Tacos Al Asador (our new obsession) was absolutely packed at 6:45 on a Friday night so we back-tracked to the heart of little Korea and went to Korea House. It too was moderately busy, but it seemed to be mainly due to an inefficient (but spacious) seating plan.
Things started well with a bunch of side dishes - bean sprouts, seaweed, sliced water chesnut jelly, tofu and ridiciously hard fermented black beans.
Main courses improved things - for me bulgogi (marinated beef) with onions, mushrooms and a large side of rice. This was one of the better bulgogi we've had and it definitely compares with the authentic version in Korea.
Ian made an even better choice - glass noodles with beef and veggie with a side of rice. Great flavor and almost too much for even Ian to eat!
The price here was great too - about $30 all in!
Showing posts with label Korean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Korean. Show all posts
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
And..More Korean...but at Home
I have very few regrets in my life, but not buying $1 stone dolsat bi-bim-bop bowls at the dollar store in Korea is one of them. I put 100% of the blame for this on Ian. I hope he feels bad (but he probably doesn't).
Only a very minor amount of genius on my part has saved us from this dilemma. The bop for 2 in a common pan (with a handle) is a little unorthodox, but seemed to do the job when baked in the oven!
And here's the final product, all mixed up!
Only a very minor amount of genius on my part has saved us from this dilemma. The bop for 2 in a common pan (with a handle) is a little unorthodox, but seemed to do the job when baked in the oven!
And here's the final product, all mixed up!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Miga for Dinner
Although a little more expensive than Korea (OK, a lot more), Miga was well worth it for BBQ dinner.
With the $42 BBQ combo #1 for 2 people, we got 2 miso soups, 2 trays of side dishes, 2 rice, lettuce leaves, sauces and a platter of meat including beef short ribs, beef steak, pork spareribs and chicken.
The meat was marinated in tasty sauces and was high quality.
I really liked how they changed the grill 3 times while we ate!
It seems as though the rest of Mississauga agrees with us - on a Saturday night at 6:30, Miga was packed (maybe 100-150 seats)!
With the $42 BBQ combo #1 for 2 people, we got 2 miso soups, 2 trays of side dishes, 2 rice, lettuce leaves, sauces and a platter of meat including beef short ribs, beef steak, pork spareribs and chicken.
The meat was marinated in tasty sauces and was high quality.
I really liked how they changed the grill 3 times while we ate!
It seems as though the rest of Mississauga agrees with us - on a Saturday night at 6:30, Miga was packed (maybe 100-150 seats)!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Miga for Lunch
After Korean food overload in Korea, we were ready to come back.
I went with the lunch crew to Miga (Mississauga) and for $10, I got the beef short ribs with rice in a hot dolsat stone bowl. This was an overwhelming amount of flavorful beef. Even better was that only one rib still had the rib as the kitchen saved me the effort and cut the bone off the rest! Also included was miso soup and a tasty assortment of side dishes. I liked how each person got their own tray of greens, sprouts and potatoes!
I went with the lunch crew to Miga (Mississauga) and for $10, I got the beef short ribs with rice in a hot dolsat stone bowl. This was an overwhelming amount of flavorful beef. Even better was that only one rib still had the rib as the kitchen saved me the effort and cut the bone off the rest! Also included was miso soup and a tasty assortment of side dishes. I liked how each person got their own tray of greens, sprouts and potatoes!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
And More Korea....Andong Chicken
On our Andong heritage village adventure, we went to a house in the village for the local speciatly chicken. This had a good amount of tasty sauce, lots of chicken, some noodles, potatoes, onions, carrots and greens. Add rice & side dishes and it was way too much for 3 people to eat. A good deal for $22 all in!
It was the only chicken we ate on the entire 2.5 week trip.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Korea Again - Pancake this Time!
This is the same place as the tasty dumpling joint in Insadong Seoul. Seafood pancake seemed to be a speciality in Korea, particularly with squid. It is somewhat misleading for the veggie or non seafood fan, as these squid pancakes often showed up in the English translation as "green onion" or "vegetable" pancake!
This one was legitimately veg, making me happy (although I don't look it from the picture)! The waitress wasn't shy about going at it with scissors, thus saving me the hassle of slicing into bite size pieces with my chopsticks!
To the left of the picture, you can see an almost empty bowl of glass noodle salad..mmm. To the right is full kim-chee...ewwwww.
This one was legitimately veg, making me happy (although I don't look it from the picture)! The waitress wasn't shy about going at it with scissors, thus saving me the hassle of slicing into bite size pieces with my chopsticks!
