Food for Thought: Korean Food

“Nam–ui deok-ee deo keo-bo-een-da” or “Your rice cake looks bigger than mine.” It means the grass is always greener on the other side.

Bibimbap Rap and Gimchi Gazetteer
B-Bibimbap is rice, egg, meat, vegetables in hot sauce
I-Incheon means “kind river” large seaport city, pop. 2.5 million
B-Busan means kettle mountain, the shape of a mountain nearby
I-Incheon has had a Hyanggo, Confucian School, since 1392
M-Making kimchi is an essential skill for men and women
B-Bring on the “bugeo guk” (seafood soup) and bulgogi
A-A name for the Korean peninsula is Hanbando
P-Pyongyang North Korea is only 121 miles from Seoul

G-Gimchi, fermented vegetables, is spelled kimchi on Western menus
I-Interest in Buddhist temples remains strong with Koreans
M-Military protection lies along the northern border
C-Chili pepper and chili powder predominate in kimche
H-Hot peppers are good for heart problems and spice up your life
I-Investigate many different forms of gimchi/ kimchi immediately

“Geu-reem-ui deok” or “A picture of a rice cake.” You see the picture and it makes you hungry. You are close to something but still not quite able to reach it.
“Soo-bak geot-halt-gi” or “Licking the outside of a watermelon.” Like just scratching the surface. This Korean proverb implies someone has made a decision or comment without knowing all the facts.

Bulgogi Ballad and Japchae Journal

B-Bulgogi which means “fire meat” is Korean BBQ beef
U-Usually it is made with beef but can be pork or chicken
L-Lots of Koreans drink a 22-percent rice wine called soju
G-Galbi or kalbi is the Korean word for “rib,” usually beef
O-On most Korean tables are different types of kimchi
G-Guksu is the Korean word for noodles
I-In bulgogi you will find pear or apple used as a sweet marinade

J-Japchae is a Korean noodle dish with marinated beef and veggies
A-Apples are used as a tenderizer in bulgogi, garlic and ginger spice it up
P-Pears from Korea are preferred for use in bulgogi and kalbi
C-Cakes of glutinous rice, tteok, a dessert accompany Korean meals
H-Have some Korean fruit desserts after your meal
A-Americans don’t like seeing dog meat served on the menu
E-Eat the watermelon. Don’t lick the outside, facts are inside

“Mee-oon nom deok ha-na deo joon da” or “Give one more rice cake to a person you hate.” In other words, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

(Joey ‘Pepe Batbon’ Connolly, Special to the Saipan Tribune)
Joey “Pepe Batbon” Connolly is a retired teacher and has been named a poet laureate of Tinian. He has taught English in CNMI public schools for the past 30 years. He has also taught in Alaska, New Orleans, and Las Vegas.