Éclair is the latest dessert cafe to hit the Itaewon area. As the name suggests, it unsurprisingly specializes in French éclairs. Eclairs are one of my absolute favourite desserts of all time. Choux pastry filled with flavoured creams and topped with fondant or ganache, what could be more yummy?

At Éclair they have a large range of different flavours which will make your mouth water the moment you look at them. I have been a lover of éclairs for as long as I can remember so was very keen to try as many as possible. I would have got one of every flavour had my budget allowed, but 3 seemed to suffice. But I will definitely be back to try the rose, chocolate, and caramel next time!

We got the double vanilla, cafe, and a cherry macaroon éclair.  The macaroon eclair was delightful, filled with pistachio crème and sour cherry jam. A crispy outside with a slightly chewy center, the flavour of cherry came through well and really complimented the pistachio creme inside. The vanilla eclair was filled with vanilla cream and topped with vanilla icing. You really can’t go wrong with vanilla. The cafe coffee flavoured eclair was also nice, although I wish the filling had had a touch more flavour as it was rather on the mild side. My only complaint were the little stickers which had been put on them. There really was no point to them at all, and really should be made of edible paper if they want to use them advertise the bakery (no one want’s paper on their food).

As well as éclairs, they have a range of macaroons and chocolate drinks.We were lucky enough to sample the chocolate and it was exceptional. So rich, thick and decadent, it took me right back to Paris, where they serve it so thick, you need a spoon of whipped cream to water it down. They also have a tropical chocolate flavour which combines passion fruit and chocolate in the most delightful way. Well worth a try if you are eating in.

Éclair is located at 247-9 Itaewon dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. It’s open from 12 to 8, however they close when they run out of delicious treats so I advise you to get there early to avoid disappointment. To get there take a train to Noksapyeong station (line 6) and come out of exit 2. Walk straight until you come to the stairs and an underpass. Go through the tunnel and take the stairs on the left. Keep walking straight and follow the road around until you get to Well Being Mart. You should see that the road forks, cross over and take the left side. Keep walking straight, past Beer O’ Clock Pizza, and past the Ace Mart, then take the road that turns right directly after Ace Mart. There are lots of cool bars and restaurants along this street. Keep following the road until you reach Éclair. It’s on the right hand side opposite the CU. For more information call 02-337-8090 or check out their website.

If you are sick of eating the same old foods for dinner, then you really need to order some of these fabulous Moroccan merguez sausages from France Gourmet. I wanted to treat them special, and find a dish that lived up to their taste. Just thinking about them now is making my mouth water. It’s hard to describe their taste, I guess they are a kind of spicy sausage. But not spicy in a hot way, spicy in an amazing flavourful way. So much taste and flavour I could burst. I’ve never had a sausage like it. These caramelised onions and peppers were the perfect accompaniment along with couscous. You could also add a drizzle of tzatziki if you have the ingredients to hand.

Ingredients

500g of Merguez sausages

1 large onion

2 red peppers

2 tablespoons of brown sugar

1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

1 cup of couscous

1 cup of hot water

3 tablespoons of raisins

Directions 

1. Heat a frying pan to medium and add just a drop of oil, you don’t need much as the sausages have plenty of fat in them. Fry on each side for about 5 – 10 minutes until browned and cooked through. While the sausages are cooking, slice the onion, aubergines, and peppers. When the sausages are done, remove them from the pan but leave the fat.

2. Add your peppers, aubergines, and onions to the pan and cook for 10 -15 minutes until they have softened and started to caramelize. Then add the brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce, and cook for a further 2 minutes.

3. While your veg is softening, prepare your couscous by putting it in a bowl with the raisins then pouring over one cup of hot water. Your cup can be any size just use equal measurements of couscous and hot water. Then cover with a plate and leave for five minutes. When it’s done, use a fork to make the couscous fluffy. Serve with your sausages and caramelized vegetables. Voilà an easy and tasty dinner which doesn’t require an oven.

