Sunny-side trip: The Trail for Taste Buds (Part 1)
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Taking the first trip ever to Korea, I was so excited to try out all out the stuff that I've seen from variety shows and dramas. The best thing I thought to start off is the taste of local delights.
Day 1: Dinnertime came and my friend drove me to a diner and the moment I entered, I felt cozy, thanks to the warm ambiance and setting of the place Place is called 상남면옥 |
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갈비찜 (Galbi Jjim, Braised Short Ribs), a bit on the pricier side, yes, but my friend said it was well worth it for special occasions. The meat was so tender and easy to tear off that big bone. Also the meat sauce complements the meat so well, giving a bit of a nutty edge. Even now my mouth is watering a little. Located somewhere in Suwon, Gyeonggido.
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Day 2: After a tour around the Korean Culture Village (민속촌, Minsok Chon), in Yongin (용인) made me hungry, we had lunch at a diner near the entrance.
The summer heat was too hot for my friend so we sat inside, with cooling aircon and tables and chairs. Others may choose to sit outside too, no chairs, but still feels just as comfy. |
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매밀국수 (Maemil guksu, Buckwheat Noodle). For tackling the summer heat, an ice cold bowl of this noodle. It literally has ice mixed with the noodles. Mix the spoonful of 고추장 (Gochujang, red chilli paste) and this dish will give a slight spicy edge among-st the cooling taste. The buckwheat itself, brown colored has a soft texture that's pleasant to chew on. But don't rush this meal, it can give you a brain-freeze. I've tried. Apparently buckwheat is also a healthier choice of wheat, so 일석이조 (2 birds with one stone).
녹두전 (Nokdujeon, Mung Bean Pancake), or other place may call it 녹두건 (Nokdugeon).
Accompanying the 매밀국수, this pancake gives a different twist. While the noodles were refreshing and clear, 녹두전 was savory and soft on the inside. The outside edges were slightly crunchy and fun to chew on, whereas eating towards the middle portion, the garnishes gave it more flavor. Don't be deceived by this bad angled picture (by yours truly....), it's bigger than you think.
The best part was when I dipped it in the soy sauce by the side which really brought out the full flavor of the 녹두전. Not just any soy sauce, but the sweet Japanese soy sauce. I don't know how to explain in writing but this is this combination is a MUST try.
Accompanying the 매밀국수, this pancake gives a different twist. While the noodles were refreshing and clear, 녹두전 was savory and soft on the inside. The outside edges were slightly crunchy and fun to chew on, whereas eating towards the middle portion, the garnishes gave it more flavor. Don't be deceived by this bad angled picture (by yours truly....), it's bigger than you think.
The best part was when I dipped it in the soy sauce by the side which really brought out the full flavor of the 녹두전. Not just any soy sauce, but the sweet Japanese soy sauce. I don't know how to explain in writing but this is this combination is a MUST try.
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Day 3: I took the SRT to Busan (about 2.5 hours from 동탄, Dongtan) and arrived in mid afternoon. After settling down in my airbnb and chatting with the host, I made my way to 해동 용궁사 (Haedong Yonggungsa Temple), further east of 해운대 (Haeundae). Trekking down to the temple site itself, there were street side stalls along the way. And one of the food really caught my attention, since i heard so many stories of it too.
Presenting to you |
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뻔대기 (Bbeondaegi, Silkworm pupae), boiled and served to the brim in a styrofoam cup. I really wished they gave me a smaller portion. But hey, its an adventure worth trying. Sure, I had some fears and hesitation so I closed my eyes and popped 1 in my mouth, bit it. Crunchy texture, and tinge of pungent smell but a slightly savory taste. Not too bad compared to its looks. I popped it bit by bit, to...... get over my fear.
Commercial Time: One hand was holding a camera, the other this cup of snacks. As I was about to take a photo, the juice spilt from the cup onto my shirt. That wasn't the worst part. After leaving the temple for 해운대 (Haeundae), the bus ride took about 30 minutes, and for the whole journey, imagine whiffing the damp smell of pupa constantly. After alighting I immediately rushed to the nearest mall to get a new shirt to change out into.
Later in the night, I walked past another stall selling 뻔대기, my stomach acted wierdly. So then i realised I developed a trauma for this snack
Note: That's just my story, but this is worth a shot. If you're up for a challenge.
Commercial Time: One hand was holding a camera, the other this cup of snacks. As I was about to take a photo, the juice spilt from the cup onto my shirt. That wasn't the worst part. After leaving the temple for 해운대 (Haeundae), the bus ride took about 30 minutes, and for the whole journey, imagine whiffing the damp smell of pupa constantly. After alighting I immediately rushed to the nearest mall to get a new shirt to change out into.
Later in the night, I walked past another stall selling 뻔대기, my stomach acted wierdly. So then i realised I developed a trauma for this snack
Note: That's just my story, but this is worth a shot. If you're up for a challenge.
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Later in the night, I took a stroll from 해운대 (Haeundae) to 광안리 해변 (Gwanganli beach), was about 1 hour walk and I got hungry, not having dinner yet. |
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While walking, an 아줌마 (ahjumma) was calling me from afar, standing in front of a fishery. They were selling all kinds of fish and sea creatures. Once again my adventure instincts kicked in and I asked if there was any...... |
산낙지 (Sannakji, Live Octopus), cut fresh in front of me. Sliced and diced into bite size pieces. She only battered with 창기름 (Chamgireum, Sesame oil). Now i wondered why they didnt give me any other sauce to dip it with.....
Anyway I took it out to the beach side and tried it. Because of the sesame oil, the octopus was wrapped with a rich flavor. And as the stories told, the suckers of the octopus tentacles sucked on the tip of my tongue. A meal that finally fought back was pretty interesting , but nonetheless delicious. Its rubbery texture means I had to chew on it quite a bit before swallowing. This feisty dish is worth a try.
Anyway I took it out to the beach side and tried it. Because of the sesame oil, the octopus was wrapped with a rich flavor. And as the stories told, the suckers of the octopus tentacles sucked on the tip of my tongue. A meal that finally fought back was pretty interesting , but nonetheless delicious. Its rubbery texture means I had to chew on it quite a bit before swallowing. This feisty dish is worth a try.
This is only Day 3 and I stayed there for 11 days, so stay tune for the next one
Writer: Min Sunn