My Declare Love for… 짜장면,炸醬麵, black soybean paste noodle, jjajangmyeon
Posted by: karn623 on: May 23, 2009
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I have finally tried the authentic Chinese black soybean paste noodle (炸醬麵)! In Korea, it is known as 짜장면 (’jjajangmyeon’), a famous Chinese dish. You would often hear it in Korean dramas or Korean variety shows. For a majority of my life, I was only aware of the Hong Kong style 炸醬麵 since it was the only version I have ever tried. I never knew it was so different from the authentic Chinese style nor did I realize the Korean style was actually closer to the authentic Chinese style than Hong Kong’s style! So when I tried my first 짜장면 in Korea, I was very surprised by how it looks like and taste like, though I must admit that it was very delicious! Gosh, I miss spending just 6,000 won on a huge portion of 짜장면 and 탕수육 (sweet and sour pork) which can last me 2 meals 
That was where my love for 짜장면 came from ㅋㅋ
Last night, after trying my first ever 炸醬麵, I’m in love and it has become one of my favourite Chinese cuisine. (Chinese cuisine is not on the top of my list and the only dish I absolutely love is steamed dumplings – 小籠包). Anyhow, comparing the Chinese version to the Korean version of 짜장면, it is very similar. Well, I mean after all, 짜장면 is derived from China. The authentic Chinese style is served much hotter, moister, sweeter and in a lighter color sauce meanwhile the Korean style is not served steaming hot, a bit dryer, more of a salty taste than a sweet taste and in a darker color sauce. But overall, both styles are delicious in their own ways.
Just writing this blog entry makes me hungry ㅎㅎ
A galleria of Korea’s 짜장면ㅎㅎ
My first ever 짜장면, in Lotte World
회향병
Posted by: karn623 on: May 17, 2009
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The other day, I had lunch with a friend in a Korean restaurant.
As soon as I step into the Korean restaurant, it was another one of those moments where I felt a bit nostalgic. The fake food displays near the cashier reminds me of the food displays I saw in various cafeterias in Korea. Seeing the cold noodles in the menu reminds me of all the times when I had them with my friends and we had so much trouble eating swallowing them. Seeing the jajjangmyeon in the menu reminds me of all the times my friends and I ordered deliveries from our dormitories. Every dish in the menu I saw simply felt so familiar yet so distant, and each dish seemed to have its own memory and story attached to it. The friendliness of the waiter reminded me of all the friendly people I encounter while I was in Korea, and I simply miss being part of Korean culture.
No Rewards for Kindness
Posted by: karn623 on: May 15, 2009
A quote I learned yesterday while watching The View:
“Don’t expect people to reward you for being nice.”
Well, the quote isn’t really telling you that you shouldn’t be nice to others but rather, it’s indicating you that if you are nice to others, don’t expect others to reward you or be nice to you in return.
I guess this quote has really become the blinking light in my head ever since then because this is something that I should constantly keep in mind and realize. I consider myself as a very nice, kind, considerate and humble person and I’m sure those who know me well would agree too. Although by now, I am aware there are many ‘mean’ people out there and that the famous golden rule of ‘treat others the way you want to be treated’ does not always work… but yet, there are still many times when the sensitive part of me would get easily hurt when others do not acknowledge my kindness.
Rewinding Memories: Samgyeopsal 삼겹살 etc.
Posted by: karn623 on: May 4, 2009
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Korean BBQ restaurants was one of my favorite place to go while I was in Korea. It was inexpensive and it fills up your stomach with satisfaction. I really enjoyed going there with my friends whom I felt like I’ve known for years. Although we were all very different from one another but there was one thing that bond us together, that was our interest in Korea. We would chat about our past, our daily happenings of life in Korea and our plans for the future.
Boys Over Flower 꽃보다 남자
Posted by: karn623 on: May 1, 2009
Several days ago, I finally started watching the Korean drama, Boys Over Flower (꽃보다 남자). When it was airing in Korea, there was a huge hype over it and at that time, I actually watched the first 5 mins or so of the first episode. However, it didn’t catch my attention and I was busy at that time, so I didn’t continue watching it. But now that I’m on holidays now and have nothing to do, I decided to give it another try. I actually really enjoyed the drama. It was a very heart warming and sweet to watch.In a way, the drama really reminds of a cross between My Girl and the American drama, Gossip Girl. I guess I understand why it got everyone so hyped about it. However, for me, I thought it was only an above average drama but I wasn’t like fangirl-ing over it. Perhaps, that has to do with the fact that the plot is primarily set in a high school setting and I’m past that period of life
Now the question is… Joon Pyo or Ji Hoo?
I like Jun Pyo’s style (yes including his curly hair!) and his physical structure/appearance but I prefer Ji Hoo more. Yes, I do think it is sweet when Joon Pyo does all these little things for Jan Di such as giving her the anklet and the necklace, taking her on a helicopter ride and expressing his love for her by showing her the heart shape island in New Caledonia, setting a dinner table for her in New Caledonia, learning how to swim because of her, making her family happy too especially when he told the chef to deliver that expensive Japanese meal to her house and getting that pizza cart to go to Jan Di’s dongseng’s school etc. Jun Pyo is a natural leader and really cares about his friends and loved ones. However, Joon Pyo is also a really stubborn guy who has a lot of pride. He can be quite aggressive, demanding and blunt too. Unfortunately, these traits are a huge turn off for me in a guy.
