Aged Kimchi and Pork Belly 묵은지 삼겹살

Since we are back after a long pause of updates, this entry is to explain and emphasize one of the menus we introduced earlier in the previous blog below. The menu is called 묵은지 삼겹살 (Mook-eun-ji Sam-kyop-sal)

As you know, kimchi helps appetizing the meals and while eating with oily food such as pork belly, in this case, kimchi helps reduce the oil from the pork. However, the kimchi that are use in this menu are unique with special point, which we would like to point out to you ^^*

묵은지 (Mook-eun-ji) is known as an aged kimchi. Aged kimchi are simply kimchi that are fermented for a long period of time. Since in Korea, kimchi are widely eaten by Koreans in every meal, there is a period of time during winter that people would make kimchi. These aged kimchi are special kimchi that would get fermented throughout the winter days. All the seasonings are well absorbed into the vegetables and creates a strong taste.

Next time you think of eating pork belly, but don't forget to ask for 묵은지 :)

We're back with 3 Korean dishes!

Hello! Finally, after a long time, we are back ^^ Since it is our comeback entry, we would like to present to you three Korean menus! Some of the menus m

ight be familiar to you because they were already posted in our previous posts. However, we think it would be a good idea to once again, give an introduction to these mouth-watering dishes. So stay tune and let's explore the taste of Korea

along with us ;)

The first menu for today is called: 된장찌개 (Dwen-jang-ji-gye) Soy Bean Soup

It is a typical Korean dish, but the taste will never disappoint you in your hungry time! The ingredients for Soy Bean Soup are tofu, cucumber, spring onion, and soy bean paste. Its taste leads with a hot and spicy touch at the tip of your tongue. Followed by salty and sweet taste. It is indeed a great light choice of meal. You could simply have it with a bowl of hot steamed rice, and you are all set!

The next dish is called: 낙지소면볶음 (Nak-ji-so-myeon-bok-keum) Fried octopus with noodles

It might look very spicy in the picture above, but actually it isn't that scary. The red chili powder used in cooking doesn't bring much hot and spicy taste, just a glimpse. However, for people who are not fond of eating spicy food, there are noodles to help you get rid of the spicy flavor. The noodles itself is also a good accompaniment with the stir-fried octopus.

Last but not least, our third dish of the day: 묵은지 삼겹살 (Mook-eun-ji Sam-kyop-sal) Pork belly with aged Kimchi

As you can see, other than the pork belly, the are also kimchi being fried on the pan. This is a popular way of eating, which Koreans normally do for this menu. Kimchi helps make it more appetizing and it also helps reduces the oil from the pork while eating.

This is a picture of our table filled with yummy-looking Korean food ^-^ This was taken at a Korean Restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand.

We hope you enjoy our entry for today! Please look forward to our next entries that will surely be post soon! Thanks and don't forget to try some of these menus out ;) Ciao!

감자탕 Spicy Pork Stew with Potatoes

감자탕 or Gamjatang is a spicy pork bone stew that is considered a traditional Korean dish which is hearty and rich in flavors. In translation, the word “gamja” normally means potato in Korean but in this dish, it is actually referring to the pork bone itself. So unlike its name, the main ingredients are not potatoes but the hearty, complex taste of the rich broth which is made from boiled pork backbone. In full translation, this dish is called "pork bone stew" as “tang” means stew in Korean.

This stew is assorted with vegetables such as cabbage, mushrooms, parsley, green onions and bean sprouts. And it is heavily seasoned with garlic, red chili peppers and roasted perilla seeds. The additions of perilla seeds are optional as it gives a more delicate flavor to the dish, taking away the greasy taste of the pork. All gamjatang dishes may be similar in appearance, but the taste varies from one restaurant to another.

This dish is known to be rich in proteins, calcium and Vitamin B1 (from the pork bones) and is believed to prevent snoring as well as aging.

The steps in cooking 감자탕 might take a while, since we need to boil up the ingredients.

Get ready with all the ingredients, which includes potatoes, pork bones, parsley, spring onion, mushroom, cabbage, and bean sprouts.

Later boil both the pork bones and potatoes.

Add all the ingredients in the pot with spicy soup and boil till it's ready to be serve.

Koreans usually drinks So-Ju along while eating 감자탕, especially in winter!!!!

CREDITS:

www.google.co.th / http://www.trifood.com / http://food4.net

김치냉장고 Kimchi Fridge

Kimchi Fridge is widely used in Korea nowadays, it helps ferment fresh kimchi at the suitable temperature so that the seasonings can permeate thoroughly into the main kimchi ingredients. This helps preserve kimchi longer without its taste being spoiled.

Kimchi should be stored at a low temperature. Around 5 C is the suitable temperature to maintain the best taste of kimchi. Right after the kimchi is finished fermenting, it may be left at room temperature for one day, and then stored in the refrigerator for further fermentation.

Alternatively, it may be stored in a specialized kimchi refrigerator to keep the original taste, it is something that has become very popular in Korea recently.

오징어 덮밥‏ Stir-fried Octopus with Rice

오징어 덮밥‏ (O-Jing-O Top-pup) or Stir-fried Octopus with Rice is an easy to cook Korean dish. It can be made within a short time, which suit best for people who are busy and want to safe time cooking, but on the other hand want to find something delicious to eat. 오징어 덮밥‏ is definitely one of the first menus on the list for you!

To prepare for the cooking, you need octopus, chop it up into small pieces. Onions, carrot, spring onions, sugar, Korean chilli paste, Korean chilli powder, soy sauce, and sugar. After that you stir-fried the ingredients in the pan.

The taste of this dish is quite mild. This is because it is a bit sweet. However, it is also salty and hot. Depends mainly on the chilli paste and chilli powder you add into it.

순대볶음 Stir-fried Korean Pork Sausage

순대볶음 or Stir-fried Korean Pork Sausage is a mouth-watering Korean dish. There's even a building in Korea selling only 순대볶음. People, usually adults, would enjoy having it with Soju (Korean liquor) while chatting along with each other.

The ingredients are as follow:
Soon-dae (Korean Pork Sausage)
Cabbage
Pork Intestine
Carrot
Onion
Grinded Sesame Seed
Vermicelli Noodles
Korean Chilli Sauce
Genip (A greenish vegetable)

When you cook, put all the ingredients in a pan and cook it until it is all mixed. Add the chilli sauce as much as you like. However, the more spicy it is, the more delicious it would be.

Genip, a type of vegetable, is use to put into the dish because it helps in making the smell of the sausage disappear, so the taste will be more mild.

순대 Korean Pork Sausage

순대 (Soon-Dae) or Korean Pork Sausage is an all time favorite and popular appetizer. It is filled with both rice and vermicelli noodles, which are made form sweet potato. 순대 is a very common food in every Korean restaurants and also small vendors along the streets. Soon-Dae are served in soft, oval rolls.

Koreans, especially adults, love to have Soon-Dae with Soju or Korean liquor. And, there's also a seasoning that comes along with it, which is made up of salt, pepper, and chili power to add on some flavor to the sausage. Soon-Dae are usually eaten with side dish such as cubed radish kimchi, kaktugi.