Cycle 14 – Item 275

7 (Sat) October 2023

Chungmu Gimbap

2.5

from Hyundai Department Store

at home

-Changgok, Sujeong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-

with the Family

Chungmu Gimbap (충무김밥) is a Korean dish.  Steamed rice, rolled in dried laver, served with both radish kimchi (ggakdugi) + seasoned squid/octopus (ojingeo/nakji muchim).  Unlike standard gimbap, in which all the ingredients blend together in every bite, the components in chungmu gimbap are taken separately, so if any part is not exactly on point – e.g., the seaweed is flabby, the rice is cold, the kimchi is mushy, the squid/octopus is too spicy – it stands out; thus, despite its seeming simplicity, the dish is not easy to get right.  Originated in the early 1980s from the city of Tongyeong, which was then called Chungmu.

When we had repatriated to Korea in 1985, chungmu gimbap was mainstream.  Especially in Myeongdong, where restaurants serving nothing but the dish could be found on every corner; one of the main thoroughfares in the neighborhood is Chungmu-ro, so I’d always assumed that the dish came from there.  These days, chungmu gimbap is kinda fringe, mostly a nostalgia thing – I’d bet that most people under the age of 40 have no idea what it is.

Inspired and/or envied by my recent watch purchase (see 14.262 Soya Sauce Chicken on Stirred Noodles), W is currently in the market to buy one for herself, so we spent the afternoon at Hyundai.  Having narrowed the shortlist down to Blancpain, IWC, and Panerai, she’s waiting to hear the final deal that each boutique will offer.

Afterwards, we went down to the basement and bought a mix of items to eat at home – TIP: starting at 20:00, 30 minutes prior to closing, everything goes on sale.

On any given day, I would prefer chungmu gimbap, if done well, to standard gimbap.

(See also HANSIK)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)