This little blog here is starting to evolve into something of a food blog these days, though this was certainly not an intentional directional decision. Personally, I'm not complaining, because these are my photos of some absolutely fantastic food that I was lucky enough to be able to shovel into the single biggest gaping face hole I possess at one point in time, but I can understand how for some readers this might have gradually slid into Facebook-worthy lunch photo territory. "Boo, hiss, I don't care what kind of unusual or unfamiliar foreign foods you ate while living in Seoul" some may be shouting at their keyboards, frothing with virulent hatred and disdain. To that I'd say, whoa, man. Pump the hate brakes.
After all, food is a necessary substance for our survival. Not only is it a needed source of energy to power us through our days, but we need to stop and refuel pretty regularly. There are different theories and approaches to the timing and manner in which one chooses to eat, and that's all pretty personal, but even more personal is the emotional component involved. In a lot of situations, there's an emotional or cultural attachment to the foods, too- Antho and I both love macaroni and cheese because on top of having a drug-like congregation of brain-stimulating compounds and flavors, it's something we grew up eating and it brings up fond memories of childhood and a general sense of safety and contentment... though, again, that might have more to do with the compounds throwing your brain into a neurochemical shitstorm, but I digress. Every person is going to have their comfort foods, and there are few things quite so demanding of comforting than a hangover, and if you're in Seoul, chances are you'll wake up with a real ass-kicker of a hangover sometime during your stay, too. Soju and makkgeoli, the drinks of choice in So. Ko., are quite potent and can sneak up on you real fast!
And for those mornings when you wake, bleary-eyed and head pounding miserably, hangover stew will be there, waiting. It's a heady mix of that familiar Korean red-pepper heat, in a rich bone based broth with the addition of iron-rich coagulated blood in many versions. Funny looking off-cuts of meat join the fray, as do a multitude of vegetables to help nourish you back to fighting form.
Until next time!
🌸
XOXO,
NAU
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