[Food]

[Food] Gogiguksu (고기국수, Meat Noodles)

Koreans served noodles with anchovy stock to guests to celebrate marriage or birthday or any good occasion because long noodle meant 'long live'. Meanwhile in Jeju Island, which is the most famous Korean tourist land in far south of Korea, people served steamed pork instead of noodles. However they served steamed pork with noodles since 1910~1920 A.D. when they started to produce noodles.

As beautiful as the scenery of Jeju Island is, Jeju Island's pork his of very high quality (and even today) without the gamey and foul smell, so they proudly serve noodles with high-quality pork. Today this noodle is called Gogiguksu (고기국수, Meat Noodles) and is a typical Jeju Island gourmet, followed by Jeju Island's half-dried tile fish and tangerine.

Gogiguksu is a very simple yet delicious dish. Put cooked noodles into thick and savory pork stock, and slice thick steamed pork to be topped on noodles. Savory, meaty and stodgy noodle with soft pork.

If you are a meat lover, how about trying gogiguksu when you visit Korea? Although you may not be a big fan of noodle soup, I'm sure that you will like it :)

Bon Appétit!

[Food] Sundaeguk (순댓국, Korean sausage soup)

[Food]

[Food]  Sundaeguk (순댓국, Korean sausage soup)

This story continues from Uh-mook and Sundae. It is helpful to read them before you read this story for a better understanding :)

Sundae (Korean sausage) + guk (soup) = Sundaeguk (Korean sausage soup). A popular meat soup dish in Korea. Its meaty and salty flavor fills your tummy with warmth. People put chopped spring onion as toppings and add spicy chili paste for extra taste. 

She was kind and warm like ever before. We talked about life since I left our hometown and what we do now. I opened up about my life story of my family and I moving abroad, then becoming independent to study abroad alone in Australia but then deciding to return to Korea to join the Army. Once I wanted to marry a girl who I really liked and was my ideal woman (which ended up being an epic fail in my life), and wanted to live as a freelancer who wanders alone to eat delicious food and meet people who I like. Nevertheless, I couldn't say "I missed you. I came here, not just drop by, to see you again before I leave" and "I was so shocked and you are married and have a daughter who looks exactly the same as you."

She was sitting down in front of me, and almost finishing her supper (sundaeguk) while listening to my life story. I observed, by glance, her face thoroughly. Maybe her freckles had faded and gained some wrinkles at the end of her eyes but her dimples and bright smile were right there, as in my childhood memory.

Sundae is being steamed on a metal pot.

She listened to my story with widened eyes, laughter, claps and murmurs, saying "Really?" and "Oh my God, Jerry". She looked as happy about our small reunion as I was. To me, she was one tough woman who fought daily and the kind mom of one daughter who resembles her so much.

Me...? I don't know...just a lonely jerk who roams around Korea and so-called 'gourmet' with low self-esteem? Whatever...

It was almost 10 o'clock on Saturday night. The customers were all gone and Ginny already went to sleep with her grandparents. The restaurant hall was dark with only some fluorescent tubes shining I and her. She said she was so tired of bargaining with farmers and dealers at a farmers market in Seoul.

"Hannah, I was so surprised when I first met Ginny. She is just a younger version of you, don't you think?"

"Hahaha, everyone says that. I think so and she is just gorgeous, like her mom. Ahahaha"

"Yeah, the power of genetics. Anyway, where's her father? Does he live in another city or is he on a business trip or something?"

"Uhm.......that's...uhm...."

Suddenly, she rubbed her eyes with her hands and I could see they were red. Her eyelashes were soaked. I instantly instinctively realized that I had pushed her 'tear button'. I wondered what happened to her in the last 20 years. She got up on her feet and headed to the shop's kitchen.

"Jerry, I'm gonna bring some soju (Korean Rice Wine) now. Do you drink soju? I will get some more steamed sundae from the kitchen too."

"Uhm...nah, I'm alright. Thanks."

"Ah...you are still not funny."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

Soju (Korean Rice Wine) with a variety of flavors in a freezer.

It was for a short moment that I was sitting alone while she was away getting a dish of sundae and soju. It felt so long to me. A series of questions about her and her family endlessly popped up in my head. 

Cheating? love-child? divorce? separated? accident? death?

Soon, she came back to the table with a soju and a tiny glass cup in her right hand and a dish of sundae in her left hand.

"Here's my natural tranquilizer. The best friend ever."

"Ah....Great. I guess I have to stay over tonight."

