August | 2014 | A Fat Girl's Food Guide to Eating in Korea

29
Aug
2014

Coreanos Kitchen – Vista

categories: Restaurant Reviews

People have been talking about Coreanos for months now, and I have heard from several different sources that they have the best Mexican in Seoul! With a claim like that I was more than eager to try it. But once again my laziness got in the way of me leaving my hood to actually go and eat there. But if Mohammed wont go to the mountain, the mountain will come to Mohammed and they very fortunately opened up a second store in Itaewon. Hurrah, all roads lead to Itaewon!

I visited during their soft opening launch last week. We got there early, in just enough time to snag ourselves a window seat. Luckily the queuers hadn’t taken up their spots yet, but I’m sure it shan’t be long. The restaurant is large and set over two floors. Located on the hill just next to Berlin. After a good old gander of the menu we ordered up a whole host of tacos, a burrito, and a couple of cocktails.

While we were waiting for our drinks we were presented with our complimentary chips and salsa. As you can see from the picture there are four kinds and it’s served in those adorable dishes. The spoons are probably a bit redundant, but it looks nice. The salsas varied in flavour and were rather scrumptious.

After quickly devouring the chips, I glanced over to see our drinks being made. The bartender was using Rose’s lime cordial, a perfectly fine mixer if its going in a vodka soda lime, but not in a margarita (9,000) or a mojito (9,000). When my drink was presented my heart just fell. I tasted a sip and it fell even further. The manager asked me what I thought and I asked if they had any crushed ice. He said he would blend it for me and throw in some extra rum. It was better, but it still awful. There is just no excuse for such a poorly made drink. I wish I had just sent it back, but it was busy and I didn’t want to cause a fuss (which strangely is very unlike me). I know the price of limes in Korea is ridiculous, and that most mojitos in Seoul using them cost around 15,000. Which I think is fine as long as they are exceptionally good. But there just isn’t any come back from using generic rum, uncrushed ice, and synthetic lime syrup and calling it a mojito because there are a few mint leaves floating it it. You can get lime concentrate juice, frozen limes, or special mojito mixes and still make a decent drink and turn a good profit. So owners of Coreanos you owe me a drink, and I beg of you change the recipe or take it off the menu because its just not acceptable right now.

The Margarita (9,000) tasted better than the mojito but really isn’t anywhere where it should be at that price. On the Border’s margaritas are cheaper and about 10,000 times better. So take note and work on the recipes. If need be I’m willing to offer my skills as a taste tester to help you improve!

Thankfully the first round of tacos and showed up and really bucked up our spirits. We had ordered one of every flavour, as to not miss out on anything delicious. Above are the Galbi Beef (3,300) and the Braised Pork belly (3,600). I really enjoyed the braised pork belly, the meat was tender and and well flavoured, though combined with the taco it was a touch dry. A blob of sour cream or some dressing on top and it would be perfect. The Galbi one was nice enough too, though I can’t really say it was all that memorable.

The Battered Fish taco (3,600) was the star of the day taco wise. You can’t beat a good bit of battered fish. The tartar sauce on top was delightfully fresh, and the red pickled onions balanced out the dish well. I would certainly get another one of these next time.

We also ordered the Todos Burrito (12,000), which was tremendous! Stuffed with extra meat, beans, salad, sour cream, and guacamole. It was incredibly well balanced and tasty. It’s undisputedly the best burrito I have ever had in Korea, possible one of the best ever. Either way it was amazeballs.

We waited quite a while for the second set of tacos as they had lost our order, it being their soft opening and all I could live with that, if I hadn’t had to listen to the angry man at the next table screaming at the poor waitress as their order got mixed up too. Having been a waitress for a number of years in my youth I am fully aware that these things happen, especially during training. but it did dampen the evening a little. I have noticed a real trend towards soft opening these days, and I think its a great idea while everything gets perfected. However I do think if service and food aren’t quite up to standard yet restaurants should lower their prices by 10 or 20% to compensate for this. Our whole meal took over an hour and a half, which was frankly just too long for 5 tacos, a burrito, and a drink each.