Sometimes in life everything comes together and things work out perfectly. This was exactly what happened in my kitchen last Sunday when I made this fabulous cassoulet. I was toying with what to make with the Chipolata sausages that I had got from France Gourmet and thought a french sausage stew would be perfect. Obviously I didn’t have the duck confit but everything else I had ready and waiting. We even had half a loaf of stale homemade bread just begging to be used. I also subbed canoli beans for baked beans as I had some and I think if anything the tomato sauce adds to the richness of the dish. It was divine and a perfect dinner for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Ingredients

500g of chipolata sausages (France Gourmet)

1 onion

4 cloves of garlic

600g of baked beans

5 rashers of bacon

1 carrot

1 stick of celery

1 glass of wine

500ml of chicken stock.

1 tablespoon of mixed herbs.

150g of bread crumbs (about half a loaf)

30g of gruyere (or nicest cheese you have)

Directions

1. Cut the bacon into small pieces and fry off until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan but leave the fat. Then add the sausages and fry for a minute on each side to brown them, then remove from the pan too.

2. Roughly chop the onions, garlic and celery. Then pour the bacon fat into a large saucepan. Heat then add the onions, fry for a minute or two before adding the celery, garlic and carrots. After a few minutes add the sausages and bacon to the pot then pour in a glass of wine, let the wine reduce then add to the stock and bring to the boil.

3. Once the stew is boiling reduce the head and stir in the beans, season with salt and pepper and add the mixed herbs. Cook for another 5 minutes, then taste the sauce, it should already be delicious by this point. While the stew is cooking grate or tear the bread into pieces of crumbs.

4.  Preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius, then put half of the stew into your dish then top with half the breadcrumbs. Top with the second half of the stew and then again with the second half of the bread crumbs.

5. Pop the the whole thing in the oven for 30 minutes, although keep an eye on the top. If the breadcrumbs look like they might burn, cover it with foil. After 30 minutes grate the Gruyere onto the top and return it to the oven for another 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the top is golden brown. Serve by itself or with mashed potato or polenta.

Last week I was invited to try the newest French restaurant to hit Itaewon. P’tit Paris is a small and cute little restaurant which specializes in crepes! J’adore crepes and all things French, so I was super excited to try them out. There is a lovely large bar in the front and seating for about 10 in the cozy restaurant at the back. The menu is in French and Korean, but the lovely Uni is there to explain everything if you need any help.

We started off with a glass of their freshly squeezed orange juice (6,000). It was so tasty, I finished mine in minutes. My dining companion remarked that it was a little warm, so maybe a few ice-cubes wouldn’t go amiss. But not too many as we really wouldn’t want to take the space of that wonderful juice.

Our first crepe to try was the Galette Champignons (12,000). I think we all know how much I love mushrooms, but mushrooms in a creamy cheese sauce wrapped up in a crepe is perfection. This was so tasty and comforting I will certainly be back to have another one. If we didn’t have more dishes coming I really would have had another one, it was just perfect.

Our sec0nd crepe was the Galette Complete (12,000). Inside were mushrooms, ham, and cheese and it was topped with an egg. This was made in the very traditional way so the the egg wasn’t cooked 100% right through. I’m personally fine with having raw egg, but for those who don’t perhaps you can ask them to cook it more. The crepe again was nice and cheese and ham is always a winning combination. Although the mushrooms were not cooked in this one, I would have loved them to have been fried in butter first.

Next up was Prosciutto salad (15,000). My assistant Victoria was starting to get a bit full by the time the salad showed up, but I really picked up the slack and ate the part of her share that she couldn’t manage. There was something so rich and creamy about this salad. Chunks of mozzarella, strips of prosciutto and lots of grated parmesan. It really was good and went perfectly with the crepes.

Finally we tried their special cinnamon apple filling crepe (15,000). This was lovely too. Just like an apple pie with a crepe instead of pie crust. It was so tasty we didn’t leave a bite. If there was a scoop of ice-cream on the top it would be heavenly. They also have a variety of other dessert crepes on the menu including Nutella!

