Tag Archives: braai

May24

Escaping Korea for 24 hours

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I’ve been excited about this ever since it first popped up in my notifications over a month ago.  The first ever Hunters Braai Camp.  I really like soju cocktails.. really, I do… but nothing can ever come close to an ice cold Hunters Dry.  Nothing.   South Trade Inc. started importing Klipdrift and Hunters Dry & Gold a few months ago. (Really, you newbies get everything, don’t you!!!!)

South Trade, in conjunction with The Braai Republic, hosted the first ever Hunter’s Braai Camp last weekend.  I’ve been to a few “organised parties” in Korea and I must be honest, they were NOT well organised.  The Braai Camp team asked us to be patient, should there be any glitches, since this was their first ever event of its kind.  What a freaking surprise!  This was by far the best organised event I’ve ever been to since coming to Korea.

You know you want me…

Accommodation was booked in advance.  We could choose between motel rooms, jimjilbangs, pensions, bungalows and camping.  The event itself was ridiculously cheap – 10,000 won each!  The Braai Republic created really nice braai packs.  These were collected at the event itself, so no need to carry everything with you!  Guests were welcome to braai their own meat too.  There were three shuttle buses to and from Geumsan bus terminal to the river.  Directions were super clear so if you missed the shuttle bus you could have easily taken a taxi.

Vibe..

We arrived just after 11am.  Green canopy tents were set up all over the lawn, providing shade.  We chose one and plonked down on the awesome *green* grass!  Despite promising my budget that I’d drink my own booze first and then spend money, my first drink of the day was an ice cold Hunter’s Dry.  That budget plan went out the window with the first sip!  Pure Goodness.  Moedersmelk!  Aah and the Springbokkies!!  :D

The braai area was set up and the fires were lit… South African music pumping… Hunter’s getting cold… Klippies and Cola being poured… tents were being set up… splash pool… wait what?! yep!!!!  We were home.  It was sooo laid back!  You could braai whenever you wanted to.  The Braai Republic also sold boerewors rolls throughout the day.  We were having SUCH a good time, that we decided on Boeries for lunch so we could braai for dinner – keep the party going!  :)

Fun stuff!

The Geumsan area was genuinely a great area to have an event like this.  Even though there were a bunch of Koreans camping along the river, they weren’t even in sight!  We had a gorgeous river view and a lovely grass area to camp out on.   It truly felt like we left Korea for a bit.

Yvette and Le Clue checking out the river area

Some time around midnight the insomniac in me died and after a week of sleepless nights I was ready to crash.  After enjoying my deliiiicious braaibroodjie (with added Mrs. balls!!), my and my deliiiiicious lamb chop, it was bed time for me!   The motel was really neat.  I had a Radox bath (it’s my little keep-me-sane in Korea.. I always take Radox with me to motels!).  The water was lukewarm :( but I heard the next morning that the pension only had cold water.  I was just too happy to care about water temperatures!!   I had my first solid night’s sleep!  Boyfriend and I got into bed.  Before he could finish checking Facebook, I was snoring. :)  It was magical.

We got up quite early on Sunday morning.  I suppose it’s easy after a solid 8 hours of sleep!  We made our way back to the main area.  They were already busy making the breakfast rolls.  Argh!  Huge rolls (a hard find in Korea) stuuuffed with spicy bangers, scrambled eggs and a tomato and onion relish… SMOOR man, SMOOR!  :D   It was delicious!!   Hunter’s Dry was on special so a bunch of us bought 6 packs to take home.  Yayness!!!  Traveling home was actually a sad experience.  I had the BEST day in a long, long time.

Breakfast Boerie!!

On behalf of all the Saffas (and even the Irish and other nationalities that came to experience a true South African braai), I’d like to thank South Trade and Braai Republic for hosting this amazing event.   Everyone commented on how great it was organised.  You even gave us toilet paper ;)  But seriously, thank you for a truly South African experience.  We’re all looking forward to the next Hunter’s Braai Camp.

The Morning After

*For more info*

Check out South Trade here as well as the Hunters Klipdrift  Facebook group to order some Hunter’s and Klippies for delivery!

You can also visit the Braai Republic Facebook group  or check out my review of the restaurant/bar in Itaewon.

Nov1

Braai Republic… The Republic of Happy

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We had another awesome time in Seoul this weekend!  Monday is SUCH a drag!  Like my friend, Mike, says:  ”The suckyness of the Monday is directly proportional to the legendaryness of the weekend.”  And it was, indeed, legendary.

Escaping my little city (I’m sure Durbanville is bigger!) and living the Big City Life in Seoul for a weekend is always fun!  Subways, finding food that you’ll NEVER find in your little Si (city)… aaah and the shopping… glorious hours of shopping!

The highlight of my weekend, however, was on Sunday.  We made our way to Itaewon to do some last minute shopping (at all the big-sizuh shops, because almost every South African is a giant monster with huge feet….).  And then we went to one of the most awesome places for a homesick Saffa to get cured.  Braai Republic.

Braai Republic is a new South African restaurant & pub in Itaewon. I got excited before I even entered the place!  The wooden stairs excited me! :)  We were greeted in *Afrikaans* yaaay and the warm SA welcome was felt instantly.

You can't compete with this, Starbucks!

We had the brunch, which included, eggs, bacon, toast, baked beans, a banger, hashbrown and coffee.  It really felt like I was back in SA.  The coffee reminded me of Mugg & Bean (yay for coffee that doesn’t come in a plastic stick!!) and the Ceres guava juice completed this total foodgasm.  Seriously, I wanted to cry.  We finished off brunch with Amarula Cheesecake!  These puppies are baked by Vanita Swart (Remember the Spaza Shop??) Deliiiiicious!!!

I loved the vibe at Braai Republic.  Even though it was noonish and we were one of 2 groups in the restaurant, the vibe was awesome -Afrikaans, lots of jokes between patrons and staff, American guy being introduced to “Broffie”.. overall happiness!

Nothing wrong with drinking REAL brandy, before REAL coffee.. Ne, Napolianna?

The Braai Republic menu includes some awesome boerewors dishes (pap en wors – yeaaah!) and they often advertise some special dishes like potjie!!  The new “Garage Pie Wednesday Nights” also promises to be something spectacular – Pie and Beer for 8,000won.

They are currently working on getting some HUNTERS for us hungry Saffas!  We’re hoping to see them late November or early December – as Chris says “If the Somalian Pirates leave the boat alone.”

You can find brunch at a lot of places in Seoul, but the atmosphere and friendliness and true SA spirit is something you’ll be assured of when going to Braai Republic.  (Don’t forget to buy some freshly sliced biltong on your way out!)

***No, I have not been paid to write this… I just freaking loved this place so much and I want to go back!***

To get to Braai Republic, head down to Itaewon (Line 6 on the subway).  Take exit 4 and walk down towards McDonalds.  Before you get to McDs, turn left at the Corner Bag shop.  Go straight and pass the coffee shop on the right.  You’ll see the Braai Republic sign on your left.