Landed on a tropical island: Seoul Vibe, Korean food in Thailand

Els van Wijlen is currently staying with her husband 'de Kuuk' on Koh Phangan. Her son Robin has opened a coffee cafe on the island.

A taste explosion during a culinary adventure on Koh Phangan.

I used to not be such a picky eater. Fortunately, my mother was easy. The plate obliges to eat empty and eat what the pot is, she didn't do that. My dinner often consisted of Grandma's soup, beans and applesauce. Or a sandwich with sprinkles. My children have also been raised in that spirit.

My culinary curiosity has grown over the years and if it doesn't look too intently at me from the plate, I want to try it. With varying degrees of success; as recorded in my story: Chicken in Tough Times.

Now I am lucky that I live here on Koh Phangan, where many nationalities have to be fed for a short or longer period of time. In addition to countless Thai restaurants, you will find Italian, French, Greek, Belgian, Mediterranean cuisine, dishes from the Middle East, German, Russian, Indonesian, Indian, Mexican, South American, Portuguese, Oriental, Turkish, Japanese, Persian or… The only and first Korean restaurant: www.seoulvibephangan.com/dining-koh-phangan.html

Seoul Vibe at Thong Sala

Maybe I'm a little biased because Somi, the owner of Seoul Vibe, is also my daughter-in-law. But given its high Tripadvisor rating, it is not only popular with our family.

In an attractively lit simple setting, close to the local food market, Somi and her staff passionately create the tastiest dishes from Korean cuisine.

Somi was born and raised in a small village in South Korea and through Australia, where she met our son Robin, she found her place on Koh Phangan. First, her refined taste helped perfect the dishes at Bubba's Coffee Bar,
and now she's been the perfect hostess in her own Seoul Vibe for over a year now.

Her menu includes traditional Korean dishes, but also Fusion. Combination dishes from different cuisines.
In South Korea, the influence of America is indispensable and you can taste that in the refined combination of flavors in unique dishes.

You can choose from delicious oven dishes, meals with rice, gnocci, noodles, soups or enjoy an adventurous Korean Barbecue. This is barbecuing at the highest level. Also for vegetarians.

Korean BBQ at Seoul Vibe

How is that going, such a Korean Barbecue….? Because I myself know more about eating than about preparing meals, I was a bit worried about what I had to do during my first Korean BBQ. But that was of course not necessary because you don't have to do anything yourself.

After a warm welcome, time is taken to explain all the dishes. What do you like and what not. Meat, seafood or rather vegetarian?

The pot full of hot coals, with the barbecue above it, is placed in the hole in the middle of the specially made table.
The Korean BBQ is now installed. The many Korean side dishes (banchan) are striking. An army of small bowls filled with colorful vegetables, onion, garlic and a delicious clear soup fill the table. These many side dishes are typical of Korean cuisine.

Dishes with meat, we opted for a mix of beef and pork, are presented and we look with wide eyes at all those different colorful ingredients. With the arrival of typical Korean beer and the variety of fresh salads and sauces, it's time to start. At the table everything is baked for you on the spot. What a pleasure.

Somi, baking like crazy, meanwhile she talks about her restaurant, and about how varied and healthy Korean cuisine is and that healthy food plays a major role in Korean culture. Soon the first snacks are ready. Don't think about anything, don't be too difficult and just taste and enjoy. With all those different flavors of sauce and side dishes, the Korean BBQ is a journey of discovery through Korean cuisine. Sometimes the flavors are very intense, for example with kimchi (fermented cabbage),
a healthy and vitamin-rich dish. Kimchi is also an ingredient in, for example, the kimchi soup or the kimchi fried rice.

At the BBQ, rice, spring onion, garlic, vegetables and meat are placed in a leaf of lettuce; sauce over it and then your little package is ready to eat. The banchan (side dishes), you eat next to it so that you can taste all the flavors separately. And then the soups, so very tasty. Miso soup, with seafood and spicy kimchi soup.

kimchi soup

In addition to the Barbecue, there are so many other tasty dishes to discover. The Hot Pot Bibimbab is so incredibly tasty, a bit milder in taste, and an accessible dish even for the more difficult eater. As the name implies, it is served in a hot stone pot with rice, vegetables, a fried egg, fresh sauce and possibly beef. At the table, the sauce goes into the pot and is mixed well, so that you get a nice meal.

My mouth is already watering and the more I try Korean food, the tastier it gets. Gee, I'm suddenly hungry...

Tonight I'm going for kimchi fried rice! Kimchi fried rice and cheese