Cycle 17 – Item 260
Post 6,104
22 (Tue) September 2026
Pan-Seared New York Strip Steak
3.5
by me
at home
-Oksu, Seongdong, Seoul, Republic of Korea-
solo
We got a new dining table today, the third in our family history.
The first was dark brown veneer. Casa Mia. From 2006 (when we got married) to 2016 (when we moved to the Philippines): 10 years. Featured in Cycles 1-7 (see for example 1.015 A Typical Korean At-Home Meal).
The second was grey steel. Crate and Barrel. From 2016 (BGC to Dasma) to 2026 (Wirye to Oksu): 10 years. Featured in Cycles 7-17 (see for example 7.319 ATKAHM). Looking back at photos, I’m reminded how immaculate and gorgeous it used to be, the most beautiful piece of furniture that I’d ever seen, and I had to own it, even though it cost too much (can’t recall exactly, but probably around $3,000). At the time, I fully intended to keep it forever. Alas, steel didn’t fit in with W’s decor theme, so bought a new one.
This third is walnut. Handmade in Denmark. Took 3 months to arrive. She won’t say how much (I suspect around $10,000). But for some reason, the surface of the wood didn’t come with any protective coating, so that even a drop of water leaves a stain. When W complained to the local distributor, they claimed that Europeans like their wood all natural, which cannot possibly be true if this is the result. Anyway, we’re not allowed to touch the table, much less eat on it, until something can be done about treating the wood.
Meanwhile, I took the steel table to work, where it will now serve as a conference table in my office.
(See RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)
(See GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)
(See HANSIK)
(See BOOZE)