'Galbi wa Milbat" nearby Un Jeong Lake Park at Paju

Paju
In the old days, Paju (Gyunggi province) was just country side.
However, these days, it has been changed a lot.
From a bridge in Il-San, there is Un Jeong New Town
As its name suggests, there are lots of new apartments in that area.
One of the famous places in this town is a small but beautiful and charming park even though it is not that big as Il-San Lake Park.
Eubi Park, Un Jeong Lake Park, and Un Jeong Geon-Gang Park are connected together and there are various flowers, lake, stream, a fountain and a wading pool for children.

There is a food alley in front of Lotte Castle apartment across from Ga-on Elementary School and it is under construction now. 

Today, I want to introduce a restaurant which is innermostly located; Galbi wa Milbat (Rib and Wheat Field).
There is a huge parking lot, which is very convenient. This store sells not only Galbi (rib) but lunch meal, so usually there are many people. When entered this store, Sutbul dwaeji galbi (charcoal fired-pork rib) stimulated my appetite. 

I ordered Sundubu (Spicy Soft Tofu Stew) and Hwangtaetang (Pollack Soup).
Side dishes are Gang dwenjang (soybean paste stew), Kong namul bap (rice cooked with bean sprouts), Dweji galbi (pork ribs) and Yuja salad citron sauce. The Bap is excellent on Gang dwenjang (Soybean paste) because it is spicy but not that salty. Dweji galbi (Pork rib) with Buchu (chives) salad is also great.

Jjigae (Soup) and Tang (stew) were served in Ttukbaegi (earthen pot) and pancake, sweet pumpkin, Beoseot tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork with mushroom), and various Vegetable Side Dishes were also served at table.
Aromatic and savory Hwangtaetang (Pollack Soup with perilla) and hearty Sundubu (Spicy Soft Tofu Stew) were 7900 won each.

Even though it might be little expensive for one meal, but thanks to its quantity, side dishes, and Sutbul dwaeji galbi (charcoal fired-pork rib), you are willing to pay that cost.
Galbi wa Milbat (Rib and Wheat Field); a good restaurant for delicious and proper meal.

It is located in front of a park, so you can go for a walk after meal with coffee from the Vending machine. 
Go straight to Un Jeong Lake Park direction through intersection nearby Ga-on Elementary School. Then you can find a food alley.
Keep going until you find the very end of this alley. There is a Galbi wa Milbat (Rib and Wheat Field) on second floor.

Location : Wadong-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do 1400-3 (Ga-on Street 182) 

Songnae Buldakbal Golmok ; spicy fire-chicken foot alley , line number one Songnae Station

There are some objective indicators to judge economics status: trade balance, rate of operation, interest rate, and so on. And it is traditionally said that spicy food is sold more when the economy is bad.

There are lots of spicy food out there in China or Mexico including Korea where lots of people love spicy flavor. In China, they use mashed red pepper in their dishes. In Mexico, they use jalapeno peppers.

There is Buldakbal Golmok (fire-chicken foot alley) nearby Songnae Station in Bucheon.
You can imagine how spicy it is because of its strong adjective, 'fire'. They use special sauce made from Capsaicin, which makes spicy flavor of chili peppers more spicy.

Alley is about 50m long and there are 10 restaurants which sell  Buldakbal (fire-chicken foot).
The sign is very noticeable; red letters in yellow background. 

Actually, this Dakbal (chicken foot food) traces back to the Korean War. During war, ordinary people didn't have enough food to eat, so they ate even chicken foot after eating chicken. In cart bar, people grilled chicken foot after seasoning it.

In fact, chicken foot is kind of creepy. However, Collagen in it is known for its nutrition, which makes it famous these days. Also, if you use chicken foot in soup, it tastes much better and it becomes more savory.

I went to Yam Yam Fire-Chicken Foot restaurant located in the middle of the alley.
There were 12 tables with braziers inside and about four tables outside.
There was Mupyeu dakbal (boneless chicken foot), which was very soft to chew. But it would be still delicious if you try original chicken foot.

There are two set menus: both include gristle and steamed eggs. Only difference is chicken foot with bone or without bone. You can choose your own degree of pungency.  I ordered midium-spicy flavor.

