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4月12日 2008 - Golden Plate Award WinnerThank-you!
To those that voted for us in the 2008 - Golden Plate - Reader's Choice Award.
We're honored and priveledged to receive this award.
Insadong Management Team
3月23日 Best Eating - Georgia StraightThank-you Georgia Straight for recommending Insadong as one of the "Best Eating" establishments in Vancouver:
11月27日 Live Search!
Quote My Live Search Maps collection 11月22日 San Francisco - 2006Last week I had the opportunity to visit San Francisco and decided to try several of the Korean restaurants in the area.
Below are my ratings:
#1. Seoul Garden
Situated in the shopping mall at Japan Town, this restaurant was designed to resemble a traditional Korean house. The interior design features traditional hardwood designs. The meal included a wide array of delectable side dishes and the kalbi meat was marinated to perfection. While the prices were a little higher than some of the other restuarants, the ambience and traditional settings made the dinner a memorable experience.
Directions: Take the "Mission Street" exit when travelling North on 101 into San Francisco. You then take a left on Ness Street, a Left on Geary street. You will see the "Seoul Garden" sign on the left when you pass Laguna street.
#2. Korea House
Also located at Japan Town, there are two restaurant choices. On Post street, there is a street 'single level' Korea House and also a 'two story' Korea House restaurant. Both restaurants offer great side dishes. The soon-dabu chigae was delicious at this restaurant.
#3. Hanuri
Driving five minutes further south on Geary street, there are a few more Korean restaurants. Hanuri is a nicely decorated restaurant, blending modern flat-screen televisions with traditional bamboo designs. The yukai-chang soup was very good.
#4. Brothers
While I did not have a chance to visit this restaurant (across the street from Hanuri) I could tell by the line-up and the food served on the tables that this would be another good choice.
11月3日 Congratulations!Congratulations Mr. Ahn!
 From everyone at the restaurant, congratulations on a very beautiful wedding ceremony and a memorable day.
Best wishes to you!
From
Insadong!
10月30日 Gold Nugget Upholstery - For SaleFriends of ours are selling their successful Upholstery and Draperies business.
More information:
http://vancouver.craigslist.org/off/228086480.html Contact information:
Gold Nugget Draperies & Upholstery LtdAddress : 22225 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3H8 Telephone : 604-467-2424 5月8日 Soccer at Insadong! Congratulations to the Kitchen crew for their win against the Hall staff!The final score: 3 - 2
(Pictures in the gallery)
Hall Staff: Great effort, better luck next time!
From,
The Insadong Management
4月10日 Steel & MagnoliasThe shining glint of light reflecting off steel tables and the soft clink of shot glasses echoing through the night are clear indications that our patio is now open!
By popular request the Magnolia room has had renovations and now offers raised tables with chair seating.
 Patio Seating AvailableWith a new outdoor heater the patio offers an alternative option for those of us that like to enjoy great Korean barbeque outdoors!
 Magnolia RoomBased on your feedback and requests, we've made some renovations to our beautiful Magnolia room, replacing the "floor" level seating with beautiful new tables and chairs.
Before
Now
 Thanks for the feedback and great suggestions!4月2日 Successful Dinner Party Guide... Thank-you!With friends gathered filling both the Lily & Rose rooms at Insadong, a steady stream of delicious entries from the kitchen, keep the staff sprinting and the guests grinning, throughout the evening.
As promised, below is a listing of all the food that was served for your reference!
 6:00pm Appetizers & Side Dishes Beef Dumplings (Man-Du)
Smoked Salmon Salad (Salad)
Stir Fried Noodle with Marinated Beef (Japche)
Assorted Tempura (Twi-Kim)
 7:00pm Entrees Spicy Fried Prawns (Kang-Pong-Gi)
L.A Short Ribs (L.A. Galbi)
Short Ribs (Galbi) Marinated Chicken (Chicken Bulgogi) Spicy Pork (Pork Bulgogi) Marinated Beef (Beef Bulgogi) 9:00pm Thanks From Insadong! Many of the above items are listed on the menu under Barbeque Combination "C", for your convenience! :) Thanks to everyone that dropped by for dinner and to our staff for preparing and serving such a delicious meal for this special event! - The Insadong Management Team.