As well as the sweet and savoys crepes and galettes , there are salads and various other accompaniment dishes on the menu. There is also plenty of booze including wine, beers, and cocktails!  With Pancake Day on the way soon (March 4th) it’s the perfect place to try if you can’t or won’t make your own.

P’tit Paris is located at 57-19 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. To get there, take a train to Itaewon station (Line6) and walk out of exit 1. Walk straight all the way down to the end of the road and walk up the hill. P’tit Paris is located in the small alleyway opposite Starbucks. For more information call 070-4243-3302 or check out their facebook page.

So, a few months ago I discovered France Gourmet. They are an amazing online French deli that delivers all over Korea. They have a fab range of ingredients that I had no idea were even attainable here, like Chipolata sausages and rillettes! I decided to order up a package of meaty treats for my beloved for Valentines Day, because nothing quite says I love you like a box of meat. We all know how a package of familiar and tasty ingredients can be just the thing to make your day a little bit more bearable.  Which is probably why I end up ordering so much from iHerb!

The first thing I knew I had to get was the Paris Ham (8,000 for 200g). The Fat Boyfriend is a big ham lover, but doesn’t really get to eat it much here in Korea. A great deli can be hard to find but they do exist, Deli Heinzenberg in Sinsa and Suji’s deli in Itaewon come to mind. But unless you live close to those areas the opportunity to get real ham is somewhat slim. I used this fab ham to make The Fat Boyfriend the best cheese and ham sandwich he has ever had.
He devoured the whole pack in less than a day and has already requested that we order some more soon.

As well as the ham I ordered a pack of the chipolata sausages (16,000 for 500g). A huge hefty pack, these sausages were so tasty. I used them to make a French  cassoulet which was so tasty and comforting. I promise to share the recipe soon.

I also got a pack of the merguez (18,000 for 500g). I do enjoy a nice meaty sausage, and theses ones were spectacular. These Moroccan style beef sausages are full of flavour. A spicy taste without being hot. I made this divine dish of sausages, caramelized onions, aubergine, and red peppers served with couscous. They can also be used to make an amazing french bread sandwich.

Spreadable meat fans should definitely try the Rillettes (8,000 for 200g) or Cognac Pate (8,000 for 200g). I love the rillettes, it’s a more meaty texture than the pate, but The Fat Boyfriend favoured the pate. We had some friends over, opened a bottle of wine and got ourselves a few baguettes and dinner was served. It was perfect, and no hassle, before long both jars were empty and the bread was gone.

As well as the aforementioned goodies, they also have Salami and chorizo available for 15,000 per 200g unit. As well as cheese, and a variety of roast beefs. I’ve got some of the chorizo and plan on using it to make a  killer paella!

If you too would like to tantalize your taste-buds with some France Gourmet goodies then check out their website for the price list, full menu and to place your order. Deliveries are done twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays and its free if you order over 100,000 worth of products. Happy Shopping!

As soon as you approach Un Deux Trois and see the little tables outside with people enjoying a glass of wine and a cigarette, it’s like being transported from Itaewon to Paris in an instant. As you walk through the doors, it just oozes the chic elegance of a French eatery. The long bar begs you to come, sit, and enjoy a cocktail, and the tables by the window invite you  to have a bowl of mussels and a glass of wine. While the booths at the back offer the perfect spot for a romantic dinner for two. French cuisine is unrivalled in the field of excellence and for good reason. This brasserie offers up a plethora of French classics at extremely reasonable prices for food that is fresh, tasty, and well executed without pretension.

Our first dish to try was the escargots (16,000). Snails are one of those dishes that scare people off. But in a beautiful garlic sauce they are nothing to fear. These were such a surprise as they were so different to what we had imagined. Encased in a bread-like pastry, we had to cut it open to get the big reveal. A similar texture to mussels, they were sweet and tasty. A great start to the meal.

