] A Twosome Place by 51K (So Ji Sub's Coffeeshop / Cafe) [Closed]

Has anyone watched a recent Korean drama, Master's Sun (주군의 태양) that feature So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin?  In the drama, one of the shooting location is at A Twosome Place café, a European style dessert café that serves a wide variety of coffee and tea beverages; and desserts including cakes, tarts, muffins etc; sandwiches and salads.

The good news and bad news is that Master So Ji Sub is a owner of 1 the Twosome Place café (named after his own agency, 51K) BUT A Twosome Place by 51K has decided not to renew its contract when it terminates on 31 December 2013.  Why is the café called 51K? Accordingly to So Ji Sub, there is a huge difference between 49 and 51, and he aims toward 51% of everything.  That's how his company name, 51K, came about.

If anyone's going to be in Korea by the end of the year, do try to visit the café.  Here's a sneak preview of the place.

The front and main entrance of 51K.  Although the café is not located along the main road, it is within short walking distance from Apgujeong subway station.

The café is a paradise for So Ji Sub fans.  The café is modern, huge and spacious and has different seating sections.  There are also plenty of posters, big and small, found in his café.  The posters on the left wall is a collection of SJS's portraits since his debut into the entertainment circle.

The café is located within a cinema complex, CGV, in Apgujeong.  This is a full-length portrait next to the building lift, within the café.  Great photo spot while waiting for the lift, isn't it?

The coffee counter, with the barista making coffee.  The cakes in the glass display shelf look delicious, don't they?  The cakes at A Twosome Place are good!

Only at the 51K café, you will find So Ji Sub's coffee (소지섭).  This is one coffee that you will fall in love with the moment you try it!  The espresso fragrant with vanilla flavour was perfect.

When I was there in 2012, So Ji Sub's movie, The Company Man, was just launched.  The café was turned into a photo gallery!

Sadly, from 1 January 2014 onwards, all these will form part of So Ji Sub's history.  Although there will not be A Twosome Place by 51K anymore by then, it will be great if So Ji Sub can surprise us with other new business ventures where K-drama fans will get to experience in time to come.


Getting there: Take subway to Apgujeong Station and exit station using Exit 3.  Walk straight ahead and make a left turn at the first T-junction (168 Nonhyeon-Dong).  The café is just right across the first traffic junction.


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[This trip is made possible by the Asian On Air programme, organised by the Korean Air and Korea Tourism Organisation].


Related Posts
- FoodHunt: Black Smith Restaurant by Song Seung Heon (click)
- FoodHunt: Dakgalbi at Chuncheon (click)
- Asian-On-Air: K-Style Hair and Spa (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: Experiencing Korean Medical Services (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: Excellence in Flight - Korean Air (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: Chrysanthemum Flower Festival at Jogyesa (click here)
- Asian-On-Air: The Historical Drama Playground (click here)

My Korea Travel Story

Dear readers, please support my entries for the "My Korea Travel Story" event, organised by the Korea Tourism Organisation, by clicking on my post, 'Like' it and/or give a rating. 

1) Exploring Korean Traditional Markets in Seoul on Subway Line 5 (link)
2) In search of Chuncheon Dakgalbi via ITX (link)

Thank you in advance!

[Seoul, Korea] Foodhunt: Black' Smith Sinsa by Song Seung Heon [Closed]

If you think that Korean food is all the Koreans love, you are in for a big surprise.  Western food is a big influence in Korea, especially Italian food.  Many chefs, native Koreans, obtain their professional culinary trainings abroad.  Look at the recipes they had created, the food is totally enticing!  These yummy Italian dishes are from Black' Smith located at Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Spoon pizza is one which I personally like very much.  Key ingredients include roasted bacon and potato, sweet potato and cheese!  Baked to perfect golden brown.  Why is it called spoon pizza?  Because it is to be eaten by scooping using a spoon.

Gorgonzola Pizza is a basic (yet delicious) pizza.  It is gorgonzola cheese served with honey ... simple is good.  You get to focus on the fragrance of the gorgonzola cheese which has a nice buttery taste.

This pasta is Black'Smith's signature dish - Black Smith's Cream Pasta cooked using mushrooms, green peas, bacon, onion and deep flavoured cream sauce.  If you are not a fan of cream pasta, you may find this a little too rich.

If you prefer tomato-based pasta, then try Promodoro.  It is a basic pasta with basil, delicious cheese, extra virgin olive oil and of course, tomatoes.  

Warm bread rolls are served as appetisers, with olive oil dip.  The bread comes with variety so you don't always get the same type of bread when you dine there.

Now, to locate the restaurant is really very easy if you take the subway.  It is a simple 1 minute walk from Exit 8, Sinsa Station.  Look out for the directional details at the end of this post.  This is the building and the restaurant occupies 2 storey.

You will be greeted by Song Seong Heon life-size standy, posters and his interview video clips.  He is in fact the owner of this outlet!

The interior decoration is contemporary and cosy.  Each table comes with a bag holder and this is so useful for female diners.



Did you know that some of the scenes from Korean Drama, When A Man Loves, was filmed in this restaurant too?  The drama poster is up there and I was lucky enough to receive a postcard from the staff when I last visited in April =D

Black'Smith Sinsa

서울 강남구 신사동 514-20

Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Sinsa-dong 514-20

Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm (extended to 11pm on Fri, Sat and Sun)

Tel: 02-3444 8211

Website: http://www.blacksmith.co.kr/main.php

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BSsinsa?fref=ts

Getting there: Take Subway Line 3 to Sinsa Station and use Exit 8.  At the first junction, turn left and Black'Smith would be just in front of you.



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Related Posts:
- Catching the Autumn Foliage in Korea (Click here)
- EG SIM Card : Collection at Seoul Station (Click here)
- The original Dakgalbi at Chuncheon (Click here)
- Airfare Deals : Singapore to Korea (Click here)
- 10 Tips for Travelling on Jeju Air (Click here)