Adieu! Oktoberfest... Memories of Travel Summoned by Hotel Delicacies

Unique Turkey Dish 'To Go' Product
Reservation Required... Early Bird Benefits Available
Oktoberfest Specialty 'Schweinshaxen'
Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside Texture... Enjoy with Craft Beer

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] In a scene from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Little Match Girl," turkey (turkey·roast turkey) appears. It is in the scene where the girl, lonely on the street on the night before New Year's Day, lights matches and recalls warm memories with her grandmother. In this way, turkey dishes are one of the representative year-end dishes symbolizing family love in European and American countries. They often appear on dining tables in American and British dramas, showing off their appetizing appearance. With travel restricted due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), how about sharing this unique delicacy with family and friends while reminiscing about past overseas trips?

Unique Turkey Dishes to Enjoy at Home

Although turkey dishes are common in neighborhood markets during the Thanksgiving season (November 26) in the U.S., they are not easy to find in Korea. Making it at home is not simple, as deboning is difficult and a large oven is required. Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul will sell a packaged roast turkey dish called "Turkey to go" from next month 1st to December 31st for two months. The package includes roast turkey, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, sweet pumpkin pecan pie, and wine. The pickup location is the "Granum Dining Lounge" on the first floor of the hotel building at Banyan Tree Seoul. The price is 300,000 KRW including VAT and one bottle of wine, or 350,000 KRW including VAT and two bottles of wine. Due to the nature of the dish, reservations must be made at least three days in advance, and an early bird promotion offering a 20% discount is available for reservations made in October.

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul will also sell a "JW Turkey to go" takeout package from next month 1st to December 31st. Pickup is available at the all-day dining restaurant "Tavolo 24." The package includes roast turkey (4?5 kg), Waldorf salad, Cobb salad, broccoli salad, butternut squash orzo, clam chowder, Mexican grilled corn, cottage pie, and roasted purple sweet potatoes. Strawberry tart is available for separate order. The set costs 240,000 KRW including tax, and a 10% discount is offered for advance reservations made from the 26th of this month to the 9th of next month. Reservations can be made at least two days in advance by phone, Naver reservation, or in person.

Remembering Oktoberfest 2019

This year, the world-famous German beer festival Oktoberfest was also canceled. Originally scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4, the German state of Bavaria announced in April that the "2020 Oktoberfest" would not be held, and the festival was ultimately canceled due to the high risk of COVID-19 spread. Approximately 2 million travelers from around the world visit during the Oktoberfest season every year.

One of Oktoberfest's delicacies, Schweinshaxen, is a representative German pork dish similar to Korean jokbal (pig's trotters). Walkerhill Hotel & Resort recently added Schweinshaxen to its room service menu. It features a crispy exterior and moist interior, enhancing the flavor of pork. It is served with homemade sausages and pickles made by Walkerhill, along with wedge potatoes and salad. Schweinshaxen room service is available from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and orders require at least 50 minutes to prepare. The price is 75,000 KRW including tax and service charge.

At "The Garden Kitchen?" buffet restaurant in The Riverside Hotel, an "Oktoberfest Special Menu" has been added until the 30th of next month, along with an unlimited option for five types of craft draft beer. This is because buffet restaurants in Seoul and the metropolitan area have been allowed to reopen following the recent downgrade of social distancing to level 1. Halloween desserts and special dishes are also being offered.