[Busan] OK 암소갈비살 (Amso Galbisal) - BBQ in Busan (What a fun evening!)

It was our last night in Busan, hence we wanted to try some BBQ before we leave for Seoul the next day. Earlier, we went sightseeing in Gamcheon and by evening time, we were hungry again. We went to a street that had some BBQ shops but couldn't find one with beef though. As most of the shop signages were in Hangul, we had no idea whether it is ala-carte or buffet. Randomly, we picked a shop that had mostly local customers.

shopfront

I liked that the lady in the shop welcomes us (the tourists) and was patient enough to explain the items in the menu and how the pricing works. If I remembered correctly, they have a time-limited special where one could enjoy unlimited grilled meat (selected) for an affordable price of ₩5500. That's a very good deal if you ask me.

We ordered some the unlimited servings of meat, some ala-carte and of course, makgeolli. There were two guys (probably in their late thirties or forties) sitting at the next table, and he saw us having makgeolli. He was saying something in Korean but we didn't know what he was saying but he asked the lady to bring us a can of soda. Orhh...for mixing with makgeolli. He said he's buying us that can of soda. Hahaha!

setting up the table

The appetiser included a bowl of beondagi 번데기 which is steamed silkworm pupa. It was fear factor for us so we returned the bowl to the staff. No thanks. The guy at the next table chuckled at us and said it is 'health food' before proceeding to pop some into his mouth.

I liked the acorn jelly appetiser with its tangy broth. Very refreshing and appetising.

appetiser of acorn jelly

pork

grilling into deliciousness

Sprite, courtesy of the guy next table

While language barrier was there, that did not stop us from making merry with the guy at the next table. He was grilling some pork skin and offered us some. So nice. In return, we offered him some yukhoe as well.

It was my first time eating 육회 (yukhoe) which is raw seasoned beef strips. The seasoning included sugar, salt, soy, minced garlic, spring onion, pepper and sesame seeds. Mixed it well with the raw egg and add the pear strips for sweetness and crunchy texture. As a result, it was delicious!

육회 yukhoe

Makgeolli and good meat, we were happy! The folks were friendly and the food was good. Worth a visit.

delicious BBQ

[Busan] Choryang Milmyeon 초량밀면

That day, we ventured out to Jagalchi Market and had a big seafood brunch at one of the local restaurant there. After which, we had a bout of shopping and coffee break, and then pre-dinner snacks (blame it all to the food basement of the department store) and thus, we weren't exactly hungry till much later. That later, translated to about 9pm.

So, it was more of like a supper that we went out looking and we swore off fried chicken for at least, the next few meals.

What was the top eats in Busan again? Milmyeon was one of it and coincidentally, there was one near Busan Station. About 10 to 15 minutes walk. Arrived at about 915pm and was told that most of the items were sold out. Left only a few bowls of milmyeon so we had to order fast.

menu

tea?

We ordered milmyeon cold soup and dry version. The dry version was actually much tastier. But the cold soup was rather good too! The wheat noodles are actually very very filling. It's not like our mee sua where it is suitable for light eaters.

Once you've ordered, the staff brings out a kettle for you. It looked like a pot of tea but in actual fact, it was a rather tasty beef soup. Served hot and so comforting. Flavorful to the max and we can't stop drinking it. Loved these complimentary stuffs.

물밀면 (cold noodles)

close up view

The mul-milmyeon was rather refreshing and plenty of noodles to chew. The spice level was rather mild too. The thin slice of meat and the egg was more decorative and the star would be the noodles and the soup.

Reasonably priced at ₩4000 per bowl.

Choryang Milmyeon 초량밀면 

Address: 225 Jungang-daero, Choryang 2(i)-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Contact: +82 51-462-1575
Business Hours:
Daily: 10am to 10pm

[Media Invite] FUNOLOGY SG53 - A Durian Buffet Party @ Element and Element on Tras Street Amara Hotel

Come 9 August, Element and Element on Tras Street buffet guests could enjoy the all-you-can-eat Mao Shan Wang, D24 or Kampong durians, and have a short walk down a short memory lane with old school games of 'Tikam-Tikam' (sure win!) or the 'Knock Down The Tins' for a prize. There are also snack stalls such as tutu kueh, muah chee, and ice-cream cart where one could choose to enjoy the ice-cream wrapped in bread, much like the ice-cream uncle style. For a limited time, don't forget to let your caricature be drawn by Singapore's fastest caricaturist, Adam Chua and there's also a photo booth with vintage props including a trishaw and a samsui woman. Yup, or rather a lady dressed in samsui style. She's friendly.

Priced at $88++ (adults) and $36++ (child 6-12 years), and for 8 other paying guests, 2 gets to dine-free. For group bookings of 53 adults, there will be free flow iced-tea for you.

Read on for a preview of available activities and specials of FUNOLOGY SG53 Aug 2018. 

The durian stall is setup at the outer side of Element on Tras, complete with alfresco table for outdoor enjoyment of the King of Fruits. There will be about two to three variants of the durian available and we got to taste the Mao Shan Wang, D24 and kampong durians during the media event.

Durian Buffet Party

hurry and chope your table for all-you-can-eat durians

My personal favourite for the durian would be Mao Shan Wang. An attractive bright yellow hue, firm thin layer of outerskin that is not wet, plus that burst of creamy bittersweetness when one sinks their teeth into the soft flesh.

Mao Shan Wang 猫山王, just look at that beauty

Interestingly, kampong durian is available and it was of a much paler hue. Looks interesting but with limited stomach space, decided to give this a miss. Do let me know how it tasted if you had tried it.

kampong durian

Tropical fruits

Also tried our hands at the retro game stalls and got a prize from the sure-win Tikam Tikam. The game with the tins gave the arms a slight work-out!

my Fun Pass

Tikam Tikam and Bola Bola

Tikam Tikam prize

Trishaw ride / photo op

After all that fun and games, don't forget to head right in for the buffet line-up. Element's Dinner Buffet menu highlights for National Day include DIY Rojak Station, Daily Smoked Salmon (3 types!), Seafood on Ice (oysters, poached lobsters and prawns, Alaskan Crab, scallops), Carving Station's roasted meat (chicken, pork, char siew), Noodles Station (Singapore laksa without cockles, or Mee Siam), Hot Live Station (Katsu Don), Charcoal Grill Satay Station (chicken, mutton) and Dessert Stations where durian-based dessert takes centrestage with signatures available (for example chempedak creme brulee, nonya kueh). Please note that some of the items will be on rotation basis.

National Day dining

seafood on ice

freshly shucked oysters from France

For buffet, I'd start with oysters. The freshly shucked oysters from France are creamy and briny. I can sense the recurring theme of 'creamy'!

smoked salmon

Peking Duck Station

Peking Duck wraps

Live Noodles Station

Katsu Don

roasted meats

Old school eats of kueh tutu (with coconut fillings), muah chee and ice cream bread.

kueh tutu

muah chee

ice-cream bread

And for finale, eat to your heart's content at the dessert counters. Cakes, creme brulee, pudding, mousse, nonya kuehs are awaiting for your pick!

Durian Cake

Durian Mousse

Durian Panna Cotta

Happy SG53 and Happy Feasting!

For reservations, please call +65 6879 2607 or email to: element_sg@amarahotels.com

Thank you Lindy and Amara Singapore for the invite and Chef Charles for your hospitality.