I couldn’t resist ordering the moules frites. These are the house speciality at Un Deux Trois. I went for the classic au vin blanc (20,000)  but they offered a few other varieties too, including my favourite in a thai green style sauce. These were absolute perfection. I make mussels regularly at home when they are in season but they really aren’t a patch on these.  A giant bowl of mussels, these could easily serve two as an appetiser. The creamy sauce was such simplicity itself, it was not hard to drink it like a soup at the end, long after the mussels were gone. The french fries were also perfection, crisp and perfectly cooked.

As my main I had to try the steak and frites (30,000). So many times in cuisine a steak and chips can be seen as a dish for those with an unrefined palate. Not in the French brasserie however where it’s one of the most popular dishes. A perfectly cooked piece of steak, chargrilled on the outside, medium rare in the middle. A choice of three sauces is offered and I went for the bearnaise. Served  with little gem lettuce and rocket leaves, my favourite two salads, I was very happy.

My better half went for Un Deux Trois’ take on the  classic duck a l’orange, Marget De Canard (32,000). It was exquisite. The plate was like piece of art. The pommes a la dauphinoise, were cooked perfectly. The duck breast was medium, but the fat was crispy. A small tower of mushrooms on the side was fantastic. There were little pieces of baby oranges and olive around the side. Not a morsel was left on  the plate by the end. Well balanced, it complemented itself well.

After the copious amounts of cream and butter I really didn’t think that I could manage a dessert, but all that changed once I saw the menu and they had profiteroles (12,000). Nothing in life can make me drool like a profiterole. These were delightful. Filled with vanilla ice-cream, they had a a slightly more robust texture, cream, and chocolate sauce. A perfect way to end the meal.

On to the drinks, you know as well as I do that a good cocktail list can be hard to find, in a restaurant with great food. But here they took a list of classics and made them their own. I’m not a huge wine drinker myself so that’s why I enjoy a cocktail or 3 when I’m out drinking. A glass of  rose sparkling wine that comes under the 15 dollar price bracket is always such a nice start to the evening without breaking the bank. The San Tropez cocktail I tried in particular was exceptional.

Too many restaurants in Korea offer style with no substance and it is here that the face is changing. There is no where else in this price bracket that I have been to where you could get the same quality of food for the price, before you would be venturing into fine dining or haute cuisine. A steak at the Outback steak house will set you back more than 35,000 won and its not a patch on this one. A bowl of mussels and a glass of wine also under 30,000 for those who enjoy their food but on a budget. A fine meal for two would cost between 100,000-200,000 depending how much you drink and how many courses you try. Heading up the wait staff is  a French maitre-d who wears an Hermes belt, what’s more French than that?

Un Deux Trois Brasserie is located at 123-33, Itaewon dong, Seoul. To get there take a train to Itaewon station (line 6) and walk out of exit 2. Walk straight ahead for about 100 meters and you will see Un Deux Trois Brasserie on your left. They serve food from 11am-2am (Monday – Saturday) & 10am, – 12am on Sundays. Call 02-796-1244 or check out their facebook page for more details.

Last Sunday morning I was lying in bed trying to decide what to have for my breakfast. I was craving french toast, but wanted to amp up the volume and change it up a bit so I hit upon that old British classic, bread and butter pudding. What could be better than lovely custardy french toast slathered in even more, lovely vanilla custard. Part breakfast part dessert; I am not ashamed to admit that I ate the whole thing over the course of the day whilst watching episodes of Columbo on Netflix. I’m not sure if I should be rather ashamed that I am turning into my Nan, but I am not. It was a lovely way to spend the end of the weekend on a cold rainy day. Next time I might add a few berries or some Nutella to mix it up.

