Another Thanksgiving in Korea
I have spent every Thanksgiving since 1991 in Korea. Every year I tell myself that I'll go home for Turkey-day next year. Something always manages to keep me here. It's not all that bad, though. I miss the family a bit more every year, but I actually have lost my craving for Thanksgiving dinner.
Years ago, there weren't many options for American expats in Korea when it came to Thanksgiving dinner. When I had access to the US Army bases, first as a soldier and later as a civilian, the standard Thanksgiving fare was easy to get, from the chow halls, the MWR (Morale Wellfare and Recreation) club restaurants, and the Dragon Hill Lodge hotel (where I worked for three years) at the Yongsan compound in Seoul. Outside the base, it was a rare thing to see. I really don't remember what options were available. I believe a couple of hotel chains, such as the Hyatt and Hilton, offered turkey dinners. All I remember is that there weren't many places to go if you didn't have a way on to one of the bases.
Much has changed in Seoul over the years I've lived here. Expats have it a lot easier now than we did when I first left the Army nearly 15 years ago. Getting a Thanksgiving dinner is one of the things that is no longer a hassle. Within walking distance from my house are several restaurants offering some form of Thanksgiving meal. Pick up one of the monthly guide magazines that are freely distributed around Itaewon and other areas frequented by foreigners and you can find ads and event calendars listing all sorts of Thanksgiving goodness around Seoul. You can even find shops that sell Turkey and the accompanying accessories, such as cranberry sauce and dressing mix, that you can take home and cook for yourself.
Still, even with so much available, I really don't feel the need to go out and try any of it. Even when I had easy access to holiday meals on the Army base, I frequently didn't take advantage of it. I always had something else to do. I can remember four occasions when I actually ate a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner over the years. But for those of you who are looking for a good Turkey dinner in Seoul, you should have no trouble finding something good -- though don't expect it to be cheap!