This summer, the Korean Wave is reaching new heights. With BTS taking to the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Peggy Gou lighting up the Old Royal Naval College and K-beauty shaping trends across London, the capital is embracing all things Korea. Now, Londoners can get a taste of the ‘real Seoul’ with Virgin Atlantic Holidays’ Heart + Seoul, a Korean supper club hosted by a Korean Halmoni – the grandmother figures revered as the guardians of Korea’s food, family traditions and culinary heritage – offering guests an authentic window into the culture captivating millions worldwide.
Flying into London on Virgin Atlantic’s new direct service from Seoul, Park Mak-rye (@korea_grandma) has been enlisted to host the two-day experience, bringing the recipes, traditions and stories that have made her one of Korea’s most beloved cultural figures.
Park Mak-rye, aka Korea Grandma, is one of Korea’s most recognised grandmother creators and cultural icons. After running a restaurant for 43 years, she became renowned for sharing her home cooking, family recipes and Korean traditions with audiences around the world.
Bringing a taste of Seoul to Shoreditch, Korea Grandma will serve up Korean favourites including banchan, home cooked main dishes and traditional desserts, as well as Soju and local beers, introducing guests to the dishes and drinks that sit at the heart of every day Korean culture.
Created to celebrate the authentic experiences on offer through Virgin Atlantic Holidays, Heart + Seoul brings together food and culture through a vibrant, open plan communal dining experience inspired by the bustling atmosphere of Seoul’s local restaurants, markets and home kitchens. Throughout the experience, Korea Grandma will share the food, stories and traditions that have made her a household name in Korea.
While Heart + Seoul will come close, there’s nothing quite like the real thing and as the Korean wave hits the UK, now is the time to visit. Virgin Atlantic Holidays now offers a range of experiential holidays, travelling on Virgin Atlantic, the only UK airline operating direct flights to Seoul. Customers can immerse themselves in a range of authentic Korean experiences, from wearing a traditional hanbok and taking part in a tea ceremony, to joining Korean cookery classes and guided food market tours. Other highlights include visits to the Demilitarized Zone DMZ and tours of Seoul’s magnificent Royal Palace. Customers can also enjoy a wide range of curated experiences across Japan, Singapore and Thailand with handpicked hotels and tailored experiences in destinations such as Phuket, Kyoto and Osaka.
Food and drink won’t be the only thing on offer at Heart + Seoul. One guest at each sitting will win a pair of return flights to Seoul, with eight prizes available across the weekend. The catch? Winners must book their trip and travel within two weeks, embracing the spirit of spontaneity, and proving that when it comes to adventure, there’s no better time than now.
The pop-up will run from Friday 10th to Saturday 11th of July, with two lunch and two dinner sittings daily at 12pm, 2pm, 6pm and 8pm. Bookings are £30 per person and can be made through Open Table, with limited space for walk ins, with all proceeds going to Save the Children.
