Mad For Garlic in Korea has a completely garlic menu

The Garlic For You Steak is one of the signature dishes on the menu.

This article can also be read  at www.Koreataste.org and www.goneseoulsearching.com

    I'm simply mad for garlic! Upon moving to Korea I am trying to live a healthier lifestyle by including foods like garlic, green tea, and ginseng in my everyday diet. That's why when a friend told me about Mad For Garlic, we decided to spend our New Years Eve toasting with fine wine and bad breathe! Yes everything on the menu has tons of garlic in it, there is even garlic gelato for dessert. You may be just as surprised as I was to find out that the franchise is a Korean chain that has recently become international with locations in Singapore, Indonesia, and Hawaii to name a few. The Italian Wine Bistro first opened in Seoul in 2001, and now has 11 locations in Korea.

Try the steamed mussels in tomato garlic sauce for an appetizer.

     Plan on spending alot of money at this restaurant. Between my boyfriend and I we managed to spend around 100,000 won, but we also ate enough for four people! This is a great place to spend a romantic date, or celebrate a special event. The atmosphere is extremely romantic, there are dim lights and wine glasses dangling from beautiful wooden beams in the ceiling. The garlic theme is also represented in the decorations such as a garlic wreath, and garlic ornaments on the restaurants Christmas tree in December.

The crab and lobster pasta comes with plenty of seafood.

For an appetizer try out the garlic steamed mussels in the red sauce. There is always a great debate between my friends and I about whether or not red or white is better with this dish. However, at Mad For Garlic the red sauce is clearly the winner. Order some extra bread to dip in the bucket of extra sauce. This dish is humongous and will be enough to share with others unless you are stingy with your seafood!  The garlic tower bread is also a must, and comes literally packed full of garlic which is then smashed down into the tower by the waiter right in front of you.

End with garlic gelato.

   The sweet potato pizza is a huge let down. The only cheese on the entire pizza is about 4 little balls on each slice, and it comes served with a mayonnaise like sauce all over the top. Its pretty much like ordering a thin crust pizza with salad on top. Don't experiment on any other types of pizza, and simply order the Gorgonzola pizza $16.90 which is perfectly cooked with a thin crust and lots of garlic and cheese. If you want a little seafood in the mix try out the crab and lobster pasta. The sauce isn't to die for, but the seafood is definitely fresh and they give you plenty of succulent lobster.
    The steak on the menu is all from Australia, and so the cuts are some of the most expensive items on the menu. The Garlic For You Steak comes served on a sizzling plate with sauteed bell peppers, onions, garlic cloves, and an entire head of garlic on top, stem and all just in case you didn't get enough! The steak was cooked to perfection, and is a reasonable price of $32.90 which is very reasonable for this cut in Korea.
    For dessert ordering the garlic gelato is a must, and don't forget to top off the meal with a nice glass of wine. The house red wine from Chile is a great choice that compliments almost any dish with its light and sweet aromas. There is a little bite to it, but it wears off immediately with a smooth after taste.
    Visit The Mad For Garlic Stores page to see the nearest locations to you. You can also view a menu, but it is not the most updated version. With all of the locations throughout Seoul you are bound to find one close by. Good luck and enjoy your garlic!

If you have any questions or comments about "Mad For Garlic in Korea has a completely garlic menu"  please leave them in the comment box below or email them to seoulfoodgirl@gmail.com

  Gone Seoul Searching by Marie Webb is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at goneseoulsearching@gmail.com.

Enjoy fresh, simple, and elegant Italian food at Vapianos

    Vapianos is the best Italian food I have had so far in Seoul. With locations in 39 countries, Vapianos has set out to show the world what fresh and authentic Italian food should be like.
     All of the food at Vapianos is made to order. Upon entering the restaurant you receive a swipe card and are seated. Then you take your swipe card and order your food at one of the many stations which include pasta, pizza, salad, dessert and wine bar. The cute Korean chefs are happy to take your order and customize your meal as they cook everything right in front of you. You can stay and watch them cook your meal, or you can return to your table and they will serve you.

    All of the prices are very reasonable and you can have an appetizer, main course, wine, and dessert for around 30,000 won per person. I recommend ordering the bruschetta for an appetizer only 4,000 won, and the carbonara pasta as a main course. The carbonara is only 12,000 won and comes with fresh Parmesan cheese, a light creme sauce, egg, and bacon. Definitley save room for dessert. The panna cotta is topped with raspberry and is served in an adorable mason jar.  As a pretty picky Italian eater, I was pleasantly surprised with how fresh and simple the ingredients were at Vapianos. This is one of those restaurants where you want to savor every single bite; and you are so satisfied that you might even leave a little food on your plate so that you don't feel too full!

    The wine selection at Vapianos is truly amazing without breaking your budget. Order a glass of the Barbera D'Asti for only 8,800 won which comes from the province of Asit in northern Italy near Torino. My good friend Andrea drank this wine every week when she lived in Bologna. This red wine is stored in oak barrels which gives it a sweet yet deep and robust flavor that goes good with almost anything on the menu.
 

    The coolest part of Vapianos its signature style. They are known for their color red, and providing an urban and upscale interior. Each room has its own style, while keeping with the natural atmosphere. There are hundreds of fresh basil plants throughout the restaurant and if you want you can go ahead and pick your own to eat; however there will be plenty of fresh basil on anything your order!
   This is one restaurant where you can get lost in time. I spent about two hours soaking in the low key yet modern atmosphere. The hip fire place and dim lighting throughout the restaurant made me feel right at home. Not to mention the outstanding service of the chefs, waiters, and clerks who were always checking to make sure you were absolutely perfect.

   There are three Vapianos located in Seoul. Personally, I recommend the location in Gangnam. Simply take Line 2 and exit no. 5 where Vapianos will be directly on the corner on the second floor above the Smoothie King. Gangnam is known for being the much newer and upscale Manhattan part of Seoul, and Vapianos is a perfect way to experience what Gangnam has to offer. Still curious about Vapianos? Visit their international website at www.vapianointernational.com. Finally, thanks to Christine one of my coworkers students at YBM for sharing Vapianos with us and showing us a great night out in Gangnam!

 










If you have any other questions or comments about Vapianos please leave them in the comment box below or email seoulfoodgirl@gmail.com.

  Gone Seoul Searching by Marie Webb is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at goneseoulsearching@gmail.com.