Cycle 12 – Cycle 236

29 (Sun) August 2021

Gom Tang

1.5

at So Jabneun Nal

-Seowon, Hoengseong, Gangwon, Republic of Korea-

with IZ, Mom

So Jabneun Nal is a Korean restaurant.  Specializes in gom tang, as well as various cuts for Korean BBQ grilling, all comprising local hanwoo.  The name translates to “cow (so) catching/slaughtering (jabneun) day (nal).”

Traditionally, in Korea, before beef became a massive industry, the slaughter of a cow was a rare occasion, calling for celebration and feast.  Today, where hanwoo is concerned, Koreans tend to prefer “fresh” beef from a recently slaughtered cow.  The practice of aging beef, a concept introduced mostly through western steakhouses a decade ago, remains fringe (see for example 12.231 Chadolbagi Sushi).

We stopped by for lunch and had the gom tang.  It was very very bland.  On one hand, that could be a good thing, a sign that the kitchen doesn’t use flavor enhancers, unlike many other beef soup restaurants.  On the other hand, it was very very bland.

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)