Eventually the second set of tacos arrived. We got the Citrus chicken (3,300) and the Grilled shrimp (4,000). The shrimp was nice enough but couldn’t compare to the Vatos shrimp taco which I would sell my own babies to eat. The chicken was the better of the two, a good mix between the zingy dressing and the flavour of spice braised chicken. I think after trying them at several different restaurants I’m just not sure if I’m sold on the whole corn tortillas thing. Call me crazy but I just prefer the wheat ones. I’m sure Mexican enthusiasts everywhere are calling me a culinary cretin but I just find them too thick and claggy. The wheat ones are what I know and love. I also enjoy the wafer thin ones you get at Vatos, but it’s horses for courses and just a matter of taste on my part.

All in all I would give Coreanos another shot if only to get another burrito, in fact I would probably get two as they really are that good. But unless they get their cocktails up to par I would probably get it to go. Life’s too short for bad cocktails and for me they are integral part of the Mexican food experience.

Coreanos Vista is located at 457-3 Itaewon-Dong, Yongsan-Gu , Seoul. To get there take a train to Noksapyeong station (line 6). Use the elevator to exit the building so you come out by the bridge. Walk over the bridge and turn right and follow the alley way around. Coreanos will be on your right just before Berlin and Buddha’s Belly.

27
Aug
2014

Brew 3.14

categories: Restaurant Reviews

Brew 3.14 or Brew Pie is the first restaurant venture of Seoul foodie extraordinaire Daniel Gray. The establishment has a rather clever name, brew is for the beer and pie for the pizzas. The place has been open for about 9 or 10 months now, and I have been meaning to pay a visit for a long time, however my reluctance to leave Itaewon-dong has always triumphed over my go-getter attitude.

Finally I was in the area paying a visit to Bangsan Bakers Mart. Shopping for baked goods always leaves me rather peckish, so I thought it was about high time I checked out Daniels goodies. The pub is cozy and compact, but we were welcomed as soon as we walked through the door. It has a real local feel about it and despite the fact there’s only seating for about 15, people cram themselves in regardless.

The menu here is short and sweet, with them serving up a handful of pizzas, calzones and fried chicken. With their choice craft beers on tap (7,000 -8,000) it’s a very clever take on the traditional Korean Hof. Beer and chicken is where it’s at with the after work crowd and the modern twist will really appeal to the younger generation as foreign food trends become more popular.

I think we know by now that I’m not much of a craft beer drinker, so I was thrilled they had a range of cocktails served in bags! I opted for the Blue Lemonade (8,000), made from real blue lemons!

After a glance at the menu there was one pizza that just spoke to me; the Chicken Bechamel (16,000), was calling my name. I’ll take a white pizza over a red one any day of the week especially with a thin crispy crust like this one. With sliced chicken and peppers it was a delight.

We also couldn’t resist the Meat Calzone (8,000). Made with the same great dough as the pizza, the edges were crimped beautifully. Stuffed with cheese and tasty well seasoned ground meat. It was perfectly sized for one. I also adore the cute little stamp they have to brand them.

With a nice pizza and good beer, it’s well worth stopping by if you are in the area and in need of refreshments. All members of Seoul Eats facebook group get a 5% discount so be sure to mention it. Every little helps!

Brew 3.14 is located at 39, Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. To get there take a subway to Jongro 3 ga(lines 1, 3, and 5) and come out exit 7. Take a right, then cross the street and take a left after about 100m. Follow that road along for about 50m or so until you reach Hase Bar and you will see it tucked away in a little alleyway to the right. You can call them on 070-4178-3014 or check out their facebook page for more details.

25
Aug
2014

Tomato Salad

categories: Recipes, Vegan / Veggie Friendly

I’m keeping things nice and simple today, and not just because I am still suffering some ill effects from the weekend. A few nights ago I managed to get three kinds of different tomatoes for a mere 6,000 won. We are right in the midst of tomato season so they are all so cheap and plentiful. I’ve spend my summer practically living on salsa, panzanella, and gazpacho. Other than making some ketchup, I wondered what was left for me to do with the humble tomato. Korea’s rally upped its produce game in recent years and we are now getting a variety of different kinds. I didn’t want to overshadow these beauties by piling in everything and the kitchen sink. They are sweet and tasty all by themselves, so I wanted to get back to basics and eat them just with a few of the my home grown basil leaves from my terrace.

Ingredients

500g of tomatoes

A handful of basil leaves

A glug of olive oil

A small drizzle of balsamic vinegar

A pinch of salt

Directions

1. Chop your tomatoes into different sized pieces. I halved some and quartered or sliced others.

2. Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then sprinkle with salt. Be sparing with the vinegar as you don’t want to overpower the tomatoes.

