Kkangjang-jip!
After a quick trip outside the city, it was time for us to start bidding farewell to Seoul.
So on our last Friday night in Korea, we had one last dinner with Mi-Songsaengnim, our ever-patient guide.
With us supposedly having tried almost all the delicacies Korea has to offer, there was one more dish left for us to try which so happened to be situated in the most convenient part of town, Gwanghwamun.
Aside from being a very busy crossroad in the morning and a popular hangout place for the youth in the afternoon (its common to find groups of teens practicing their skateboard moves here), Gwanghwamun is the most familiar landmark for our group because it is the one place that we all frequent during our daily commute to Yonsei. So it was surprising that all this time there was this famous restaurant right in front of us and it would be the last one we got to try.
Althought Kkangjang-jip is more famous for their Kkangjang, or fermented soybean and vegetable stew, we were here to try one particular dish, the Bossam.
Bossam
Bossam is another Korean meat dish wrapped in lettuce (ssam means wrapping) but is a far cry from our favorite ssamgyupsal because rather than grilling the meat, the pork belly is slow roasted in a vegetable infused with soybean paste, onions, and leeks. Sometimes apples, pears, and even coffee (?!) is thrown into the mix.
The result is very tender and magnificently flavored slices of pork belly that is just irresistible. With bossam being a "wrap-dish", is commonly served with a side of nappa cabbage soaked in salt water, wilting the leaves but still leaving enough crunch and bite to compliment the very tender meat.
Just top of the meat with marinated raddish or kimchi, roll, and then enjoy!
If you enjoy eating ssamgyupsal, Bossam is a dish you would definitely fall in love with for you get the same enjoyment as eating ssamgyupsal minus the grilling part (which although is a fun experience, it sometimes hinders the fun because you have to wait for the meat to cook 0.0)
Of course who could forget the Pajeon
The perfect side dish to any Korean meal!
Gifts from Mi-Songsaengnim!
Thank you Mi-Songsaengim for the kindness and more importantly, the patience you showed us! Im sure it wasn't easy being a guide to 5 needy, sometimes impatient students but you never faltered and always kept going, bringing us to all the exciting and beautiful sights that Korea has to offer. Not to mention all the delicious restaurants, cafes, and delicacies that you made us try. We would never forget you and would be forever thankful for making our stay in Seoul memorable.
Please visit us in Manila soon!
Miks
Kkangjang-jip
located at the basement of Royal Building
right behind the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
Gwanghwamun
Seoul
South Korea