Tartine

So, I don't know why I haven't posted about Tartine yet since I try to visit it every time I have lunch in Itaewon. Tartine is a wonderful little pie place located in the side street next to Ferrera Leathers down the street from Hamilton Hotel (it's the 2nd or so side street, I think). Across from Tartine there is also Tartine, Too, which is a little brunch and pie place that Chef Garrett opened up recently. Here is my quick sketch of a map:

As far as I know, Tartine is one of the few places to get western-style pie. The place is always packed and you often have to wait a bit, but it is totally worth it. You can get mini pies in a variety of flavors: cherry, chocolate creme, banana creme, apple, and Chef Garrett's Blend (a berry blend) just to name a few. They also offer pies a la mode if that's more your taste. They also serve coffee and cocoa to sip on while you're enjoying your pie on a cold afternoon or evening.

In addition to the pies, you can also pick up some fresh loaves of bread (the sourdough with cheese baked into it is wonderful), fresh-made butter, and some other little dessert treats.

Coconut creme pie

Lemon meringue pie

As you can see, they decorate the plate with a liquid sugar substance to make it all purty.

RotiBoy/RotiMum/RotiPapa

I like big buns and I cannot lie, you oth… *ahem* Sorry about that..Well, today is Rotiboy/RotiMum/RotiPapa! I really don’t know the difference between the 3 chains, but they all have the delicious rotibuns. Their website might shed some light on it (http://www.rotiboy.com/), but I really didn’t care enough to go looking.

Rotibuns are actually a Malaysian bread based on a Mexican bread that’s been imported into Korea. A Korean dude was in Malaysia and said, “Hey, I like these! Koreans like bread! I’ll open a chain in Korea!” And so we have rotibuns in South Korea. Close enough to the real story at least… Anyway, the one in Yeongtong is a RotiMum and is located next to A Twosome Place across from the Yeongtong Kinex (and KFC). Rotibuns are also called “coffee buns” at some places, like Paris Baguette (I assume because rotibun is trademarked and because it has a light coffee-flavored sprinkling on top). Interestingly enough, “roti” means “bread,” so they’re literally “bread buns.” They often look like little hats because the bottom has flattened out around the edge. Mine that I got today just looks like a brown lump. :/

When you walk into one of the RotiWhatever stores, the first thing that’ll hit you is the smell of rotibuns baking. *sniifffff* Ahhh! The smell of them baking alone will make your mouth start to water – a sweet, buttery bun smell. And they taste just like they smell. They’re best when they’re fresh out of the oven, which is how they serve them typically. The inside is a sweet, buttery, light bread that melts in your mouth when they’re fresh. The outside is slightly crispy with a light coffee flavor. Mine had to endure a 15 minute walk home, so it doesn’t look quite as light and fluffy.

The RotiX stores will also sell other types of buns, like pumpkin, and coffee and maybe ice cream, too. Each one is a little different so it’s hard to keep track. The one here in Yeongtong has ice cream and coffee available. Rotibuns are fairly inexpensive at 2000 won each and are nice for alight snack while out for a walk. Some of the other buns will run you about 5000 won, but eh, who wants anything besides a rotibun anyway?

So if you haven’t tried a rotibun yet, stop into your local RotiBoy/Mum/Papa store and give one a go -They’re definitely worth it!