Like Jackson, I'm not quite keen when it comes to spice. That said, it's truly a mission find authentic Korean food that matches well with my mild palette.
Safe bets include soondae, doenjang jjigae (normally, anyways), and jjajangmyeon - all of which can be found year-round. Offered seasonally would be cold noodles (ie. 물냉면/mul naengmyeon) - a heat-relieving favourite for scorching summers.
Safe bets include soondae, doenjang jjigae (normally, anyways), and jjajangmyeon - all of which can be found year-round. Offered seasonally would be cold noodles (ie. 물냉면/mul naengmyeon) - a heat-relieving favourite for scorching summers.
The dish isn't commonly offered by franchises though; it took a bit of research to determine its availability at Cho Sun Ok in Thornhill. Autumn meant the departure of Chun Byung at Hodo Kwaja, so it remained uncertain whether the dish would remain on offer in late September.
Owing to above-seasonal temperatures, it was still very much a fan favourite when I finally got around to visiting in 40-degree weather.
Within fifteen minutes of opening, Cho Sun Ok was found to host coiling lineups around its exterior. In spite of the heat, enthusiastic diners camped outside in the shade for their turn. Miss Rushka arrived first and joined the waiting list; approximately twenty minutes passed before our number was called - not bad considering the chaos that was taking place before our eyes.
Owing to above-seasonal temperatures, it was still very much a fan favourite when I finally got around to visiting in 40-degree weather.
Within fifteen minutes of opening, Cho Sun Ok was found to host coiling lineups around its exterior. In spite of the heat, enthusiastic diners camped outside in the shade for their turn. Miss Rushka arrived first and joined the waiting list; approximately twenty minutes passed before our number was called - not bad considering the chaos that was taking place before our eyes.
The staff comprised entirely of middle-aged ladies in red polo shirts, all presumably Korean natives from their high degree of fluency in the language. One of them seated us in a boxy but roomy two-person slot near the entrance. Paper menus were placed before us; a covered box of flat chopsticks and condiments bottles were situated beside us, along a wall bearing a prominently red kimchi stain.
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Following much contemplation, we each settled for a bowl of dark buckwheat noodles in slushy homemade broth. For the sake of my overall wellbeing, I opted out of their special spicy sauce, though Miss Rushka kept her order unchanged.
The request for mildness was perhaps the more informed choice of the two, since I was later informed that the sauce dissipated into the broth at a rate that was startling even for a regular intaker of spice.
Most tables received at least four to five banchan (side dishes), ranging from the standard kimchi to seaweed salad and creamy potato salad. We were merely offered two: a small snippet of fiery kimchi and a handful of radish slivers coated with red pepper flakes. The former had my mouth up in flames and immediately running for the Thai Iced Tea I secured prior; the latter was crunchy, pickled, and inflicted much less of a reaction.
The request for mildness was perhaps the more informed choice of the two, since I was later informed that the sauce dissipated into the broth at a rate that was startling even for a regular intaker of spice.
Most tables received at least four to five banchan (side dishes), ranging from the standard kimchi to seaweed salad and creamy potato salad. We were merely offered two: a small snippet of fiery kimchi and a handful of radish slivers coated with red pepper flakes. The former had my mouth up in flames and immediately running for the Thai Iced Tea I secured prior; the latter was crunchy, pickled, and inflicted much less of a reaction.
After forty minutes of stepping foot on the premises, two Stainless steel bowls were placed before our eyes. The middle-aged waitress instantly whipped out a pair of scissors upon setting them down; the hard-boiled egg halve and cucumber strips were shoved to the side and the blades were thrust into the bowls to snip apart the tacky thin noodles. This was an essential part of the serving process, for we realized there would be no alternative method of separating the noodles otherwise
Components of mul naengmyeon are straightforward: sliced sweet pear, cucumber strips, buckwheat noodles, and a tart, refreshing chilled broth. Beef slices are also found on occasion, though Cho Sun Ok's rendition omitted this source of protein.
