Korean Food is Everywhere... from LA to Springfield

The reason I love Los Angeles is because you can feel such a strong Korean vibe... it has nothing to do with the fact that I have a Korean face. I just really like the food! So does my husband.

These pics are from Gyenari, a restaurant Hannah and I stumbled on in Culver City. We were going to another restaurant to meet some of her friends for dinner. Not knowing the area very well, we were a little early and walked by a Korean restaurant during Happy Hour. And, what a good choice-- we were definitely smiling when we left!


Hite... my Korean beer of choice. You can buy it all over Springfield, by the way.

Back to Jim's love affair with Korean food... When we were in Korea in October, my Korean aunts kept hand feeding Jim as if he were a baby. Not only that, but they oohed and aahhed at the way he used his chopsticks. I thought..."What about me?!" After all, I was raised by white Missourians... where was my applause? haha

Anyway, I digress.

Korean food is really good eats, and I'm so glad to see it more in the mainstream--whether it is a full-on Korean restaurant or a Kogi taco truck.

DID YOU KNOW KOREAN FOOD IS ALSO EVERYWHERE IN SPRINGFIELD? Interestingly, there are a ton of Korean restaurant owners... who operate non-Korean establishments. How does this play into your food? Tons. Argentina Steakhouse, Fuji, Ohana, Mijuri, Haruno, ReRico and Kai are just a few examples I can think of off the top of my head. You are probably eating Korean-inspired dishes without knowing it!

Food Fusion is a Beautiful Thing...

Even I was skeptical of eating Korean-Mexican food. Could bulgoki and tacos really go together? What about pickled cabbage inside a quesadilla?

Well... that was before I had a visit to the Kogi Truck in Los Angeles.

The Kogi (Koh-Gee) truck is a popular taco truck that drives all around the L.A. area... you can find where it's going by following the company's tweets. Since the Kogi (Korean for "meat") truck started hitting the streets, other companies have popped up with their own version of fusion tacos... including Calbi!

Just read Koream Magazine's article to see the latest on Asian fusion taco wars!



If you go, you won't believe how freaking delicious the food is. I never thought a kimchi quesadilla sounded good until I tried it. Heck, I didn't even order it. My friend did, and when I took a bite of hers, I nearly blacked out. Ohmas everywhere need to take notes!

I think it's my second calling. If you see me driving a taco truck around in the next few years, it's a good thing.

A New Restaurant Hawaii Style!!

Holy crap! There is a new restaurant in downtown Springfield operating under Merle's during the evening... it's called Hawaiian Food by KAILANI.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to try it, since I am going to get married in the Aloha state. And YES, THEY HAVE SPAM!! SPAM!!! SPAM!!!!


When I was a kid, my grandpa and I used Spam for fish bait... but since then, I've tried eating it... and it's not bad! And when Jim and I were in Hawaii, we saw spam sushi in the 7-Eleven. It's awesome stuff.

Anyway, here's a quick look at some of the things on the menu:


ONO PUPUS (SOUPS AND APPETIZERS)
KAMABOKO DIP WITH CRACKERS
SPAM SUSHI ROLL
SAIMEN (NOODLE SOUP WITH KAMABOKO AND EGG)
MISO SOUP


ONO MEALS - $7.50 (ALL ENTREE ITEMS SERVED WITH STEAMED RICE, MACARONI SALD AND HAWAIIAN SWEET BREAD)
CHICKEN KATSU (Panko Breaded Chicken with Spicy Katsu Sauce)
KOREAN CHICKEN (Korean Style Chicken Drummettes)
LOCO MOCO (Gravy smothered Beff Patties with Eggs)
CORN BEEF AND CABBAGE
HUKILAU SWEET SPAM AND EGGS
SPAM AND EGGS


DESSERT- $2.99 WITH CHOICE OF PINEAPPLE OR BANANA
HAUPIA (Classic Coconut Pudding)
BANANA HAUPIA (Banana Coconut Pudding)
PINEAPPLE HAUPIA (Pineapple Coconut Pudding)
VANILLA ICE CREAM
MALASADAS (Sweet Biscuits with Vanilla Ice Cream)

The number is 862-3902. The hours are 7pm to 10 pm. Someone try it and let me know!

Some Lovin' from My Oven

This year I've decided to bake bread for the holidays...it's been an interesting experience since I usually do not like to bake. I had this grand plan to send out bread to all the people I know...but I got lazy. And tired. So, I made some bread for my co-workers instead. Feel free to look at the bread and feel like I made it for you!

But to go along with my JUST TRY IT! recipes, here's how you can make a wonderful loaf of banana or pumpkin bread for yourself.

PUMPKIN:
3 1/4 cup flour

2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cup packed pumpkin (1 can)

1 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 t salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 cup sugar

2/3 water

4 eggs

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes, depending on the size of your loaves. I do mini-loaves, so it doesn't take that long. Also, make sure to grease your pans... I use PAM instead of butter. Add walnuts to your liking...I do about a handful.

BANANA:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

Same instructions as above.

**If you freeze the bread, I wrapped it in a paper towel to absorb any moisture. Then one layer of saran wrap, then one layer of heavy duty foil...then put it in a freezer bag.**