Read the labels, cook at home to reduce salt intakeHow does this sound for a quick breakfast:A single pancake, topped with 1 tablespoon each of reduced-fat tub margarine and reduced-calorie pancake syrup. Two slices of Canadian bacon. An 8-ounce glass of skim milk. A cup of coffee with 1 tablespoon of half-and-half.Congratulations. You just ate 1,254 milligrams of sodium before you even left the h

Traditional leafless brews delicious and serve as tonics for health-consciousLight sends soft rays through the floor-length windows of Ga Hwa Dang, a traditional Korean hanok-turned-teahouse located in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.Behind the counter, manager Kim Yu-ri painstakingly prepares the establishment’s brews. Surprisingly enough, less than half the 19 teas on the menu are leaf-based. Instead, a m

Grand InterContinental Seoul ParnasThe hotel said French hotelier Kamal Chaoui has taken office as general manager of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas and InterContinental Seoul COEX as of Feb. 9. The 50-year-old spent a great part of his hospitality career with Hyatt International Hotels. With over 26 years of hotel management experience, Chaoui has broad understanding of Asian culture having

WALNUT CREEK, California ― It sits on the plate, looking like a perfectly cooked, sunny side-up egg ― except the yolk tastes like spiced carrots and the white is made from coconut milk, with a side of sodium alginate and calcium chloride.This edible trompe l’oeil is not some practical joke. The faux egg is a perfect example of molecular gastronomy, the esoteric culinary trend associated with such

There is almost no doubt that galbi, the Korean grilled beef or pork short ribs, is one of the most popular Korean cuisines.But a galbi outing can make you hesitate to go anywhere else afterward, because of the strong smoky odor that lingers on your clothes and hair.Rose Hill, a beef galbi and wine restaurant in southern Seoul, said it tries to differentiate itself from other galbi places by havin

In less than a week, women throughout the nation will be gifting boxes of chocolate ― homemade or store-bought ― to their men of choice. Valentine’s Day, an ancient day devoted solely to the pursuit of romance, has a very specific purpose here in South Korea, where it acts as a opportunity for girls to approach boys ― like the Sadie Hawkins dances in the U.S. where girls take the initiative. Inste

In the quiet of a weekday afternoon ― when the cold spins out a strange, solemn silence ― several patrons rush into a small restaurant called Yeolcha Jip. The chill enters with them, curling up and dissipating into the warm space. Huddling up on the narrow wooden benches, they barely glance at the menu on the wall as they order bindaetteok (Korean mung bean pancakes). Chef Yoon Hyun-soo gets up fr

NEW DELHI (AFP) ― The familiar green logo of Starbucks will soon appear on Indian streets as the U.S. group bets on lifestyle changes that are turning the tea-drinking country into a booming market for cafes.India’s appetite for the bitter brew has never been stronger, with its overwhelmingly young population opting to while away time in shiny Western-style cafes instead of the traditional coffeeh

Cuddling with your pets in bed may be comforting, but a study shows it can be harmful to your health. A study titled “Zoonoses in the Bedroom,” which will be published in the journal “Emerging Infectious Disease” next month, warns that pet owners risk catching diseases transmitted from domestic animals. Close contact such as kissing and getting licked by your pet may not be a good idea either, USA

With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, top-rated hotels in Seoul are busy preparing a variety of gift items including beef sets, wine sets and hampers.The hotels’ gift items are indeed pricier than those of department stores. However, a little luxury in the quality of products and wrapping services makes a big difference, according to Julie Shim, a marketing manager in Seoul.Shim, 32, spe

Grand Hyatt SeoulThe Grand Hilton SeoulThe hotel offers a range of special overnight packages for the Lunar New Year from Feb. 2-6. The four packages ― PEACE, CALM, MEMORY and FAMILY ― offer different choices and rates. The PEACE package, priced at 95,000 won offers a one-night stay in a deluxe room and complementary coffee or ginseng tea at the Atrium Cafe. The CALM package, 125,000 won, adds a b

Lotte Hotel Seoul said Thursday it had reopened its buffet restaurant La Seine at a new location on the first floor. The biggest change at the restaurant is that chefs take fresh ingredients on a moving cart, come to your table and cook in front of you while explaining about the cuisine in detail. The service is available for the “menu of the day” such as bone-in-rib eye steak and sushi. The upsca

For some reason or other, French cuisine ― outside of France, that is ― has come to be often associated with fine dining, an association which has its many perks, except, of course, when it comes to the bill. In truth, however, eating French is not synonymous with breaking the bank. Here are two excellent establishments that specialize in delicious and affordable French fare. La CeltiqueLocated in

For years now, seaweed has been touted by many for its various health and beauty benefits. The sea plant has been featured as a key ingredient in prominent cosmetic and spa brands, and many will recognize it as the dark, glossy wrapper used to make the popular California sushi roll. Despite all this, algae still remains something of a global novelty, especially when presented in forms drastically