'Favorite Restaurants' Concentrated in Seocho-dong... Enjoying Soju and Beer 'Tejina'
Visiting Local Eateries... Revitalizing Nearby Commercial Areas and Engaging with Citizens
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol visited Namdaemun Market in Seoul on the 14th, held a meeting with the merchant association chairpersons, and then had lunch together. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's meal menu has been a hot topic day after day. Consequently, the restaurants are also gaining attention.
A close aide who has seen President-elect Yoon up close said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 22nd, "You can think of him as eating better than you imagine," adding, "During the campaign, when he went out to market rallies, he had such a good appetite that he would eat all the food bought at each store after returning to the car."
President-elect Yoon is known as a big eater and a gourmet. In high school, he ate six meals a day, and it is said to be similar even now. He lives in Acrovista in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and has worked in Seocho-dong for a long time, so most of his 'favorite restaurants' are concentrated in Seocho-dong.
He was often seen wearing a navy jumper at the arcade next to Acrovista, having a glass of beer. As for izakayas, he often visits 'OO' near Acrovista. This place is famous for skewers grilled in a wood-fired oven. He also frequently visited the Chinese restaurant 'OO' in Seocho-dong with colleagues and juniors. Every summer, President-elect Yoon makes sure to have the Chinese cold noodles there.
President-elect Yoon mainly eats Korean food, especially liking meat. For company dinners, he often goes to 'OOO' in Seocho-dong, famous for marinated pork ribs, and 'OOO,' known for doenjang-marinated pork belly. As he claimed to be a 'grandson from Gangneung,' he also likes traditional Gangwon-do dishes. 'OO OOO' is another place President Yoon often visits. Before running for president, he visited Gangneung and had meals such as ongshimi at 'OOOO OO.' There are also places he enjoys going with reporters. During his legal career, he often visited the beef restaurant 'OOO' with reporters covering the courts. In Yeouido, he frequently goes to 'OOO,' which serves seaweed dishes and sashimi.
Above all, President-elect Yoon often orders soups that can be enjoyed with alcohol. His preferred drink is somaek (soju + beer). At one time, he drank 'Tejina,' a mix of the beer 'Terra' and the soju 'Jinro Is Back.' A representative from the president-elect's side said, "Currently, as he is handling the work of the presidential transition committee, he is refraining from drinking."
For dessert, he often uses Baskin Robbins and is a 'Mint Chocolate Group' who prefers mint chocolate ice cream. During the campaign, his 'love for mint chocolate' was introduced on social media (SNS) and TV entertainment shows, where he said, "I want to eat double mint chocolate only."
Currently, President-elect Yoon is continuing to have lunches with politicians, visiting local restaurants under the motto 'No eating alone.' A representative from the president-elect's side said, "This is to revitalize the surrounding commercial districts and continue communication with citizens."
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