Korean Job Discussion Forums

The Hammer · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:06 pm Post subject: Vegetarian refried beans

Where can I buy vegetarian refried beans in Korea?

neandergirl · Joined: 23 Jun 2005

As far as I've found, you can't (although some people may have better info on reliable sources for those living in Seoul) but you can make your own fairly easily. Recipes abound on the 'net. I generally make mine using canned kidney beans but use tinned baked beans when kidney beans aren't available. I've also tried using dried beans but don't find the extra effort worth it.

Good glug olive oil

Chilli powder (to taste)
2 cans kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
about 1 to 1.5 cans water* (use the can the beans came in)

onion (I use .5 to 1 depending on what I'm going to use the beans in)
garlic (2-3 cloves, minced)
cumin (a good tablespoon or more to taste)
black pepper (lots)
chili powder (lots)

Optional:
Tomatoes
Bell pepper/capsicum

*If using baked beans, you may not need much water at all

Heat oil in pan, add onion. Add beans and liquid. Stir in seasoning. Mash the mess with a potato masher to desired consistency, adding more oil and/or water if needed. It ain't gourmet but it's pretty good.

tacon101 · Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Location: seoul

my friend and i found a can in namdaemun once about a year and a half ago...only one dusty can...the old adjumma gave it a nasty look and gave it to us for free

i hadnt been here for long and didnt think i had a can opener (so we hacked into it with a knife) and didnt have a microwave...

i bet you could use korean black beans...just dont think they come precooked anywhere...

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

You can get Old El Paso refried beans (with Chili...) at Hannam Supermarket (next subway station past Itaewon - Hanganjin [631] line 6, exit 2, cross bridge turn right, basement of Volvo building.) In the small Dandy grocery on the left as you enter you can get assorted flour tortillas (with vegetable shortening) and they also sell blocks of rennetless cheeses (Tillamook brand...)

peppermint · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:45 am Post subject:

They used to sell very affordable bags of dehydrated refried beans at Hannam supermarket. Worth checking to see if they still do.

seoulkitchen · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Location: Hub of Asia, my ass!

The Hammer · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: Vegetarian refried beans

The Hammer · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: Vegetarian refried beans

discostar23 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Location: getting the hell out of dodge

you can get a can at the huckleberry farm in Bundang close to jeoungja station. Bought a can the other day. This is an organic grocery store chain from new zealand. Tends to be on a bit of the expensive side but for vegetarians it has loads of options

cheers

seoulkitchen · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Location: Hub of Asia, my ass!

red dog · Joined: 31 Oct 2004

The Hammer · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 6:29 pm Post subject: Re: Vegetarian refried beans

joyfulgirl · Joined: 05 Jan 2006

red dog · Joined: 31 Oct 2004

PaperTiger · Joined: 31 May 2005 Location: Ulaanbataar

Reefers made outta kidney beans??? That's just crazy. The skin on them beans is just too dense and thick.

They sell bags of pinto beans and black beans at Hannam for 3-4 thousand won each, buy a crock-pot and do it yourself. Come winter, I think you'll find a crock pot is good for more than just fart fuel. Korea has a pretty wide spectrum of legumes if you look in the right places, black beans are pretty easy to come by.

All those canned beans will come with tons of chemicals and preservative, flavor enhancers ect...if you're eating meat-free for health reasons canned food is really the wrong way to go. However, if you're the sort who thinks that somehow killing plants is less significant than killing animals, go ahead and gobble that cleverly concealed MSG.