3. Tear your basil leaves into pieces and toss with the tomatoes. Then enjoy your delicious fresh simple salad.

23
Aug
2014

Route 66

categories: Restaurant Reviews

With the raise of Itaewon lately it’s no surprise that restaurants are popping up like like there’s no tomorrow. Restaurants are here today and gone tomorrow. Last winter I reported about The Pizza Pub, but it has since changed hands and is now Route 66.

Instead of the self-service bar it’s back to the traditional kind. And I for one am thrilled. I am far too drunk and lazy to walk and get my own drinks. Table service is where it’s at. I don’t want to realize I’ve lost the function of my legs until the end of the night! And trust me after a few their mega strong Long Island Iceteas (6,500), you will!

The menu is pretty similar, they still have their amazing boneless wings (9,000) and a variety of pizzas (12,000 – 18,000).

They have also put on the menu a range of huge and hearty sandwiches. We tried the Pittsburgh and the Chimichurri. Both were large and in charge, and filled to the brim with tasty meat and salad. The bread was exceptional, soft and chewy and very reminiscent of the bread they use at Casablanca. I plan to go back to try the Grilled Cheese BLT and the Meatball Sub!

For the month of August their sandwiches are 1+1 on weekdays if you buy a drink. An amazing deal as you can can 2 different kinds, so be sure to go before next Friday. They also have the best pizza night ever on Wednesday, charging only 1,000 for a slice!

Route 66 is located at 2F 131-3 Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 140-858. To get there take a train to Itaewon station (line 6) and come out of exit 3. Turn back on yourself and take a left at the crossroads. Walk straight past Taco Bell and look for the building 2 doors. Route 66 is on the second floor. For more information you can call them on 02-790-6590 or check out their facebook page.

20
Aug
2014

Homeplus

categories: Shopping, Uncategorized

Last week I visited Homeplus for the first time in about a year and a half. Not because I haven’t wanted to (nothing puts a smile on face like a trip to the supermarket), but because I made it my New Years resolution to try and support more local small businesses rather than big corporations. Although being entirely honest, there isn’t one near where we live so I am sure my laziness rather than my social conscience has probably attributed to that. But last week I was having a bit of a crap day then discovered there was one on my way home from work, so I decided to pop in and do a spot of food shopping to cheer myself up.

From the moment I walked in I was amazed at the change. I’m a fruit and veg fanatic these days and drooled all over the new section. Ingredients which were hard to find before are now prevalent. 3,000 won for a dragon fruit or only 2,000 for a coconut or passion fruit. Even avocados are only 2,300 each now. I never thought I would see these kind of exotic ingredients at such low prices.

Next I popped over to the meat selection. Homeplus stocks an amazing brand now called Mr Beaks which do all manner of proper flavoured sausages, steaks, and packed meat. They even have marinated fresh lamb chops!

The dried goods selection has made an amazing transformation too. They now have all the spices of the world. I didn’t have a look at every single one, but they had an amazing selection, plenty of cumin, dill, and chives. Compared to three years ago when all they had was rosemary, parsley, and curry powder it’s a huge step up. I also noticed cloves in the reduced section, so it might be a good idea to get in early for the mulled wine.

I was also a bit excited to see they have a giant pick and mix selection, until I found out that it’s not technically pick and mix. They have tiny prepacked sachets, though for only a few hundred won each, you could just get lots! They also have Haribo finally, although still no Tangfastics, but it’s only a matter of time!

Probably the best section was the Tesco’s Finest Range. The change here was incredible. Gourmet ketchup, cherry compote, Tuscan olive oil, orzo pasta, a variety of Swiss chocolate bars and much much more.

And look at these little beauties I found in the freezer. At 8,000 each they aren’t cheap, but they are proper English Ice-creams. Made in the West Country where I am from, Madagascan vanilla, West Country Fudge, Coconut and Mango, Passionfruit and Jaffa Orange, and Stem Ginger. I got the jaffa orange and passionfruit sorbet which was scrumptious and well worth the price tag.

They even had a couple of other proper British items lurking like Heinz baked beans and shortcake biscuits!

Anyway here is what I ended up with, came to about 100,000 which isn’t cheap but I bought lots of luxury items so I think I did quite well overall.

Parmesan, Emmental, Giant pot of yoghurt, 2 pineapples, 300g of quality chocolate, sorbet, steak, croissants, prosecco, blackcurrant jam, black beans, and cheese sticks to name a few. I couldn’t even imagine finding these items 5 years ago and now my shopping basket was filled with them. I am one happy although slightly poorer camper indeed!