Ingredients

French Toast

1 1/2 loaves of bread (Morning toast bread from Paris Baguette)

300ml of cream

300ml of full fat milk

3 eggs

1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

4 tablespoons of sugar

Half a stick of butter (for frying)

Custard

6 egg yolks

1 egg

75g white sugar

25g of flour

4 teaspoons of corn flour / cornstarch (They sell it in all Korean supermarkets, it’s got a picture of corn on the front)

500ml of milk

1 tablespoon of Vanilla syrup

A few drops of vanilla extract (you can use the extract, the syrup or a vanilla pod)

Directions

Cut your loaf into 3/4 of an inch thick slices. I made mine using a fresh loaf but if you let it go stale for a day I am told it’s even better. In a large bowl beat together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla until mixed together. Heat your pan to a low/medium temperature and throw in a knob of butter. Dip a slice of bread into the custard mixture, let it soak up those juices, then turn it over to do the other side and throw it into the frying pan. Depending on the size of your frying pan you will be able to cook 2-3 slices at a time. After a few minutes it should be golden brown on the bottom side. Flip it over and do the other side for a few more minutes. Making sure that the custard has set in the middle, remove from the pan and cook the remaining slices. When all of your french toast is made, cut into triangles and arrange in your dish. Then make the lovely custard.

To make the custard whisk your egg yolks and egg with the sugar until it has become a very pale yellow. Whisk in the flour and corn flour until it has combined then set aside. Heat the milk and vanilla on a low heat until it has just started to boil then take it off the heat and whisk for 30 seconds. Slowly mix the hot milk into the yolk and flour mixture until it has combined then pour it into a saucepan. Put the custard on a very low heat and whisk it continuously until it begins to thicken. This will happen all at once so make sure you keep an eye on it or it will curdle. Once it’s thickened into custard you can remove from the heat and pour it all over the french toast.  Sprinkle the top with sugar and bake in the oven at 180ºC for about 20 minutes, until the sugar has browned and you have a lovely bread and buttery goodness on your hands. Serve with extra maple syrup if you have a seriously sweet tooth.

Suji’s Deli has been a stalwart of the expat community for many years now. However there are still plenty of new arrivals that are unaware of this fabulous restaurant located at the very end of Itaewon. They have just relaunched to promote a new deli and takeaway service in addition to the restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have been meaning to write my review of Suji’s for some time now, and the new deli is the perfect reason to do so. Plus, they invited me to their media party at which they let me try lots of their yummy foods and drinks. It was my first media party and was fabulous, finally my Media degree is paying off.

The menu at Suji’s is large and has pretty much every option you could hope for covered . Omelettes, French Toast, Eggs Benedict, pancakes, bagels, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pastas. I have eaten here plenty of times and am quite fond of the Eggs Florentine. What sets Suji’s apart from other brunch restaurants in Seoul is the fact that almost everything they serve is made in house. The meats and salmon are cured, the breads are baked, and all of the potato salads, pickles, mustards, and sauces are all made on the premises. They have even started selling their own coffee, which after trying I have to say is lovely. Pair it with a freshly baked cinamon bun or bagel and breakfast is good to go.

Whist taking some picticture I decided to stay and have some brunch. After having a long look at the new menu, I couldn’t resist my favourite Turkey Club Sandwich (13,000). I love the turkey here, it’s even better than the stuff I would buy at home. This sandwich is perfection. Throw in some chips and coleslaw and I’m in sandwich heaven.

My lovely friend Matt  accopanied me on the trip and ordered the Spanish Omelette (13,500). He let me try some and it was cooked to perfection. Despite their simplicity omelettes can easily go wrong but this one was spot on. With toast and potatoes it was a nice hearty start to the day.

I think you are all more than aware, that I can’t consider a meal to be brunch unless there’s booze involved. Luckily Suji’s has me covered with my favourite Bloody Mary (8,000) which always comes adorned with a giant piece of celery. They also have a peach bellini (7,000) or mimosas on the menu. It’s the most fun way to cure a hangover. However always expect to queue for around 30 minutes if you come on a Saturday or Sunday as it’s very busy.