To the left of the picture, you can see an almost empty bowl of glass noodle salad..mmm. To the right is full kim-chee...ewwwww.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
One More Korea - Beef Cartilage Stew
One more post...or at least the last one till I look through my Korea pictures again!
This was a small restaurant near my sisters place outside Cheonan. Their specialty is beef cartilage stew. Once it cooks down, meat gets infused with broth tastiness and starts to fall off the bones. Until this point, it's a bit tough to eat. The broth was delicious and there were lots of tasty mushrooms, greens and a few potatoes. Add a couple of baps on the side and a few side dishes and it's a pretty filling meal for about $6/person.
Here's my sister enjoying the stew:
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Where Rice Comes From...Korea!
In particular, these rice fields are near Andong at the Hahoe folk village.
Monday, November 17, 2008
More Korea - Bibimbap & Bulgogi
These were two lunch time staples in Korea and we generally ate at least one of these each day.
Bibimbap kinda varied, but the general theme was rice mixed with mushrooms, greens, onion, bean sprouts, seaweed and spicy hot sauce. In the mountains, you could order "mountain veggie bibimbap" but as far as I could tell it was pretty similar to the city!
I especially liked the dolsot bibimbap where it was served in a very hot stone pot and a raw egg was added. You immediately stir and the egg cooks in the pot. Ian is eating that type in the second picture.
Bulgogi came either pre-prepped to your table as a sweeter beef stir fry kind of dish (first pic, lots of mushrooms on top) or as a stew with beef and other assorted tasty veggies in broth (second pic).
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Ginseng Chicken
Whole chicken stuffed with ginseng infused rice = moderately tasty chicken and gross rice!
See the small black pot in this picture.
See the small black pot in this picture.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Korea BR & DD Obsession
Baskin Robbins & Dunkin Donuts are basically on every block in major towns. These chains have taken a serious hold on the snack/dessert category in Korea.
Perhaps a cheesecake?
Donuts for the local taste...Ian thought it was OK.
Translation could use some work?
Fondue at baskin did not have the promised 31 flavors, nor was it a terribly good deal for about $12. Tastiness level was high though.
Ian goes forth west fondue cherry tomato. In Korea, tomato is truly treated as a fruit.
Perhaps a cheesecake?
Donuts for the local taste...Ian thought it was OK.
Translation could use some work?
Fondue at baskin did not have the promised 31 flavors, nor was it a terribly good deal for about $12. Tastiness level was high though.
Ian goes forth west fondue cherry tomato. In Korea, tomato is truly treated as a fruit.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Korea Street Food of the Dessert Variety
This was a favorite along Insadong in Seoul- deep fried donut with cinnamon brown sugar filling! For 900 won, the price was very right!
While waiting for our Changdeok Palace tour to start, we had some baked goods with red bean paste filling. The street vendors have these fun little mechanical baking contraptions to turn these things out hot and fresh. $1000 won for 6 of these little guys.
Basically a more popular version of the above. This time in fish format. 3 for a dollar.
Not shown, but rejected as gross by Ian and Janice - walnut cakes. Dough stuffed with a weird paste for quite a lot of $$$!
While waiting for our Changdeok Palace tour to start, we had some baked goods with red bean paste filling. The street vendors have these fun little mechanical baking contraptions to turn these things out hot and fresh. $1000 won for 6 of these little guys.
Basically a more popular version of the above. This time in fish format. 3 for a dollar.
Not shown, but rejected as gross by Ian and Janice - walnut cakes. Dough stuffed with a weird paste for quite a lot of $$$!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Korean BBQ
This was one of Ian and I's favorite meals in Korea and we went quite a few times...enough so that our guide/sister has sworn off BBQ for at least a few months!
For anywhere between $3 to $9 per person, you get either fatty pork or fatty beef to cook on a grill. Obviously lower price = more fatty and less desirable cuts of meat.
In general, pork seemed to be plain and beef was marinated in soy sauce based sauce.
The meat comes with lettuce or sesame leaves for wrapping, hot sauce, green onion/spring mix salad with tangy soy sauce dressing, garlic, kimchee and sea salt. We typically ordered a couple of $1 rices to fill us up a bit (put a bit in each lettuce packet). Or course, the usual other side dishes were present to keep you busy while meat is grilling.
So you grill meat, kimchee and garlic and then assemble with condiments and rice all wrapped up in a cute little pocket. Mmmmmm......
