And for the BIG announcement, if you didn't already hear it!!
I am going to Korea!
Yes, I am going to Korea!
대한민국!!
I will be in Korea for two weeks and leaving the last week of May. Let's look forward to some stories of travels in pictures!
Friday, May 10, 2013
Let's get ready to roll! The fun of kimbap making.
If you haven't already seen the pictures floating around my Facebook and Instagram, I thought I would share the tasty kimbap I made this past weekend! It was the first time I made a successful batch of kimbap. I am rather proud of it and am excited to make more tasty (and presentable) Korean foods. Kimbap is Korea's version of sushi with lots of different goods stuffed in the roll. Some include a variety of foods including cucumer, yellow radish, fish cake, egg, spam or meat, carrot, and spinach. Often this food is made and prepared to take on picnics or to send children off to school. My friends decided to attend a baseball game. Because I was in a cooking mood, I made some to bring along.
Put down a piece of seaweed on the mat. Add rice to the seaweed placing it from the bottom edge at .75 cm thick and covering 2/3 to 3/4ths of the seaweed. If the rice does not spread easily, add some sesame oil to the spoon or the rice spoon as you spread. I had a bit too much sesame oil or just enough in my rice that it spread well.
Begin adding your goodies one by one. It's best to add the same amount of each. Or if adding different vegetables with various consistencies, add enough that makes them of equal thickness.
Now, let's get ready to roll! Hold everything together and begin rolling the seaweed using the kimbap mat. Hold it in carefully. Once you roll kimbap so that the insides are covered begin to pull the kimbap towards the edge of the mat closest to you again. Finish rolling and wrapping to the end. To better seal the kimbap, wet your finger and dab the smallest amount of water necessary to seal the kimbap together.
After rolling your kimbap, you will need to cut it into pieces. I bought a sharp knife just for this very task. In the past I tried to cut some rice rolls with a dull knife. Quite the disaster. Cut them into bite sizes. Once cut, wrap them in foil or place them in an airtight sealed container to maintain freshness. If you're like me, you'll begin eating right away!
Here they are:
What do you like in your kimbap? I also like to make kimbap wraps with kimchi and tuna. You can get creative and add whatever you like!
I hope you like them and will try making some for yourself in the future.
Happy eating and have a great weekend.
Cheers,
HK
See below for basic instructions and pictures of the fun:
What are some things you need to make kimbap?
- kimbap mat also known as a sushi roller
- rice and rice cooker
- sesame oil
- sesame seeds
- dry seaweed for making kimbap and sushi. Grocery stores usually carry this labeled as such or will show a picture.
- and all the good fixings. I usually choose 6 or 7. Some suggestions include:
- fake crab
- bulgogi
- fish cake
- tuna
- cucumber
- carrots
- spinach
- yellow radish
- egg
1. Prepare the rice. 2 cups of dry rice makes about 6 or more servings of cooked rice. Prepare it as you usually would, but use slightly less water to make your rice more sticky cohesive. After the rice is cooked, let cool while still maintaining its warmth. Warm rice makes for easier kimbap rolling. Then, add a teaspoon or more of sesame oil and one teaspoon of sesame seeds. Mix and keep warm.
2. Prepare all other fixings. Some only include chopping or slicing.
- Spinach: Boil water and blanch or boil the spinach for approximately 1 minute (or one more if you like it cooked, but it begins to rob it of its nutrients). Remove from water and squeeze water out. You may add a small amount of sesame oil if you wish, but not necessary.
- Egg. Crack 4 eggs and mix well. Add a small amount of water for better mixing. Fry like a pancake in a frying pan on low heat and flip. Cook evenly. Remove from heat. After cooling, cut in one centimeter thick pieces.
- Julienne (or cut/slice) carrots as seen below.
- Cut and prepare all other foods as you like.
