Archive for August 2021
Breakfast in Seoul #TBT
It’s been two years since the last visit to South Korea. Since moving to the Philippines from the United States, Korea has become one of the prime holiday spots—the next trip (whenever that happens) will be my fourth visit.
Every flight is the same, it’s pretty much routine: A late night flight out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, arriving at Incheon International Airport early in the morning.
After going through old photos, I found, regardless of flying Asiana Airlines or Korean Air (who are now in the process of formally merging), I made the same choice for breakfast: juk (죽), or porridge.
Visually, the porridge served on Asiana (in economy class) was plated luxuriously.
Once the tray was set down and the covering removed, the shrimp laying atop the dish was such an eye-catcher. The meal included a roll, side salad, and they provided soy sauce in my favorite containers—the little plastic fish packets.
On Korean Air, they serve porridge with Ottogi furikake “rice friend.”
The packet of furikake, a variety of dried seasonings, along with gimjaban (dried and seasoned seaweed) are sprinkled on top, providing a salty seafood flavor. The meal also includes yangpa jjangajji (pickled onions) and sliced fruit.
Technically, the in-flight meal should have been breakfast but, with the flight arriving early in the morning and the Airport Railroad Express getting to Seoul Station, and eventually, Myeongdong (my choice neighborhood on every vacation), around seven or eight in the morning, obviously, it’s always too early for check-in.
After leaving the bags at the front desk, it always proceeded to wandering the surroundings and, in the end, a stop for something to eat.
On the first visit, explored Myeongdong. It was morning, so the regular hustle and bustle of its well-known nightlife had yet to be revealed. After walking up and down the countless alleyways, found a spot serving a variety of regular Korean fare.
It was just as one would expect from a nondescript Korean diner. The chopsticks and spoons were tucked away in a box on the table and, after ordering, was greeted with several plates of banchan.
I went with the familiar: dolsot bibimbap
It arrived piping hot in a stone pot and it definitely started the vacation off on the right foot.
After checking-in, the hotel extended a free breakfast offer and, in the following days, I did take advantage of the promotion.
The next trip to Korea was the following year.
This time around, the initial hotel I had stayed at had since closed but it was pretty easy finding competitively-priced accommodations. Different hotel but it was still too early for check-in.
At this point, being well-acquainted with Myeongdong, went further out on that morning’s exploring and ventured into Namdaemun Market. Considering how close it is to Myeongdong, the market was frequented often but wandering around in the morning, much like Myeongdong, it was very different from its peak hours.
Found one of those alleys lined with diners, along with old ladies greeting and showcasing their dishes to passersby. Made my choice, walked in, and was greeted by a giant bowl of kimchi.
I’m just so used to restaurants serving kimchi with the banchan and, if necessary, there are typically unlimited refills. This was a genius move.
After perusing the menu, the owner recommended the samgyetang, a traditional chicken soup that included a whole chicken stuff with rice, garlic, ginseng, and a host of other items.
The soup was a good recommendation, the soup was flavorful and filling and, much like the bibimbap, started the trip well. However, it was so filling, I was pretty much full until mid-afternoon (my vacations are usually comprised of eating all day long).
Learning my lesson from that trip—albeit a delicious breakfast—on the next visit, stopped by the same area of the market but went with a lighter meal, tteokguk (rice cake soup).
This soup was a great start to the day. It was light, helped warm me up on that chilly Seoul morning, and it was served with dumplings.
South Korea has definitely become one of my “vacation hubs” and, hopefully, that late night/early morning travel routine between Cebu and Seoul resumes again soon.
Bacolod City has another Korean grocery store!
Over the past couple years, the love for Korean cuisine has only snowballed. With Korean culture all the rage in the Philippines, from K-Pop and K-Dramas to Filipino companies swapping out local stars for Korean celebrities to serve as spokespeople, a massive part of the trend is the food.
For me, like so many people, I’ve always been a fan of instant ramen. That’s where it started. After venturing away from the big supermarkets, found a couple Korean grocery stores in Bacolod City that had different versions of ramen. Over the years, I’ve tried multiple flavors of Samyang buldak, the famed “fire chicken” ramen; along with enjoying instant naengmyeon, a cold noodle dish, put out by Nongshim.
As usual, a necessity with Korean food is kimchi. Aside from having my preferred kimchi spot, the iconic side dish is available all over the city these days. Plus, in addition to traditional cabbage kimchi, I also often purchase pickled radish (danmuji) and kimchi made with perilla leaf (kkaennip).
From there, things like dumplings (mandu) and gimari (fried seaweed rolls) have become a regular freezer staple.
When I began cooking and needed those crucial Korean ingredients, the local Korean grocery stores became essential. While the main supermarkets have since started carrying some of those products, it was at those small shops where I could buy gochujang (chili paste), gochugaru (chili powder), doenjang (soybean paste), tteok (rice cakes), eomuk (fish cakes), sesame seeds, rice vinegar, perilla oil, among other items.