Our first night in Cheonan. This joint was characterized by not enough pork (mainly Jackie ordering not accounting for Ian's big appetite) and poor building ventilation. The actual meal was good and we had Jackie's authentic Korean friend (So-Yong) tending the grill for us.
Some soju was in order, but unfortunately I disappointed with some lightweight drinking. I later found out, the stuff here was actually pretty light at only 19%. Later versions were more like 45% in Andong!
Just off the Suwon fortress wall. We originally went for Galbi ribs, but at $28/person we said no go and went with $9 beef bbq instead. These people didn't speak English and we basically spoke no Korean, so there were quite a number of awkward moments. The ajuma's didn't leave us and basically cooked the whole thing for us. They were probably thinking "stupid wayguks" the whole time!
Most comical was when I thought the meat was done, I put a couple pieces in my leaf and was going to roll up and eat. The ajuma yanked a piece off and gave me a dirty look!!! I later found out, it's bad form to go for more than one piece of meat per lettuce!!
I really liked this place because the bbq came with some seafood/pumpkin/beef/veg soup in a stone bowl. We then ordered some rice and they mixed it all together at the end. Mmm..good eating.
Ian perfects his grilling technique in Andong. This place was the best bargain. About $3.50 per person or so.
Post print museum in Chongu with sister Jackie keeping an eye on things.
Now- tips!
Janice tip #1 - cook the heck out of the meat for less fatty. Basically the trick is to melt away the fat and just stick with the meat.
Janice tip #2 - grill the kimchee - this makes it somewhat edible.
Janice tip #3 - for a higher meat to lettuce ratio - tear lettuce leaves in 2.
Janice tip #4 - don't forgo salt and hot sauce like Ian foolishly did the first couple times. This is the key to tastiness.
Janice tip #5 - if you need more lettuce leaves or salad leaves, yell "YOGIYO" and start waving your empties around.
Janice tip #6 - grill meat on one side, then, chop up with tongs and scissors for grilling on side #2.
Janice tip #7 - lettuce is not an insulator. Don't put meat direct onto lettuce unless you like burns on your hands!
For anywhere between $3 to $9 per person, you get either fatty pork or fatty beef to cook on a grill. Obviously lower price = more fatty and less desirable cuts of meat.
In general, pork seemed to be plain and beef was marinated in soy sauce based sauce.
The meat comes with lettuce or sesame leaves for wrapping, hot sauce, green onion/spring mix salad with tangy soy sauce dressing, garlic, kimchee and sea salt. We typically ordered a couple of $1 rices to fill us up a bit (put a bit in each lettuce packet). Or course, the usual other side dishes were present to keep you busy while meat is grilling.
So you grill meat, kimchee and garlic and then assemble with condiments and rice all wrapped up in a cute little pocket. Mmmmmm......
Our first night in Cheonan. This joint was characterized by not enough pork (mainly Jackie ordering not accounting for Ian's big appetite) and poor building ventilation. The actual meal was good and we had Jackie's authentic Korean friend (So-Yong) tending the grill for us.
Some soju was in order, but unfortunately I disappointed with some lightweight drinking. I later found out, the stuff here was actually pretty light at only 19%. Later versions were more like 45% in Andong!
Just off the Suwon fortress wall. We originally went for Galbi ribs, but at $28/person we said no go and went with $9 beef bbq instead. These people didn't speak English and we basically spoke no Korean, so there were quite a number of awkward moments. The ajuma's didn't leave us and basically cooked the whole thing for us. They were probably thinking "stupid wayguks" the whole time!
Most comical was when I thought the meat was done, I put a couple pieces in my leaf and was going to roll up and eat. The ajuma yanked a piece off and gave me a dirty look!!! I later found out, it's bad form to go for more than one piece of meat per lettuce!!
I really liked this place because the bbq came with some seafood/pumpkin/beef/veg soup in a stone bowl. We then ordered some rice and they mixed it all together at the end. Mmm..good eating.
Ian perfects his grilling technique in Andong. This place was the best bargain. About $3.50 per person or so.
Post print museum in Chongu with sister Jackie keeping an eye on things.
Now- tips!
Janice tip #1 - cook the heck out of the meat for less fatty. Basically the trick is to melt away the fat and just stick with the meat.
Janice tip #2 - grill the kimchee - this makes it somewhat edible.
Janice tip #3 - for a higher meat to lettuce ratio - tear lettuce leaves in 2.
Janice tip #4 - don't forgo salt and hot sauce like Ian foolishly did the first couple times. This is the key to tastiness.
Janice tip #5 - if you need more lettuce leaves or salad leaves, yell "YOGIYO" and start waving your empties around.