"That's right. Don't worry, we have extra room for you. (Giggle)"

She sat and opened a bottle of soju with a metal spoon that she was using, and poured crystal-clear liquor into a tiny soju glass. Then she quickly popped one shot into her mouth, then poured a second shot again.

"Yes! Sweet home, sweet soju."

"Sure, it is...sure..."

She drank three shots of soju straight, then smacked the table with the bottom of the soju glass really hard.


Clink!

"Aww! Hannah, that just hurt my eardrums."

"...Jerry."

"What?"

"Well...I really liked him. So much. Like the apple of my eye."

"You mean, your husband?"

Hannah nodded.

"He wasn't a very handsome guy or a prince in a Porsche, but diligent, warm-hearted, responsible and kind. We met each other in the Uni that we went to together. He said I was his everything and so did I."

She took another shot, and chewed a slice of sundae. I poured soju for her.

A dish of assorted sundae and sundaeguk

"I met him in a business administration class. He wanted to be a chef with his own restaurant, like this place - somewhere people can easily come and chat over a hot meal. A restaurant that means more than a restaurant. I liked his idea too, we thought we were great for each other. We fell in love so quickly and he proposed to me to marry him when we realized I was pregnant."

I listened to her story in silence. I couldn't say anything but 'I'm sorry for your loss'.

"One day, unfortunately.....yeah, like every sad story that you would have heard....in my case...it really happened to me....anyway.....he got hit by a truck...died on the spot."

"Aww....that's...more than terrible..."

"Yeah...I know, I know...shut up. I don't want to hear 'I'm so sorry for your loss' anymore."

"Okay...go on..."

I could see her eyes welling up. She sniffled and took another shot of soju.

"He was on the way to pick me up. We were supposed to go to a dress shop for our wedding."

"Oh, my..."

Sundaeguk with spicy chili paste

Soju glasses

"Well...people told me to start over with a new life, and abort the baby...I couldn't because Ginny is the only thing that he left for me."

Oh, man. I could feel my eyes were welling up too.

"People said it is not my fault...I know! But...what if...what if....I didn't beg him to go to the dress shop that day....it wouldn't have happened. I know it is my fault...but...I can't convince myself that it isn't my fault..."

"...........(sniffle)"

"Ginny doesn't know how her father died because I can't tell her yet. But when she asks me why her father had to die and she says she misses her father who she has only seen in his picture...I pretend I'm okay and it is nothing to me, but it breaks my heart...Now, people around me think I'm a tough and strong superwoman mom who survived for her family...but I'm still a weak woman."

Her teardrops fell into the soju glass that she was holding. She drank it. 

It must be sweet, bitter and salty. Like our life.

She cried till her lachrymal gland dried up. Then, after a while, she fell asleep after sharing some cute drinking habits and story of her hardships as a mom. And the last word that she mumbled while asleep pushed my tear button.

"Honey.....I miss you..."

Hot sundaeguk and a bowl of rice with Ggakdugi (fermented radish kimchi), one of my favorite meal, yum!

It must have been more than 10 years since his death. Hannah still calls him 'Honey' even in her dreams. I felt some kind of jealousy towards this man who doesn't exist anymore. 


Silly me.

Bon appétit!



<To be continued>

[Food] Dwaeji Gukbap (돼지국밥, Pork-Soup with Rice)

[Food]

Dwaeji Gukbap

(돼지국밥, Pork-Soup with Rice)

I can't exactly recall the date, but it was a freezing cold winter day in January and I was walking alone in crowded downtown Busan. As Busan is located in the far south-east Korea, its climate is warmer than the northern regions of Korea, but it was still cold to me.

It was about 4 years ago and I was feeling both mentally and emotionally exhausted. I was in a cold war with my family between Jerry (yes - me) and my other family members. I wanted to join the Korean Army because I wanted to become someone who could protect his country rather than just idly watch through foreign TV stations. My family didn't understand why I had returned to Korea without finishing my bachelor degree in Uni. Moreover, I was on my way home after breaking up with Sophie. Yes...it was so...perfect - a miserable day when everyone had turned their back on me. I was one cold and sad animal.

Busan is the 2nd biggest city in Korea and also has the biggest port
 where once was interim capital city during the Korean War.

I had been walking again and again for hours without knowing where I was heading. Then I felt a hunger pang as I stopped at an entrance to Haeundae market near the famous Haeundae beach in Busan. I still don’t know why I stepped into the market, but I think that I was longing for warmth and kindness from others.

