Two hours later and after a couple of miss-stops (I had forgotten which restaurant we were going to) Carmen (hubby's GPS) informs us we have arrived at our destination. Yes, I drove two hours for Korean food. The other option was eight hours away and hubby is not quite up for that yet.
Woo Nam Jeong Stone Bowl House
My mouth is excited. My stomach is growling in anticipation. On the way in hubby noticed the sign on the door and actually stopped to read it.
It says "Beginning April 2010 we will be closed every Wednesday. Grandma needs a break. Sorry, for the inconvenience." For those of you that have not been to a Korean restaurant, the really good ones ALWAYS have a little old woman that stands about 4'2" and is know as "Hal-mo-nee" Grandmother.
As an adventuress I am quite happy to jump in the car and head off to parts unknown without so much as consulting Dr. Google for directions. Sometimes I even remember to check how much gas I have in the tank before getting on the interstate. When it comes to Korean food though I tend to stick with what I know. This pales in comparison to hubby's selections which even I have a hard time figuring out what they are let alone how to pronounce them to order it. On that he definitely has me beat.
Appetizer choices are either mandu ("maan-doo" = Korean dumpling, similar to gyoza but not to be confused with wontons) or kimbap ("keem-baap" = the Korean version of a sushi roll but with nothing raw and usually has cooked beef in it). Torn as always I went with the one I haven't been brave enough to make at home.
"Kimbap" = happiness in roll form
My normal order is daeji bulgogi ("deh-gee bool-go-gee" = pork marinated in a spicy sauce then grilled). This has never failed to please me. Being in a extremely good mood and wanting to turn over a new leaf in my life I go with something a little different but still a fond part of my childhood. I boldly order the Godenguh Gui (you're on your own on that one for pronouncing = salted broiled mackerel). The waitress looks at me and asks, "You know what that is?" and I nod and respond "Oh yes!" Hubby does his usual point at the menu "I want that please" (and oddly enough the waitress doesn't question his choice).
For those that have never experienced Korean food let me elaborate for it truly is an experience of all the senses. It is as much about color and texture as it is flavor. There really is no comparison to any other oriental cuisine. My personal feelings are Korean food is bolder than Japanese and deeper than Chinese food. I don't know any other way to explain it. You either love it or would rather pass a kidney stone than eat it.
So to start they always bring out any number of banchan ("ban-jan" = side dishes). Of these at least one will be a kimchee ("keem-chee" = often made of napa cabbage but can also be cucumber or radish, pickled in hot pepper, garlic and other oh so good seasonings).
"Banchan" = happiness in little bowls
Starting at the top left going right
- cucumbers and apples in a mayonnaise sauce (I question this as a "southern" Korean side dish)
- watercress salad
- fish cakes with hot pepper
- sangche (shredded radish kimchee)
- marinated potatoes
- mung bean sprouts
- kimchee (napa cabage)
- marinated cucumber
- oi kimchee (cucumber, this one was sliced)
Hubby's un-pronounceable dish = happiness in a boiling hot bowl
I tried to get a picture of it when she first brought it out. It is a stone bowl that is heated before the contents are added. It is literally boiling hot upon arrival. She instructs him to stir it up before eating it to get everything mixed. I was able to identify most everything in it. It smelled delicious and I was looking forward to trying it. Then came mine.
Godenguh Gui = happiness with eyes
They say that smells are one of the strongest triggers of memories. Seeing this plate instantly brought back a moment from my childhood when I, my younger brother and sister sat eagerly around the table waiting for mother to pick pieces off and put them in our bowls of rice. I can remember how she made sure each piece was free of any speck of bone before giving it to us. If we tried to get some for ourselves she would slap our hand away and take the piece back and again, carefully check it for bones before dishing it out. That to me was affirmation enough to feel that she did love us as best she could. So that being said Korean food is more than just getting my tummy full. It's a tie back to my ethnic roots and the happiest memories of my mother.
Phew! This has taken a while. It's 12:34 am! I'm still riding on the waves of joy from our trip. I am ever so thankful to my in-laws for raising hubby to have such an expansive culinary palette. Having a partner in crime makes it that much more special. So to quote a rather wise old bear, "It's always more friendly with two."
P.S. Tigger, I miss you sis. I know it's not Mona's but it's as closes as I can get without drugging Baloo after we get in the car.
P.S.S. The food was AMAZING!!!
3 comments:
yes nothing here compares to mona's but at least it's edible lol. What you talking about we always made sure tank was full before we did our half tank gas trips lol. Fill up tank pick a direction and just go lol. Those were the days. Still think our trip for lunch was the longest trip for lunch yet lol. North Carolina to Virgina lol. Ah to be stateside again. One of the pics I can't see. But yes your appatizer does bring back memmories. I think your man could eat just about anything. He's got a gps do you? Your the one who loves to get lost lol. hello onstar? lol. Miss you too eyore and think of you when i do get to eat korean too. My mom thanks you for making me try new things.
oh now it comes up the pic lol. was the one with the little bowls. miss that part. no where has that here they all kinda fast food places not as good but can get some sidedishes with it.
The GPS is actually from his work van. It does sort of take the "adventure" out of things. I'll never forget that trip. I'm still miffed The Purple Foot was not open for lunch when we stumbled on it.
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