Korean ginseng has long been popular with Asians as it is well known for it’s health properties.
On the 7Th November, The Embassy of Republic of Korea hosted the Korean Ginseng Festival at Hansang Korean Restaurant’s new branch at Turf City. Sponsored by the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation and Korea Ginseng Corp, this festival is perhaps one of the best way to have an even better understanding of Korean culture and food.
Before starting the buffet lunch, we were treated to a range of drinks and snacks. Some of which I would never have thought of- like ginseng latte, ginseng shake, ginseng sherbet, ginseng ice cream (though I did find it a bit strange to be eating the latter two). Ginseng latte was surprisingly good.
This was just some of the food waiting for us…yumz…
About 150 guests were invited that day, including the spouses of many ambassadors. I think it is really a lovely way to foster diplomatic ties, the soft way. The wife of the Korean ambassador, Mrs Seo Ki Ae kicked off the event, followed by a short talk from Professor Kim Si-Kwan, the President of The Korean Society of Ginseng on how the prized 6 years old ginseng is grown as well as its health benefits. Did you know that the botanical name for ginseng means ‘to cure all’ in Greek?
The chefs of Hansang Korean Restaurant also demonstrated how to cook two popular dishes- Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup and the Beef Stew and Korean Ginseng with Sweet Pumpkin. Frankly, I think I will just go to the restaurant and eat them because I will never cook as well as them. ^^
I must say I have never thought it would be possible to have ginseng in so many dishes. Most of them are cooked with just a small amount of ginseng to give it that subtle flavour. Some of totally delicious dishes…
And I absolutely love all the kimchi dishes…
One of the dessert- pipping hot hotteok- missed having this in cold, cold Korea.
It was truly, really a wonderful meal. Some lucky guests walked away with vouchers and hampers at the end of the event. Unfortunately I was not one of the recipient.
Hansang Korean Restaurant and Market at Turf City is the third branch of Hansang Korean Restaurant at Square 2. It is certainly a big restaurant with a seating capacity of about 200 people. Just inside the restaurant, Lotte Mart has set up a small shop, just so that you eat and shop at the same time. Here is the address:
200 Turf Club Road
#02-14 The Grandstand
Singapore 307506
Tel: (65) 6463 6508
Their buffet lunch starts at just $19.90* for weekend lunch. Pretty good value.
Much thanks and appreciation to the Korean Embassy for the kind invitation to this delicious and eye opening ginseng road trip. For more photos, please got to Seoul Rhythms’s FB.
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