3. Let's get ready. Line up all the ingredients for the kimbap rolls.
 |
| From left to right, these are the ingredients I used: spinach, carrot, egg, cucumber, yellow radish, and tuna off to the side |
Pull out the mat. It's best to wrap it in seran or plastic wrap. This makes the kimbap rolling much easier. I learned this while watching ahjummas prepare kimbap in church kitchens and at my favorite kimbap place in Korea: Kimbap Chonguk (translates: Kimbap Heaven). It's a heavenly kimbap place and considered the McDonald's of Korea. Don't worry, you can still find McDonald's in every major city in Korea!
Put down a piece of seaweed on the mat. Add rice to the seaweed placing it from the bottom edge at .75 cm thick and covering 2/3 to 3/4ths of the seaweed. If the rice does not spread easily, add some sesame oil to the spoon or the rice spoon as you spread. I had a bit too much sesame oil or just enough in my rice that it spread well.
Begin adding your goodies one by one. It's best to add the same amount of each. Or if adding different vegetables with various consistencies, add enough that makes them of equal thickness.
Now, let's get ready to roll! Hold everything together and begin rolling the seaweed using the kimbap mat. Hold it in carefully. Once you roll kimbap so that the insides are covered begin to pull the kimbap towards the edge of the mat closest to you again. Finish rolling and wrapping to the end. To better seal the kimbap, wet your finger and dab the smallest amount of water necessary to seal the kimbap together.
 |
| This might be something you come up with! |
 |
| Full of good food. It looks tasty. |
After rolling your kimbap, you will need to cut it into pieces. I bought a sharp knife just for this very task. In the past I tried to cut some rice rolls with a dull knife. Quite the disaster. Cut them into bite sizes. Once cut, wrap them in foil or place them in an airtight sealed container to maintain freshness. If you're like me, you'll begin eating right away!
Here they are:
What do you like in your kimbap? I also like to make kimbap wraps with kimchi and tuna. You can get creative and add whatever you like!
I hope you like them and will try making some for yourself in the future.
Happy eating and have a great weekend.
Cheers,
HK
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Guess what?
Exciting news!!!
I completed my 10 week Korean language course! Though I did not learn much from the class itself, I do feel more motivated to study and learn Korean. Exciting right? Maybe not. To be honest, I must admit that as I review my check list of things I will do to study Korean, the one key point I failed to do was to study hanja (Chinese characters). In the midst of my other courses, work, and personal life I felt that is one thing I could let go. Perhaps I slacked on the writing part a bit, too. From now on, I'm going to at least incorporate a little bit of everything from the "I will" list found on that post. It's been a challenging year that's about to come full circle (the crazy began exactly one year ago from now), so as life gets on track and I regain physical health and stamina I plan on putting myself in full force to study the language.
Even more exciting! Now that our class is complete, my classmates have put together our own study group. Many of the study groups and classes I joined were not motivating and were slightly below level. No, I do not say this in pride, but to honestly admit my classmates and I were not challenged. The teacher's style was not effective for language learning for our class, so I am proud to say that despite our inability to glean much from class, my classmates came together to create our own study group and hire our own teacher. I am proud of this group of people. We didn't like what we were getting. We challenged it. And, then we put our heads together and solved the problem by determining what we really wanted and needed. Our hunger and desire to learn the language are very much evident! We are going to learn! I look forward to engaging with a new tutor/teacher and sharing knowledge, experience, and motivation with my study partners as we embark on this second journey of learning.
Okay, so that wasn't the big announcement or exciting news, but check back next week and I will reveal the real exciting news. I am waiting for a few more pieces of the puzzle to come together before I can reveal it.
There are much bigger motivations to get the ball rolling on this language learning process!
Let's go!!
아녕 annyoung and have a great day!
HK
I completed my 10 week Korean language course! Though I did not learn much from the class itself, I do feel more motivated to study and learn Korean. Exciting right? Maybe not. To be honest, I must admit that as I review my check list of things I will do to study Korean, the one key point I failed to do was to study hanja (Chinese characters). In the midst of my other courses, work, and personal life I felt that is one thing I could let go. Perhaps I slacked on the writing part a bit, too. From now on, I'm going to at least incorporate a little bit of everything from the "I will" list found on that post. It's been a challenging year that's about to come full circle (the crazy began exactly one year ago from now), so as life gets on track and I regain physical health and stamina I plan on putting myself in full force to study the language.