Side dishes set on the table first: radish water kimchi, a cold bath  with sea mustard, a cabbage salad , salted perilla leaf , White Kimchi, and cold fish cake soup. They also served fruit drink, which could reduce the spicy flavor. Or you can just drink soup instead of it. That is a still good way to reduce pungency.

The color of the food is awesome. I could feel fire in its red color. Even though I ordered midium spicy flavor, it was still too spicy for me. But enjoying hot and spicy flavor is the purpose of this alley! You should try this because this alley is full of those food. 

Gristle, a fried cartilage with some piece of meat, was excellent, too.
Thankfully, steamed egg reduced pungency. You can make rice balls with rice, dried laver, and some gristle.

B set menu includes this rice ball, fruit drink called coolpis, steamed egg, boneless chicken foot, and gristle. You should pay extra charge if you want more than one drink. The total price was 24000 won.

While eating, I decided not to eat this again because of its spicy, but after few days, I wanted it again.

Location : Yam Yam Buldakbal : Sang-dong 444-19 (Bu Il St. 237th road 20), Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Tel. 82-032-326-5234   

Manull chicken (Garlic Chicken) nearby Daerim Station - Harmony of rich and plain taste

People in Central and South America really like chicken. They eat the whole chicken leg, not two or three pieces, with bread, corn, or tortilla as convenience food.
In Guatemala, because of Campero the chicken franchise, even kentucky fried chicken (KFC) couldn't start their business in this area. 

They don't coat the chicken with flour and fry it directly in oil.
This is similar to olden Korea's chicken before fried chicken was popularized.
Anyway, after Yangnyum (seasoned) chicken became popular, fried chicken lost their popularity.

Because Yangnyum (seasoned) chicken is both spicy and sweet, many people used to eat out to enjoy this food. Or they had it delivered, especially after the 1988 Olympic Games. 

However, every flood has its ebb. 
At 1990, people began to eat roasted chicken  in a brazier, which is less oily and plain. After that, various chicken appeared: chicken with scallion, lean chicken, fried chicken with soy sauce, and so on. But these days garlic chicken is the best.

Nearby Daerim Station in line number two (green line), there is a food alley called garlic chicken. 
Although there are not many restaurants yet, but they all have their long history and tasty food.

Take exit four and go straight for 50m. Then there are some buildings on your left. Each store's size is very big; two-story stores or some use basement.
It is rather quiet, clean, and well organized place.

Next to the garlic chicken store run by originator  for 20 years, there is barbecue garlic chicken which has 30 years history.
Some store's interior is like cafe. I went to Daerim garlic chicken.

This food alley is located right next to the subway, which is good for marketing. People in the subway can look down this alley.
They serve fried chicken, fried and seasoned chicken, chicken with scallion, chicken with soy sauce, lean chicken with garlic, chicken with fruit, and grilled chicken with salt.

Price range is from 17,000 won to 18,000 won.
Side dishes were fried macaroni snack, special sauce, salted radish, a cabbage salad with ketchup and mayonnaise, and egg soup which is basic menu for Korean restaurants.

The clerk served a non-floured chicken on iron plate with sliced garlic. At first, I thought the chicken was rather small, but it was enough amount for one meal.

The balance of aromatic garlic and crispy chicken was excellent. Garlic was not spicy, rather sweet. The cabbage salad reduced oily taste.
They also served half and half menu, so you can try two taste at the same time. 
It will taste better if you drink beer with it.

If you worry about garlic breath, you can take some candies at the counter.
These days, Chinese restaurants are increasing nearby Daerim Station. I hope that these garlic chicken restaurants don't lost their popularity and become good food.

locatioin : Take subway line number two and exit four. Go straight for 50m.
Daerim garlic chicken : Guro 4-dong 73-10, Guro-gu, Seoul
Tel. 82-2-862-9233  

Upgraded Cry Cheese Burger with French Fries

It is difficult to make good food because people have fastidious tastes.
So it is hard for restaurants to be well received by random customers.
Sometimes people disappointed that restaurants which their acquaintance introduced were not good as they expected.
Reason is simple; people have various tastes.

