Catbird

Not quite sure what this fabulous creature is advertising, but Catbird does look beautiful.

Though if @KTLit had his way it would look like this.

My Workplace...

This is what greets me every morning as I arrive at the Seoul Namsan Traditional Theatre. Now if only I could afford to buy my own...

Back On The Radio and A Bit Of Lion Dancing

I'm back on the radio this morning on TBSeFM's brand new show 1013 Main Street. Catch me live at 10.30 am as I'm grilled about our play, Bukcheong Lion Dance, which is being performed at the Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater.

Our show starts tonight and if any of you, my dear readers, care to see it, then you needn't worry about language problems as I've translated the whole bloody thing into English and created subtitles to be shown at every performance (Japanese subtitles also available for every show). Bukcheong Lion Dance runs till the 17th of April, so there's plenty of time for you, your friends and anyone else you know to come along.

Korea4expats have more info over on their page and if you come on a Saturday or a Sunday I've been assured that there will be an extra free event in the theatre's courtyard along with free makkoli. So if you like traditional mask dance and getting tipsy then you're in for a real treat.

Bukcheong Lion Dance takes elements from the traditional mask dance and weaves them together to tell the story of a tiger turned human who falls in love with a lion dancer. It's an interesting mix of comedy, tragedy, dance and drama and a great way to dip your toe into the world of Korean theatre. Plus my wife is in it and she's very good...

Return to Bombomb

Two years ago I discovered a fantastic little Italian restaurant in Itaewon called Bombomb. I went back again and again, but in 2010 I stopped visiting (life got a little busy last year). So yesterday I decided to go back to one of my favourite places for a cheap lunch. Unfortunately things have changed...



Bombomb used to have a bargain 9,000 won lunch deal where you could get a rather tasty steak and mushroom cream spaghetti. Times have changed and so have the prices and menu. The steak has disappeared and I ended up ordering a mushroom cream spaghetti for 13,000 won.



It wasn't a bad plate of pasta, well sauced and seasoned with a little fresh leaf parsley and three kinds of mushrooms; but there was no bread or salad on the side (the homemade bread used to be fantastic). With a 4,000 won increase I hoped that standards would be higher, but you get far less for your money now at Bombomb.



That said, it wasn't a bad lunch, but it was certainly a disappointing visit. Bombomb used to be a great place for a cheap lunch in Itaewon. The 9,000 won special will be sorely missed.

Royal Coffee

The Holly's Coffee Shop at Chungmuro has an interesting mural. For some reason I feel like going to the post office.

The Lights Of Cheongju

There's a new cafe in Cheongju and it has a very impressive selection of flashing light pillars.



I wouldn't necessarily describe them as pretty, but they're certainly striking.

German Dog!

I'm not sure whether it's the name or the picture that puts me off the most... Though the stuck on numbers are cute.

Found at the cafe in the TBS building.

Spicy Grandmother

This month I'm working in Chungmuro and so have the chance to sample a few of the restaurants in the area. 명동 할머니국수 (Myeongdong Grandmother Noodles) is located down a back street nearby the Hanok village and offers a very cheap selection of soupy noodles. Prices start at 2,500 won for kimbab, tteokbokki or ramyeon, and the cheapest bowl of noodles goes for 3,500 won. Plus if you're peckish at breakfast time then you can sample their 북어콩나물해장국 (Pollock and Beansprout Soup) for a mere 3,000 won.



Side dishes are minimal here, either pickled radish or cabbage kimchi.



We went for the 보쌈국수 (Steamed Pork Noodles) for 6,000 won which turned out to be 비빔국수 (Spicy Cold Noodles) with a side of pig, plus a simple tofu soup.



The pork was tasty enough, simple squares of steamed belly.



The noodles looked pretty, but were a little too sweet and far too spicy. I love chili, but the red sauce here just made me feel uncomfortable both at the time of eating and the following morning (reminds me of a certain Johnny Cash song).



If you fancy a cheap noodle lunch or dinner then 명동할머니국수 may be the place for you (they have branches all over Seoul), but be warned, the 비빔국수 is not for the faint hearted. Go to Chungmuro station, head out of exit 4 and turn left after the Nescafe. 명동할머니국수 is on the right hand side a little way up the alley. They're open from 7.30 am to 10.00 pm and you can call them on 02 2263 4941 or visit their website here.

Dangling Fishies

Don't be fooled these tasty looking 붕어빵 (Carp Bread). They're made of clay and have spent a couple of years hanging in our kitchen.

Coconut Curry 칼국수

Monday is a good day for culinary experimentation and today is no exception. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted for lunch, but I did have a hankering for some 칼국수 (knife cut noodles). So I popped down to the local supermarket and improvised. What follows is a fusion of South Asian curry and Korean noodle goodness. Something a little bit different...

Coconut Curry 칼국수

Serves two hungry ajosshis

Ingredients:

One two portion pack of fresh 칼국수 noodles (readily available at supermarkets)

As much steak as you can afford (cut into thin strips)

One cup of chicken stock

Four dried wild mushrooms (soaked in boiling water for twenty minutes, then chopped finely)

Half a can of coconut milk

Three cloves of garlic (crushed)

One thumb of ginger (grated)

One small head of broccolli (chopped into bitesize pieces)

Four small bok choi (separated into leaves)

A large fistful of beansprouts

Half an aubergine (sliced lengthwise)

One teaspoon of mustard seeds

One teaspoon of garam masala

Half teaspoon of cumin powder

Half teaspoon of coriander powder

Quarter teaspoon of turmeric

One teaspoon of soy sauce

One teaspoon of seafood powder (no MSG or chemicals. 100% natural)

One teaspoon of chili powder

Sugar, salt and black pepper to taste

Method:

Fry the steak strips with a little olive oil until browned and beautiful in a wok or deep pan. Transfer to a dish and look at them fondly

In the same pan fry off the aubergines (and mustard seeds) in a little more oil, let them take a little colour then add the garlic, ginger, mushrooms, garam masala, cumin, coriander and turmeric. Add a little water if needed to stop everything from burning.

After a minute or so dump in the chicken stock and the mushroom water (plenty of flavour in there). Bring to the boil, add the coconut milk and top up with boiling water according to how soupy you like your noodles.

Throw in the noodles and let them cook through (my packet said five to six minutes). Toss in the soy sauce, seafood powder and chili powder. Add any other seasonings you fancy.

When the noodles are almost done put the bok choi, broccolli, steak and beansprouts into the pan. Let the whole mix cook for another minute or so and then serve.

Fresh coriander and lemon juice are welcome additions...

Notes:

I used European dried wild mushrooms, but Korean dried oak mushrooms will work just as well. You can replace the steak with pork, chicken or seafood and you can use any kind of stock you like (but do try to make your own).

Seafood powder on the left, Waitrose's very own wild mushrooms on the right.

The seafood powder is known as 해물조미료 (or 해물다시다). We use the 산들애 brand (with bonus cute bunny on the packet). It adds an extra kick to both Korean and foreign dishes and is well worth picking up from the shops. Just make sure whichever brand you buy is chemical free.

Any noodles will work with this dish, but there's something so satisfying about the thick knife cut noodles that makes this perfect comfort food.