Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bloopity Bloop]

So my absolute favorite Korean food is nengmyon + meat. I don't know why, but it hits the spot for me--even in the winter. My favorite place to get it is at the 육쌈냉면 close to Hanyang Uni. Meat and noodles. Mmmmmm...

Well, I saw a special on Korean TV the other day and apparently, I guess I should have expected this, the vast majority of nengmyon places serve broths consisting only of artificial meat flavoring, vinegar, msg, and sugar. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I used to eat this ALL the time during lunch cause it's right near my workplace. I always had this sneaking suspicion or gut feeling that the broth was a bit reminiscent of ramen broth in that you just subconsciously know not to drink it.

In any case, went to Nakwon Sanga to look for recording equipment the other day and noticed a Nengmyon place where they were brewing the stock outside in the open. They were doing it the right way--dumping huge chunks of pork into big vats and slow cooking the broth. Couldn't pass up an opportunity to try it... and was sorely disappointed. I guess I'm too addicted to the fake stuff. Although it did taste a lot more natural/light to me. I had no problem sipping the leftover broth.

Machoman (the user) and I used to eat nengmyon all the time and he absolutely refused to eat budaejiggae because of the nitrates in the hotdogs. If only he knew what we were ingesting at nengmyon joints.

[JustinC]

A little bit of what you fancy does you good. Even ramen now and again is okay. Also don't believe everything you watch on tv!

[Underwaterbob]

If Machoman is anything like me, he's avoiding the nitrates in hot dogs because they can trigger migraines.

[fermentation]

It's not all that surprising. Most Korean joints probably pour MSG in all their stuff. It's probably why all those cheap little restaurants taste so good.

[JustinC]

I used to get a certain, ahem, reaction to MSG in food but never had that in Korea. I haven't eaten in more than a couple dozen places, though.

[thatkidpercy]

[timhorton]

There is a reason when you can get a meal for 3,000 won!

[bojangles]

Anything with "spices" can potentially contain "flavor enhancers"...like msg. MSG is an addictive, mood-altering substance. Why do you think the convenience stores devote two rows of shelf space for this garbage? I've seen kids just eat the dry noodles right out of the package....talk about jonsin'...god damn!

[highstreet]

MSG has never been proven to be harmful.

[Moondoggy]

[Bloopity Bloop]

[PaperTiger]

I would say "best food for summer". You can't get it in the winter.

[Squire]

[nautilus]

Nengmyon. My most hated food in Korea.

[Kimchifart]

The japanese version with the wasabi is a million times better.