Crêpes, Galettes and a Bottle of Cider at La Celtique

La Celtique 

서울특별시 종로구 체부동 19

5-10 ChangCheon-dong,

Seodaemungu, Seoul, SOUTH KOREA

google map// naver map

Galettes (11,000 ~ 13,000 won) + Crêpe (5,000 ~10,000 won)

Merry Christmas!!

Although I had not been expecting today would be the day I would write about this crêperie, as I did visit the place as an 'early christmas celebration' that I so dearly miss AND after what is my 3rd glass of wine... I thought it would be a good secret place to share. 

Ever since falling in love with Galettes (which I learnt later on were buckwheat crêpes) in Hong Kong, I've been trying to look out for anything similar ever since. Yet despite the surge in brunch spots around town, there seemed to be a distinct lack of anything as similar to a half-cooked egg bathed in melted emmanuel cheese with truffles.

Anyhow, as we were in a mood for a 'light' lunch before our  'early christmas celebration', I was searching for later brunch options when I stumbled across this crêperie that was apparently run by an actual french guy (who we later discovered looks like an aging Waldo). After quickly convincing my early christmas date on merits of a crêpe, we made our way to Shinchon for my very first crêpe in Seoul.

And look they even have proper cider that is not magners or strongbow! :D

The place was very very homey and christmas themed (and you can see our aged waldo lookalike chef in the back-ground!

After getting a glass or two of french cider (which seem to be a lot less sweet and stronger than the apple-flavoured Strongbow and Magners!), we finally decided on our galettes :) we got the supreme with mushrooms, cheese and half-cooked egg and the galette Saucisse which came with homemade sausages and onions!

Our chef cooking away :)

He even kindly explained that the egg should be cut and spread before eating, which I never knew before. But there, now I know how to properly eat a galette.
If you're into a dish full of strong bold flavours then you should definitely go for the sausage galette instead.. as the dish was very simple and rustic tasting (which I loved).
If there was one thing i would do differently... would be either to add more cheese :D :D and definitely definitely a scoop of truffle to go with it.

Although I've never been much of a dessert person, we thought it was only fair if we left the crêperie after trying a crêpe as well.. .which led to us having one with chocolate and orange marmalade! I had never tried the combination before.. and it turned out to be a divine surprise to eat and munch our way through!

Our lunch was definitely a success! And I have a feeling I will be returning to this place time after time maybe even just to say hi at the adorable french waldo chef. 

Lemon Tarts at Aux Petits Verre

Aux Petits Verre

서울특별시 종로구 체부동 19

19 Chebu-dong (24 Jahamunro 5gagil), 

Jongrogu, SEOUL, KOREA

google map// naver map

Lemon Tart (7,000 WON) + Tea (5,000 WON)

Although I didn't think it would take this long for me to start blogging about the food, drinks, places or any odd bits and pieces of my life in Seoul...it has been more than 4 months since I started my hectic life here. 

Although I've been to several excellent restaurants, today's little dessert shop was just what I needed on a sunday afternoon feeling slightly home-sick and slightly displaced. 

The shop is apparently owned by Master Chef Korea season one runner-up Park Jun Ooh (박준우),

and is famous for their lemon tarts!

I've come to learn that everything that's 'famous' in Korea, means that it's super over-crowded, super unfriendly and usually not that impressive.. (especially the western cuisine/desserts).

However I was surprised to visit on a sunday afternoon a rather tiny and quiet shop, where there was nothing on the menu except 5-6 tarts (and meringue cake), teas and french wine.

It is strange but the more concentrated and short the menus are these days... the more faith I have in the quality of the food... :)

Anyhow.. after looking through the menu and walking around to take a peak at the tarts,

we decided to share a lemon tart and a glass of tea (which I forgotten the name of.. )

It was a nice concept to be able to smell the teas prior to choosing them, and we were soon persuaded to try a cup of tea rather than a cup of coffee.

I think I'll just have to come back for the chocolate tart and the strawberry one...

Although i really was not expecting a proper lemon tart... This little surprise turned out to be one of the best lemon tarts I've tasted in a while. Delightfully light on top of a perfect crust..., it was neither overly sweet nor sour and really (ACTUALLY) tasted like lemons! 

It took enormous amount of self-control to not suggest to my friend to order another one.. perhaps the strawberry one.. going along the lines of "how much damage can a little tart do?"

But going along with the rationale it better to leave the place craving for another bite so that soon i'll just have to return for another bite, we quickly exited the tiny little place hidden in Seoul.

And now, although i'm not sure if anyone does read my blog anymore,

begins my journey through finding what I love to eat in Seoul!