Janice tip #6 - grill meat on one side, then, chop up with tongs and scissors for grilling on side #2.
Janice tip #7 - lettuce is not an insulator. Don't put meat direct onto lettuce unless you like burns on your hands!
Korea Dumpling Tastiness
Ian occasionally makes me crazy, but I have to admit his strategy of only eating in busy restaurants worked for us while in Seoul. The Insadong strip is pretty busy and has hundreds of restaurants and craft stores.
We went with an absolutely packed dumpling place for dinner one night. What lured us in was the veggie & seafood pancake items on the menu, but once inside we noticed that all 100 or so diners seemed to have dumpling stew. We went with the herd and it was a fantastic idea.
How's this for an amazing race challenge? Find this restaurant! I'll give you a hint, it's mid strip and off a mini plaza.
For about 25000 Won (give or take $25), we got 2 beers, dumpling stew and quite the assortment of side dishes. We ordered no spice, so it was a meaty broth kind of thing. It comes to the table uncooked with a hotplate and you tend to it and then eat about 10 minutes later once everything boils.
Sides were 3/4 in good stuff (much higher average than most Korean restaurants we encountered). We didn't eat the kimchee, but the glass noodle salad, bean sprout salad and mountain greenery were all very delightful & refills were in order!
In the pot was a whole assorted bunch of mushrooms (side note Korea really does mushrooms better than Canada), a bit of bulgogi type thin sliced beef, 4 huge dumplings stuffed with pork & green onions + other assorted tastiness, greenery, onion and and garlic. Perhaps a bit of rice cake roll too.
Service was ok, although a bit frantic was serious running around like maniacs to try and keep up with all the diners.
Dumplings are made at the front of the store so you know they are fresh! Mmm..
We went with an absolutely packed dumpling place for dinner one night. What lured us in was the veggie & seafood pancake items on the menu, but once inside we noticed that all 100 or so diners seemed to have dumpling stew. We went with the herd and it was a fantastic idea.
How's this for an amazing race challenge? Find this restaurant! I'll give you a hint, it's mid strip and off a mini plaza.
For about 25000 Won (give or take $25), we got 2 beers, dumpling stew and quite the assortment of side dishes. We ordered no spice, so it was a meaty broth kind of thing. It comes to the table uncooked with a hotplate and you tend to it and then eat about 10 minutes later once everything boils.
Sides were 3/4 in good stuff (much higher average than most Korean restaurants we encountered). We didn't eat the kimchee, but the glass noodle salad, bean sprout salad and mountain greenery were all very delightful & refills were in order!
In the pot was a whole assorted bunch of mushrooms (side note Korea really does mushrooms better than Canada), a bit of bulgogi type thin sliced beef, 4 huge dumplings stuffed with pork & green onions + other assorted tastiness, greenery, onion and and garlic. Perhaps a bit of rice cake roll too.
Service was ok, although a bit frantic was serious running around like maniacs to try and keep up with all the diners.
Dumplings are made at the front of the store so you know they are fresh! Mmm..
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Bibimbop
I did some cooking tonight, crazy Jackie-style Korean. No political rant here, just some recipe hints. I started by asking myself "what would George do" and then since Jackie is an anti-fan, I then switched to my Moosewood cookbook for guidance.
Anywho, here's kinda what you do. Make some rice, throw the following on top: sauteed snow peas, leeks, and red pepper, rehydrated dried shitake mushrooms, cut up seaweed and some fried eggs. I accidentally scrambled the egg, but it still turned out ok. Some shrimp on top of Ian's. Then mix up some chilli paste and sesame oil and sprinkle on top. Add salt and that's it!
Mmmmm......
Anywho, here's kinda what you do. Make some rice, throw the following on top: sauteed snow peas, leeks, and red pepper, rehydrated dried shitake mushrooms, cut up seaweed and some fried eggs. I accidentally scrambled the egg, but it still turned out ok. Some shrimp on top of Ian's. Then mix up some chilli paste and sesame oil and sprinkle on top. Add salt and that's it!
Mmmmm......
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Korean place on Baldwin
Friday lunch last week as at the Korean place on Baldwin, I'm sure it has a name but alas I do not know it. This week I had a squid dish instead of my usual bul-go-gi. For 6.99 + tax and tip you get a plateful of goodness and rice along with soup and random items, korean style. Not a spectacular bargain. Really we should go another day than Friday when the daily specia is something I like (On friday's it's beef (maybe that's implied) bi-bim-bop which isn't exactly my favorite)
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