Bibimbap Grilled Eel & Yukgaejang at Chungdam

December 16, 2015

Chungdam is a district in the affluent Gangnam, just south of the Han River in Seoul. It's home to CUBE Entertainment and other neighboring Kpop companies including JYP and SM Entertainment.

In San Jose Koreatown, Chungdam is a restaurant adjacent to Motel 6. Its shell was once home to a Carrows, the American breakfast chain. Don't judge a book by its cover. The exterior of Chungdam is not an accurate depiction of its inside. The drab storefront is easy to drive by and overlook, however once you've dined at Chungdam, you'll acknowledge its presence every time thereafter.

*Parade of banchan (side dishes) at Chungdam.*

We were one of those typical passersby. Only when my mother's alumni recommended Chungdam did we decide to spotlight it on Kingdom Koreatown.

The minute you step into Chungdam, you discover the dull storefront hasn't been upgraded due to a cunningly calculated strategy to keep the restaurant from getting too popular. Of course, I'm kidding about this being an intentional scheme. Though if they do improve the exterior, Chungdam is sure to draw in longer wait times.

PS: The interior is modern and clean-cut. Far from its dusty 90's exterior.

One would expect a Monday noon to be filled with workers flocking in during their lunch break. But no. Middle-aged Korean housewives dominate the restaurant. They were not eating diet-conscious dishes. They were getting down with the grilled meats, baby! I'm talking about thick slabs of protein. These serious slices look close to an inch tall from the table I sit at.

I order from the Daily Lunch Special menu: Dol Pan Bibimbap with Grilled Eel (장어 돌판 비빔밥). It is served from Monday through Friday. Mommy Oh opts for the boldly orange-red Yukgaejang (육개장), a spicy Korean beef stew.

A mini parade of banchan (side dishes) is served. Ready or not, we introduce to you:

*Dried shrimp side dish. Hard and crunchy.*

Mommy Oh and I agree that the shiregi side dish is our top favorite. It is reminiscent of tea leaves with a hint of dwenjang.

My second favorite side is the mushroom dish. Little seasoning, allowing the natural mushroom flavor to shine loud and bright as it hits your taste buds.

*Mushroom and onions. Simple and clean.*

The lotus root dish is more enjoyable for its softened crunch than the sweet sauce it is soaked in.

*Lotus root side dish. Softest I've ever had!*

Upon placing our order, I glance through the accompanying smaller menus. What?! They also sell Shiregi Haejanggook (시래기 해장국)? The last time I encountered and enjoyed this Dried Radish Greens Stew was in a back alley of Insadong at Osegyehyang. This soul-enriching meal tastes like dwenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) and can be prepared vegan without sacrificing the delicious factor.

Chungdam serves up to 30 bowls of Dried Radish Greens Stew daily. Note to self: I will order this on my next visit and be sure to arrive early well before supply runs out!

*Digging into that boldly orange-red soup*

The boiling bowl of Yukgaejang arrives. The Dol Pan Bibimbap with Grilled Eel then makes a grand entrance with its song of proud sizzle. Pushing my hunger aside, I take a moment to honor the sounds. I breathe in the steam before ravaging.

*Another beauty shot of Bibimbap Grilled Eel*

The grilled eel glistens under the brightly lit table. First bite. Triple S: soft, slippery and sweet.

For flavor I prefer the Yukgaejang. The sauce smothered on the Grilled Eel is slightly sweet. In terms of texture, the Bibimbap Grilled Eel offers contrast. The crispy bed of rice toasted at the bottom of the bowl paired with the soft-in-a-slippery-way eel is a Delight with a capital D.

*Picking at the toasted layer of white rice from Bibimbap Grilled Eel*

At the end of a proper Korean meal comes the Shikhye, a traditional sweet Korean rice beverage. It is typically milky and contains bloated pieces of white rice.

The shikhye served at Chungdam, at least during our visit, has a unique spin: the addition of pumpkin. Pulp of this squash plant replaces the usual white rice. Close your eyes and have a sip. It tastes like your average shikhye.

*The damage. Fairly priced considering the ambiance and quality of food.*

Compared to hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurants, Chungdam is pricy. However this joint has a modern interior and clean food. The price is fair and I'm returning!

Chungdam
(408) 246-1208
3180 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Website: http://chungdamsv.com/

Seollungtang at Kunjip Restaurant

December 8, 2015

The last time my mother and I had seollungtang together was two winters ago. That was in Seoul at Korea's oldest restaurant. Today we're in America, heading over to Kunjip in Koreatown San Jose. The literal translation of "kunjip" (큰집) is "big house," but it refers to the eldest son's house. Or oldest brother's house. Traditionally Koreans would visit their kunjip for celebrations and feasts.

