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Non-Summitis an entertaining talk show that has been airing on JTBS since July 2014. It features non-Korean male television personalities who are referred to as a “delegate” of each of the country represented. The show covers various topics related to lifeinKorea and the 140th episode aired on March 13th introduced the cast’s favorite eateries in Seoul. This Hallyu course highlights five local restaurants serving international cuisine that have been recommended by the panel of guests on Non-Summit.

Course 1.

A Taste of Japan’s Southwesternmost Island, Hakata Naka

Hitoshi Ogi featured in Non-Summit is from Fukuoka, Kyushu Province of Japan. He is an animation designer and a Japanese language mentor in Korea. The restaurant that Ogi introduced in the show is Hakata Naka located in Hongdae serving up Kyushu-style home cooking. The restaurant offers a wide array of dishes including karaage fried chicken, a Kyushu specialty. Each item on the menu comes presented on a tray along with a colorful variety of Japanese side dishes. The interior is kept quite simple yet compact, with each table offering a selection of sauces that are all properly labeled. The owner of the restaurant, Naka Tanaka, is a native of Hakata district in Fukuoka. The name of the restaurant comes from his name and the name of his hometown. To experience a little bit of Kyushu here in Seoul, Hakata Naka is a great place to visit.

Course 2.

Authentic Mexican Homestyle Dishes, Cinco de Mayo   [Closed] 

 

Freshly-made guacamole served on a traditional Mexican pestle and mortar has been something of a rarity in Seoul. Fortunately for those who have been craving the Mexican delicacy, Seoul has Cinco de Mayo serving up authentic and traditional Mexican food.Inaddition to its guacamole made and served in a volcanic stone molcajete, the restaurant makes lots of other home-style delights such as fajitas, enchiladas and tacos. Cinco de Mayo is rightfully a favorite of many Mexican residents in Seoul includingChristianBurgos, a 25-year-old from Mexico City. Currently working in Korea as a television director and producer at KBS, JTBC and SBS, Burgos has mentioned in the talk show Non-Summitthat Cinco de Mayo is unlike the other Mexican joints around town serving fusion Mexican food. Located in Hongdae, the restaurant is colorfully decorated with Mexican handicrafts and folk art. Among the wide variety of offerings, the signature fajitadishis what the chef recommends for first timers. The sizzling fajitas are served on a cast iron which keeps all of the ingredients warm. The combination of the grilled and marinated skirt meat, onions, bell peppers and asparagus makes for a hearty meal.Mexican-stylebaked beans, as well as pico de gallo made with chopped tomatoes, cilantro and serrano peppers, are served on the side. A bottle of cold and fizzy guava Jarritos, a popular brand of soft drink in Mexico, will go perfectly with the savorydish.

 

Course 3.

An All-American Restaurant with a Cult-Like Following, Brooklyn the Burger Joint

Mark Tetto representing the United States in the show is a businessman and a television personality from New Jersey. The place in Seoul where Tetto found a taste of home is Brooklyn the Burger Joint located in the Garosugil. Furnished with retro American-style interior, the restaurant offers succulent patties and rich milkshakes. The patty, the burger’s very core, is made of 100% freshly-minced beef every day. For each type of burger, visitors can choose between a 140g smashed-patty and a 200g hand-formed patty. The most popular choices are Brooklyn Works, which has American cheese melting decadently on its patty, and Cheese Skirt, with a crisped skirt of cheddar cheese jutting out over the edges of the bun.

Course 4.

A Modern Italian Restaurant Serving Traditional Delicacies, Terra 13

Alberto Mondi is the Italian delegate on Non-Summit who has been working as a businessman and a television personality. Among the few authentic Italian eateries in Seoul, Terra 13 is the one that Mondi visits when he longs for a taste of home. At the restaurant, most Italian patrons ask the head chef Santino Sortino for his recommendation and daily specials. The signature dishes include the cream pasta with paccheri noodles and a touch of aromatic black truffles. The rich texture of the pasta go perfectly with Diablo Pizza made with Chorizo Iberico and black olives blended in spicy tomato sauce.

Course 5.

Bongmallu

Located on the so-called “lamb skewer street” of the Konkuk University area, Bongmallu specializes in Chinese hot pot. It was recommended on Non-Summit by Wang Xinlin. Originally from China, Wang is currently a doctoral candidate in electrical engineering at Seoul National University. What sets Bongmallu apart from the rest of the Chinese eateries in the area is the excellent value for money that it offers. Laid out in a buffet setting, an array of ingredients ranging from lamb, beef and seafood to vegetables is available. Two types of broth, “red” and “white,” are prepared on the table along with condiments and chopped vegetables. Using the sesame seeds, minced garlic, peanuts, coriander and scallions, guests at the restaurant are allowed to create their own dipping sauce. As Wang mentioned in the show, the sauce is nutty, spicy and just sweet enough. The red broth is extremely spicy but its rich and pleasantly tangy flavors rather are addictive.

※ Please note that this article was published in May, 2017 and the information is subject to change at any time.