In addition, the Korean grocery stores also carried makgeolli, a sparking rice wine.
To this day, I stop by the local Korean grocery stores fairly regularly to stock up on the necessities. However, as of late, found out a new grocery store opened up in town. Seoul Mart recently opened along Lacson Street, located on the block between Starbucks and the Sun Life Building. I was tipped off by my Dad who saw an ad for the place pop up on his Facebook timeline.
On that first visit, found it to be a tiny shop filled with lots of random goodies. Did a quick walk around and found a wall of ramen, jars of tea, a collection of Korean ingredients along another wall, freezers with meat and various goods, and a banchan refrigerator.
The banchan fridge has a wide selection of goods, including items not available at other local grocery stores. They also sell banchan in different sizes, including small cups in order to give one a chance to try them out.
Two of the reasons why I am definitely revisiting is for their kkakdugi (radish kimchi) and eomuk bokkeum (chilled stir-fried fish cakes). No doubt, the bigger size will be necessary this time around.
Yet, they still have several other banchan items to taste!
Like the other Korean grocery stores in town, they also carry a variety of ice creams.
The frozen yogurt by Binggrae is a delicious treat and is very similar to the Lotte snow ice milkshake.
Another facet that sets them apart is the availability of freshly-made goods. While walking around, spotted kimbap stacked up by the register.
According to the cashier, they’re prepared fresh daily and it made for a great snack later that day.
Among their frozen foods were dumplings. Picked up a bag of ones intended for boiling or steaming and gave those a try.
They were great and, when you think about how much local restaurants charge for a plate of four or five dumplings, getting a big bag from a local market is well worth it.
Something I’ve only recently started buying is ramensari, which are just plain bricks of ramen.
I usually add the additional noodles when making ramen and am extra hungry or with rabboki, tteokbokki with ramen. Before visiting Seoul Mart, one of the other stores was all out and, luckily, managed to pick up a couple packs here.
It came in handy for the latest batch of rabokki.
Despite being a fairly small operation, the staff was very helpful, pointed out certain items, and made suggestions at every turn. In the end, also got a free gift!
Just like the tubes of gochujang given out when ordering bibimbap as an in-flight meal.
While the Korean grocery stores in town have provided a lot of the basic necessities, Seoul Mart is also offering up some unique goods and is definitely worth a trip back.
When it’s fine to overdose
If memory serves me right, my first milk tea experience was in college. There was a small noodle shop off-campus that sold milk tea and it was a friend who introduced me to the unique beverage. It was like tea but with an emphasis on the sweet and creamy, and it was my first time encountering boba.
During those days, it was really basic. No opportunity to adjust sugar or ice, the only topping available was boba, and the flavor selection was scant—I usually opted for taro. In addition, one of the local Asian markets also had milk tea. That only came in one flavor—original.
As college rolled along, the aforementioned noodle shop got one of those machines that sealed a plastic covering. At the time, it was revolutionary. I thought it was one of the most innovative things ever.
Today, milk tea is all over the world. Since then, I have enjoyed various flavors of milk tea in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and many other locales. The craze certainly has not escaped the Philippines with everything from small carts to brick-and-mortar shops popping up everywhere across Bacolod City.
Out of the myriad of shop selling milk tea—in all its forms—DripTea is a standout.
Aside from an assortment of delicious tea, they also have a one-of-a-kind promo: one liter of milk tea starting at P99 (or just under $2.00). Insane! There are days when a large just isn’t enough to satisfy the craving and, with the massive cup called an “overdose,” clearly, it’s the only time when it’s fine to overdose.
One could not even count how many times I have passed the location along Aguinaldo Street before finally venturing in and giving them a try. In a previous blog, I mentioned how I rarely patronized stand-alone milk tea shops and usually just visited stores at the local mall.
On the first visit, picked up my regular order: wintermelon.
When unsure of what to order, wintermelon milk tea is always a good choice. DripTea serves up a tasty one.
The overdose is so huge, the plastic lid machine can’t even accommodate its size!
Another favorite is Thai milk tea.
Lately, no matter where I go, Thai milk tea is now the go-to. The one at this place is especially delicious and, in the overdose size, it is incredible (and, at times, overwhelming).
Whenever my Dad is in the mood for milk tea, he goes for anything coffee-flavored, and DripTea also has a coffee milk tea.
Now, on some days, the overdose can be a bit much and even ordering the next size down, the high dose, still gets the job done.
On the most recent visit, enjoyed another classic, the Okinawa.
DripTea has two locations in Bacolod City, one along 12th and Aguinaldo Streets, attached to SEOULicious and a couple block from the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol; and another at Paseo Verde. At both places, the staff is really efficient, even when there are a massive number of delivery orders.
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