The Homeplus I visited is the one located at Gubeundari station on line 5. This was decently sized Homeplus but not giant. So hopefully they should have some these items at your nearest one too, although stock will vary from store to store.

18
Aug
2014

Aventino

categories: Cafes / Takeaways / Bars

Every day in Itaewon another shop is lost and another restaurant or cafe pops up in it’s place. As a food blogger you think I would be thrilled about this as I literally never need to leave Itaewon again with all the new places that are opening. But sadly most of them are trying to cash in with new crowd of Koreans that are visiting our little neighbourhood. I’m a fan of quality rather quantity when it comes to restaurants but c’est la vie.

Luckily Aventino is a great addition to the neighbourhood. I have been craving gelato all summer long, so it was great to finally get some. Barely open a couple of weeks, they have a range of about 10 different flavours. Once I had revealed my food blogger status the owner insisted I tried them all. And of course I took him up on his offer, it would have been churlish not to.

After the round of samples, my clear favourites were the Lemon and Hazelnut. I was with The Fat Boyfriend so we decided to get two scoops (5,000) but I didn’t really think that lemon and hazelnut matched, so we went for the lemon and grapefruit.

The lemon flavour was incredible. More sorbet than gelato it reminded me of the granita you find in tiny cafes all over Italy. It had just the right balance of sourness. Sweet and zingy all at the same time, it really was perfection on the lemon dessert front. The Grapefruit sorbet was also very tasty. I’m not usually a fan of grapefruit as I find it too bitter, but since The Fat Boyfriend loves it, I decided to give it a go. It was darn tasty and complimented the lemon perfectly.

I also have to give big props to the Pistachio and the Stracciatella. When I was in Italy I practically ate a gelato a day and am in love with tiramisu gelato. So if they can get that on the menu I’ll be in heaven. They also have large to go containers so you can get a couple of pints to take home, which is just perfect for eating while you lie on the sofa and watch the new season of Project Runway.

Aventino is located at 567 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. To get there take a train to Noksapyeong station (line 6) and come out of exit 2. Walk straight until you reach the under pass, go through and take the stairs on the right. Walk straight past Trevia and Taco Chili Chili, until you reach Aventino, it’s just on the left before the post office. You can call them on 02-792-0567 for more details.

14
Aug
2014

Battered Sole

categories: Restaurant Reviews

Battered Sole has finally opened a second location here in Itaewon. But this time they are offering Gastro Pub fare, as opposed to their Sinchon location, which concentrates solely on fish and chips. With pub style food and their home-made cocktails, there was no stopping me from paying them a visit. Luckily they invited me to the launch party, although if they hadn’t I’m sure I would have been barging my way in regardless.

The downstairs restaurant is a pretty decent sized minimalist pub style affair, all wood, chalk boards, and black leather. However it’s their roof top which is the real show stopper! With Seoul’s only real grass roof, you can spread a picnic blanket and gaze out over the city skyline and soak up those rays while enjoying a tipple or three.

The current menu is short and sweet, offering a handful of choices while they hone their craft. But with daily specials it will only grow over time. I was very tempted by their special of Buffalo Duck Wings (10,000). With none of us ever having had duck wings before we were excited to try them. They were very meaty with a good flavoured buffalo sauce. Much bigger than chicken wings though, they will be a hit with dark meat fans everywhere.

After sampling them at the opening, I couldn’t resist trying the Fish and Chips (14,000). The piece of lightly coated beer battered pollack, was very tasty. The fish was fresh and the batter was light and crisp, though personally I like my batter a little thicker. It went perfectly with the mushy peas. Served with their fabulous triple cooked chips which come with real malt vinegar. It was proper English fare. They also make their own ketchup and tartar sauce, both of which are insatiably scrumptious. I could eat this every day of the week.

We also ordered the Duck Breast (14,000) . Cooked perfectly so it was just a little pink in the middle, while the skin was still crispy. Full of flavour it was a lovely piece of meat, and not something you often see on menus in Korea. The mash was a little under seasoned but there was a jug of red wine reduction gravy which accompanied it which has just the right balance of sweet and saltiness and complimented the dish well. A very reasonable price for a meal like this.

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My friend ordered the Poached Salmon (14,000). Cooked sous vide at 52 degrees Celsius, he enjoyed it immensely. The egg was perfectly poached, and served with a good garlic hollandaise and wilted spinach. I can’t wait to try it smothered all over their Eggs Benedict when they get the brunch menu up and running.

