Some Korean dishes have a sad history behind. This spicy looking stew called Korean army stew, aka "budae jjigae (부대찌개)", is one them. During and after the Korean war in the early 50's, Korea was known for the world's poorest country. Millions of civilians were killed, orphans were wondering on every street, farmlands and the roads were destroyed, majority of Korean people suffered with lack of food and medicine. Many had to scavenge for anything that they can eat. People had to depend on relief ...
Spicy Tofu and Bean Sprouts
If you have a block of tofu and a package of bean sprouts, here is one dish you should try. This spicy tofu and bean sprouts are quite tasty and satisfying. Use firm tofu for this recipe. Cut them into 1/2-inch squares, press with paper towel to absorb some moisture. Fry them in a little oil, about 4-5 minutes on each side. ...
3 Tasty Korean Side Dishes Made with Multi-Purpose Soy Sauce
It is always thrilling to see a load of side dishes on my Korean meal table. More choices? Double the pleasure! That is for sure to everyone who likes to enjoy Korean meal. However, making several side dishes for just one meal can be time consuming. Here are 3 tasty Korean side dishes recipes that can be prepared within 5-10 minutes from start to finish per each. They all use the same sauce, Mr. Baek's multi-pupose soy sauce, that I mentioned in my previous post. It creates three ...
Beef and Bean Sprout Soybean Paste Stew
I brought a jar of Korean soybean Paste when I came back to Buenos Aires from my summer trip in U.S. It smelled quite stinky, which means wonderful taste when it is made into a stew. I had some soybean sprouts, so I made beef and bean sprout soybean paste stew (소고기 된장찌개, sogogi doenjang Jjigae). The recipe would be similar to the beef soybean paste stew recipe that I posted a few years ago. This would be an adapted and updated recipe, and I hope you can try this comforting stew. It is a ...
Tofu and Tomato Eggs
I can't tell what the identity of this dish is. It is like a soup but it is not. It can be a savory custard but doesn't look like it. WTH, I will just call it tofu and tomato eggs. It surely is one of those easy-peasy comfort foods that doesn't require much time and effort. It tastes great served with rice as a simple meal. I enjoyed it when my heart was down and low. I hope you enjoy it, too. I smashed the soft tofu. Saute onion and garlic in a little oil until soft. ...
Spicy Tofu and Eggs
I don't watch TV that often, but I often overhear conversations about particular foods seen on TV. As a foodie, I always have to find out what it is and if I would like it. This recipe, spicy tofu and eggs, 매운 두부달걀찜(maewoon dubu dalgyal jjim), was one recipe that I heard is really good. It is simply braised tofu with egg in a spicy sauce. I made braised tofu with radish a couple of years ago and it is one of my favorite ways of enjoying tofu. This would be another version with a similar flavor ...
Watercress Tofu Salad
My mother is a devoted Buddhist. As a kid I occasionally accompanied her to one of the Buddhist temples she often visited. I saw her vowing hundreds of times down to the floor in front of Buddha statue asking for mercy and compassion. She had many wishes to pray to Buddha and all of her wishes were for her children. One of the fond memories of visiting a Buddhist temple is the FOOD. Like other millions of kids around the world, I wasn't a vegetable lover as a child. (Were you?) However, it ...
Mapo Tofu
Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) is my first love in Chinese food. When I first heard of it a long time ago, I thought it was originated from Korea. Because the name "Mapo" sounded same as the name of the area in Seoul called Mapo-gu. LOL!!! I was just an innocent girl who didn't know much about the global food at that time. Well, to clarify it..., Mapo tofu is not from Seoul. As far as I know it is from Sichuan province of China. I think there are several versions of how this delicious tofu recipe has ...
Beef and Tofu Stew in a Skillet
One of the tough challenge I am facing these days in Buenos Aires has to be the grocery shopping for Korean food items. There is Korean town on the other side of the city. It takes about 1 hour to get there. I don't mind driving that far, but the obstacle is that there is absolutely no place to park no matter what time of the day I go. Streets are very narrow and all occupied with cars. It is frustrating and discouraging. Last weekend I had to take my husband to drop me off right in front of the ...