Food from home: Korean festival

     I have always loved Korean food! It's been a favorite since my teens. Korean food has intense flavors... mostly sweet and spicy. Yes, this is one of the few times I like to go spicy. :D Out of curiosity and my craving (what else is new?) for Korean food, I made this week a Korean festival. 

Kimchi

     This is a Korean staple made of chinese cabbage, chili powder, onions, garlic, raddish and ginger. I thought all along the ingredients are simply mixed but there's more to that. Our version of the chinese cabbage is baguio pechay.* This is soaked in salt water for fermentation for several minutes before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients. When my niece Sofia and my helpers tried this, they all said their cold came out. :))

Pajeon (green onion pancake)

     This is one of the family's favorite dishes. I got the flavor but still have to work on the consistency which is supposed to be crispy.

Left: Seasoned green onion, Middle: Ssamjang (spicy paste), Right: Pajeon sauce

Grilled beef (Korean style)

This is eaten with the beef, green onion and Ssamjang wrapped in lettuce, taken in one bite. 

Bibimbap (mixed rice)

     This contains ground beef, vegetables and egg. Vegetables used were zucchini, carrots, spinach and bean sprouts. Ideally, this is placed in a stone pot bowl and egg is served raw. This is mixed with hot pepper paste (amount may vary depending on how spicy you wish).

Hot pepper paste

  

     This is my first attempt for Korean food. The preparation itself takes some time but enjoyed every moment. If some ingredients aren't available in local groceries, they should be available in Korean stores. Here are some in the Fort and Makati area...


Han Yang Mart
Unit 1-G Kensington Place Condo
29th street Corner 1st Avenue
*Near Burgos Circle
856-9430 / 557-5824

Wang Mart
37 Polaris Street
*Across Alba Restaurant
Bel-Air
Makati

Teppen Japanese-Korean grocery
Marvin Plaza Building
2153 Don Chino Roces Avenue corner VA Rufino Street
Makati City
*Near Little Tokyo

     The Korean festival doesn't end here. Watch out for part 2! ;)

baguio pechay -Chinese cabbage, also known as Bokchoy