"Koreans don't eat turkey"

I plan on writing about (or lazily posting pictures of) the wonderful world of Korean chicken dishes one day soon... I should know, as I typically don't eat anything else that can walk - oh, except turkey, which is a rarity in this country. Why, I'm not quite sure, so I decided to Ask A Korean. I've asked other Koreans, but it's usually in vain:

"Koreans don't eat turkeys."
"글쎄..."
"Turkey? What's turkey?"

Anyway, I digress. Back to chicken, more specifically 닭갈비 - but not my typical dak kalbi eats - just jjeolmyeon, chicken, and cheese! I mean, really, it's greasy as h-e-double-hockey-sticks (yes, I just said "h-e-double-hockey-sticks," betcha haven't heard that in a while), but talk about an ono-licious meal.



I realize the photo pictured above could potentially come off as a bad dish of oily spaghetti and marinara but for those of you that can imagine just how tasty this is... ya know yer green with envy! It's all about perspective. ^^

Ah, that Buddhist temple in Wonju

Wanna go home now?
No, let's take her sightseeing.
What's there to see in Wonju?
That temple on the mountain...
Hmm, I think I've been there.
*upon arrival* Yep, definitely been here. (Video evidence!)
Are you Buddhist?
Nope.

I'm pretty bad with Korean names... I'm thinking this might be Guryongsa Temple. A little help? Either way, it's a nice area to walk around and pick chestnuts straight off the tree, especially at sunset. ^^ (I'm aware that I sound very historically and culturally illiterate right about now.)

More shoutouts from across the (other) pond

To 엄마 & 정재... JH Imo calls it an "interview." : )


And the "secret" shoutouts from the you-know-whos are here and here...

Red Mango fun

Wonder why there's so much English on the walls?
It must be all the gyopos. Well, except for Heather Bowser maybe.


Can you read that aloud for me? (Hint: Bottom Center, if you're in the least bit interested, and for the record, I didn't get the "sofa king" reference at first... Yep, gotta be those damn summer schoolers!)


People watching, a wonderful pastime - best seats in the house.


Couldn't resist. ㅋㅋ I'm dead meat. 미안 ^^;;

Tuesday food diary

I started a food diary on Monday with intentions of whipping myself into shape, but it looks like I've already fallen off the wagon. GG and I were discussing how our weight has changed for the worse since we first landed on motherland soil (he gained 5 kgs, I've played the fluctuation game), and we joked about Koreans' tendency to be brutally honest, which I've sincerely come to appreciate - it keeps me somewhat in check. So here we go... my publicized food journal. I welcome any emails, comments, text, calls, or FB messages to help me fix this addiction. Half kidding.

Bibimbap: Nice start! Lots of root veggies, Mom would be proud.


Boneless Fried Chicken: A couple pieces won't kill anyone...


Red Mango Yogurt: Er...it's healthier than ice cream.


Roasted Chestnuts: Very nutritional and high in complex carbohydrates, people.


This is DEFINITELY good for you. ^^


Dong Dong Ju: For the record, I had two sips (and pretended to refill my cup, shh.)


Mung Bean Jun (녹두전): I admit, not the wisest choice.


Fried Chicken and Beer: Out of excuses.




Here's to a better Wednesday!

From where I'm sitting

My favorite bench at Ssamziegil in Insadong.

Where's the mac salad?

Anna and I were craving fried chicken and this was the closest thing we could find on the menu... (I've gotten confused... do we usually serve our chicken with fruit in the States, or is this a Korean tendency? I kind of like it.)



It strangely reminded me of huli huli chicken, only it smelled of ham, was a little pink for our taste, and I still haven't gotten used to the idea of chicken necks on a platter. Either way, it was very plate lunch reminiscent - some mac salad and a scoop of white rice might have done the trick.

Of course the Hawaii kids ordered the pineapple soju "slushy"... I mean, who could resist? With a name like that, there's potential for many wonderful things - imagine this flowing out of your local 7-Eleven Icee machine? Besides, the waiter told us that this drink would require ten minute lead time... it must have been something special, right?



Unfortunately it tasted like a bad bag of over concentrated Capri Sun, or perhaps simple syrup mixed with yellow tie dye. Eck.

This made us thirsty for some watered down mekju, and upon arrival at a "western style bar," we then realized just how much we really enjoyed plain nori dipped in shoyu-vinegar... yep, good ol' seaweed and beer. I really don't think I'll be able to go back to vodka tonics.

Mmh banchan

Mmh banchan... just to make you hungry.

Pictures below come from a restaurant I went to a couple nights ago... but the amazing thing is that my relatives' fridges are usually stocked like this. How, I don't know. It's like magic!

Pojangmacha

Never thought I'd say this before but...

I'll miss eating omelettes with broth and beer late at night on the street...

2 more weeks left in Korea. ㅠㅠ

But I'll be back. ^^

Seoul International Fireworks Festival

Last night, we checked out the Seoul International Fireworks Festival from Yeouido (여의도)... Apparently, this year Korea and Hong Kong battled it out to see who could make a more impressive show... I'm not sure who won, but the second show definitely took the cake! My pictures and videos (below) don't do it justice, so you should also check out this person's clip of the bridge along the Han River cascading with gorgeous lights... 'twas beeyooteeful. ^^

Why it's better to take the bus sometimes...

On the freeway from Gyeonggi-do to Seoul... where's everyone going on a weekend afternoon? Sometimes it just makes more sense to take public transportation. Gotta love the bus lanes!

Shoutouts from Korea

To 정재 -


To 엄마 -

Bread and beer

That honey toast looks delicious. (Note: It's not that photogenic.)



Uh, is that a parsley garnish?



Guys, I just realized...we're eating a loaf of bread with whipped cream. Like, an entire loaf of bread. Did we just order an entire loaf of bread?

You're only realizing that now?

And we're eating it with beer.

Is that strange?

You're in Korea.

Right.

It's like drinking chocolate

Iced chocolate heaven is now available at the recently opened Lucycato shop around Ewha Women's University. If you like to chew on your drinks (yes, it's sort of like drinking melted chocolate), then this is the place for you. Plus, it's pretty and girly and a little Jetsons-esque, if that's your sort of thing. Not only do they sell chocolate in a cup, but you can also find ice cream, fancy little cakes, and truffles... everything chocolate, just my kind of place. ^^