I’m Korean, but I usually see myself as more American. Lately, however, I’ve found myself embracing more of my inner Korean. And I’m finding Korea everywhere.
The battleground. Photo by coreanscribe.
For instance, I recently visited the Korean market after work to pick-up some grocery essentials I would be hard-pressed to find at my local Ralph’s or Albertson’s, such as gochujang, ramyeon and, of course, kimchi.
If you’ve never been to a Korean market — or hangook market — in L.A.’s Koreatown, feel fortunate. It’s usually a chaotic and demanding experience. Most stores are usually crowded; the customers bump, grab and shop with complete disregard for others, and the service, too, is usually aggressive if not abrasive. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not the worst experience. It’s just different. Korean shoppers who live in big cities don’t mess around; they’re hardcore. Word of warning: don’t mess with ajummas — a generic term used to describe older Korean women. They won’t take your crap and they’ll mess you up. Anyway, Korean shoppers, especially ajummas, go in, get what they want, and get out; it’s kind of like robbing a bank. And if you make it out without feeling too scarred or offended, you’ll feel toughened by the experience and be rewarded with Korean food.
Don’t be fooled by this unusually calm aisle. Photo by coreanscribe.
Hot Korean food. Photo by coreanscribe.
Ubiquitous Kimchi. Photo by coreanscribe.
Kimchi before it’s kimchi. Photo by corenscribe.
Korean Lobok. Photo by coreanscribe.
Ramyeon galore. Photo by coreanscribe.
When I wasn’t spending time shopping at the hangook market, I watched television shows that only related to Korean food and cuisine.
For example, just by chance last week I caught a marathon showing of “The Mind of a Chef.” It’s a PBS travel-cooking show guided by celebrated Korean-American chef David Chang and narrated by one of my favorite food authorities Anthony Bourdain. Check it out if you can, it’s great fun.
Public TV is fun. Photo by coreanscribe.
Chang creation. Photo by coreanscribe.
Chef Chang explains. Photo by coreanscribe.
Chang’s Korean burrito. Photo by coreanscribe.
That’s a lot of Koreanness. I was overdosing on it and then this came in the mail from Amazon the other day…
Hoping for pages of Korean-American hilarity. Photo by coreanscribe.
I’m looking forward to reading this one from David Yoo. I loved his first comedic young adult novel “Girls for Breakfast.” If you haven’t read it, it’s a funny coming-of-age tale about a Korean-American teenager named Nick Park who is obsessed with girls. The book isn’t perfect but I was charmed by it, finding it to be insightful and painfully relatable. I’m hoping for the same with this one.
I know. This is a lot of Koreanness. Maybe I’m finally turning into a Korean?