Korea 101: Kimbap, Japchae, Dukboki

Yesterday, I was able to taste some Korean foods and now I ended up browsing the net for some knowledge on how this was all cooked but unfortunately, I am not much into cooking so I do not know how to cook any of this! gee. I am just a food taster, yes taste only, because I do not eat much like my sister does. Anyway, I ordered Kimbap, Japchae, and dukbokki. Among the three, I loved Japchae the most then Kimbap, last will be the dubokki though it is delicious as well, but it is very spicy to my taste buds, and I.am.not.a.fan.of.anything.spicy! 

Kimbap, to me, is like a Japanese makizushi. It maybe the korean version of the sushi. I liked this one because of the fact that it is not spicy and i am a lover of maki but I in my opinion, maki tastes better maybe because it has more flavor than Kimbap.

Japchae or Glass noodles is the sweetest noodle I’ve ever tasted. I instantly fell in love with it and makes me crave right now. The noodle itself is tasty since it is made of sweet potato according to what I’ve read and it goes with a little bit of vegetables. Simple but tasty.

Dukbokki is a spicy rice cake, and from the korean series I’ve watched it is one of their favorite street foods. I couldn’t imagine eating it for no reason just like most of the street foods. I guess I would appreciate it better had it not been spicy. I actually like kimchi better than this. At least, I can eat kimchi even 1/4 of its regular serving but this one I could not. I could only eat 3-4 pieces.Period.

*this is an old entry from my tumblr. 

Korea 101: Bibimbap

  

does it look yummy? of course it is! I remember this one in the Full House episode where Song Hye Kyo is eating this. 

It is actually a collection of vegetables and a beef seasoned with red paste on top of the rice. I am not very familiar with the other ingredients but this is what I had found out on Google.

4 servings
Ingredients:
3 cups short grain rice
1/2 lb beef, rib eye or sirloin (substitute shiitake mushrooms for a vegetarian dish)
16 oz soybean sprouts (or mung bean sprouts)
2 cucumbers
2 zucchinis
2 carrots
1 bunch spinach
2 cups boiled gosari* (fern brake)
4 eggs
7 garlic cloves
2 or 3 scallions, chopped

(*Boiled gosari is sold in Korean/Asian markets. If using dried gosari, soak several hours until soft and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes until tender.)

soy sauce
sesame oil
roasted sesame seeds
salt and pepper
vegetable or canola oil

Red pepper paste (gochujang) sauce:
4 tablespoons of Korean red pepper paste (gochujang)
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
3 tablespoons of water.

*ingredients are from http://www.koreanbapsang.com/2010/01/bibimbap-korean-rice-bowl-with.html

I enjoyed eating this one though I didn’t finished it because i’m so full. You can actually chose beef or pork, mine is a beef. It costs 100 Pesos only at kimbob.