Especially, for food which you have to pay costs, people's likes and dislikes are clear. Some say "I will never visit this store again", or "I lost my appetite".
Therefore, it is really hard for restaurants to success; in reality, 80~90% of founders of the restaurants fail.

Half of famous restaurants have a long tradition and half of them just start their business. Even though some shops seem to be on the fast track at first, but  actually they are not. Because most famous restaurants are exaggerated. 

Most people usually want to go to a new place, so they can be deceived by false information. Famous restaurants don't make same food; they are trying to change even their small parts.

This is because customers who have visited one shop can feel differently when they revisit there. If they are served exactly the same food whenever they visit, they don't want to go there again.
In that regard, this Cry Cheese Burger nearby Bucheon University can be thought as a fresh restaurant.

My daughter introduced this store to me by sending a text, which said, "there is a great burger barn which is so similar to in-n-out burger!"
Because my family has missed its burger, we visited there without hesitation. Animal cheese potato and a burger with chili peppers made us shout for joy.

After that, my family has revisited there several times. My daughter kept on posting about this store and did enjoy it as it is a store run by family.
But I worried about its popularity because usually burger doesn't have many things to be changed.

But the young and passionate owner provided fresh french fries in contrast with other burger shops which use frozen potatoes. 

I think this is a really good choice for success because people more like fresh ingredients rather than frozen ones.

People wait in line to eat this fresh fried potato in this stagnation. You should put your name on the waiting list and wait your turn. If you are not there when your name is called, the opportunity to order will be passed to the next person, so stay close to the shop. If you want to order takeout, you should visit here in person. No telephone order.

Thanks to fresh potato, not frozen one, french fries here is really light, clean and less oily.
There is a sign; No MSG, No Frozen food and No Microwave. And "If we use frozen food, I will be a frozen man." Very funny.

There was a long line of people at this store, which made others look at.
There is a saying that if a factory doesn't stop, they will succeed and if a store has a long line, they will succeed, too.
So we can say that this restaurant is a big hit.

However, they have to give a challenge other than fresh potato.
They have to check quality of tomatoes, lettuce, and make the employees show their power of unity. Also, make customers feel satisfaction.
If not, this can be only short-term success. But the young owner will hack it out. I'm really looking forward to it.

He sent a message to me; "Thanks for your concerns. I do remember the very first time you visited. :) I will do my best. Watch me with attention."

Location :  Simgok-dong 407-2, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Phone : 032-611-6244 

More photo and map.

http://cravingkorea.co.kr/140196339785

'Galbi wa Milbat" nearby Un Jeong Lake Park at Paju

Paju
In the old days, Paju (Gyunggi province) was just country side.
However, these days, it has been changed a lot.
From a bridge in Il-San, there is Un Jeong New Town
As its name suggests, there are lots of new apartments in that area.
One of the famous places in this town is a small but beautiful and charming park even though it is not that big as Il-San Lake Park.
Eubi Park, Un Jeong Lake Park, and Un Jeong Geon-Gang Park are connected together and there are various flowers, lake, stream, a fountain and a wading pool for children.

There is a food alley in front of Lotte Castle apartment across from Ga-on Elementary School and it is under construction now. 

Today, I want to introduce a restaurant which is innermostly located; Galbi wa Milbat (Rib and Wheat Field).
There is a huge parking lot, which is very convenient. This store sells not only Galbi (rib) but lunch meal, so usually there are many people. When entered this store, Sutbul dwaeji galbi (charcoal fired-pork rib) stimulated my appetite. 

 

I ordered Sundubu (Spicy Soft Tofu Stew) and Hwangtaetang (Pollack Soup).
Side dishes are Gang dwenjang (soybean paste stew), Kong namul bap (rice cooked with bean sprouts), Dweji galbi (pork ribs) and Yuja salad citron sauce. The Bap is excellent on Gang dwenjang (Soybean paste) because it is spicy but not that salty. Dweji galbi (Pork rib) with Buchu (chives) salad is also great.

