A midweek treat!
I'm not sure if I mentioned this before.. but I along with 4 other students from Ateneo are part of this study tour/cultural immersion hosted by Yonsei University in which the university arranged for a home-stay program in which Aj and I stay with a Korean family and the other 3 girls (Sheila, Ros, and Justyn) stay with another Korean host family in Seoul.
So after our tours this afternoon, the girl's host invited all of us to have dinner with her in one of her favorite restaurants. As we strolled around a peaceful neighborhood near Mt. Bugaksan, she led us into what seemed as a modern house transformed into a restaurant. It turns out, its one of the best places in town to eat mandu, or Korean dumplings!
Pyeonsu Mandu
square shaped dumplings filled with thin beef strips
and veggies such as mushrooms, zucchini, and bean sprouts.
I was amazed by how big in size korean dumplings were!
Also I liked how despite this dumpling being a meat variant, the mandu was still incredibly light!
Somandu
Vegetable dumplings
A flavorful and satisfying dish even for meat lovers!
Tteok Manduguk
Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup
Meat dumplings soaked in a very light and fresh broth
accompanied with tteok (rice cakes) shaped into what seemed to be small snowmen
Maesil Ju
Also known as Plum wine, this is the best way to end a meal!
What I really liked about tonight's dinner was how everything was simple and light yet very delicious and satisfying! Would never look at dumplings the same way again!
Thank you again for our very kind host for the dinner!
Miks