To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living. - Anthony Bourdain
If you live in South Korea, not visiting the nation's first traditional market is a crime because it is a destination for food adventurers like us. It definitely has the atmosphere of what we are looking for - where locals eat, a traditional market, and tasty food, therefore, an authentic immersion of Korean cuisine.
At the ground level, you can find snack stalls selling a wide variety of delicacies from pig's feet, blood sausage, porridge, boiled intestines, sushi and etc. It is best-known for its delicious Korean pancakes called Bindaetteok. If you are not into food adventures, the markets also offers silk goods, quilts and other hand made goods. They also sell Korean souvenirs here.
We have an "attack plan" prior going here, we want to try everything that is appetizing on our eyes, so we only got one plate of each food we like and share it among us. In this way, we could try more variety of food.
At the ground level, you can find snack stalls selling a wide variety of delicacies from pig's feet, blood sausage, porridge, boiled intestines, sushi and etc. It is best-known for its delicious Korean pancakes called Bindaetteok. If you are not into food adventures, the markets also offers silk goods, quilts and other hand made goods. They also sell Korean souvenirs here.
We have an "attack plan" prior going here, we want to try everything that is appetizing on our eyes, so we only got one plate of each food we like and share it among us. In this way, we could try more variety of food.
Different varieties of Kimchi.
The must try here in Gwangjang Market - Bindaetteok (thick Korean pancake). We tried this! It's crispy fried goodness makes you want more.
Bindaetteok is a variety of "mung bean pancake". Bindaetteok batter is made of ground mung beans and meat (usually beef or pork), kimchi, and various vegetables are added according to taste. It is typically served with a small side serving of dipping sauce made of Korean soy sauce, minced green onions, red chili pepper flakes and some vinegar. (www.visitsoul.net)
Grinding up beans to make Bindaetteok.
Gimbap is a popular favorite with both Koreans and foreigners. Gimbap is often eaten during picnics or outdoor events, or as a light lunch. The basic components of gimbap are cooked rice; meat or other protein-rich ingredients; a large variety of vegetables, pickled, roasted or fresh; and sheets of dried laver. Traditionally, the rice is lightly seasoned with salt and sesame oil. After the gimbap has been rolled in dried laver, it is usually brushed with sesame oil and/or sprinkled with sesame seeds then sliced into bite-size pieces. (www.visitsoul.net)
This is a simple snack that is just plainly great!
We ordered this - blood sausage with rice, boiled lungs, pig's feet and pork belly and it was served with hot noodles with sesame seeds and sesame oil.
Bibimbap is mixed rice with vegetables.
An Asian meal is not complete without steamed dumplings. Korean dumplings is quite different from Chinese dumplings. They usually put kimchi inside or other glass noodle rice and mixed vegetables. In Chinese dumplings, the main ingredient is usually pork, shrimp or other meats with some vegetables.
Our search for more food to try despite the myriad of food stalls.
This dish is called Yukhoe and oh boy it was a great find! It was so good! It is Korean version of steak tartare - made of raw ground beef seasoned with spices, julienned Korean pear (tastes like jicama) and raw egg yolk. It is served with beef radish soup. Everyday, we learn something new with Korean food.
This Stuffed Squid is a personal favorite - the squid tentacles are placed back inside with vegetables, some rice, spicy spices and dipped on egg and pan fried served with soy sauce, onion and chilli.
Like any other meal, it is best experienced when shared. Gwangjang Market surely hit a spot on our hearts and left us wanting for more.
