In Seoul

IN SOUTH Korea, the word "up" nauseates me. It means bad news.

Suicides are up, prices are up, and my apartment rental fee have gone up. Add the "doom and gloom" media reports and Koreans are walking around with imaginary weights around their ankles.

Amid the pessimism, however, an eatery in my neighbourhood of Yeoido, the financial district of Seoul, has lifted my spirit. As the Korean won drops in value, the price of imports like flour jump by up to 70 per cent.

While most restaurants raised their prices to cover costs, the one opposite my apartment serving simple fare like champong or Korean laksa continues to maintain its low prices. A bowl of piping hot champong goes for 3,500 won - quite a steal. It is like finding char kway teow for S$1.50 at Raffles Place.

Out of curiosity, I spoke with the owner. He said that he would rather make a smaller profit and feed more hungry workers on a tight budget than raise his price. His restaurant is a real blessing when I have deadlines to meet, limited cash flow and a wife who is too busy with her final graduate school exams to cook.

His champong cheers me UP!