by Ashley Heil

I don't know what has taken us so long to write a review on Mix and Malt because it's in our top 3 favorite restaurants and one of the places that we are repeatedly amazed with. But every now and then we become surprised that there are some people that still don't know about Mix and Malt, so we figured a review was finally due. Mix and Malt is an American restaurant and bar, with a wide range of cocktails and drinks, and a full menu of delicious food that you choose from an iPad to order. The atmosphere is dim but romantic and cozy. Everything we've had there has always been amazing. Among our favorites are the lasagna (American-style, very cheesy), the mayonnaise-filled but scrumptious BLT, some of the best fish and chips you can find in Seoul, spaghetti and meatballs, bangers and mash, and an excellent chili and rice dish. Additionally we've also tried the Fish and Chips (served with malt vinegar), poutine with fresh mozzarella, and a new crab snack. Everything again was amazing. We've never had a single bad thing at Mix and Malt. Recently, they've added a French dip sandwich with cheese on top and a side of au jus (~18,000 won), made with the same roast beef that they use with on the Roast beef plate. This sandwich is so tender and delicious, and we ended up liking it even more than the Roast beef plate. It was a very hearty portion of meat as well, so I ended up being comfortably full. Recently they also added Mix and Malt makes some of our favorite cocktails as well, including their Dark Mojito, Moscow Mule, and a Dirty Martini.  For 3 or so dishes shared between 2 people and a cocktail each, prices can go 60,000 won and up, but for a nice night out Mix and Malt is well worth it. 

Directions:  From Hyehwa station exit 4,  come out and go to the left. Keep walking a while until you get to a big intersection at 대학로 11 길. Turn right, and look for the starbucks across the street and to the left a little. Cross the street, and turn right in front of the Starbucks. It will be a short way down on the left.

From 성균관 (Sungkyunkwan) bus stop facing toward the big Dunkin Donuts shop, then take the little alley between Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. It's a little ways down the road on the left. 

Hours: 5pm-2am
Address: 종로구 창경궁로 29길 3, Seoul, Korea
Phone: 02-765-5945

by Ashley Heil.

The Damatori Makgeolli bar, or "ㅎ" Makgeolli bar, is our favorite place to go for Makgeolli in Seoul. Located in Haebongchon, or "HBC", it serves Makgeolli from all 8 of the different regions of South Korea (they are listed by region on the menu). They also serve awesome Pajeons and Dubu Kimchi to accompany your Makgeolli. Usually they insist you buy some food to go along with the Makgeolli, but if you don't want to spend a lot of money, you can get a tomato salad for 5,000 won. If you're new to drinking Makgeolli, they offer a sampler of 5 small cups of Makgeolli for 3,000 won. You can choose the 5 you'd like to try, or the bar can give you their recommendations. This is a great way to see which Makgeollis you like. The prices range from about 5,000 won to 20,000 won a bottle, so it usually ends up being much cheaper to come here with some friends and enjoy a few bottles of Makgeolli than it would be going out for cocktails or craft beer. If you've never tried Makgeolli other than the ubiquitous Seoul Makgeolli, this is the bar to come to!

Here are some of our recommendations of Makgeolli to try:
1. 복순도가 (Boksundoka) A premium, champagne-like Makgeolli. It was very bubbly and slightly sweet. Really different from other Makgeollis we've tried!
2. 느린 마을  (Neurin Maeul): One of our go-to Makgeollis we order almost every time. This one is great because it uses no aspartame like other Makgeollis, only natural sweeteners. It's pretty balanced, has a slight apple taste, is a little sweet, and refreshing.
3. 알밤 (Al-bam): This one is a creamy, chestnut-flavored, sweet Makgeolli. This one was one of our original favorites and we recommend it to people new to drinking Makgeolli!

Directions: Go to Noksapyeoung station, exit 2.
Come out and walk a ways down the road, and turn left when the road veers off, and walk past the kimchi pots. Keep walking until pass Bonny's pizza, and it'll be on your left. Look for the ㅎ sign.

Enjoy!