Jjigae (Soup) and Tang (stew) were served in Ttukbaegi (earthen pot) and pancake, sweet pumpkin, Beoseot tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork with mushroom), and various Vegetable Side Dishes were also served at table.
Aromatic and savory Hwangtaetang (Pollack Soup with perilla) and hearty Sundubu (Spicy Soft Tofu Stew) were 7900 won each.


Even though it might be little expensive for one meal, but thanks to its quantity, side dishes, and Sutbul dwaeji galbi (charcoal fired-pork rib), you are willing to pay that cost.
Galbi wa Milbat (Rib and Wheat Field); a good restaurant for delicious and proper meal.

It is located in front of a park, so you can go for a walk after meal with coffee from the Vending machine. 
Go straight to Un Jeong Lake Park direction through intersection nearby Ga-on Elementary School. Then you can find a food alley.
Keep going until you find the very end of this alley. There is a Galbi wa Milbat (Rib and Wheat Field) on second floor.


Location : Wadong-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do 1400-3 (Ga-on Street 182) 

Sundae & Fried Dish in Changsin Golmok Marketplace nearby Dongdaemoon Station

There is Changsin Golmok Market nearby line number one Dongdaemoon Station.
Both sides of this market have lots of restaurants which stand in line (about 140m)
This market is rather small, compared to other markets in Seoul.
Like the name suggests, Golmok market is smaller than Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun Market, or Dongdaemoon Market.

However, in Changsin Golmok Market, there are lots of stores which have  charming and warmth. The first thing people notice when enter this market is a snack stall which sell flour based food.
Snack stall, which is from the wagon used for long trip during westward movement, is still used in Korea as a place for comfortable and friendly snack bar.

It has been more than 30 years since this snack stall carried on business.
The owner knows everyone in this area. She took over the business from her mother. She is kind-hearted; she throws in a few more. 

There is no sign there, so I will call this stall as "Yet-Nal-Tteokbokki", which is written in the wall. The owner said, "It was really hard time when my mother first opened this stall. Sometimes she earned less than 5 dollars. But she didn't give up and one day sales volume doubled. Thanks to this stall, she could educate her children, married her daughter off, and then finally hand this over to me. She always says that there is no lucky break. You should make steady and persistent effort. I keep this in my mind."

There are more than ten fried food; chili, vegetable, rolled seaweed, sweet potato, bread, squid, and the meat inside a razor clam. Each one is 500 won and there are also fried dumplings and fish cake, which is 600 won. You can buy Tteokbokki for 2000 won. Fried food is made with dough and various ingredients. It is very popular food among ordinary people.
Drink fish cake soup first when you eat fish cake. There is a brush and spray for applying soy sauce to your fish cake. Red pepper paste used in Tteokbokki is special seasoning the owner made.
There is an entrance when you pass by this snack stall. Walk into the alley 11 O'clock direction. Both sides of the street are full of stores; beef intestines, pork belly, fried dish, side dish, rice with soup, skate, pork hocks, vegetable store, adzuki-bean ice dessert, bakery, daily necessity, mill, and butcher's ! Everything is available in this market.

In the middle of this market, there is a Changsin Tteokbokki store.
One old woman runs this store and sells fried dish, Tteokbokki, and Sundae.
Tteokbokki, which consists of fish cake, rice cake and red pepper paste, is must-have food in flour based food store. However, main dish in this store is Sundae. People mix vegetable and glutinous rice together and put them in pork intestines. Then steam it. 

This is similar to Chorizo in South America, but the filling made of vegetable and glutinous rice is the difference between them. It costs 2000 won and other parts of pork, for example, its liver and lung, also served together. It is optional whether you choose other parts of pork or not, but it is better when you eat them together. Eat Sundae with salt and fish cake soup.

The owner is 70 years old and it has been 20 years since she opened this store. She has been the longest in this area. She had suffered hard time but these days she can go on a trip with her neighbors. One Sundae was really plentiful for one person. She threw a lot in.   

We can say that this small market is also cultural heritage; even though it isn't that big, magnificent, or well-appointed, people can feel humanity when they visit this place. I think that is enough for being a cultural heritage. This market should be in good preservation with Dongdaemun Castle.

Location : Take line number one (blue line) and get off at Dongdaemoon Station. Take exit 3 and turn left after going straight for 30m.