Sanchon (Mountain Village)-Pig out like a Buddhist monk.

Seoul, Korea

This restaurant/tourist destination (trap) is definitely worth checking out if you have 40 US dollars to splurge on a dinner. It doesnt sound like much in dollars but to a typical Korean, that's a pricey dinner.

This place is run by a Buddhist monk. The prix fixe menu is strictly veg and centers around the 7 greens brought out in a woven platter. The food contains no spices that are considered stimulants such as garlic or green onions.

It's a pretty elaborate set-up with around 17 dishes.
The diners are seated around a small performance area and every night at 8pm, there is a show of Buddhist dancing and drumming. This actually seemed like a contradiction to me cuz drumming and dancing seem a lot more exciting than garlic....

        


To find SANCHON, get off on the JONGGAK exit on the subway line and walk to Insa-dong. Then look for the obnoxious black and white sign where SANCHON was featured in a New York Times article. Then walk down that alley and join the foreigners and the geriatrics at SANCHON.

P.S. My friend C tells me right next to this place is a old tea house that has birds flying around the courtyard and goldfish in the tables...
Thanks for the restaurant tips!

Delicioso at El Caserio: South American, Italian mash-up

Here is the door man at the El Caserio by the 101 fwy. If you make friends with this guy, you are in. But once you get in through the heavy, wood carved vintage dungeon door, you are greeted by the very friendly staff. We sat outside in the courtyard by a giant tree. V ordered an exotic fruit juice and the waitress brought out samples of all four flavors. He chose the guanabana... mmmmm delish.

We ordered Llapingachos Con Carne Asada... Which is the skirt steak with grilled potato patties. The steak was very tender and flavorful... quite good. The potato patties had some sort of white goo in it. V really liked it but B & H were not wowed by it.

Tallarines Saltados Con Carne... Quite unusual! Almost like Asian tossed noodles with skirt steak. Pretty yummy.

Camarones Saltados... Sauted french fries, onions, tomatoes and shrimp.
This dish was wow! So juicy.

The prices are a bit on the high side ($15-$22) for lunch but the portions are huge.
Next time H & B will split an entree and try the empanadas and sweet corn and cheese tamales.

This place is a must try and we will be back for sure.

I'd butter this bun anytime...

Even if I were bulimic, I'd keep this one down.


El Caserio, 401 Silver Lake Blvd., 213-273-8945