Even more exciting! Now that our class is complete, my classmates have put together our own study group. Many of the study groups and classes I joined were not motivating and were slightly below level. No, I do not say this in pride, but to honestly admit my classmates and I were not challenged. The teacher's style was not effective for language learning for our class, so I am proud to say that despite our inability to glean much from class, my classmates came together to create our own study group and hire our own teacher. I am proud of this group of people. We didn't like what we were getting. We challenged it. And, then we put our heads together and solved the problem by determining what we really wanted and needed. Our hunger and desire to learn the language are very much evident! We are going to learn! I look forward to engaging with a new tutor/teacher and sharing knowledge, experience, and motivation with my study partners as we embark on this second journey of learning.
Okay, so that wasn't the big announcement or exciting news, but check back next week and I will reveal the real exciting news. I am waiting for a few more pieces of the puzzle to come together before I can reveal it.
There are much bigger motivations to get the ball rolling on this language learning process!
Let's go!!
아녕 annyoung and have a great day!
HK
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Happy White Day!
해피 화이트 데이! Happy White
Day my friends!
In Korea there are
a plethora of fun romantic holidays to express your "liking" or love
for someone or even express your kindred spirit and friendship towards another!
What's not to like about romantic holidays? They're just soo.... romantic....and
gushy and lovy dovy. Awww…. Okay, enough!
I am not the biggest romantic myself, but I always enjoy learning
about the holidays of other countries and cultures. In November (November 11th) we have
Pepero Day because the elevens or ones look like peperos. In February we have Valentine’s Day followed by White Day (March 14th) and Black Day (April 14th). Most
other 14ths of the month are also smaller lesser known romantic holidays in Korea.
Traditionally, in Korea, females give chocolates and treats to
their male interests and friends on Valentine’s Day. On White Day, the males
give chocolates of similar or greater value to the female friends that gave
them chocolate. On Black Day, the singles unite and share in their misery while
eating jjajangmyun.
I thought I would give my brother’s best friend, Scott, a shout out. You
can see his quick video on White Day (and some tidbits about his lady friend)
here. Apologies for not being able to
get the video embedded, so you’ll just have to click here. My brother and his best friend are spending
their first year in Korea and learning all about these holidays for the first
time. For a newbie, I’d say he sums it up quite well. I am looking forward to
seeing what he comes up with for his lady friend. Perhaps you will see more of
him here.
Happy White Day!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I want to learn Korean! How? Why?
Haven't I always wanted to learn Korean? How do I go about learning Korean?
I made it a goal to learn and study Korean this year! I started my journey to learn Korean several years ago on my first trip to Korea. I said I would learn. I did ... a little... I was able to get by, to read, to greet, and text or write basic emails. While in Korea for the one year between 2009-2010, I devoted a significant time to study Korean grammar and the basics. I had no choice but to learn if I wanted to travel in Korea. And suddenly out of nowhere I had this Korean family and relatives I never knew existed. Learning was necessary. I read books, watched Korean dramas, and talked to friends. I went from very little comprehension to being able to understand my fellow Korean teachers speaking at and to me. Then...I came back to America.
After returning, I found myself lost in a land of no Asians or Koreans. My focus remained on job searching and exploring other professional opportunities. A part of me was resistant to studying or learning because I knew it was my duty to learn to communicate with relatives and friends in Korea, but I hadn't fully processed my experience. Nor had I understood on a heart level the urgency to bridge the cultural and physical gap by learning the language like I understand today. I slowly phased myself out of watching dramas, as well. Soooo..... as the saying goes, "if you don't use it, you lose it". It's true! Some lost. BUT NOT gone forever is the Korean I learned. Once I got back into the Korean community in San Diego, I beat myself up over not remembering everything.I was ashamed to read and hear conversations that I recognize all the words and grammatical structures to and do not remember the meaning of! I know it's there. That is a journey of overcoming and forgiving in itself still in process. This next phase of study and review is going to need some careful extraction and nurturing back to life!
