I went to Dongdaemun for lunch. The place was the JW Marriott in Dongdaemun, nicknamed “Dong-riott”, and it was better put together than I expected. With BLT Steak, the famous New York steakhouse, in the building too, I’d say it is just about top level for the north side of the river.
Main entrance
There was a group booking in, but the tables are spaced well apart, so it was a very comfortable meal.
The Dongdaemun view
The wall of glass in front is wide open and refreshing. I wondered how the view would be from such a low floor, but there is nothing to fault here.
Meat
The galbi was pretty good.
Pho
Never got around to it in the end.
Salmon
Had a slice, doubling as my salad.
Pizza oven
They seemed to be doing proper pizza, but I had to save room..
Foie gras
Delicious enough to rank among the best foie gras I have had in Korea.
Barbecue
The theme was Texas-style barbecue, but, well, it was just okay. There was so much else that was tastier..
All sorts of nibbles
Olives of all kinds too
Cheese
Apart from the homemade cheese, it was good.
Desserts
The Dong-riott has a dessert shop called Seoul Baking Company. I am not too familiar with the north side of the river, so this was the first time I had heard of it, but once I tasted their stuff, the level was seriously high. The Shilla Hotel’s pastry is a bit more refined, but this place holds its own.
Cakes
The Paris-Brest was delicious.
Desserts
Some of them are only so-so, mind you, so choose carefully..
Petits gateaux
Pretty to look at and well made.
Watermelon juice
This was the only juice on offer, but maybe because I visited at the peak of the summer heat, it tasted pretty good.
Champagne
I could hardly believe it, but the champagne was free-flowing too. Being daytime, I kept it to a sensible glass or two.
Lobster
The lunch special is half a lobster grilled in butter, and it is genuinely delicious. This one moved me a little.. It is 100,000 won a head, but I never expected it to be this good. Not a single won wasted.
Snow crab and galbi
Getting two of my favourite foods on one plate is something only a hotel buffet makes possible. I never used to care much for buffets, but these days wandering around hunting for food feels like a chore, and eating like this once in a while is nice too.
Fresh foie gras, seared to order
You absolutely have to try this.. The bread, which I think is made with cheese, is delicious too.
Aglio e olio pasta
Ask for it and they cook it right there on the spot, so of course it tastes wonderful. Why did they even bother with that Texas barbecue event.. when they have so many tastier things like this..
Crepe
This is also made to order at the dessert corner. Delicious.
There was plenty more to eat besides, and on average it was all good. If a hotel buffet is at this level, it is worth coming back regularly. Though I’d need to lose a lot of weight first..
After eating I somehow ended up doing a lap of the neighbourhood, and so this is what DDP looks like..
I keep meaning to visit it someday, but this time too I ran out of time and failed.
And that evening I had a cake I’d bought from Seoul Baking Company at the Dong-riott.
Nothing special, just proof that I am a middle-aged guy now..
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