Ji Hoo, on the other side, is more of a sentimental and gentle type of guy. He’s always been there for Jan Di since the beginning. He was her fire fighter and life guard. He’s very attentive and patient towards Jan Di. He’s the type of guy who seems to never raise his voice but yet, he’s still have this manliness trait in him and is able to stand up to what he believes in. Perhaps, that’s why I prefer Ji Hoo more because these are the traits that I seek in a guy However, I’m not really into his looks/style as much as Joon Pyo. It’s a bit too feminine for my taste but he is indeed very good looking and cute!
Sakura さくら
Posted by: karn623 on: April 24, 2009
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The colorful nature of various shades of green and pink that can be easily spotted around the city is an indication that spring is finally here! I’m really not a winter person, as I hate the feeling of coldness and wearing layers of clothes. I enjoy being able to walk under the warm sunshine in just a hoodie. I love seeing different shades of pink of the sakura (cherry blossoms) that can be found around the city – in streets and in parks. I love seeing the colorful gardens in people’s houses. Spring is such a lovely season.
Back in Time: N Seoul Tower in Namsan (엔 서울타워)
Posted by: karn623 on: April 8, 2009
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I don’t have much to blog about as I just started exam period and right now, I am busy with a final (essay) paper that consists of two topic questions. Moreover, the questions are not my best interests and working on it is rather dreadful. However, I guess I have no choice but to bare with it and to simply try my best! 화이팅!
Here’s an entry that I wrote awhile ago about…
N Seoul Tower (엔 서울타워) is another well known tourist attraction in Seoul. It is a tower situated in Namsan (남산) and the very top of the tower will allow you to see the entire view of Seoul. To reach to Namsan, you would have to go there by cable cars.
From what I heard, it is also a dating spot for couples. Near the bottom of the tower, there is an area that has locks everywhere. Couples would come here with locks (or you can purchase it at a gift shop there), lock it on the railings, and then throw away the keys in hopes of eternal love. I actually don’t really know if they throw away or keep the keys but regardless, the whole lock idea sounds quite cute to me ㅋㅋ. It was so cute reading some of what the locks said and some also had really cute locks like a heart shape one. However, at the same time, it made me feel a bit sad that I did not have a significant other to try this out with.
Twilight
Posted by: karn623 on: April 5, 2009
I never knew about this Twilight ‘hype’ until I was in Korea where I had a few friends telling me about the Twilight book and movie. One of them even offered to give me her copy of one of the book since she brought it over to Korea but she did not had room in her luggage to bring it back home. However, I did not take it since I didn’t have much room in my luggage either. When I came back home, I also had a few people telling me about it. It made me felt, “Oh where have I been all this time?!”
Anyhow, I finally got a chance to watch the movie. Well before watching the movie, everyone has been telling me not to worry about the movie/story because it’s not very vampire-like, so I thought, that’s good. It’s not that I am scared or anything, I’m just not very into that kind of stuff. Hence, why I never paid attention to the books.
Well, I thought the movie wasn’t too bad, though the whole vampire thing was a little weird for me especially when Edward and Bella were ‘flying’ from tree to tree. However, I have to admit that their love for one another is quite sweet especially how Edward treats Bella. I like how Edward is always by her side protecting her.
One of my favorite line in the movie, “Bella, you are my life now.” – Edward Cullen
Back in Time: Myeongdong 명동
Posted by: karn623 on: March 28, 2009
This evening, I spent a few hours compiling some videos that my friend filmed while we were in Korea. Awhile back, I told another friend that I’ll compile them and send it to her, and I finally had time to do them. Looking at them brought back so much memories. I realized how camera shy I actually am. While everyone else looks so natural, I am always avoiding the camera… ah!
Anyhow, I was looking at my folders of pictures from Korea… and perhaps, I can blog about some significant places, things and whatnot.
This is not the main street so it doesn’t look that busy nor that exciting.
The first ’significant’ place in my Korea folder was Myeongdong (명동)! It was actually the first place outside of Sinchon I visited since I arrived to Korea. I remember having mandu (만두) (dumplings) and bibimmyeon (비빔면) (mixed noodles). The other times, I went there to shop, went to Coffee Bean, Krispy Kremes, Mister Donut, KFC… Throughout my stay in Korea, I think I visited 명동 about 5 times. It wasn’t my favourite place to shop because it’s a popular place thus, there are a lot of tourists. However, I liked the atmosphere, especially the main street area. I like how it’s a bit busy there but not so crowded that it makes you feel irritated (at least during the times I went).
In 명동,you can find international brand name stores, local brand stores, no name brand shops, and street stands. It’s a good mixture but because it is a tourist attraction, the price for no name brand shops and street stands items can be slightly higher than elsewhere.
Confessions of a Shopaholic & Taken
Posted by: karn623 on: March 25, 2009
Confessions of a Shopaholic
This movie wasn’t spectacular but I guess it was one of those movies that you just want to sit back, relax and forget about reality after a long day of work or something. This movie sort of reminded me of Devil Wears Prada except Confessions of a Shopaholic had a more fairy tale like plot to it. Actually I can’t really remember much about Devil Wears Prada. I just remember that it was more grand and luxurious in terms of production where it showed/mentioned a lot of brand names throughout the movie.
Taken
I actually didn’t know much about this movie until recently when I kept getting recommendations and good reviews about it from coworkers. They all said the plot was quite realistic and the messages it sent out is very positive and meaningful – something you will learn.
Well, I did enjoy the movie though I would have to criticize that there are some parts in the movie that I found rather unrealistic. But I shouldn’t complain too much. It was a happy ending and I guess they would have to make things unrealistic if they want to bring out a happy ending. If it wasn’t realistic, I guess the movie would only have been 30 minutes long?