3月28日 Club Cool Memoirs - Chapter 10. AscentAscending a single-lane ice highway, our vehicle spins forward to the summit and enters the naturally fortified gates of Chun-gyo....
With cool ocean mist and the smell of fresh salt in the air, we load up our car with some dried seafood and hot beverages for the next leg of our journey. Terrain and climate quickly change as we leave the beach and drive towards the famous Sorak mountain tourist area.
Arriving at Sorak Mountain we ride a tram to the summit for a spectacular winter view. The sharp temperature drop, dry air and high altitudes combine for a breath taking experience. Descending the mountain we find a local restaurant and focus once again on some delicious area specialties. Hot kalbi-tang (beef broth soup) hits the spot and provides the necessary warmth for the return walk to the car.
Noticing several tourists with skis, we discuss the following winter options:
While crossing the street, we notice a small flashing neon sign in the window. Limited on time, we decide on this new option as a way to spend quality time in a local mountain bar, acknowledging their collection of foreign bottled beverages.
Deciding to bypass some of the traffic congestion into Seoul, we decide to take a short-cut over a nearby mountain and forge towards mountain village Chon-gyo. Ascending an icy-single lane highway at night, we spin upwards towards the small fortress town. The sharp reflection of incoming headlights from the road-mirrors on each corner, keep all passengers alert and working as a team:
Chun-gyo is a beautiful town, naturally fortified by the mountainous terrain and icy conditions. Acknowledging the differences between this mountain village and the seaside towns near Naksan beach, we don't have any troubles finding rooms at a nearby hotel.
 Next Chapter...Check back for the next installment of this true-story adventure..."11. Back To Seoul"
In the meantime, check the links on the right for dinner / drinking suggestions.
1月18日 Newspaper Editor's Favourite RestaurantThe Province newspaper - Wednesday, January 18th
The Province's Restaurant Critic: Mark Laba's The following is a review by Mr. Laba regarding one of his favourite Korean restaurants:
Hot pots to table-side grills
"The Lower Mainland is blessed with dozens of Korean restaurants...."
Insadong
403 North Rd., Coquitlam
(604) 936-3778
"Classic Korean interior with warm wood surroundings welcomes diners of this spiffy restaurant. The live seafood aquariums are always good for gazing at critters that may eventually end up on you plate. Huge menu spans all the Korean specialties from the grill-at-your-table meat selections for a tableside pyrotechnics to a bevy of of-pot selections plus classics like marinated BBQ beef ribs, bulgogi or pan-fried kimchi and pork with tofu."
- Mark Laba - The Province - Pg C4 (Jan 18 2006)
Thank-YouInsadong management extends a warm "Thank-you" to Mr Laba for his great review of our restaurant! Today's newspaper also highlights several excellent Korean dishes with detailed recipes, including shopping instructions for finding the best Korean ingredients.
12月24日 Seasons Greetings Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to all of you from the staff and management at Insadong Korean Barbeque Restaurant !
 Staff PartyThe restaurant successfully hosted it's first Christmas Party for the staff! The famous Cosmos room provided seating for the 50+ people that were in attendance. With plenty of food and spirits a contest was held to determine the best Karaoke singer at the restaurant.
After a couple of hours of singing, cheering, and praising our judge awarded cash prizes to two employees. Congratulations to these two employees for their amazing renditions and we encourage them to continue practicing for Canadian / Korean Idol...!
BloggingWhile November / December have been very busy, check back in the coming days for more stories and the completion of my earlier online "True Story" blog novel....Club Cool! (Links below on left)
11月19日 'Back in San FranciscoTaking a break from the Cool Club Chronicles and writing about a recent trip to San Francisco....! (Click the following link for a related story: Sun, Sea & Sans)
Spending a business training week in San Francisco, I rented a 2005 Mustang and visited the following four spots for breathtaking views, delicious food and vintage wine:
What better way to get acquainted with a new 2005 Mustang rental vehicle? How about exercising your right foot on an accelerator, flying over Oakland bridge, and cruising North on highway 101 until the Napa Valley exit sign presents itself?