After some time meeting those interested in learning, feeding off their passion, and finally beginning to process some past experiences I had suppressed, I knew it was time... time to study. Time to learn.
I am ready!
I originally attempted to enroll in a Korean Language course at a university in San Diego, but the cost was too high and conflicted with my current work schedule. Instead, I registered for an evening class taught through an independent program. I promise to study several times per week outside of the two class sessions each week. Even if I learn nothing big or new in the class, it will be a great refresher and hopefully a confidence booster in the department of speaking. Unfortunately my speaking and writing skills are down the drain. We shall see where the class takes us.
Now that I have met many other friends or students trying to learn the language, I have stumbled upon many different resources and sites to learn Korean or to communicate with others that want to teach their language in exchange for another language. My favorite way to learn and share culture is face to face where I can see expression and observe body language, but I realize that wasn't always easy for me and it's not going to be easy for people in other countries wanting to make friends in the target language and culture. As part of my study, I will explore these sites and expand my understanding of human interaction through online relationships and educational websites. Recently, I became interested in the online dating phenomenon. Many of my friends have found themselves in a whole new world of online dating as they seek life-long friends and partners. Though I haven't registered to online date or plan to do so, I believe that nourishing my hunger to learn Korean language through internet resources will give me a better understanding of what it means to build relationships with strangers through a common interest of learning and sharing online. I really desire to learn as much as I can about human interaction and thought processes.
Some weekly challenges I want to hold myself accountable to doing:
I WILL:
Motivations to learn:
Let's keep growing and going! I hope that by posting these goals and motivating factors I will be held accountable and you will too!
I made it a goal to learn and study Korean this year! I started my journey to learn Korean several years ago on my first trip to Korea. I said I would learn. I did ... a little... I was able to get by, to read, to greet, and text or write basic emails. While in Korea for the one year between 2009-2010, I devoted a significant time to study Korean grammar and the basics. I had no choice but to learn if I wanted to travel in Korea. And suddenly out of nowhere I had this Korean family and relatives I never knew existed. Learning was necessary. I read books, watched Korean dramas, and talked to friends. I went from very little comprehension to being able to understand my fellow Korean teachers speaking at and to me. Then...I came back to America.
After returning, I found myself lost in a land of no Asians or Koreans. My focus remained on job searching and exploring other professional opportunities. A part of me was resistant to studying or learning because I knew it was my duty to learn to communicate with relatives and friends in Korea, but I hadn't fully processed my experience. Nor had I understood on a heart level the urgency to bridge the cultural and physical gap by learning the language like I understand today. I slowly phased myself out of watching dramas, as well. Soooo..... as the saying goes, "if you don't use it, you lose it". It's true! Some lost. BUT NOT gone forever is the Korean I learned. Once I got back into the Korean community in San Diego, I beat myself up over not remembering everything.I was ashamed to read and hear conversations that I recognize all the words and grammatical structures to and do not remember the meaning of! I know it's there. That is a journey of overcoming and forgiving in itself still in process. This next phase of study and review is going to need some careful extraction and nurturing back to life!
I am ready!
I originally attempted to enroll in a Korean Language course at a university in San Diego, but the cost was too high and conflicted with my current work schedule. Instead, I registered for an evening class taught through an independent program. I promise to study several times per week outside of the two class sessions each week. Even if I learn nothing big or new in the class, it will be a great refresher and hopefully a confidence booster in the department of speaking. Unfortunately my speaking and writing skills are down the drain. We shall see where the class takes us.