After our mains we didn’t have any rooms for dessert, but did partake in some cocktails of course.

Excellently priced at only 4,500, these drinks are pretty darn good. The Dirty Lemonade and watermelon flavoured Pink Jaime are probably my favourites. Although I’ve already been enough times to make my own drink which is half and half of the above which I have called The Pink Gemmonade!

I have pretty much tried all the cocktails at this point, and haven’t found one I don’t like yet. However they still need a little more work on their beer selection. The only cider they have available at the moment is Rock Creek Canadian cider. With all the amazing imports that are available at the moment they really need to get some good British ciders stocked, then it will be a proper British pub.

Battered Sole is located at 2F, 9-4, Itaewon, 19-Gil, Seoul. To get there take a train to Itaewon station (line 6) and come out of exit 1. walk straight, and take the first right after KFC. Walk to the end of the until you reach the road which runs parallel to the main road. Then turn left and walk to the very end of the alley way. Battered Sole is is a little alley way between Praha and HBC Galbi Jib.You can call them on 02-7496867 or check out their facebook page for more details.

11
Aug
2014

Nutrition Mission

categories: Recipes, Uncategorized, Vegan / Veggie Friendly

With it being Monday and all, I thought I would kick off the week with a nice healthy post, to inspire those who overindulged on the weekend (which of course includes me). Considering the name of my blog it may shock and surprise some of you that I have always been interested in eating healthily, although I haven’t always managed to do it in practice. I love junk food more than life itself sometimes, and you would have to pry the Chicken McNuggets out of my hands before I’d share them with you. However despite the abundance of chicken nuggets in my life, I have always been one to eat all my fruits and vegetables as well.

Since turning 30 and getting engaged I have really started to be more interested in eating healthily. I have been trying to incorporate more healthy foods into my diet and cut out some of the junk in preparation for my impending wedding, as I want to walk down the aisle rather than waddle! Although it’s not always easy I am trying to eat as well as I possibly can whilst still enjoying the foods I love, as there is no way I’m ever going to give up being a food blogger! For the past 9 months I have been following a healthy eating ideology of raw til 4pm , 5 times a week. I drink a green smoothie for breakfast every morning and then eat salad, fruit, and nuts for my lunch and snacks. Then I eat a normal dinner. I still eat cake, pizza, chips and fried foods but not around the clock, just a couple of times a week rather than every day. It has not always been easy but my body feels great after making these changes.

I have decided to share my progress with you because after 29 years of being overweight, I have finally reached a weight which is deemed “normal”. No longer am I slotted in to the plus size or obese category, although that still feels strange and I think I’ll always consider myself a Fat Girl at heart no matter what size I am. I look and feel so much better now, since changing my diet I have more energy than ever before. Although it’s a bit a cliché I’ve finally found a balance in my eating habits and a program which works for me. I have always found it easy enough to eat healthy during the day, but as soon as night comes around and I start watching TV, I can’t seem to stop stuffing my face. So eating raw and doing exercise in the morning keeps me motivated to make better choices later, and if I want to eat something more calorie laden later, I can knowing I have given my body all its nutrients early on. With amazing breakfasts and lunches like this, it’s really not that hard.

After going it alone for a few months I had some great success, but was starting to get stuck in a bit of a rut when I met Jaime. She told me all about Nutrition Mission and was impressed with what I had achieved and invited me for a free consultation. The programs that she offers are designed around you and through the use of Personalized Menu Plans and Body Analysis, she helps her clients achieve optimal health to prevent or manage various chronic diseases. You can get as much help as you need, which includes menu planning, personal shopping advice, and pantry reorganizing for those who have no idea where to start.

One of the most popular programs she runs is her one month detox. A plan designed to clean and nourish our bodies with what they are most craving. No one is starving or missing out on meals, just eating clean food that will provide our bodies with what they need. If you are wanting to kick start a cleaner you, then this is a great way to get the support and information that you need. She made excellent suggestions about my current diet and told me where I could improve and how to get more variety into my meals to keep my body making positive changes.

