Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

Lots of people are expressing some nostalgia because it�s Christmas time and they are far from home and family (I got an unexpected box from Mom today so I�m ecstatic�I�ll have SOMETHING to open on Monday morning!)�and I�m feeling a little munchy�

What�s the most satisfying, nostalgic meal you�ve had in Korea?

For me, it was in the rainy season/summer of �98. I was living in Daejon (known as Taejon in those days, two Romanization systems ago) and I was out on a Saturday night with one of the very few waygookins left in the city who hadn�t jumped ship when the economy crashed. It was drizzling like it had been for a week and we were in Kungdong, the nightlife section between Chungnam Nat�l U and KAIST (when it was one of only 3 areas in the ENTIRE country to stay open past 10 o�clock and serve alcohol.) We staggered out of Rodeo headed for sahm-cha or maybe even sa-cha, when we spied a new truck/restaurant parked on the street. It was some guy who�d lived in Philadelphia and was back because the value of the Won was so low that his family couldn�t afford to have him living overseas. (There were no smiles in those days.) He�d borrowed an uncle�s truck and set up a stove in the back and somehow managed to find real cheese to make Philly Steak Sandwiches. He really did know how to cook and the onions, green peppers, cheese and beef on a bun were scrumptious. He was only around for about two months, but my friend and I were regular customers every weekend night. My toes curled up with joy.

(I once spent two hours on the bus to get to Seoul, about 2 hours searching for the first known burritos somewhere in the country and another 2+ hours getting back home, all for the dubious pleasure of eating a soggy, disappointing burrito. I was depressed for weeks.)

So, anyone have a little story to tell about that one special meal that you will always remember? That time you were just a little bit more than a little homesick and a meal hit the spot?

[madowlspeaks]

I had the most nostalgic meal this evening where I was finally able to meet my Korean boyfriends parents for the first time. We sat in a room quietly eating our 10 course dinner, politely ignoring the elephant in the room. Reminded me of past Christmas family gatherings......

[hana]

my boyfriend made me a pot of jangjorim which i used to cook with udon and made it into a bowl of something that closely resembles the beef noodle soup i used to eat at home. with the eggs and everything.

[The Hierophant]

My director took my out on a highly debauched night the day I arrived in-country. The next morning I had a hangover to end all hangovers.

The foreigner I was staying with insisted he take me out to lunch at a Japanese restaurant, despite my insistance that my insides felt like they were disintegrating. I eventually caved to his demands ("Come on dude, it's great, it'll make you feel so much better!").

After two bites of sushi I vomited all over the restaurant table and across the floor. I've never been back to that place, but it's certainly my most memorable meal in Korea.

[LarrytheGiraffee]

It was my 31st birthday and a coworker invited me out to lunch. I had a friend visiting from out of the country and I was talking to him on the phone while at the table (which was a little rude, but he had limit phone use and just happened to call while we were eating). As Im talking the waitress brings out a new course and I think its a plate full of some sort of worms. Im thinking, 'Its my birthday. I dont have to eat worms if I dont want to.' But once the dish was set on the table and I was able to get a closer look, it turned out to be freshly diced octopus that was still squirming around on the platter.

I thought is was delicious and very amusing when on of the legs proceeded to crawl out of the bowl and half way across the table.

Thats a birthday meal I will always remember. It was even nicer that I was able to share it with a visit friend from home after work that night.