I Live In Korea

In light of the Phillies losing the World Series, I felt the need to make a post about one of my favorite spots in Korea for a quick bite. In fact, it might be up there in the pantheon of my favorite places to get a quick bite.

Located in the young, artsy and cultural hotbed of Hongdae (neighborhood in Seoul), lies a hole in the wall place called Queen’s Bite. Inside of this place which is easy to walk past, are just five small stools and enough room in the kitchen/counter for two workers and a very small menu. The place is decorated in baseball gear (albeit Phillies stuff) and during baseball season they have a TV on showing baseball (albeit Korean Baseball). Nevertheless, I got one of the better Philly Cheesesteaks I think I’ve had in my life.

Carl’s (NYC), Gino’s (Philly), Pat’s(Philly), Jim’s(Philly) and 99 Miles to Philly(NYC) all are very good cheesesteak places. I really enjoy the cheesesteaks there just like I enjoy a good Chinese lunch special, excellent while eating, sleepy, lethargic and regretting it 30 minutes later.

Let’s look at the tale of the tape…

Bun
Places in NYC & Philly – Regular bun
Queen’s Bite – Toasted bun

Meat
Places in NYC & Philly – chopped up crap that’s been sitting on a grill for hours rendering in its own fat
Queen’s Bite – marinated steak that is taken out and grilled only when someone orders a sandwich

Cheese
Places in NYC & Philly – processed American, processed provolone, canned cheese wiz slapped on top when the sandwich is nearly cooked
Queen’s Bite – two types of cheese that are melted into the sandwich while cooking

Vegetables
Places in NYC & Philly – peppers & onions that are again, sitting on the grill for god knows how long, cooked to the point where all of the nutrients and a lot of the taste is sapped away
Queen’s Bite – fresh, colorful vegetables thrown on the grill again, only when someone orders a sandwich

Why bother with the décor, friendly service, etc., when there’s really no comparison. Queen’s Bite wins.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think this…




Looks as good as this…


What the hell, look at this place. Whether you’re a Phillies fan or Phillies hater, you gotta enjoy the décor of a little hole in the wall place in Korea which has MLB paraphernalia all over it.



This place has only been open two months and I’ve been here 4 times, it opened ironically enough the day I arrived. That’s what I call fate. I’m going to be a frequent customer here.

DIRECTIONS - get off the #2 (green) line at Hongik University, exit 5. Walk into the main area and make a right at the Volkswagon store, walk straight and Queen's Bite is on your left connected to a store called Tomato 24. The only address I can find in English says "358-9". Phone # 02-333-5069