As part of our consultation Jaime made me a delicious and healthy dinner. She introduced me to a new food and super grain millet, which is incredibly prevalent in Korea as well as being cheap. It’s also less controversial than quinoa which is getting a bit of a bad rep ethically these days. Due to its popularity it’s now too expensive for the South Americans, whose diet it’s a staple of, to buy. She formed this super grain into patties and flavoured them with nutritional yeast, which, due to iHerb, I have an abundance of. It’s a vegan miracle food as it gives food a cheesy flavour that it’s hard to find anywhere else. The result was these fab millet patties, which I have already recreated a couple of times. Check out the recipe here!

As a Holistic nutritionist, she will help find out any illnesses or health problems you are having which could easily be related to what food you put in your body. I found out that I eat way to many acidic foods which is causing problems with my teeth and pituitary glands, and through the menu plan that she designed for me I now incorporate more alkaline foods into my diet. At first I was worried that she would tell me off for all the KFC I ate, but rather than concentrating on the negatives she told me what I was doing right and encouraged me to do more of that. She also taught me some great recipes like her strawberry chocolate pies, which are amazingly tasty and full of nutrition. Filled with ingredients that nourish the body, it’s no big deal if you eat the whole thing!

Overall Jaime said that my diet wasn’t too bad, I should just try and apply the 80/20 rule. None of us are perfect and we should enjoy what we love in moderation which is what I am trying to do now. I still eat a whole pizza sometimes, but I also have lots of days where I eat clean healthy food. This way I can have my cake, and eat healthily too.

To inspire you all and reward you for being such faithful readers, I have decided to post some of my before and after pictures. My weight has always yo-yoed but I think finally I’m on the right track, and with Jaime’s support and encouragement I have the tools to keep maintaining my weight at a healthy level. Below are some pictures of me at 25 and 30. I never thought in all my life I would look this great at 30. After spending my 20’s dieting non stop I had pretty much resigned myself to being overweight forever. So it doesn’t matter how old you are, if I can do it so can you.

If you too want a nudge in the right direction, Nutrition Mission will be hosting a 14-Day Detox Program from September 27th to October 11th. This program will help you get the tools you need to incorporate a gentle, yet effective 14 day gentle cleansing program and detox your body. With the help of Holistic Nutritionist Jamie Melnychuk you can remove what’s holding you back and add everything your body needs for optimal energy, clarity and renewal. If you would like to find out more about Nutrition Mission, check out their website or facebook page.

07
Aug
2014

Deep Fried Pickles with Samjang Mayo!

categories: Recipes, Vegan / Veggie Friendly

Hello everyone. Sorry for the lack of posts this past week or so but I have been off enjoying myself in the Philippines! I had planned to try and write everyday while I was away, but alas all those plans went out the window after a few bottles of rum and I decided to have some fun in the sun instead. Even during the frequent rain storms I found it more enjoyable to read, get massages, and watch reruns of Americas next Top Model rather than work hard. But since I was on holiday I figured it was okay as we all deserve a break. My laziness since returning from my tropical jaunt is all due to my new early starts and lack of desk warming time at work.

So to make up for my lack of work of late I present to you yet another fried food recipe. Not the healthiest but definitely the tastiest way to get more pickles into your life. If you have never tried them, deep fried pickles are absolutely amazing! I have been rather obsessed with these since trying them last winter at Pizza Pub (now Route 66). I have been wanting to give it a go myself for months now, but always seem to forget about them any time I have the fryer out. So finally I got around to it. Not only are they delicious, they are also a great way to use up all those pickles I seem to procure from my ubiquitous pizza Sunday. You can use any kind of pickles you like though, and you can also bake them in the oven instead of frying if you drizzle them with a little oil first!

Ingredients

3 tubs of pizza pickles

5 tablespoons of seasoned flour (just add a little salt and pepper)

2 eggs (beaten)

1 cup of panko crumbs (mix with the paprika)

1 teaspoon of paprika

Soy bean oil for frying

Directions

1. Add enough oil to your pan or frying pan so it covers at least an inch or two deep then heat to about 180 degrees this will be medium on a gas range, high on an electric.

2. Strain the pickles from the juice they are kept in and pat dry with kitchen roll. Then toss in the seasoned flour.

3. Dip the floured pickles into beaten egg making sure they are fully coated. Then coat in the breadcrumb mixture. Next, lay them on a plate until the pickles are ready to be fried.

4. Fry the pickles in small batches for about a minute on each side or until golden brown. Then drain on kitchen roll and repeat until they are all cooked. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce or samjang mayo.

5. To make samjang mayo mix together 5 tablespoons of mayonnaise with 1 tablespoon of samjang, or to taste.

August 2014 archive