I'll be upfront. I'm not a fan of Korean food and in fact pretty much avoid them due to the high risks of them containing something that I don't eat. So yeah, I don't fancy korean food. Period.
Nevertheless, I still have to eat, don't I?
In almost every Korean meal, there are bound to be starters / appetizers. Usually (in fact most of the restaurants that we went) they serve Kimchi. Kimchi usually comes in the form of fermented cabbage but there are much more varieties that I could have imagines. Refer to this
link for more reading up on Kimchi.
Some restaurants, serve up more than just kimchi, they serve anchovies (which is yummy!) and other stuff like humongous beansprouts (they look mutated) and seaweed.
In one restaurant, they served up quail eggs, which I didn't eat. The cholesterol level is way too value for size.
Oysters (costs extra) are cheap in Korea. Dirt cheap. In the markets at tiny red dot land, we could be looking at $4 - $5 each. In Korea, I got them got like 20,000 Won ( Approximately USD 20) for 20. Surprisingly, we didn't eat too many of them in Korea - because the lady didn't like them served without lemons.
Of course, Korea's streets are lined with vendors selling all sorts of food. I didn't try any of them, except this this, which I tried everyday. BBQ octopus.
Ahjuma grills it on stones
Here's some other stuff I tried along the way.
squid rice. Spicy!
Colourful rice. Its actually caviar in different colours.
A visit to Korea, wouldn't be complete without trying out Samgyetang (Chicken ginseng soup). Its actually chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and cooked in ginseng soup and it has been my staple food the last time I visited Korea.
They'll come served in a hot bowl, usually with the soup still boiling. Open up the chcken, the rice flows gently into the soup and you can add pepper and salt to taste. Very yummy on a cold winter day in Korea.
Typical serving of Samgyetang
Before my second visit, friends back in Sillypore mentioned something about a famous restaurant that is famed for its Samgyetang. I didn't recall visiting any famous one the last time I was there, I thought I should pay this one a visit.
Tosokchon is it's name.
Hopping off Gyeongbokgung Station (Exit 2), we came face to face with ordinary looking streets. Low lying shops, nothing prominent. No crowds too. Weird.
And then we ventured further down and looked left into a street, we knew we are at the right place. Yes, the queue.
Long queue!!
I hate to queue. But have Samgyetang, will queue.
Tosokchon
After about 20 mins, it's our turn to head in. The restaurant is huge I tell you. Its made up of a cluster of small traditional korean houses and the seating style is tatami (I hate tatami too. After 10 mins, needles and pins poke my feet) as well as seating at tables (but was full).
Shoes outside please.
And after 15 mins of waiting (they missed our order), the pot of gold was delivered. Doing the same thing, I tore the flesh apart and dug into the yummy rice. One spoon soup, one speckle of salt, one mouth rice, a bit of chicken. Satisfying.
The real thing, no doubt.
Noryangjin Fish Market
I'm a self-confessed seafood fan. Big time. And my trip to Korea, can't do without a trip to
Noryangjin fish market.
This place is amazing. An eye-opener. Just based on the area itself, one would have much to wow about.
As you walk, there are persistent vendors eager to make their sale. Chances are they might even pull you over to their products.
Sharp-eyed predators, looking for prey.
seafood overload
Octopus of many sizes. Those stuck on the glass are abalones of different sizes.
After buying scallops, abalones, prawns, sashimi and a little treat, we were led to this restaurant named 'Huang Di' (Emperor in Mandarin) to cook our buys. The idea of these restaurants are to help you cook on the spot for that 'freshness' one seeks. Nothing can get fresher than buying something live and having it cooked in the next 10 mins.
Huang Di
SASHIMI TO DIE FOR
BBQ Prawns
And yes, consistent to my determination not to have to re-visit Korea again, we tried this:
Live Octopus
The suction pads stick onto you and may hurt you if you just leave it in your mouth.
The way I ate it - chewed it not letting it have the chance to stick onto me and swallow. This dish is surprisingly good and is served with salt and sesame oil.
I will, miss this seafood market.