Sweat beads that had formed along our foreheads vanished within minutes of slurping up the noodles. The contents of the bowl were satisfactory in both depth of flavour and portion size. Neither of us were able to finish them in entirety.
I received an odd glance at a request for a takeout container, and for good reason too. The noodles had eventually soaked up the remainder of the broth when I unveiled the sour-smelling contents at home several hours later.
Sweat beads that had formed along our foreheads vanished within minutes of slurping up the noodles. The contents of the bowl were satisfactory in both depth of flavour and portion size. Neither of us were able to finish them in entirety.
I received an odd glance at a request for a takeout container, and for good reason too. The noodles had eventually soaked up the remainder of the broth when I unveiled the sour-smelling contents at home several hours later.
Consisting of only two stalls, the ladies' washroom was unbelievably cramped, especially with the paper towel dispenser wedged between one of the stalls and the sink. A tiled floor slick with water droplets also meant that users would need to exercise caution to prevent oneself from falling right on the derrière.
While the atmosphere was loud and chaotic, service was prompt and efficient. There is definite bias shown towards Korean-speaking customers - the side dish portions were probably the most obvious - though a relatively friendly attitude was maintained for all guests. Their famed mul naengmyeon was most definitely stellar - and exceptional for the price too! My only regret is the limited number of parking spots in the plaza during peak hours, and the consistent feeling of being rushed to finish one's meal.
The next stops of the day were originally to be One Ten Cafe, then Soul Cafe for bingsoo (since The Cups was closed). These plans took a sharp turn as a result of SubKulture's postponement of DAY6 ticket sales.
Instead of heading for injeolmi-topped flakes, several hours were spent at One Ten with a tall cup of Kyoho Cold Brew in hand.
Instead of heading for injeolmi-topped flakes, several hours were spent at One Ten with a tall cup of Kyoho Cold Brew in hand.
Eventbrite was an utter nightmare: from the glitchy seating map to the confusing mobile app, five rows of P1 tickets slipped away before my very eyes. Until Miss Rushka mananaged to secure a pair of P2s, I had been convinced that the opportunity to hear "I Wait" was gone.
Not only do I owe her an enormous favour for assisting and supporting me throughout this battle, but a giant dose of appreciation for making last-minute alterations to our catch-up plans.
Not only do I owe her an enormous favour for assisting and supporting me throughout this battle, but a giant dose of appreciation for making last-minute alterations to our catch-up plans.
Source: SubKulture Entertainment (2017)
The coloured dots vanished at an alarming rate, and soon there were but a few single spots at odd corners of the venue.
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Once the madness had passed and bingsoo was no longer in the cards, it was time to recap the highlights of my KCON LA adventure. Tales of Jinyoung's hand-gripping and GOT7's breathtaking performances were re-told with unwavering enthusiasm. The weekend had been beyond magical; the memories hadn't faded in the slightest.
Energy depleted, I snapped up a portion of Oreo Egg Waffles before packing up. One Ten had gained Instagram fame from their Maca-Matcha, a matcha latte topped with pink macarons, so I had wondered whether the quality of their snacks would live up to this standard.
Original Egg Waffles were a mere three dollars, while specialty variations such as Matcha and Ferrero Rocher raked in at four and five dollars respectively. This was a fair price, especially considering the gradual inflation at Pacific Mall.
Energy depleted, I snapped up a portion of Oreo Egg Waffles before packing up. One Ten had gained Instagram fame from their Maca-Matcha, a matcha latte topped with pink macarons, so I had wondered whether the quality of their snacks would live up to this standard.
Original Egg Waffles were a mere three dollars, while specialty variations such as Matcha and Ferrero Rocher raked in at four and five dollars respectively. This was a fair price, especially considering the gradual inflation at Pacific Mall.
Though failing to exhibit a uniformly browned exterior, the contents of the stamped paper bag were crisp and flavourful without exhibiting excessive amounts of cornstarch. Well done!
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