Arriving in Seoul, South Korea
As many of you know from reading my Tweets, I recently was on a two-week journey to Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Dubai, Nice, and Cannes. The first stop on my circumnavigation of the globe, which, by the way, was a business trip, began in Seoul, South Korea. Charles Koppelman, our Chairman, joined me for the Asian portion of the junket, which took us to many business meetings. After landing at Seoul Incheon International Airport, we drove about forty minutes to downtown Seoul, crossing the beautiful Youngjong Bridge, one of more than two-dozen bridges connecting the different parts of Seoul. I discovered that unlike other growing Asian cities, such as Peking, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, to name a few, Seoul does not have a soaring a skyline – not yet, anyway.
1 Here I am with Charles at the Seoul Incheon International Airport after our long flight on Korean Air.
2 This is the Youngjong Bridge, the longest self-anchored suspension bridge in the world and was built by Samsung corporation.
3 The Banghwa Bridge, also spanning Korea's Han River, is a balanced arch truss type bridge and is painted the same color as the golden gate bridge in San Francisco.
4 The Seoul Parliament building stands gloriously in the distance with its giant green dome.
5 The Wonhyo Bridge connects the districts of Yongsan-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu.
6 After checking into our hotel, The Grand Hyatt, we were feted at a dinner at this traditional Korean restaurant where a banquet of many courses was served.
7 Hyundai Card executives were our hosts for this lovely evening at Samcheonggak, a cultural center.
8 Samcheonggak is a beautiful building of wood, paper, and glass construction - typical of Korean architecture.
9 We were seated for dinner in a private room of the restaurant.
10 My place card
11 The table flowers were very pretty - all hot house grown.
12 Makgeolli is a classic Korean aperitif made from a mixture of wheat and rice, which gives it a milky, off-white color, and sweetness.
13 The makgeolli was served in a pottery bowl and scooped into cups with a wooden ladle.
14 Delicate rice flour pancakes were served to roll around various fillings of julienned and pickled vegetables.
15 It took quite a while to roll these crepe-like appetizers, which were served with a delicate sauce.
16 The filling of the pancakes
17 All the filling was done with a spoon and a set of chopsticks, the main utensils of the Korean table.
18 I didn't find out what tinted the batter this bright yellow, but it was delicious!
19 A service of the pancakes
20 There was also a large, fresh, sweet scallop sliced and served with peppers, radish, and a savory sauce.
21 And beef braised and served in a hot iron dish with garlic cloves. Did you think they were small potatoes? I did!
22 This is a Korean hotpot - a small silver utensil filled with broth, shellfish, and vegetables. A heating element (Sterno) placed in the center under the chimney, heats the soup.
23 There was also a delicate fish, spiced and grilled.
24 This is pork and mushrooms served in a tasty broth.
25 Flavorful kimchi and various pickles are traditional accompaniments.
26 A rich plum wine was served later in the meal.
27 For dessert, a type of mochi was served with a sweet rice broth.
28 Here I am for a portrait with one of our hosts, Su-jin Kim, President of Food and Culture Korea.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Very interesting. I really like picture #6. It looks so mystical.
Thanks for the tour.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | July 2nd, 2011 at 12:16 am
Happy Canada Day Martha! Looks like your trip was lots of fun. Come see a vintage Mountie.
Posted by: BluBabesCreate | July 2nd, 2011 at 12:44 am
Hi Martha,
Thanks for sharing the first leg of your business trip with us. Those bridges you were driven over are something to behold, literally like being in the air. I'm not fond of those kinds of bridges, too scary. Interesting food too - I would have been starving by the time the pancakes were rolled and served but they looked worth the wait. And small potatoes, what potatoes? I think you could have used your macro setting for that picture.
~
I just noticed in my comment of yesterday that I said Camp Sycamore was featured in the July issue of your magazine when it is actually Camp Sagamore. The rustic log cabin look is just beautiful! Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 2nd, 2011 at 9:40 am
Hi Martha, I love your blogs and posting one on a Saturday is very special! I did love seeing and reading your tweets and twitpics about your circumnavigation of the globe! Those were fantastic to receive as is this terrific blog post today! You and Charles must have had a wonderful time during the Asian portion of your trip. You did look a little tired in these photos. but I'll bet you got invigorated as the time went by with the business meetings and the delicious different meals in each area. It is so much fun to see what foods people eat in all of these different countries around the world. Their foods must depend upon what ever is available in each country-fascinating! All of these photos were superb and your comments were fabulous! Hope you are having a wonderful 4th of July weekend and thanks again for posting today! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 2nd, 2011 at 10:41 am
Enjoy Seoul! It's one beautiful (and very busy) city.
