I was recently interviewed by Muriel Amable, writer for Singapore's Food and Travel Magazine for their April 2013 issue.  They picked my brain on my favorite eats in Seoul for their readers...these places bring back such sweet memories, and I cannot wait to visit real soon!

It's an honor to be featured! Thanks Muriel~

XX

Photo credits:

Photos of Sarah: Christine Han Photography 
Jungdeunjip photos: Thomas Walsh 

I’ve been in New York for close to 3 months now.  I can’t love the food enough, and the hustle & bustle really puts you in your place.  How can you not love this city? However, as much as I’m an urban girl and love to be out and about…the times that I thoroughly enjoy the most is when I get a moment to breathe.  You’ll hear many New Yorkers say they like to leave the city for a quick weekend trip, just to get away from the madness.  It didn’t occur to me that I desired to partake in this as well.  Something that most people may not know about me is that my ultimate dream is to have a small farm of my own.  A girl from Chicago, who loved living in Seoul, love city lights, and now a member of the daily grind in New York is still planning on making this dream happen.  So when I stepped foot into Blue Hill, I instantly felt a connection.  Almost like I was home.  I seriously didn’t want to leave. 

Words are limitless to describe my recent experience at Blue Hill at Stone Barns.  A few of my co-workers introduced me to this place on our drive back to the city, after some long meetings in Connecticut late January. 

If you’re fortunate to take a break and leave town, even if it’s for a one-day trip, it’s so well worth it if you want to get recharged.  It definitely doesn’t take long for me to be ‘whole’ again.  I just need to squeeze in a little ‘Sarah time’ here and there and I’m in a happy place:)  

I recently did a brief photo shoot with amazing photographer Christine Han from Brooklyn~ 
She's the eyes behind 'Pantry Confidential' with Hana Choi, and her wedding photography is in it's own category.  Really.  She made me look better than I ever could with her lens.  Thank you, thank you Christine!!!

All photos shot in Hell's Kitchen-Midtown.

Will keep you posted on where these photos will be featured...

Greens from the Union Square farmers market

Ok folks, this post is simply a teaser. Not a 'full' post featuring one particular restaurant of any kind, but wanted to share some photos of oh maybe 40% of what I've eaten so far in a month? Yes, I've went up a size in pants I think (thank goodness for leggings!), can feel the double chin forming, and having a hard time zipping up my winter coat.  Let me tell you, even with all the walking that I do here in NY, I think I need to add another form of exercise to maintain my eating habits, haha. No joke.  Well, a girls gotta do her 'due diligence' with food research right?

I've had some amazing meals with good friends showing me around town so far.  Trying to figure out if it's a good thing that I have friends that love food more than me, or if this will only increase the sensitivity of my palate so that I will have zero tolerance to anything bad.  Well, I'm blessed either way~

Note-no Korean restaurants are featured on this post as I would like to feature them one by one...I won't let you wait too long~

"Open your eyes…there's no time to waste anymore. The answer is right in front of you."

-Excerpt from 'My Berlin Kitchen.'

I think this quote sums it up. Fellow readers, you may have noticed that I'm no longer in Seoul. I know I've been somewhat vague about my travels, where my next 'big city of settlement' will be…but I wanted to share this important moment in my life with all of you.  You have been so faithful in following my food journal, travels, and have been truly supportive over the years. Thank you, thank you~

Fresh picked baby carrots from the garden

I guess I can't stop talking about this farm-to-table spot a little ways from Seoul.  Bean Table. It's time for a revisit.  Need to keep sharing the love...

I had an opportunity to stage for Bean Table my last month in Korea before taking off to the states.  Good friend and chef Wonil Lee welcomed me as part of his staff, after some serious convincing.  Let's just say, this restaurant is on the top of my list for folks visiting Seoul! 

The real deal...

*Authentic Korean flavors + modern presentation.

*Non-GMO soybeans (for those who care about this like me).

*Homemade tofu made with natural sea salt coagulants (this part could get pretty technical if you break it down).

*Fresh and organic produce.

*No MSG or preservatives.

I had a real difficult time finding Korean restaurants in Korea that didn't use preservatives.  Dining at Bean Table to me is like eating in my moms kitchen-you can feel and taste the love with each dish.  Every bite is well balanced, and the variations of the banchan (side dishes) are seriously endless...

Beverly, Johnny & Matty

The initial contact...

Summer of 2006, I caught up with my ex-college roommate Paula, and had a quick chat about food.

Paula gave me the lowdown about her sister Beverly, and mentioned that she was in Seoul for a few months. So what do I do? The usual crazy Sarah move.  Called up Beverly in Seoul (please note that I have I only seen her once before at this point, and we barely knew each other), and asked her if she would like to possibly partner up with me on a restaurant project in Chicago!

So the story began…

When I travel, I act like I've never traveled before. I know this sounds funny, but every other day whether I'm working or hanging with friends, I plan plan plan...organize, try to be on top of things, and sometimes wear the 'know it all, everything is under control' hat, haha.  Then you hand me a suitcase and a plane ticket, throw a map of whichever city, I have this blank face and seriously start breaking sweats...especially if I'm traveling alone.

Hong Kong was one of those cities. 

'I am just leaving the country, not the people'
a little bird told me when I was leaving... 

Friends, family, and readers-I have left Korea recently to pursue some amazing opportunites in the U.S. Although I have left the country that I dearly love, I hope that all of you will continue this food journey with me as I eat my way around the U.S. and other countries.  My experience in Seoul cannot be put into words, and the memories and stories will always remain with me.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for walking with me all these years! 

Everything starts again...

The amazing pulled pork sandwich (photograph by Alec Kim)

Before you even start reading this, your curiosity may have peaked just at the title of the post.  So what's this 'dirty dirty' about Linus Kim? Well, the story starts from Alabama where he grew up in the 70's-80's.  This guy probably loves barbeque more than anyone I know.  We've been friends since 1997. Ok, that sounds so ancient. I've seen Linus through thick and thin, we drove each other crazy over the years, but maintained our strong friendship. I think it was our jjimjilbang moments that saved our friendship as it was the 'neutral zone', where we would pig out on Korean snacks and watch Korean dramas.  A man of many talents, but one thing that stands out with the most gusto: his skills and knowledge about pork. He really does have a refined palate that you can't even be sneaky when you cook, because he'll call you out on all your secrets! haha.