The Beastro | new american in hongdae

The Beastro is a well known and well hearted American bistro in Hongdae. It’s basically the Target of Western dining in Korea, everyone can take away something pretty good from it. My foodie pal Phil and I headed over there one gloriously awesome autumn day to have breakfast, cocktails and to overhear conversations in English.

After living in Korea for some time, I really have begun to hate listening to stranger’s banter that I actually understand. I think I really always hated it, even back in America. Why is there something so irritating about listening to people talk about things that are not remotely about you. I’m sure I’m not alone here. Being in a restaurant and not understanding anything, living in a beautiful bubble of dumbness, there is something otherworldly about it. It’s one of the reasons I love Korea. Bubbles.

My ridiculous sensitivities aside, the meal was very on the mark. I was excited before even going after reading the menu online and seeing a mushroom tart. MUSHROOM. TART. Did they know I was coming? They might as well have rolled out red carpet for me. Mushrooms & Me will be the name of my biography.

Walking in it felt very Western. The hostess was foreign, as were the wait staff and some of the chefs. There was a large bar and nice sized dining room. It’s bright in the afternoon next to the windows and it’s oh so warm inside.

Behold our Bloody Mary and Mimosa.

This gorgeous creature was a sweet and savory mushroom tart that was buttery and flaky. It was served with an egg and Caesar salad.

Our next choice was a cute little southern spin on Eggs Benedict. Rather than an English muffin, this has an American style biscuit with smoked salmon. The gooey Hollindaise and biscuit were sweet country music in my mouth. It came with fried potatoes and a salad.