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The Netflix original content "Somebody Feed Phil" features popular American producer and gourmet traveler Phil Rosenthal's culinary adventures around the world. With the launch of its season 3 in 2020, its Seoul episode has been finally released! The Seoul episode of "Somebody Feed Phil" paints a picture of Korea's food, history, culture, and even the latest issues while following Phil's itinerary. Let's revisit some of the best gourmet restaurants Phil visited in Seoul that boast both taste and stories.

"Chimaek," an Ideal Combination of Fried Chicken and Beer

Ddobagi Chicken

"Chimaek", which means fried chicken and beer, has now become a representative K-Food. Phil and K-Pop singer Eric Nam visited this chimaek restaurant in the Hongik University area, a hot spot in Seoul. Phil created a very satisfying "meokbang," talking about how Korean fried chicken, derived from American Kentucky fried chicken, has now captivated the taste of Americans.
The best feature of Ddobagi Chicken's fried chicken is its thin batter that adds to its crispiness as well as its unique savory taste created by flavorful and spicy black pepper. Located in a university district, the restaurant is great place to enjoy delicacies at a reasonable price. There are also many customers who order fried chicken for takeout after having a beer at the restaurant.

Searching for the Origins of Red Tteokbokki

Ma Bok-rim Tteokbokki

The place that Phil visited with Korean model Irene in search of tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes), a representative Korean snack and soul food, was Ma Bok-rim Tteokbokki. This restaurant is known to be the originator of "Sindang-dong tteokbokki," the epitome of today’s red tteokbokki, and boasts a taste containing 50 years of tradition. Tabletop tteokbokki, the main specialty of the restaurant, contains rice cakes, fish cakes, ramen, dumplings, eggs, and more and is drenched in a sauce that is less spicy and much sweeter, so children and foreigners can also enjoy it. The restaurant is also popular with visitors who are looking to travel on a budget, providing a hearty meal at an affordable price. Rice that is stir-fried in the remaining sauce after finishing the tabletop tteokbokki is another delicacy that must be experienced!

Grilled Beef Tongue, a Tender Feast for the Five Senses

Bongpiyang Suryeo (former Cheongmisim)

Phil's last destination was Bongpiyang Suryeo in Cheongdam-dong. Introduced under the name "Cheongmisim" in the show, Bongpiyang Suryeo is a fine-dining Korean restaurant. Phil, along with all the other performers who accompanied him on his tour of Seoul's restaurants, feasted on beef tongue and ribs grilled on a charcoal fire and celebrated the end of his culinary adventure with "somaek" (soju and beer). This restaurant, which specializes in grilled ribs that Phil praised for being the best Korean barbecue he has ever tried, is particularly famous for its dwaejigalbi (pork ribs), hanu tteokgalbi (Korean beef grilled short rib patties), and Pyeongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles). The restaurant is also highly acclaimed for its neat side dishes, including pickled bok choy, which are served with the main dishes. As its name suggests, a combination of the brand name "Bongpiyang" and "Suryeo," which means a "remarkable beauty," the restaurant serves meat dishes of the best quality and tastes provided by a chef with 60 years of experience.