Highway #1 is a great road to test your driving mettle, while enjoying breathtaking scenary. There is a single restaurant located on the beach for surfer's to enjoy "economical" cuisine after a hard-day of surfing.... "Taco Bell"...!
Hearing there was a Korean district near San Jose, I headed south one evening to El Camino Real street in Santa Clara. I was very surprised to see the number of side-dishes served, prior to receiving my meal. Korean House had very good service, friendly staff and the food served was delicious.
10月28日 Club Cool Memoirs - Chapter 9. DiamondsWith white snow reflecting off silver rims our black wheels race evenly down an expressway, gaining momentum at the sight of border town Sokcho, South Korea.....
Silver On BlackDriving a car through a winter thunderstorm with limited visibility in unfamiliar territory, someone requests relaxing jazz music...
Turning up the volume Kyung-Ha inserts a mix cd and we listen to an excellent impersonation of Axle Rose singing "Welcome to The Jungle"
Thunder clouds rolling and fogged windows rocking, the driver applies pressure to the car's accelerator and skids smoothly across icy pavement. Torque from the rear of the vehicle is a suttle reminder to reduce speed.
With white snow reflecting off silver rims our black wheels race evenly down an expressway, gaining momentum at the sight of border town Sokcho, South Korea...
SokchoSliding sideways on black ice we skid around a corner and enter Sokcho. During another debate, we discuss briefly whether bringing chains for our vehicle might have been a "good idea". No, we made the only logical decision given our knowledge of local weather patterns.
Why would anyone check the weather forecast or need a map?
Lunch includes sharing a large hot-pot spicy dish called Nak-Jee Bok-eum-bop.
Diamond GlimmerStanding at a snow covered beach, pause and stare at the amazing Mt. Geumgang. Also known as "Diamond Mountain" this rock fortress serves as a beautiful landmark, reminding individuals that they've left South Korea and have entered North Korea.... (see photo below)
The glimmering snow capped peaks give the appearance of sparkling diamonds and hidden treasures.
Leaving our mark in the snow on the beach we return to a warm vehicle and spend a few minutes driving through Sokcho.
DinnerWhile eating dinner we reflect on the vast differences between this small fishing community on the east coast with the bright lights of Seoul, only a few hours away.
Seated near a window we watch the sunset and notice the following local activities:
Presented with a delicious bowl of spicy cod soup and several fresh pickled side dishes, we enjoy a delicious meal.
Twisting caps off bottles of Cass beer my friend and I comment on the taste similarities between Korean Cass and Molson Canadian beer. The refreshing taste of beer brewed using pure, clean water is obvious and appreciated!
 Mt. Geumgang FactsNorth and South Korea do have special tour options which permit individuals to enter North Korea to specifically visit a designated "tourist area" at the base of Geumgang mountain in North Korea.
Facts: 1. The resort has been used to allow South Koreans and North Korean families that were separated 50 years ago after the Korean war to meet for a few days.
2. There is a highway planned to allow South Korean residents to drive across the border, directly to the resort. ( With military escort vehicles present...)
3. While the cost for the short tour to Geumgang is not cheap, over 800,000 South Koreans have made the journey since the tour opened in 1998.
Next Chapter...Check back for the next installment of this true-story adventure..."10. Ascent"
In the meantime, check the links on the right for dinner / drinking suggestions. Images1. Mt. Geumgang winter view from a beach near Sokcho
2. Mt. Geumgang location in relation to Sokcho.
3. Sokcho in relation to Sorak San (Mt. Sorak) - Next chapter...
(Satellite images courtesy Google Earth) GuestbookSign the guestbook, if you like.... ;) 10月22日 Club Cool Memoirs - Chapter 8. BeachI notice that someone is dangling from the barbwire fence........
PREVIOUS CHAPTER: 7. SHARK NEXT CHAPTER: 9. DIAMONDS ThunderstormDuring the drive up the coastline, a loud thunderclap, wakens two of us as our Tiburon swerves off the median and back onto our lane of the highway. Apparently the deceiving faint flicker of light earlier had not prepared our driver for the oncoming loud crash of thunder.
The "sky-ceiling" appears lower in Asian countries and is particularly noticeable during a storm. The dark clouds seem to loom directly overhead with bolts of lightening shooting across the horizon.
