SHY BANA

Don’t make the mistake of ordering the Bacon Cheeseburger Rice thinking you’re going to get a bacon cheeseburger. You’re going to get rice that tastes like a really salty bacon cheeseburger. But, why order a bacon cheeseburger (or rice) that's too salty if you have the option of enjoying one of the best brunches I’ve had in Seoul?

The inside of Shy Bana in Sinsa-dong reminded me of an awesome diner from small-town America stuck in the late 70s. Or, maybe that's what I wanted it to look like, so I'm just making this up in my mind as I think back on the experience. Sometimes I make things up. Sorry.

Shy Bana claims to specialize in American Southern Soul Food. I’m not from the South, so I wouldn’t really know and I didn’t really care. I just wanted a great-tasting brunch. And that's what I got.

The french toast was prepared just right, and came with a dollop of whipped cream, strawberry topping, as well as maple syrup. I also got two strips of glorious bacon, and two eggs sunny side up. Pretty sure the only Southern thing on my plate was the side of what seemed to be scalloped corn. The orange wedge as a garnish was a nice touch.

A cup of mushroom soup as a starter was nothing to write home about (except for this mention in a blog post), and bread from a breadbasket appetizer tasted okay. But, nothing compared to the greatness of the brunch. And even though the coffee wasn’t the best, I appreciated the free refills.

Seoul has four Shy Bana locations. I went with a group of four to the one located in Sinsa-dong, and had to wait for about an hour to get a table. The brunch price varies from weekdays to weekends and holidays. We happened to go on a holiday, which is why the place may have been so packed.

Is it the best? Possibly. Go taste for yourself. My quest to find the best brunch in South Korea continues.

525-23 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 02-545-4281

I can't remember how to get there from the subway. Sorry. I just know I walked a lot. And apparently Shy Bana doesn't have a website. Who doesn't have a website in 2013?