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The anti-graft law, which was implemented in September, has put a brake on an important part of Korean culture _ that of taking a current or potential business partner out to lunch or dinner _ as it was considered a root cause of widespread corruption. According to the law, one cannot spend more than 30,000 won to buy a meal for a business partner, especially government officials and journalists.
The law has hurt many businesses, especially upscale hotel restaurants, which were a popular choice among business diners who were ready to spend a large sum of money on good food and nice atmosphere.
Not all hotel restaurants made efforts to cope with the change, but some did.
Taipan at Millennium Seoul Hilton
Millennium Seoul Hilton was among the first five-star hotels to have restaurants offer meals below 30,000 won. Taipan, the hotel's Chinese restaurant, now offers a business lunch for 29,500 won per person, tax and service fee included.
For the first entrée, diners can choose from among the following wok-fried chicken in garlic sauce, fried chicken with vegetables and red chili, sweet-and-sour pork, steamed pork belly in oyster sauce, wok-fried shredded beef with green peppers, sauteed assorted seafood with vegetables, braised eggplant with hot sauce and braised tofu with minced beef in hot sauce.
For the second entrée, diners can choose from among the followings: fried rice with shrimp, noodles with black bean sauce, noodle soup with shredded chicken and noodles with seafood and red hot peppers. For desert, they can choose either assorted fruits or mango pudding. The business lunch is available between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. For more information and reservations, call the restaurant at (02) 317-3237.
Zest at Conrad Seoul
Conrad Seoul, located in Seoul's financial district, was also among the first five-star hotels to have restaurants offer affordable business lunches. Zest, the hotel's buffet restaurant offers a business lunch, featuring Korean, Japanese and Chinese cuisines.
The lunch menu includes la kalbi, kimchi, sushi, miso soup, maki, rolled omelet, tempura, deep fried chicken, vegetables and fried rice. The lunch is available between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and costs 19,000 won. Desert, which includes cake and a cup of coffee, is also available for another 15,000 won. For more information and reservations, call (02) 6137-7110.
Le Style at Ibis Style Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong
For those planning to have a business lunch near Myeongdong, Ibis Style Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong is a good option. The hotel's signature restaurant, Le Style, on the top floor, offers lunch for only 29,900 won, tax and service fees included.
Customers can choose from five lunch options: handmade Indian curry and hamburger steak, chef's special pasta of the day, beef bone soup made with royal yukgaejang, spicy seafood tomato risotto with handmade garlic bread and Ibis-style Korean beef with chef's special sauce. The lunch comes with a mini salad bar and either wine or beer and is available only during weekdays from noon till 2:30 p.m. For more information and reservations call (02) 6020-8880.
Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas
The restaurants of Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul do not have specific business lunch or dinner promotion, but their banquet menus, which feature Chinese Korean and Western cuisines are nonetheless affordable.
The Chinese menu features braised seafood and rice; the Korean menu features steamed rice and beef bone soup with cabbage; and the Western menu features steak and spaghetti. For more information and reservations, call (02)559-7778.
(The Korea Times)