Suji’s Deli is located on the 2nd floor of Yangjin building, 34-145 Itaewon-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul. To get their take a train Itaewon station (line 6). Walk straight out of exit 4 for about 5 minutes, past Mcdonalds until you reach the gate. Suji’s Deli is at the very end of the road on the left, just around the Skinfood shop. You can call them on 02-797-3698 or check out their website  for more information and to take a look at their menu.

This sandwich is the holy grail of grilled cheeses. It requires a lot more effort than a regular grilled cheese but boy is the pay off worth it. The spectacular taste of French onion soup all contained in sandwich form. It was so good that the second I finished mine I looked over to my boyfriend to see that he had half of his left. I almost ripped it right out of his hands it was so good. Now sadly this sandwich doesn’t come cheap as the Gruyère and proper bread can set you back a fair whack, about 20,000. It also takes a good 30 minutes to caramelize the onions, but every second spent by the stove will be worth it when you bite into this glorious creation.

Ingredients

4 slices of really nice bread

2 onions

120g of Gruyere cheese

1 glug of olive oil

1/2 a stick of butter

1 tablespoon of white sugar (optional)

Directions

Start by chopping your onions into thin slices. Heat your frying pan to medium then add a glug of olive oil and a a knob of the butter. When the butter has melted add the onions.They will take around 30 minutes to caramelize so be patient. Never leave your pan’s side even for a second. Stir them regularly to make sure they are getting an even coverage. They should be golden brown when they are done but not burned. While your onions are cooking, grate your Gruyère. I find that the Korean onions don’t brown as much as I would like, so if you want add a tablespoon of white sugar about 20 minutes in to help them out a little. When the onions are done remove them from the pan and place in a bowl. Butter one side of each piece of bread Then put two slices of the bread butter side down in your frying pan. Then top each slice with a quarter of the grated cheese.

Then add the caramelized onions.

Finally add the last of the cheese and place a slice of bread on top butter face up. Heat your pan to medium, and cook for a few minutes on one side before carefully flipping it over to cook the other side. The bread should be golden brown and the cheese should have melted. When they are ready, serve and devour. Voilà the best cheese sandwich you are ever likely to have.

Taipei was not the foodie trip I had imagined it to be, as we spent a large quantity of out time drinking. I did manage to pack in a few culinary delights for you to enjoy which I shall present to you now.

Most of the eating that we did went on at our Hotel. We decided to treat ourselves and stay at the W. It certainly did not disappoint. The food was all spectacular, especially the breakfast buffet. Highlights included the french toast, fried rice, Eggs Benedict, and Caesar salad served in a giant bowl made from Parmesan.

Lazing by the pool can really take it out of you so to keep up our strength we ordered some chicken quesadillas and french fries with truffle mayo’ and a truffle, rocket, and fontina cheese pizza.

Being the lazy trollops we are we also enjoyed various delights from the room service menu, including a Reuben sandwich, a club sandwich and some bircher muesli.

The star of the W show really was the cocktails, I was too drunk to remember all the names so i’ll just show you the pictures instead. They also came served with the best free bar snacks ever, test tubes filled with potato chips and wasabi peas. I dread to think how many of these I consumed. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t account to your daily calorie allowance if they are free though.

You possibly know how I adore the 7-11 . Although no Hong Kong, Taipei 7-11 still had a few favourites within its grasp, inclusing malteasers, mixed berry skittles and Kinder buenos. So not too bad a haul.

I had made plans to visit Din Tai fung whilst there but didn’t get around to it. We still managed to have plenty of soup dumplings though, as there was a handy restaurant in the department store next to the hotel. We tried the usual pork ones, a curry and leek, and a few vegetarian varieties. We came here twice so I am quite sure I managed to get my quota of dim sum.

Sadly our trip ended on a bad note when we managed to lose my bag filled with duty free goodies somewhere between the taxi and the house. Some lucky son of a gun will be feasting upon my Godiva goodies and Mango vodka as we speak. There’s $60 I’ll never see again. Though as they say worse things have happened at sea. All in all it was a great trip and a good time was had by all.