Catch the flavour: Andy’s Bistro in Wonju!
Why would you go to Wonju? That’s the first question people always seem to ask me whenever I declare I am going to Kangwondo, the province beside Gyeonggido, which faces the Eastern Sea and is home to beautiful tourist hotspots like Gangneung, Sokcho and now the famous winter Olympic village in Pyeongchang. Why not?
The real reason is that a friend of mine from England happens to live there and I hadn’t seen her new apartment nor met her newly rescued street cat since I left over a year ago. I try to visit new cities and places every time I am in Korea but this year I was a little rushed off my feet. I decided however, to visit Wonju once more to spend some quality time with my friend Jess. We decided to do something different, so we went for fish and chips. Yes. I kid you not, fish and chips, in Kangwondo, South Korea. My friend has lived in Kangwondo for two years already so her knowledge of Kangwondo is pretty sweet. Her friend Andy owns a wonderful bistro right next to the long-distance bus terminal. Located on the second floor, as soon as you walk in you are mesmerised with how much thought and detail went into the décor, inspired by their honeymoon travels to Italy and the rest of Europe and Andy’s own experiences living in Australia, Andy’s bistro is a wonderful homage to foreign cuisine.
We opted to eat Chicken Parmesan, and handmade battered Fish and chips served with lemon vinegar and homemade tartare sauce. We also ordered a side of fries, not expecting the mountain that would be put out in front of us. Before we were served our mains, we were given freshly baked focaccia bread to start with balsamic vinegar and oil. Served true Italian style (I would know, I’m a Venetian now). The chips were fresh and crispy with the skin on, exactly the way I’d order it back home in England. The fish was light and fluffy and my only suggestion for improvement is to let the batter become slightly more golden. (This in no way affected the taste).
We left Andy’s Bistro with bellies full of food, a fully charged phone (thank god for Korean efficiency) and warmth left from the kindness of Andy and his wife, with their smiling and attentive service.
I don’t know how likely you are to go to Wonju but if you do go there I’d recommend Andy’s Bistro in a heartbeat.
