Dinner with a 형

A day with Youngjune 영준

Suddenly invited to go and spend the day with my girlfriends brother; Youngjune was at first a bit intimidating to say the least. However throughout the day the mood became increasingly more relaxed (thanks to my good friend Soju). Young June, Seoyoon and I had all met at Seoul National University of Education subway station (교대) and started our day adventure together.

We had visited a nearby restaurant and enjoyed some grilled pork belly, also known as Samgyeopsal (삼겹살). I was taught how to eat it Korean style by wrapping some of the meat, kimchi, hot pepper paste, and some green peppers. Delicious breakfast to say the least!

The delicious Samgyeopsal(삼겹살) wrapped in a Perilla leaf.

​The next dish Youngjune had ordered was a bit daunting at first, however my attraction to peculiar foods is something that has lead me to try numerous exotic foods. Eagerly ready to try the Korean dish called Yukhoe (육회) which is seasoned raw beef served with a raw egg and thinly sliced pears. Being the foreigner I had been offered to take the first bite and as soon as I had the first bite, the cold squishy texture for the beef met with the crisp fresh pear made a impeccable edible collaboration.

The next treat was Naengmyeon (냉면)  a popular Korean dish frequently eaten in the humid summers, because the dish is actually served cold! The Korean cold noodles are so delicious I would say its almost a comfort food for me.

​After finishing the first round we then set out to a special board-game cafe where we would talk and play various puzzle games until we got hungry again.
Next Young June wanted to take us to eat his favorite food, which was called Jokbal (족발) or in other words it is marinated pig trotters. It was a very chewy type of meat that would completely fall apart in the mouth. I would say it would be worth another go next week! However it is a lot of work to prepare, as you can see Youngjune getting the meat ready to eat.

​Then after our dinner we had decided to meet one of Youngjune’s college friend for grilled saltwater eel. It was all of our first time eating it and the taste was incredibly strange. The eel was taken from a tank, skinned and immediately thrown onto the grill over a hot bed of glowing hot coals. When the dead eel was placed on the grill the food would squirm before out eyes! It was indeed a sight to see!

They would squirm continuously until they were eaten!

​After a couple of drinks and a full belly of Korean food it was finally time to head back home! So we took one last selfie together before we all went our separate ways.