Seoul is a city that Mike has frequented in his past jobs, and he claims to know "real" korean food and korean (drinking) manners. So this trip is a chance for him to prove himself. For better judgement, we have also invited along our friends Dave & Eva. There cannot be a combination, as together we can eat soooooooooooooooooo much :)
Usually you would describe food as yum / weird / taste like shit .... for korean food i have come up with a new word - "confusing". korean food is really confusing! for the most basic, i can't even tell whether a dish is a hot dish or cold dish! then the tastes - when i think something looks spicy, it turns out sweet. when i think something should be sponegy, it turns out chewy. gosh!
The most confusing highlight was introduced to us by a korean buddy of mike's called 金明珠 (he's a guy). the dish is called 'fermented stink ray', and even local koreans would only have eaten it several times in their own life, as the fish is a rare species, and the way to prepare it is not so available in any restaurant or home. it looks like hamachi from japanese sashimi. once you put it in your mouth ... no taste but it's chewy in texture ... then after 10-seconds .... the fish will explode in your mouth ... the next thing you know, your mouth is filled with a taste which is like you having drunk a shooter of hair perm acid! (or as 金明珠 puts it, it tastes like amonia ... either way, you can tell how unbelievably gross it is).
Though the food ventures are all the time too spicy, and most of the time too confusing, it was still enjoyable to be trying new things, meeting new friends and catching up with old friends.
환호!
2 comments:
I am not sure when you said "Stink Ray" if you were pulling a gag on the real name of the fish
I'd asked Golden Pearl and he confirmed that the fermented fish was called Hongeo, a part of the Samhap combo. (Hongeo + Kimchi + Steamed Pork)
Texture-wise the fish was okay, it is the "fragrance" that's delivering an olfactory challenge of a lifetime. Like natto, pickled tofu or any fermented food of the human race, you wont smell it if you squeeze on your nose and block the smell coming from the food.
Fermented food is an acquired taste, you either love it or you dont.
This makes durian quite an accomplished species since it is not fermented food yet it possesses the initially repulsive impression.
that's a whole LOOOOOOOOOOOOT of food!!
makes me want to go to korea!!
but no stinky fish for me..><
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