Posted by: Krista | July 2nd, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Dear Martha,
I always enjoy your website because there are lots of lots of beautiful and delicious things and tips.(so if I am very hungry, I try not to visit.^^)
I hope you will have a wonderful time in Korea.
We have various kinds of food, not only spicy but also mild, that you can enjoy here in Korea so also I hope you will be able to taste variety of Korean food !
Sincerely
one of your pretty fans
Posted by: Eunsook Lee | July 2nd, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Hi Martha,
Very interesting places you went to love the images of the beautiful and delicious dishes. I read on twitter that you were in Dubai and sent you a tweet asking how long you were staying because I wanted to meet you in Dubai, unfortunately did not receive any reply. I really wanted to attend your book signing event there. It is a wish of mine and an honor to meet you. Happy fourth of July! Wish you a wonderful week.
Posted by: Rowaida FlaYhan | July 4th, 2011 at 1:51 am
Dear Martha,
I am so happy that you are there...,
Try many foods and when you have time, Pls go to Chung Gae Chun (Chung Gae River) at night.
You need to wear comportable shoes and take lots of picure there.
Also, you can find something pretty staff in Ssam Ji Kil Shopping mall,(In Sa Dong, Queen of England also visited there few years ago)
Don't miss these!!!
Posted by: Miae Buie | July 4th, 2011 at 10:52 am
I really enjoyed your tour of Korean cuisine. The pototoe remark was funny. Are the big white things garlic? It's difficult to get sweet garlic. Tell us more. Do you grow sweet garlic? Also, I loved your Martha Stewart picture of July 4 decorated bike. I used to decorate my kids' bikes for our local village summer festival. I used fresh flowers from my garden and most stayed looking good for several hours. That about 35-yrs.-ago now. Thanks for treating us to Martha's Way! It's a Good Thing.
Posted by: may delory | July 4th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Korean Air does have great TV ads.
Posted by: ann | July 4th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
How about getting the real recipe on how to make kimchi (the cabbage one). I heard that homemade is different from the jar.
Posted by: Jean Conklin | July 4th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Where do you register for the free craft basket with all the tools.
Posted by: Cathy | July 4th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
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Hi Martha!
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Checking in on your health and happiness. Mine is in world wide taste savoring too! Hope our trails cross as we both keep fruitful walking a passion.
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Andrea and the Weimaraners
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Posted by: Andrea J. Spencer on Facebook | July 4th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
I love, love, love this post Martha!! Take care and thanks! Wanday
Posted by: Wanday Ray | July 5th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Hi Martha!
I wished I knew you were here in Korea. We have many military/dod families here! South Korea is an awesome country (well except their driving skills) with so much great food!! You posted a picture of Kimchi, and rice cake. Those are just some of the delicacy here! What did you like the most? Did you try Doekpoki? How about Mandu? It is best when its made in a booth on the street.
Glad you had a good time, maybe next time you can come by one of our American installations, and say hi!! We would love to have you!!
Michelle Davis
Posted by: Michelle Davis | July 5th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Martha, how wonderful and you should never go to South Korea without me...Seoul is my favorite city in the world. I will one day move and live there. I have been there several times and can't go there enough. Thank you for the picturs...I eat there a lot more traditional. Hugs and kisses Honey Airborne!!!
Posted by: Honey Airborne | July 5th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Lucky you! I lived in Korea for just under two years and fell in love with the country, their hospitality and their food. Oh, please tell me they took you to Insadong in Seoul - a wonderfully artsy, traditional corner of the city. If not, you MUST check it out next time you're there!
Posted by: Lori-Anne | July 5th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Hi Martha,
Glad that you landed safely at Seoul.
Can't wait till you arrive at Malaysia...what is the date actually you arrive here?
See you soon
Posted by: butique4u | July 6th, 2011 at 12:56 am
Hope your travels are everything that you dream of!!! When you return, please contact me in reference to the invitation that was extended to me on 09/21/10 on Sirius radio about what sisters do on vacation. We sisters, seven of us, just returned from Asheville N.C. celebrating a birthday. (60 yrs. old) and we are planning another one in the fall. You said to call back in the spring/summer and you would help us plan it. Thanks and safe return
Posted by: mary willey | July 6th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
I hope you did the royal queen of England tour.
Posted by: Sheila wright | July 9th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Hi Martha! Good to have met you again in Kuala Lumpur after last year's visit and you simply look gorgeous as always! Let me know if u r coming to this side of the world again. Great days ahead for you Martha from a friend in KL - azlina lol
Posted by: azlina | July 13th, 2011 at 11:36 am
Hi Martha! I had vacation in Korea 2-5 July, and I arrived Incheon Airport the same day as you. I didn't know you're in town too
I wish to meet you some day!!
Posted by: Tipkunchorn from Bangkok | July 21st, 2011 at 2:30 am