Born and bred Bangkokian Deary, a friend of Phanganist has recently opened her Korean restaurant Super Soeul, we caught up with her to find out about this delicious and gaining popularity cuisine…
What do you love about Bangkok Deary?
Bangkok has always been my city home. The city is the best mixture between the traditional thai and urban lifestyle.
Especially the food culture here in Bangkok is awesome, you can find everything here, from local street food, coffee shops, cafés’, boulangeries, bars, all all kinds of culinary wonders.
You have recently opened Super Seoul, a Korean Restaurant in the heart of the city, has this always been a dream of yours?
Since a very young age I have always been a foodie, I grew up in Bangkok with parents who had been involved in food, wine and property business.
I have always searched for good places to dine and new dishes to try.
Bangkok is the city that people always. eat out… at least twice a week. It has always been my dream that one day I will open a place in Bangkok for people to come and have a good hearty meal and hang out throughout the day and night.
So after six years working in marketing/and branding in the corporate world, plus traveling around the world, and around Thailand to taste different foods. I have decided to quit my full time corporate job, and partnered up with my family and a few friends and connections to start this venture.
Why Korean food and what kind of menu do you have?
Why Korean – I have felt in love with Korean culinary after I experienced Korean home-cooking from my Korean boyfriend’s family.
After trying, tasting, and studying a lot about Korean food, I foresaw the opportunity to expand Korean food trend here in Thailand. Especially a good home cooking Korean meal.
In my view, Korean cuisine is very interesting, especially the way they mix ingredients together to create a dish. Especially the way they put together the super traditional ingredient like ‘Kimchi’ and then mix it with Korean paste, and very western ingredients like cheese, spam, and sausages to make Budaejjigae.
Our offerings at Super Seoul are comprised of two categories.
1. The real home cooking meal of seoul’s kitchen” that you cannot really find here in Bangkok, such as Gamjatang (spicy pork bone soup),
2. 'Korean fusion creation' of Korean ingredient/concept mixed with western & thai culinary e.g. Kimchi salsa with chips (Korean + Mexican), Spicy carbonara ramyeon (Korean + Italian).
We also have selections of Korean drinks like Cass (Korean beer), Traditional Soju, Soju Bomb, Soju Yogurt, Makgeolli (korean rice wine), Korean plum soda with lime, and Korean grape juice. Freshly grinded coffee with our special recipe.
How do you want people to feel in Super Seoul, describe the atmosphere and/ambiance...?
We aim to give our customers the chill café’ vibe so that city people can get away from the everyday office/ high rise tall buildings feel.
A ‘green’ escape from busy life – through the green colour of tiles, trees, and wooden furniture.
People can come hang out here, get a real and hearty home cooked Korean meal, coffee, and drinks!
The interior décor is a mixture between a European café’ vibe with Korean traditional props, utensils. What are the differences in Korean and Thai cuisine would you say?
I would say the spices are the key differences. Korean has their signature spices/sauce that are the core of the food.
E.g. gochujang (chilli paste), doenjang (soybean paste) and of course ‘Kimchi’ – mixture in many dishes. Also home cooking Korean food always come with ‘Banchan’ (side dishes)
Did you do anything special for your opening?
We have just opened for one full month to test run the operations, get feedback from customers on our food and services.
Next month we are expecting to host a grand opening, and revise our menu offerings a bit to best serve what our customers want
And what do you like to do when you're not busy with the restaurant?
Party, yoga, and cooking!
Leave us with your 'food philosophy'...
‘Ingredients matter’ – I believe that good and well selected ingredients will bring out the best of each dish!