Now that I have met many other friends or students trying to learn the language, I have stumbled upon many different resources and sites to learn Korean or to communicate with others that want to teach their language in exchange for another language. My favorite way to learn and share culture is face to face where I can see expression and observe body language, but I realize that wasn't always easy for me and it's not going to be easy for people in other countries wanting to make friends in the target language and culture. As part of my study, I will explore these sites and expand my understanding of human interaction through online relationships and educational websites. Recently, I became interested in the online dating phenomenon. Many of my friends have found themselves in a whole new world of online dating as they seek life-long friends and partners. Though I haven't registered to online date or plan to do so, I believe that nourishing my hunger to learn Korean language through internet resources will give me a better understanding of what it means to build relationships with strangers through a common interest of learning and sharing online. I really desire to learn as much as I can about human interaction and thought processes.
Some weekly challenges I want to hold myself accountable to doing:
I WILL:
- Challenge myself to meet others, to learn from them and share with them.
- Be willing to be vulnerable, make mistakes, and ask questions for my own learning. This entails being confident in the shoes of a learner and not being afraid to ask questions. Curiosity is a precursor to knowledge and understanding. The more we ask, the more we learn. This is a mountain for me to climb because I am always shy to ask for help or even to ask too many questions. I am always willing to offer others help in their times of need, I will do the same myself.
- Be curious! Mentioned above, but it needs its own bullet!
- Study at least 10 hanja per week. Hanja is the name for the Chinese Korean characters that you see on old Korean texts and on Korean newspapers. Learning hanja is helpful because it builds vocabulary. Many Korean words have roots from the Chinese characters. See future posts on hanja.
- Learn a set number of vocabulary words. Looking for resources to find and learn vocabulary words at the moment.
- Try to watch at least one or more episodes of a Korean drama during the week. Okay, so this isn't a tough one for most people that probably devote hours to drama, but I haven't had as much time or interest in recent dramas due to the length of time I spend outside of home. Dramas will sharpen listening skills and observation of social interactions.
- Find an article to read and dissect.
- Practice speaking by talking to at least one friend in the target language. We can practice English conversation and pronunciation afterwards. : )
- Write at least one or two diary entries per week. I agree, this should be more, but I'm trying to make a habit of learning to do this in English first! I will increase the numbers as I go. Don't forget folks, let's not overwhelm with too many goals.
- Listen to kpop or kballad. Oh no! Can't get sucked into that world again...but it's just another avenue into the language and culture.
- NOT give up!
Motivations to learn:
- Graduate school. I am interested in international-ly related fields.
- second or third languages are a requirement for graduation and for jobs.
- Communicating with friends. They already say I comprehend a significant amount and pronounce words well. It's that word extraction part that I have trouble doing in English and my second or third language.
- Building a relationship with relatives or family and other friends in Korea.
- Make sure my brother doesn't surpass my Korean ability if he ends up staying in Korea for much longer! ; )
- Learn my mother tongue!
Let's keep growing and going! I hope that by posting these goals and motivating factors I will be held accountable and you will too!
Friday, December 7, 2012
Pepero in the nude.
Yep, it is pepero nude. The chocolate is on the inside and not the outside. It's a nice treat. I like that Koreans post the manufacture date, but sometimes it is best not knowing. I've eaten snacks with a manufacture date of more than year prior to the day I am eating it. Eww...
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Simplest tuna kimchi soup ever 참치 김치 찌개 in pictures
When you only have kimchi and tuna what can you do? Put it in a pot and expect something tasty? Try this tuna kimchi jjigae.
Grab a cup of kimchi, a can of tuna, two or more cups of water, some gochu garu (red pepper powder) and a bit of sesame oil for other flavor and there you have it!
I would suggest adding other meat, tofu, and veggies if you have it within arm's reach! This was definitely a last attempt to nourish the stomach with nothing fresh in the fridge.
Enjoy!
Grab a cup of kimchi, a can of tuna, two or more cups of water, some gochu garu (red pepper powder) and a bit of sesame oil for other flavor and there you have it!
I would suggest adding other meat, tofu, and veggies if you have it within arm's reach! This was definitely a last attempt to nourish the stomach with nothing fresh in the fridge.
Enjoy!
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