An alley in Haeundae market

The owners of each restaurant were busy with cooking and customers. I looked for any quiet Dwaeji Gukbap (Pork-Soup with Rice) restaurant with calmness. Finally I found a restaurant with old couple where serves Dwaeji Gukbap in hot ttukbaegi (Korean black, thick earthen bowl, google it please).

A shop serving porridge in a Korean market

"Ma'am, may I have one Dwaeji Gukbap with extra chives please?"

I ordered my meal while my table was being prepared, hoping that she would give me extra Chinese-cabbage kimchi and raisin kimchi.

"Alright, young man. You don't sound like a local. Where are you from?"

"I'm from a city near Seoul...ah....this place is so cozy and warm..."

Each region in Korea has its own dialect and people can recognize where someone is 

from. She knew I wasn’t from Busan because I spoke standard Korean, which is not very common in Busan.

"Seoul....what brought you to Busan then...?"

"Uhm...family...and other stuff..."

Then I continued talking gently with grandpa who was sitting at a table watching the 

evening news. I was desperate and hungry and wanted to stop chatting with him, but 

how on earth could I say 'Hi, I'm having a major conflict with my whole family and it's only been a few hours since my ex-girlfriend left me. Hahahahaha.....what a great day, isn't it? It's freaking cold outside and I'm one hungry animal, so would you please quickly serve me some Dwaeji Gukbap?'

No, I could not, because grandpa was just trying to be kind to me with a sorrowful 

look, like any grandpa would show for his grandson.

One of the most famous Dwaeji Gukbap restaurants in Busan

A typical menu borad in a Dwaeji Gukbap restaurant

It's telling you how to improve the taste of Dwaeji Gukbap

Thankfully, Dwaeji Gukbap was brought by grandma soon after. It was still boiling with the leftover heat with a 'blup blup' sound. Hot vapor soon covered my glasses and face.

'Dwaeji' mean 'a pig' in Korean

Dwaeji Gukbap is usually served with a fermented dish of baby prawns, chives, two kinds of kimchi, bean paste, green spicy chilly, chopped onions, thin noodles and thick red chilly paste.

The origin of Dwaeji Gukbap is uncertain, but it is often served in the Gyeongsang (South-East) province of Korea. 'Guk' means ‘soup’ and 'bap' means ‘cooked rice’ or ‘meal’ in Korean. 'Dwaeji' means ‘pig’ or ‘pork’ so it means 'Pork-Soup with cooked rice' in Korean. It is your choice whether to put a whole or half bowl of rice into soup when eating Gukbap. You can also eat a bowl of rice and soup separately.

The origin of the 'Gukbap (Soup with cooked rice)' is also uncertain, but it is certain that it had begun in the 1800s. Gukbap had become very popular during the Korean War because people could finish eating it faster than any other Korean dish, which means that you can start running earlier for your life in the event of an emergency. It is a very common Korean food and many Koreans go to a Gukbap restaurant when they want to eat out, but don't have any preferred dish.

Dwaeji Gukbap with thick red chilly paste topping

Dwaeji Gukbap with boiled pork slices and Soju (Korean distilled liquor)

"Thanks, ma'am"

"There you go. You look like someone who has had a tough day. Let me give you a soda for free. Take it, it is my pleasure."

Grandma picked out some cool soda in a green glass bottle and put it on the table.

"Thanks a million...ma'am..."

I grabbed a spoon and chopsticks, and poured a dish of thin noodles, chives and thick red chilly paste into Gukbap. And I slowly started to move my spoon.

The hot, salty and meaty liquid flowed into me and heated me from head to toe. I then moved my spoon quicker and quicker.

Suddenly, I found a teardrop rolling down my cheek which fell into a bowl of Gukbap. When I saw my reflection on the mirror on the restaurant wall, I saw reddened, swollen eyes. I was crying. I was silent but endless teardrops flowed out of my eyes. I can't remember why I started crying, but I just wanted to be understood and loved by my family or by anyone else. I was yearning for kindness and love – maybe, I guess, some simple kindness. The old couple’s Dwaeji Gukbap touched my heart and made me think of my family and ex-lover.

I realized that the old couple were embarrassed seeing a grown young man starting to cry while eating. But I just couldn't stop myself. Every emotion exploded out of my eyes in tears.

I believe that the smooth warm taste of Gukbap has the power to soften people and their hearts. I guess I had cried suddenly because Gukbap melted my frozen heart that was unexpecting of love or kindness from anyone.

If you have any friends who seem to be in hardship, invite them to have Gukbap together. Maybe it can soothe their pain like it did for me :)




Bon appétit!