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'Traditional and innovative' dishes Edward Lee brings to table for APEC gala dinner
President Lee Jae Myung hosted a gala dinner on Friday evening in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, welcoming guests to the Lahan Select Gyeongju Hotel’s grand ballroom. The event brought together representatives from all APEC member economies, including the leaders of Vietnam, the United States, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Russia, the Philippines, Peru, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Mexico, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Chil
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Who is Edward Lee, star chef overseeing APEC dinner?
President Lee Jae Myung is to host a dinner on Friday evening in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, welcoming around 1,000 leaders and ministers from the 21 member economies to the Lahan Select Gyeongju Hotel’s grand ballroom. While the full menu remains under wraps as of Friday afternoon, it has been revealed that the official welcoming dinner is being curated and overseen by Korean American celebrity chef Edward Lee, celebrated for his invent
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Tasty eats on Gyeongju's Hwangnidan-gil
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — On a weekday afternoon, Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju hums with energy. Despite a steady drizzle, tourists crowd the narrow street, umbrellas bumping lightly as they pause at food stalls and boutique shops. Once a quiet neighborhood surrounding the historic Hwangnam-dong area, Hwangnidan-gil has transformed into Gyeongju’s liveliest culinary corridor. The street is lined with renovated hanok buildings, blending old-world charm with contemporary flavors, and dur
Oct. 30, 2025 -
How Korea is curating toasts for APEC 2025
At this week’s APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, the drinks menu has changed almost as often as the guest list. While the main event, the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, opens Friday, a series of official dinners and bilateral meetings earlier in the week have already revealed Korea’s attention to detail when it comes to drinks. From nonalcoholic fermented tea to traditional rice wines, the drinks for the summit’s toasts are being selected with attention to culture, protocol, and practical c
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Centuries-old style makgeolli to toast APEC ministerial banquet
When ministers from across the Asia-Pacific gather for dinner in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province this week, their glasses will be filled not with champagne or wine, but with makgeolli, Korea’s signature fermented rice drink. The drink to be served at the official banquet of the APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting on Foreign and Trade Affairs (AMM) on Wednesday and Thursday is “A Night Counting Stars in the Milky Way,” a 12 percent ABV premium makgeolli brewed by Bal-Hyo Gongbang 1991 Inc., the ma
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Sogogigukbap, Korean beef and rice soup
By Korean Food Promotion Institute This classic Korean comfort dish brings together tender beef, crisp radish and warming spices in a soul-soothing broth poured over rice. Sogogigukbap is simple yet deeply flavorful — perfect for chilly evenings or when you crave something both nourishing and bold. The addition of gochugaru (red chili powder) gives it a spicy edge, balanced by the natural sweetness of radish and the richness of long-simmered brisket. Don’t forget the kimchi on the side to comple
Oct. 24, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong’s “Turkey To-Go” La Palette Paris, the all-day dining restaurant at Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong, presents "Turkey To-Go" — a gourmet Thanksgiving takeout set available until Dec. 3. Perfect for home celebrations, the set includes over 10 chef-created dishes, featuring tender roast turkey, smoked salmon, seafood mac & cheese and pumpkin tiramisu. A complimentary bottle of red wine completes the festive feast. Priced at 350,000 won, orders must be placed at least thre
Oct. 24, 2025 -
Tourists in Korea are skipping iconic dishes to eat what locals eat every day
Overseas tourists in South Korea continue to move away from traditional Korean restaurants and toward quick, everyday food. A report released Monday by the Korea Tourism Organization confirms that convenience store snacks, coffee, waffles and fast food now account for a significant and growing share of food-related spending by tourists. Based on foreign-issued credit card transactions from 2018 through July 2025, the fastest-growing categories were ice cream (up 35 percent annually), convenience
Oct. 20, 2025 -
Savor food with decades of history in Gyeongju
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Beyond the timeworn pagodas and royal tombs, Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, offers another delight — food. For travelers seeking a deeper taste of Gyeongju’s culture, three standout eateries serve up not just meals but slices of the city’s history. From a nostalgic noodle shop and a decades-old barbecue house to Korea’s oldest red bean bun bakery, these culinary landmarks offer more than what’s on the plate. Park Yong-ja Gyeongju Myeongd
Oct. 18, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
Grand Hyatt Seoul launches limited-edition Honeycomb Delight Cake Grand Hyatt Seoul unveils its signature dessert, the Honeycomb Delight Cake, at its premium bakery, The Deli. Made with freshly harvested Namsan Honey from the hotel’s Urban Bee Project, the cake reflects the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and urban biodiversity. The cake features a delicate honey yogurt mousse, golden honey jelly and apricot compote, all inspired by the natural sweetness of city-grown honey. Designed to res
Oct. 17, 2025 -
Sogogi jeongol, Korean beef hot pot
By Korean Food Promotion Institute Sogogi jeongol is a comforting and hearty Korean hot pot dish traditionally shared at the table, making it a perfect choice for gatherings with family or friends. Featuring marinated beef, vegetables, tofu and sweet potato noodles simmered in a savory broth, this dish offers a well-balanced combination of textures and flavors. While commonly prepared by layering all ingredients in a pot and boiling with seasoned broth, starting with beef tallow and salt is also
Oct. 15, 2025 -
Yakgwa, traditional Korean honey cookie
By Korean Food Promotion Institute Yakgwa is a beloved Korean sweet traditionally served during festive occasions. Made with sesame oil, honey and a hint of soju, these deep-fried cookies are soaked in a fragrant syrup, resulting in a chewy, golden confection. Perfect for holidays or as a cultural baking project, yakgwa offers a delicious glimpse into Korea’s culinary heritage. For best results, watch your oil temperature carefully and avoid over-kneading the dough to keep the cookies tender. Se
Oct. 11, 2025 -
Hong Kong's Bar Leone, first Asian bar named World's Best Bar 2025
Bar Leone in Hong Kong has officially claimed the title of The World's Best Bar 2025, marking a historic achievement for Asia as the first bar on the continent to top the prestigious ranking. The announcement was made during a live awards ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Founded by Rome-born bartender Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone is celebrated for its tribute to classic cocktails, Italian pop culture and football. The bar also took home top honors at Asia's 50 Best Bars for two consecutive yea
Oct. 10, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
Sono International, Tway Air lift off on exclusive promotion Sono International and Tway Air jointly offer exclusive discounts for travelers this fall. Throughout October, guests who book rooms via the Sono Hotels & Resorts website will receive a special coupon for discounted Tway Air domestic flights valid until Dec. 23. Meanwhile, T’way Air passengers can receive up to 15 percent off stays at six Sono properties by submitting flight details on Tway’s events page, valid for bookings made betwee
Oct. 10, 2025 -
Will people travel 3 hours from Seoul for gimbap? Gimcheon is worried too many might
Gimbap (also spelled kimbap) is everywhere in Korea. You can find it sliced or unsliced, vegan or spicy, packed fresh or frozen, all for as little as a couple bucks. Every convenience store has it and every city eats it. So would it really make sense for anyone to travel over three hours from Seoul to a random city just to eat it? Tens of thousands already did last year. Now, with the second Gimcheon Gimbap Festival set to return on Oct. 25 and 26, and gimbap riding a wave of global pop cultural
Oct. 8, 2025