Seoul 12-16 Sep 2008 (Part 3)

Day 3, Sep 15 - Lunch (Dumplings)

We had lunch at around 3:00pm. I think I did well. I admit that I was tipsy but not completely drunk last night or should I say earlier this morning. Anyway, I had a fantastic time. I remember we had breakfast... some pork stew with rice and the whole works. Extremely heavy for breakfast but I suppose you need to rejuvenate and replenish your energy after the marathon night out. I vaguely remember eating, hence probably why I didn't take any photos. What I remembered clearly was I had a major cramp on my legs while sitting cross-legged for breakfast. Most korean restaurants are like that i.e. tatami mats and low tables. Some newer ones will have the a recess for leg room but so far, half the restaurants we went to we had to sit on the tatami floor. It took me two rounds around the block to get rid of the cramps. 

Lunch was at Insadong. It was extremely busy. Public holiday coupled with regular tourist crowd. It was very nice day. Good weather.

A bit crowded but the street food stalls were all opened. Wish I had more time to buy some of the street food but we needed something more substantial I suppose. I miss the cuttlefish... 

So through the sea of people and off the main street and into some side alleys before we found the restaurants. This was the first meal that I have had at a rather touristy spot. So, I was a bit skeptical at first. Anyway, of course, it was silly to even think that... I had a bunch of Korean friends who really know how to make their Malaysian friend happy when it comes to food.

Dumplings. First impression was... "wah sumo dumplings?". They are about the size of a "char siew pau"... maybe a bit bigger. The filling is mince meat with chopped vege. I think it was pork.... yeah, it was pork. The dumpling is served either in clear soup or spicy soup on hot plate with meat, vegetable, mushroom and udon or vermicelli.

We also ordered the stew pork which we had earlier this morning. The flavor is quite similar to how my Mum makes stew pork. Two type - first type, braised in soy sauce with hard boiled egg (which is a bit sweet) and the second, braised with turnip and dry chilly. This dish tasted like the latter. 

Even though, I did not really indulged in the pork stew this morning (because of the my leg cramps) but I think the stew pork we had for breakfast was tastier. Not so much the meat... both were equally tender; in fact, the stew pork at lunch was actually more refined (in terms of the cuts) but the sauce for the pork stew during breakfast was just tastier.   

Anyway, we had the korean pancake as well. It was delicious. The ones we have back home (at the food court) are normally prepared in advance. So, they tend to be soggy. These ones were just perfect.  

 

 

After lunch, we went for coffee at, where else... Coffee Bean. I am still puzzled that Starbucks is not more popular than Coffee Bean here. Tonight will be my last night in Seoul. My flight is at 4pm tomorrow. It is back to work for the rest after the Chuseok (Korean thanks-giving day) long weekend. Time to say goodbye to my newfound friends. Annyong-hi kashipshio...  : (

[I will miss all of you...]

Day 3, Sep 15 - Dinner (Korean roll and noodles)

I stayed at my friend's place for the night. He was going to give me a lift to the airport the next day. So, tonight's dinner was quite a sombre event. No soju, no beer... just dinner at a small eatery. Most of the shops were still close because of Chuseok. So, not many choices. I thought the food was ok... of course pale in comparison to what we had for the past 2 days. Anyway, my friend was really apologetic. It's ok la...