 RoadblockWith light rain falling, our car approaches a military roadblock. Expecting the soldiers to ask whether we've consumed any alcohol, a quick look at the map confirms that we are getting closer to the DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) separating South and North Korea.
The Korean soldier approaches our car, speaks briefly to the driver and asks us to continue... Noticing tourists in the vehicle, the soldier has confirmed our final destination and counted the number of people in the car.
 Naksan BeachLeaving the blockade we notice a sign indicating a public entrance to Naksan Beach. Given the current weather condition we decide to exit the vehicle and spend only a few minutes on the beach.
We quickly observe the following:
1. Sand appears to stretch for miles when a beach is vacant
2. Rain and clouds bring back Vancouver Island winter memories
3. Thunderclaps are a lot louder when standing outside the vehicle
Noticing a South Korean Naval boat patrolling the waters, we decide to leave the beach and continue into town. Possibly there's a "Club Cool" hideaway where we can enjoy some Chivas Regal Whiskey and some hot food.
 BarbwireLeaving Naksan beach, we notice high fences with razor sharp barbwire along the shoreline. With the presence of more military vehicles, it's obvious that the fence was designed to make it impossible for soldiers from the North to enter South Korea, by sea.
Wait a second....!
I notice that someone is dangling from the barbwire fence...! We quietly consider the following scenarios:
1. Someone desperately wants to go for a swim
2. Someone is trying to smuggle marijuana into the country
3. Someone has got caught entering the country from North Korea..
With the last thought, I look around to see if any South Korean soldiers have noticed this person...
What...?!
I see someone in the distance holding a camera and taking a picture! After the photograph has been taken, the Korean leaps of the fence and joins his friend with the camera. The two friends smile, laugh and congratulate themselves on such an ingenious idea for a photo opp....!
 SokchoSokcho is a small fishing town located very close to the border of North and South Korea. From a standpoint on the coastline, we can see the coastline of North Korea and the beautiful cragged outline of Mt. Geumgang. (Diamond Mountain)
Next Chapter...Check back for the next installment of this true-story adventure..."9. Diamonds"
 FoodIn the meantime, check the links on the right for dinner / drinking suggestions. Satellite ImagesRefer to the previous chapter for satellite images of our journey along the eastern coastline. The next chapter will include more photos...! 10月15日 Club Cool Memoirs - Chapter 7. SharkWashing the salt from our shark, we prepare for the next leg of our journey.....
 BreakfastWith cold winds from the East Sea and hot food nearby, we quickly leave the sunrise and walk back towards civilization.
Breakfast includes discussing the following options:
Kyung-Ha teaches us a new Korean word for rice porridge:
JOOK
 Cheon-bok Jook The idea of having rice seafood porridge for breakfast after a night of beer, soju and dried-squid, seems less than appealing; however it quickly becomes apparent that options 1 & 2 are not available....
The following discussion takes place:
Me - "Is this really the best option?" Kyung-Ha - "Yes, it's very popular in the winter." Me - "Let's order the best Jook available".
Spotting a restaurant with a large aquarium filled with fresh, live seafood, Kyung-Ha recommends Cheon-bok Jook.
Me - "Cheon-bok? (Translation)"
Kyung-Ha - Walking to the live aquarium, pointing at an object and using his electronic translator, he displays a single word....
Me - "Abalone! Isn't that expensive?"
Kyung-Ha - "Yes, expensive and delicious!" Me - "Ok!" Kyung-Ha places the order, much to the owner's amazement. It is rare for someone to request two servings of abalone and it is also the first time he's had a non-Korean visit his restaurant. From the owner's reaction, we already know that our meal will be extra special as our host intends to leave a good "first" impression....
The creamy texture of the ground rice porridge is very delicious. Seasoned with a dish of sea-salt and pepper the abalone combines for a mouth watering melody of flavor and aroma. I leave the restaurant thinking that meal may have been one of the best breakfast meals I've had in my life.... (see picture below) Note to Self: Sometimes it pays to try new things...
