Thanksgiving dinners available in Seoul, Seongnam

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By Jon Dunbar

There isn't much time left to make arrangements for Thanksgiving food this year, whether you're an American, a Canadian who would rather celebrate late than never, a Korean or anyone hoping to feast on some turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and other North American traditional holiday dishes.

American Thanksgiving, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, is coming up next week, and reservations for restaurants and delivery services are filling up fast.

Many restaurants are offering dine-in Thanksgiving meals as usual. Seating restrictions and other social distancing measures are still in effect, although they've loosened a bit since last month, especially for those fully vaccinated.

The Workshop in Haebangchon will have a four-course Thanksgiving dinner next Thursday starting at 7 p.m., and its sister bar, The Hidden Cellar, is holding another similar dinner on Saturday, Nov. 27. It costs 45,000 won per person, with group bookings for parties of up to eight possible provided that at least four members of the group are vaccinated. Visit fb.com/theeworkshop for more information.

Route 66 in Itaewon is having its 8th annual Thanksgiving buffet, which is happening on Sunday, Nov. 28 starting at 3 p.m. Tickets are 50,000 won per person. As well as the Thanksgiving food, they'll also be serving Fireball whisky eggnog. Takeout boxes will be available after the buffet is over. Visit fb.com/ItaewonRoute66 for more information.

Hearth, a bakery, restaurant and wine/beer bar in Gangnam District, has two Thanksgiving turkey dinners per night from Nov. 25 to 28, priced at 65,000 won per person. Seatings start each night at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. As well as turkey with homemade gravy, the meal comes with various sides, including apple walnut stuffing, lasagna and pecan pie. Visit fb.com/hearthseoul for more information.

Czech restaurant 1842 in Itaewon is offering Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 27 and 28, with seatings starting at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. It offers all the usual American holiday foods, like turkey, roast beef, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, roasted carrots, pumpkin pie and more. It costs 45,000 won per person. Visit fb.com/1842seoul for more information.

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Some dine-in offers are already sold out as of the date of publication, and others are likely to follow soon.

The New Orleans restaurant Lagniappe, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is all booked up for dine-in reservations, but is still offering takeout orders for pickup between Nov. 25 and 27. Its Cajun Cornucopia Plate offers Cajun roasted butter turkey along with various sides, including mac 'n' cheese, sweet potato casserole and cornbread, plus either pumpkin spice cheesecake or raspberry cheesecake. Visit fb.com/LagniappeKorea for more information.

CALI Kitchen's Thanksgiving dinner is already booked up, but Gentleman Chicken, its affiliated chicken restaurant in Itaewon specializing in delivery and takeout, is offering its own popular spin on the Thanksgiving meal. Rather than turkey, it offers roast chicken, as well as sides, including Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, pasta and pecan streusel, as well as gravy, cranberry relish and rolls. One set feeding four is priced at 60,000 won. Pickup is available Thursday to Sunday, with limited preorders available per day. Visit fb.com/gentlemanchickenkr for more information.

An image of Gentleman Chicken Itaewon's Thanksgiving Takeout Meal / Courtesy of Gentleman Chicken

"Despite the crazy year, we have a lot to be thankful for," Chuck Chun, owner of Gentleman Chicken, said in an online post. "Thanksgiving meals are always a labor of love and we appreciate you and hope you continue to feel the love in our food. Stay safe this holiday season."

Dragon Hill Lodge on U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, seen 2018 / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

A popular option remains Dragon Hill Lodge Deli on U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan. The Deli is taking orders for its four- and eight-person feasts, giving people a choice between beef prime rib, turkey or ham, as well as mashed potatoes, garden vegetables, dinner rolls and the choice between pumpkin and apple pie. The "Holiday Meals To Go" offer will be available until Jan. 2 next year, giving anyone the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas or ring in the New Year with authentic American cuisine. Orders must be placed in advance. For those who can't get on post, pickups may be available at the visitors' gate, located near the National Museum of Korea. Visit dragonhilllodge.com and look under the events menu for more information on prices and ordering information.

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As the most reliable of Thanksgiving groceries, including turkeys, come from U.S. military bases, it can be difficult to find events in other locations, especially for civilians.

HQ Bar at Busan's Gwangalli Beach has announced plans for a Thanksgiving meal with details still to come. "We've had 500 people ask," they said in an online post, which shows demand is likely to be high.