Food Story #2: More Basics

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Here is another round of some of my favorite and not so favorite foods that I've eaten quite a bit of out here. I'm going to post the pictures in order of when I write about them, so it's easy to reference.

The first one that I'm going to talk about is just plain old gogi mandu. In my last blog I talked about mandu soup, which is a really great soup. This is the mandu nix the soup. Once again, it's basically a dumpling filled with pork meat and various vegetables. You can order them steamed or fried. Both preparations are very good, but I'd imagine that fried has to be substantially worse for you. You can also order kimchi mandu, which is completely vegetarian and has a nice spicy bite to it. Depending on where you go to order the mandu, it can be a snack or a full blown meal. The mandu pictures that I provided in this blog are very big, so they are definitely meal worthy.

Next, I'm going to talk about chamchi chigae or very spicy tuna soup. This is a lot like kimchi chigae, which I talked about in my last blog, but this has tuna in it, tteok (the spongy rice cakes), and more tofu, otherwise it's very similar. I find this soup to be more filling and satisfying than kimchi chigae, but I would gladly order either one for dinner

Third is called kimchi bokumbop. This is a rice dish that I found to be somewhat unsatisfying. The kimchi is finely chopped and cooked with rice. They throw a fried egg on top and pepper some chopped kim for effect. I always heard that this dish was very spicy, and instead of spice I found bland flavors. Unfortunately, the strongest flavor came from the egg. I'll definitely have to try this dish at a different restaurant, because this particular restaurants preparation could have been the problem.

Fourth is a very popular Korean dish called pork stone bibimbop. This dish is served very hot. At the bottom of the "stone" bowl is a bed of rice which is blanketed by shaved pork covered in a spicy red sauce sprinkled with sesame seeds, onions, carrots, sprouts, lettuce, and kim. It's a very attractive dish when it is served to you, but you have to mix it all together before you start eating it. This is a very good, flavorful dish. Plus, it's not overwhelmingly spicy like kimchi or chamchi chigae, so most anybody can enjoy this.

That's about it for now, but don't worry, I have plenty of meals lined up to talk about: stinky soups, big meaty meals, lamb...oh god I love lamb, and plenty more. I'm also planning a blog on Korean snacks and how different they are than American snacks, even if they are the same brand, and a Korean beer blog. Keep reading! Please subscribe by putting your email in my subscription list. I'm getting about 50 to 60 views so far per blog, but I only have 8 subscribers. Also, leave a comment below. I'd like to read what you think. Thanks!

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Comments

[Bonnie Polzin]

I'm getting fat just reading about these dishes and I slobbered all over my keyboard. Thanks Dave!!!! Enjoy!! Bona Pe tite (spelled wrong) Love Aunt Bonnie

[Diane Hellrung]

Very Interesting
I'll have to try some of these dishes when I visit you next year. Maybe I'll even get the hang of the chopsticks. Love, Mom