Cycle 3 – Item 192

15 (Sun) July 2012

Sundubu Jjigae

3.5

at Bonga

-Oksu, Seongdong, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

with DJ

Given a choice of what to eat and where to go on his 5th birthday, DJ chose kimchi mari guksu at Bonga.  Even when we explained that it was an opportunity to get a bit fancy, he politely declined, saying that he was in the “mood” for something “simple.”  I adore and appreciate the fact that, as of yet, his preferences remain so pure and free of pretension.

I was in the mood for something a bit more hearty, like sundubu jjigae.

W stayed home with IZ.

Unlike most Korean restaurants overseas, which usually offer a wide variety of fare ranging from barbecue to rice/noodle dishes without particular emphasis on one over another, barbecue restaurants in Korea tend to be more specialized and focus primarily on the meat.  The menu will include a rice/noodle dish or two but more as a finishing touch rather than a main item, especially at dinner.  Though ordering just the rice or noodles isn’t against the rules, it’d be like ordering just french fries at a burger shop.

We’ve been regular customers at Bonga for years, so we can get away with it.

Happy Birthday, D!

(See also FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)