1.228
21 (Sat) August 2010
Chicken Karaage
3.0
by KIT
at Narabunji
-Ulleung-Do, Gyeongsang-Buk, Korea-
with Backcountry Camping
Trip to Ulleung-Do + Dok-Do, Day 2.
TIP: Use medicine bottles for cooking ingredients, such as condiments and seasonings. Coming in a variety of sizes ranging from 10-100 milliliters, and maybe even bigger, the bottles are made of thin, semi-disposable plastic (like Gladware) and primarily used by pharmacies to dispense prescription medications for children in liquid form. They’re given out free with paid meds, but the pharmacy will usually toss in a few (empty) freebies if requested, or sometimes for a small price, like KRW 100 each. On the flip side, because they’re so flimsy, they can get kinda crumpled after a couple uses and don’t stand up to washing very well, but cheap enough for no-sweat replacement.
The official English slogan for Ulleung-Do is “Mysterious Island.” Not sure about mysterious, but the island is exotic and spectacular: the high, sheer cliffs completely surrounding the circular island’s perimeter like the walls of a cylindrical fortress, as well as the quirky rock formations scattered along the shore like defenders of the keep, aptly named for the animals they eerily resemble, all by volcanic eruptions way back when; the impossibly turquoise waters of the surrounding ocean; the vibrant verdure of the interior. Not too shabby for a day or two of look-see.
Karaage is a Japanese cooking method. Most commonly involving boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces, which marinated in soy sauce, lightly dredged in flour, then deep-fried.
I realize the irony in featuring Japanese dishes for both posts at Ulleung-Do, especially in light of yesterday’s visit to Dok-Do. Let’s consider it poetic justice.