Let's face it: not everyone has the time to get to the mountains for a break from the summer heat, especially not for a few hours on a weekday night. Another popular option for many Seoulites is heading to one of the numerous Hangang riverside parks. But what happens when hunger strikes and you don't have a fishing rod? SEOUL headed to Mangwon Hangang Park, armed only with a mobile phone and list of phone numbers, to explore the food ordering options available.
First Thing first
If the short walk through the tunnel that serves as the park entrance leaves you feeling thirsty, don't worry: one of the Hangang Park's many convenience stores beckons right ahead. A haven of chips, cookies, ice cream and other summer essentials, the 7-Eleven by the entrance also sells draft beer. A good place to stock up on appetizers and beverages while getting down to food ordering and waiting. Even at 10pm on a Monday night, the park is full of people relaxing on the grass and the concrete bank that gently slopes down to the quiet, black water of the Hangang River. The orange arches of the Seongsan Bridge and the city on the far side of the Hangang are brightly lit and reflected in the water. An improbably fast stream of cyclists and joggers flows both ways along the riverside pathlook left and right before crossing to avoid a spilled beer and an angry cyclist.
Location, location
A list of national numbers of pizza chains presents endless possibilities. SEOUL selects Mr. Pizza, a Korean establishment. Ordering from a park at 10:30pm is no problem: the call is transferred to a local branch and the pizza handover is arranged for outside the 7-Eleven by the park entrance. Listen out for the sound of a moped... One piping hot regular potato pizza:the beer in your stomach is no longer alone.
Time: 35 mins
Cost:16,500 won
Hassle: minimal
Act2: enter the chicken
The word "chikin " falls in the pool of English vocabulary used in the Korean language that's known as "Konglish." Such words exist in English but are used with different meanings or ranges of meanings in Korean. Chikin means not all chicken meat or the bird itself, but only deep fried chicken, usually served with pickled radish cubes. It's highly popular, both in hopeu (from the German "Hof "; an establishment that sells draft beer etc) and as a takeaway option. SEOUL is out to explore the latter. A tipoff from a staff photographer leads to the selection of Goobne Chicken ("it's oven roast, not oily"). Once again, a rendezvous outside 7-Eleven is arranged. It's 11pm. Not long afterwards, a box of hot and delicious chicken (regular, "han mari " ("one chicken")) arrives. Things have gone from good to better.
Time: 40 mins
Cost: 14,000 won
Hassle: negligible
Language issue
Ordering by phone can be tricky if you're having a "bad language day." People taking orders are polite but nearly always in a hurry and tend to speak fast. English will rarely be understood. You'll need to be on the ball when describing your location. Make sure you know the full address of where you are, or pick an unmissable landmark if you're somewhere like in a park. If your Korean is still at the early stages, giving the phone to a native speaker is highly recommended.
* More Info
SEOUL recommends eating pizza and chicken as part of a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, in order to avoid scurvy.
* Getting there
Mangwon Hangang Park. Mangwon Station, Line 6, Exit 1. Getting a taxi to Mongwon Hangang Park ("Mangwon Hangang Gongwon"; 2,500 won) is simplest.