 Shark WashAfter breakfast we learn that our Hyundai racecar (Tiburon) is actually a Spanish word which translates to:
SHARK
We decide to provide our car with a Spanish nickname:
"TIBURON GATO"
(If you think you know the Spanish translation for this phrase, leave your answer/guess as a comment!)
The winter road conditions from Seoul to Kyeungnang have turned the color of our car to a grey color and has also limited our driving visibility. Washing the salt from our shark, we prepare for the next leg of our journey.
North Back on the road, we leave Kangneung and travel North along the beautiful coastline towards Sokcho.
Approaching Naksan beach, we notice a few changes as our scenic drive darkens:
1. Storm clouds rolling in from the East Sea 2. South Korean soldiers on foot patrol. 3. Presence of armored millitary vehicles. Next Chapter...Check back for the next installment of this true-story adventure..."8. Beach"
TerminologyJook Korean word for rice porridge soup Cheon-bok Korean word for abalone Tiburon Spanish word for shark
FoodIn the meantime, check the links on the right for dinner / drinking suggestions. Satellite ImagesThe satellite images below, (courtesy Google Earth), illustrate the journey North from Kangneung to Sokcho. The detailed image highlights the various beaches along the beautiful east coastline of the Korean peninsula. 10月9日 Club Cool Memoirs - Chapter 6. SunrisePulling out sunglasses, we sit and smile as we watch this amazing sight from a snowbank on the beach.....
TransporterWith the precise mix of Soju and Korean food, a Hyundai Tiburon can actually appear to straighten the curves in the Youngdong Expressway! Sitting in the front right passenger seat, I reflect on a previous experiences in Fukoka, Japan where as a passenger I was seated in the driver seat. (Japan, follows English driving rules, requiring front passenger's to sit on the left side....)
With the road clear, over-cast cloud pattern holding, pushing a new sports car within legal speed ilmits becomes "the" challenge. Weaving between full buses, semi-trailer trucks and cargo vans, our pilot seems to literally transport us from Wonju to Kangneung in minutes...!
Note to self: Jinro, was the brand name of the Soju
Kangneung Stepping from the warm comforts of our car onto the rough tarmac of Kangneung, I catch my breath as the cool crisp air reaches the bottom of my lungs.
Phooo.....
Smiling, I recognize the sight of cool vapour smoke rings puffing from my mouth and reflect back to winters in Canada.
The sound of stamping feet on snow and clasped clapping hands confirm that the three of us have noticed the difference between city Seoul and country Kangneung....
Yes, with the cold snap of air, we're awake and ready for an evening of local festivities...
KangneungThe early setting of a distant sun and cooler temperatures is a reminder that we've arrived after tourist season. The town seems to be quieter than I recall from our last trip and the silence leaves an uneasy feeling.
Sightings which cause reactions:
1. Few banks in town, most closed, all missing the "Interac" sign
No problem, wallet confirms enough cash for 4 days... 2. Restaurants in town appear to have less patrons eating dinner
As long as they have coffee we'll survive...
3. Hotels open during summer appear now closed for winter
However, apparently there are lots of vacancies...
Evening The driving through town uncovers a beatiful restaurant with glowing red hot coals in black cast iron pots. The smell of fresh barbequed beef fryng on charcoaled grills combine with roast garlic and permuate through the shell of the Tiburon, forcing us to pull-over and pile-out.
Enjoying a delicious hot barbeque dinner with the coldness of winter, is a great experience.
 BeachRelocated to a bar on the beach, someone mentions the time during my audition for Canadian Idol at the Karaoke mic:
3:00am...
I quickly finish the song and discuss with my friends our plans to watch the sunrise. Aparently the sun comes up in 4 or 5 hrs, so we have essentially two options:
A. Find hotel rooms and sleep for a few hours ,inevitiably sleeping through this famous sunrise...
B. Continue singing and drinking at the Karaoke bar and sleep later, after the sunrise...
SunriseUnsure why sometimes we have to provide options and alternatives when it's clear to everyone the responsible choice.
Naturally we decide to stay up all night, continuing the singing, laughing and shot-glass ringing until the early hours.
7:00 am
We travel to the "recommended spot on the beach" to watch the sunrise. With a thermos of hot coffee, we de-ice for an hour while waiting for the sun to awaken...
