When we walked in, I thought, “Nope, don’t
have to take our shoes off here.” The floor was the first thing that really made
me distrustful. This place didn’t seem clean enough to be a restaurant with its
decrepit walls and narrow walkway. Thankfully, the table we sat at was clean
and the air conditioner, though run-down looking and dusty, still blew out cool
air in 30 plus degrees Celsius weather that had us nearly melting. If my friend and I had been by herself, and not
with her Korean-American boyfriend, we would have quickly strode on past this
place without so much as a second glance.
To counterbalance being slightly uncomfortable,
I ordered comfort food: Kimchi Chigae or Kimchi stew. It was the first thing I
tasted upon arriving in Korea and I feel in love with its spicy goodness
immediately, despite my taste buds being almost burnt off. The adjumma brought
us a giant plate of panchan and told the only person among us who looked
remotely Korean that she had given us extra. My friend and I just smiled and
nod-bowed.
Though I had misgivings about the
building itself, the food turned out to be delicious. We ate to our heart’s
content and all for about 6,000 won a piece which is roughly $5.34 USD right
now. Gotta love the Korean pastime of eating out. Unless you’re eating in major
city like Busan or Seoul, most meals are around the 5-12,000 won mark. So, if
you ever have a chance to make it to Korea and you’re looking for something to
eat, “trust the adjummas” as my friend’s boyfriend remarked while we shuffled
down the street, bellies full. I’d say that more often than not, that statement
has been pretty true.
I definitely underestimated this restaurant. I didn't get pictures of the inside, though.
Panchan and Kimchi Chigae
Panchan
Other food I've had in Korea:
Dakgalbi cooking
Fried rice after dakgalbi
samgypsal, kimchi and sesame leaves
Bubble tea in Seongondong, Gyeongju
Raw fish at a teacher dinner
Goguma ( Sweet potato) latte
Traditional Korean fare
Indian food in Haeundae
Sad looking school lunch. Though I recently stopped eating school lunch, it normally looks better than this.
Porridge restaurant in Hwangsongdong, Gyeongju
Chinese restaurant with amazing lamb kebabs
Seongondong, Gyeongju
Grounds of a traditional Korean restaurant close to the tombs in downtown Gyeongju. This place is tucked away and I bet I couldn't find it again if I tried. My co-teacher and I got lost trying to find it.
The first time I had South African food was in Korea!
This place is in Itaewon and definitely worth visiting if you are a fan of good meat.
It may not look tasty for some, but this was delicious!
Thai food in Itaewon, Seoul
Nice!! I love finding places that don't seem flashy and are otherwise hole in the walls. Love the food here.
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