Sep 9, 2012

Reprinted by kind permission of yonhapnews agency Printed in Korea Times, september 5, 2012 By Joshua Hall Contributing writer SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Yonhap) — The neighborhood of Hongdae, home to Hongik University in western Seoul, isn’t quite the place one would normally think of for innovative cuisine or fine wine. Yet, there is a growing number of...

Feb 13, 2012

We’ve tasted menus, talked to chefs and sommeliers and eaten far too much. Here’s our list of the best places in Seoul to get romantic, party and seduce your lover. For excellent dining: Le Pavilion Secluded quiet and away from the crowds, this fine dining French restaurant has a classic wine list and impeccable service. The food has finely articulated...

Jul 15, 2011

Originally published in Seoul Magazine’s July issue Uncorking the Captial – Seoul’s Top Wine Bars Seoul has plenty to offer wine lovers— if you know where to look Written by Joshua Hall Finding good wine in Korea used be extremely difficult, with the selection available limited to big brands and bulk wines. In the last five years Korea has...

Apr 25, 2010

Green Gallery is a special place with an amazing garden dotted with intimate alcoves, gazebos and palms. This Bundang wine bar and tea house has carefully groomed moss along the wall, tropical ferns, herbs and masses of greenery that wrap around heated benches and tables under huge trees.  It’s like a giant conservatory with good wine and refined...

Apr 5, 2010

Spanish music, flamenco and wine in the suburbs of Seoul? No, it’s not a kimchi western but a bar called Bodega in Jamsil. And the wines are shocking—shockingly cheap! I enjoyed a great sparkling brut for W55,000 and a lovely albariño blend for W80,000 (Spanish white wine). They also have a wide selection of tapas, seafood and cold cuts, which are also...

Mar 2, 2010

If you’re looking for a wine bar with style, sophistication and a wine list with breadth and depth, then this is the place for you. Sure, it’s pricey—but intelligent service, a live jazz band and Apgujeong real estate don’t come cheap. The interior of Vin Ga is designed to emulate a “wine cave” with plenty of brick and wood and warm lightning. It’s...