Watching the sun crest and flicker as it dances along the surface of the ocean, we are amazed as the orange orb lightens the sky. Pulling out sunglasses, we sit and smile as we watch this amazing sight from a *snowbank (see below) on the beach....
Terminology* Snowbank Unlike an igloo where one can deposit or withdraw cash, this term actually refers to a pile of snow on the ground which one can act as a defence shield during a snowball fight or (in our case) a bench for seaside sitting purposes. ;)
Next Chapter...Check back for the next installment of this true-story adventure..."7. Shark"
FoodIn the meantime, check the links on the right for dinner / drinking suggestions. Satellite ImagesThe satellite images below, (courtesy Google Earth), illustrate the following three legs of our journey:
Can you see us waving to the satellite camera from the beach at Kangneung? 10月6日 Club Cool Memoirs - Chapter 5. FriendshipWe learn an interesting fact that Wonju, South Korea is twinned with Edmonton, Alberta Canada as a "Friendship City".......
 Car DebateWith the weather turning cooler, we meet a local coffee shop in Shillum and discuss the driving aspect of our journey. Reviewing our automobile options, we debate the following vehicle selections, specifically discussing the heater in the automobile.
Since my Canadian friend has a Cavalier back in Canada, we consider this choice very briefly. Noting that his vehicle back in Vancouver has a broken heater and poor traction during rainy weather this isn't really an option.
Mentioning that I've never seen a Chev Cavalier in Seoul, Korea, our Korean friends confirm this vehicle is not sold, leased nor rented in Seoul. (I avoid mentioning the fact that I've never seen a Chev vehicle in our new country and suspect that it is not imported.) Not selected
2. Ford - Mustang
Driving a Ford Mustang in Vancouver, BC I quickly remind my friend how reliable the car heater is during the winter months and how it has always gotten us to hockey practice on time! I also mention that the "only" import vehicle we've seen in Seoul since arriving were new Ford Mustangs.
Lottery Ticket Decision
Kyung-Ha owns a Hyundai Sonata and mentions that it is a very reliable vehicle. He confirms that the heater does work in the cold months and indicates that the car is fuel efficient. Kyung-Ha also confirms that he will be driving this vehicle.
Reviewing the trunk space of the car we notice that there is plenty of room for luggage, food and refreshments. Possibility
We discuss the Sonata but acknowledge that it does appear to be a "family" oriented vehicle. It would be great if we could drive something a little more interesting and fun.
The room goes quiet as we notice how our Korean friend seems to be withholding information...
After another round of beverages, Kyung-Ha confirms that he has a brother-in-law whom owns a Hyundai Tiburon, sports car.!! We consider the following disadvantages with this vehicle:
Kyung-Ha then shows us a photo of a red Tiburon sports car from his wallet....
( Since Electronic Arts has named one of their game development facilities after this car, was there really any other choice... EA Tiburon ?? ;) ...)
** Selected **
Icheon BypassConfirming that our first stop "may" be Icheon, our race car driver hits the gas pedal and we travel in a south-eastern direction towards Icheon. Hearing from our friend Kyung-Ha that Icheon is famous for pottery and rice we accelerate onwards crossing the Han river.
During the journey we listen to a famous Korean rock band with a name resembling our driver's name. He claims it's one of his favorite singers with no bias.... right! Wonju TrekHaving driven for two hours, we arrive at a small town called "Wonju". This town has several small shops and is a perfect place to rest and relax over lunch. Stopping for Korean barbeque, we enjoy a delicious meal over red-hot coals. With the added luxury of a designated driver, my friend and I each drink a bottle of Soju.
We learn that Wonju, South Korea is paired with Edmonton, Alberta Canada as "Friendship cities".... (Nov 3, 1998) Sunrise BoundThe cold winds of Wonju appear diminished as we step from a local restaurant, having enjoyed too much food and an abundance of alcohol. Listening to a new cd compilation of 80's rock music, we sit back, smile and look forward to the next leg of our journey to Kangneung....
Next Chapter...Check back for the next installment of this true-story adventure..."6. Sunrise"
FoodIn the meantime, check the links on the right for dinner / drinking suggestions. |
Sorak Mountain & Winter Sports|
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