Topic for Jun. 23 (Fri)

[suyun**]

Seoul hotels offer unique takes on afternoon tea

Mini meals range from Korean-inspired to traditionally British

	Westin Chosun, central Seoul, offers a special Oriental Afternoon Tea Set, with desserts made out of Asian ingredients and recipes. [WESTIN CHOSUN HOTEL]

Nothing adds delight to a peaceful afternoon like a three-tiered serving tray full of freshly baked scones and macarons, standing next to a pretty set of teacups filled with warm tea. Not so long ago, afternoon tea was considered a rarity for Koreans, something you can only try either abroad or at luxury hotels.

But now, many cafes also serve the delicious course, and Seoul’s top hotels have developed their unique styles of afternoon tea to differentiate themselves.

Ranging from the well-known European style of afternoon tea to a completely new and Korean interpretation, hotels have upped their games with new menus to attract both the eyes and appetites of their customers.



Westin Chosun Hotel

The Westin Chosun Hotel in central Seoul led the way with its Oriental Afternoon Tea Set. Having completed its renovation in May, the hotel’s Lounge & Bar presented its very own version of an afternoon tea set.

While a traditional afternoon tea set consists of sandwiches, scones, cake or bread, the Westin Chosun’s trays are replaced with Asian delicacies such as sushi, dim sum, tteok [rice cake] and maki [rice wrapped in seaweed].

All of the food is cooked by the different restaurants within the hotel. For instance, the ume shiso maki [maki with Japanese apricot and cucumber] is made in Sushi Cho, the Japanese restaurant, and the cha siu bao [Chinese bread with filled with sweetened pork] is the work of Hong Yuan, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant. So, along with afternoon tea, people get to enjoy a little bit of everything the hotel has to offer.

To finish off the Eastern theme, the food is served on a tray made out of bamboo sticks, instead of the traditional European tray, typically made out of porcelain. The tea is served in cups specially imported from Japan, where drinking tea is considered a fundamental part of the culture.

The dessert menu is served from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., 100,000 won ($88.19) for two to three people.

	이미지뷰
	Afternoon tea set at the Park Hyatt Hotel, southern Seoul. The European delicacies are made out of Korean ingredients, such as kimchi sandwich. [PARK HYATT HOTEL]

Park Hyatt Hotel

Afternoon tea at The Lounge at the Park Hyatt Hotel in southern Seoul provides a multicultural experience, with European style dishes made out of Korean ingredients: The toast is topped with kimchi paste, the pesto sauce in the ricotta cheese sandwich is made out of perilla leaves and the chocolate is decorated with chrysanthemums.

The serving tray is made out of ceramic, material typically used for the traditional Korean pottery, designed by Lee Jae-won, a professional potter. According to Lee, the patterns embedded in the tray were influenced by both the modern and the ancient; the concrete jungle of Gangnam and the square shapes seen in typical hanok doors [Korean-style house].

Ranging from the well-known green tea to traditional Korean tea such as omija [five-flavor berry] and oriental raisin, customers can taste various types of Korean beverages freshly brewed for them.

For those less familiar with the smell of herbs, coffee is also available, and for an additional 18,000 won, customers can enjoy champagne.

Orders can be made from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., 38,000 won per person (Must order for more than one person.)



Shilla Hotel

Summer in Korea is hard to get through without cold snacks, and the Shilla Hotel in central Seoul has just what you need. The Library on the first floor of the hotel started serving a special summer afternoon tea set for its customers in June.

Cold and delicious snacks such as eclairs with mango, cold gazpacho soup, octopus ceviche and dacquoise ice cream are available, and served on a black tray. The most popular item is the soft and sweet vanilla dacquoise ice cream, made by the Pastry Boutique in the hotel.

Available from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., 79,000 won for two people.

	이미지뷰
	Grand Hyatt Seoul’s dessert buffet allows big eaters to enjoy unlimited amount of afternoon tea. The buffet includes 17 desserts and 7 kinds of tea. [GRAND HYATT SEOUL]

Grand Hyatt Seoul

For big eaters who can’t be satisfied with just what’s served on the trays, the Grand Hyatt Seoul is the place to go. The hotel provides an all-you-can-eat afternoon tea buffet, allowing customers to enjoy various desserts to their heart’s content.

At The Gallery, an all-day cafe at the hotel, 17 items including scones, eclair, millefeuille, waffles and pancakes are available along with six types of tea such as earl grey, chamomile and Darjeeling, as well as coffee. The chef is always on standby to give detailed explanations of each item on the menu.

The spectacular view of central Seoul visible just outside the window goes well with the delicious treats.

Buffet is open from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., 30,000 won a person.



Grand InterContinental Seoul

The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul has stuck to traditions. At the Lobby Lounge & Bar, customers can enjoy “The Royal High Tea,” a premium afternoon tea set.

Rather than adding a Korean twist, the desserts are served just the way they would have been in Britain: macarons, scones, praline, mushroom quiche and chicken tarts. The recipes were developed with the help of the InterContinental London Park Lane, near Buckingham Palace, home of the afternoon tea.

Customers may choose from seven options of tea.

Afternoon tea is available from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., 37,000 won per person.
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3034757