I have been told that I am a little noodle obsessed. The problem is that there are so many places to choose from in Korea that you just don't know is worth your time. That is the same case with Japanese Ramen. I have seen them come and go. Back in 2009, I wrote a roundup of the best places but many of those places have disappeared. Of the 6 I wrote about only Hakata Bunkko is left. Luckily there is still Menya Sandaime over by Hongdae.
Now Menya Sandaime has been around for ages and they do have a chain but my friend Chad swears that this place is the best. I have to agree with him because it is my go to place when I just need a bowl of Japanese-style noodles. My favorite is the Tsukemen which has a bowl of thick, chewy noodles with a side of savory/spicy broth. you dip the noodles into the spicy broth and eat. It has a satisfying chew and an elusive spice. I have also gotten their regular ramen which has a rich broth and high-quality noodles. I usually get their gyoza there as well which is good. A standard good, not mind-blowingly good but it is a nice accompaniment.
The atmosphere feels like a Japanese ramen place since it is a little dingy and cluttered. The service are very polite (and I think all are Japanese). It makes you feel like you're in Tokyo.
Let me conclude by saying that this is one of those stable, consistent places in Korea. I feel it will be around for a long time (and in Seoul that means a lot). I would recommend you go to the original because I've never had a bad meal here and I know from experience that quality tends to go down once you franchise. I guess in a world of flux, it is nice to have a standard, excellent bowl of ramen.
Menya Sandaime
서울 마포구 서교동 355-25
PH: 02-332-4129
Address: Mapo-gu Seogyodong 355-25
Last night after a grueling week I decided to treat myself to a movie. First I went and got some egg wrapped rice rolls and then I went to see Batman Vs Superman. The rice rolls were great. The movie was a perplexing hodgepodge. It's one of these movies I will see once and never see again just so I can say I experienced it. Was it a waste of $10 dollars? No... Not at all but I think the studios will have dropped almost a quarter of a billion dollars on this very dark and nihilistic vision of a super hero universe. All I have to say is about this is, "Why so Serious?"
Director Zack Snyder's direction works for 300 and Watchman but not for Superman. Possibly it would have worked for Batman but he just doesn't have the directorial fortitude of Christopher Nolan. Nolan has clout and conviction even if logically the movie has fallacies (i.e. Interstellar and Memento). Snyder tries to build up the characters as mythical figures but when the moment of sacrifice comes there is no real emotion and the climax seems null.
Sigh, I wanted to love this movie and there were parts that I did. Wonder Woman is a badass and I loved every second she was on the screen. Lex Luthor was engrossing except when he simply repeats stuff over and over again like a loony parrot. Afflleck was a great Batman and he had some really cool toys. Overall though I didn't love it as much as the Marvel movies. This movie's stark direction didn't make me feel inspired or excited. I left the theatre feeling suspicious towards my fellow man. There were no high fives nor introspect smiles that conveyed that we had experienced something special. We all just left the dark theatre together and into the night.
Dan
Sometimes you just want some tang. One of my favorites is Galbitang made from good beef bones in a clear broth. Good places will have their bones simmered for a long time and the meat and connective tissue should be very soft. One of my favorite places for this is Myeongin Deungshim in Bangbaedong. I think this place is a chain but this place really does it well here and it is famous at lunchtime. The broth is rich yet light and they don't skimp on meat. The meat is good quality as well (and so is the rice).
So if you are looking for a good Galbitang place. Come here!
Myeongin Deungshim
I was just sitting here thinking about Hawaii and how I would really love to live there. I feel Hawaiian inside. The last meal that I had was at the Honolulu airport at Gordon Biersch. I had an excellent beer, a burger and some garlic fries with the wife. Good memories. Now...once I get some time I'll be showing you some of my favorite other Hawaiian eats. Ok..now back to work.
Dan
A video posted by 예보43라이프스타일 (@yevo43korea) on
A video posted by 예보43라이프스타일 (@yevo43korea) on
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| Stop Naming Dogs After Food! |
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| Cute Korean Dogs |
Korean dogs are cute. They are well groomed with their pink floppy ears and their trimmed tails with a pom-pom at the end. The outfits are quite lavish as well. The dogs can be dressed up like a cute princess, a buff Superman, or even a bumblebee. Usually the Korean dogs are smaller malteses, pugs, and poodles. They seem well loved and many look like they live a luxurious life evidenced by all the high-end bags they are carted around in. Overall, the dog life in Korea seems all right. Sure, it SEEMS all right.
However, when I ask about what the dog's name, most of the time they are usually named after foods such as Bap (rice), Mandu (Dumpling), Dubu (Tofu), Tanggun (carrot), Kimchi. I have even met one unfortunate dog named Gogi (Meat). Seriously, why is it that most Korean dogs I have met are named after food?
Seriously, what's up with that?!
Korea already has a negative reputation because it consumes dog meat and this is part of international lore (thank you so much Larry David, you putz). Koreans tend to excuse this behavior by saying it is part of culture and that it is eaten for medicinal purposes. I mean it is not the only country to eat dog, but it is the one that is most closely connected with the consumption of dog meat. Eating dog is considered uncivilized so if dogs are consumed it should probably be done in secret like in underground dog fighting rings (which they also have in Korea. Guess what happens to the losing dogs.)
The way the dogs are prepared is equally disparaging. They are beaten to death because it is believed that the adrenaline will make the meat more tender and tasty (I mean if it isn't tasty or tender, it would be best not to eat it, right?)
Now, I know that there are dog restaurants and I am not saying (directly) we should stop the consumption of dog. For it is a Korean's right and it is a part of culture and it is good for health for the people that need it and blah, blah, blah. That's not the point I am trying to make.
What I am trying to say is that we need to stop naming our dog pets, the creatures we love enough to groom and tote around in Prada purses after foods.
They should have a name that humanizes them and a name that makes the pet worthy of affection instead of a final snack.
They should have a name that humanizes them and a name that makes the pet worthy of affection instead of a final snack.
If not; it seems like the pet is just a pampered Snicker's bar. One last bite to stave off the pangs of starvation. I think you should look at pets with affection and not as a sweltering flavor packet for stew.
Feed your pets, love your pets, name your pets something worthy of love... AND...Don't eat your pets.
Feed your pets, love your pets, name your pets something worthy of love... AND...Don't eat your pets.
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| Omelette Rice |
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| Duck Lettuce Wraps |
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| Homemade Hickory Smoked Bacon |
For breakfast, I had omelet rice or what Koreans (and Japanese) call Omurice. To make this, I made a simple fried rice with onions, shallots, potatoes, soy sauce and a touch of vinegar. I then topped it with scrambled egg and served it with ketchup and a side of bacon and salad.
For lunch we did duck lettuce wraps, bacon, dumplings, side dishes, soup and rice. It is not one hundred percent Korean but it does embody the Korean way of eating. Vegetables and rice are the main part of the meal and we are not over indulging in proteins.
Ok, back to work and then its time to make breakfast. Have a good day everyone.
Dan