Kunjip Restaurant is sandwiched between a barber shop and a hair salon. It shares the Kiely Plaza with a Korean gift store, Indian catering company, as well as another Korean eatery proudly named "To Bang."

*Group of Korean men chatting after lunch.*

The logo reads:
Kunjip Seollungtang & Nengmyun
Kunjip Restaurant

An indication that their ox bone soup and cold noodles must be damned good!

Within the five minutes we are seated, the middle-aged waitress asks us what we'd like. Within ten minutes after we get our food, she places the bill on the table. Don't be offended. This type of service is commonly experienced in Korea, particularly the hole-in-the-wall joints. Instead of feeling like the workers want you to leave asap, take it as a freedom to pay whenever you want without having to wait or ask for the bill.

*The bill? I didn't have my first bite yet!*

Let's rewind. I flip through the menu, but have already decided what to order before even stepping into restaurant.

The waitress set three varieties of kimchi: napa cabbage, cucumber, and radish. And in that order I tasted. Each are spicy with varying levels of sugar. The napa cabbage kimchi is freshly made and is one of the sweetest kimchi my taste buds have ever experienced. I prefer super fermented kimchi that taste more like an entree than dessert, so I am not a huge fan of their version. Mommy Oh and I agreed the radish kimchi is the best of the three. Cucumber kimchi was a close second with its coating of sesame oil.

It may be a chilly November day, but as my bowl of nengmyun approaches, I greet it with a warm smile. All restaurants I've been previously served buckwheat noodles in their nengmyun; Kunjip uses sweet potato noodles.

Pierce the nengmyun broth with your chopsticks and lift. Strands of sweet potato noodles cling onto each other like a newly-formed couple. Forget trying to untangle. Take a bite, only to find out how easy it is to masticate in comparison to buckwheat noodles.

Buckwheat noodles are slippery, chewy, and grey brown with black specks. Sweet potato noodles are white in color and easy on the jaw. It is a friendlier option for senior citizens with fragile teeth. Mommy Oh and I are not grandmothers just yet. We prefer buckwheat over sweet potato noodles.

*Ingredients soaking up the nengmyun broth.*

While the nengmyun is a tad too sweet, Kunjip's seollungtang we do recommend. It's perfect for those cold dark winter nights when you're feel like there's something missing in your heart. That missing puzzle piece is seollungtang, my friend.

Though born and raised in Korea, my mother is not a huge fan of soups with meat simmered in it. She views it as if a cow took a bath in the water. Moo sauna. Regardless she finds the seollungtang at Kunjip to be delicious.

*Stirring seollungtang upon adding green onion, hot pepper paste, and a pinch of salt.*

Upon my initial visit, my mother's friend recommended Kunjip's galbijjim (steamed beef short ribs). I trust their opinion as they are an intelligent chef. So with confidence, I advise you to try it :)

Now we're ready to deal with the bill, which comes with ginseng and cinnamon-flavored candies. $24.90 USD for two people. Fairly priced.

Verdict: I'd return for the seollungtang. See you every winter, Kunjip!

*Our bill given with two types of candy: ginseng and cinnamon.*

Kunjip Restaurant
(408) 246-0025
1066 Kiely Blvd
Santa Clara, CA 95051

Paris Baguette in San Jose Koreatown

December 1, 2015

The minute you enter Paris Baguette, whatever diet you were on sprints out the door. Look here. Blueberry Yogurt Cream Croissants. Over there. Hawaiian Sausage Cornbread. Your eyes will wander from one pastry to another. For a savory snack or light dessert, this bakery awakens the little girl in all of us. Even the toughest of men shall succumb to this Korean bakery's cute and crispy powers.

*Hawaiian Sausage Cornbread. Looks like fists grabbing those meats.*

*Red Bean Pastry. Break the fingers off to share with buddies!*

*Sweet Rice Donuts. Chewy and sweet. Perfect to use as a mattress.*

My mother gets a tray and tong. I am tempted to grab one of every bread at lightening speed during the blink of her eye. She is a lady and places two of the most graceful pastries on the tray. "Graceful" meaning not too fattening. Behold, the Wannabe Apple Pastry and One-Bite Pastry, which actually requires a minimum of four chomps. Or eight lady-like bites.

*One-Bite Pastry. If my mom were a bread, this is what she would look like.*

*The hollow candy topping of the One-Bite Pastry. This sugar is coated with sugar. Cute and dangerous.*

*The Wannabe Apple Pastry. It's a bit early for Halloween, but we still love you.*

The Wannabe Apple Pastry looks plain, but there's a surprise waiting inside...

Its interior resembles the core of a real apple: hollow with a seed! Raisins are used to mimic the seeds while the stem is made of pretzel sticks. Actual leaves are placed next to the stem.

Aside from looks, the Wannabe Apple Pastry tastes like a slice of fluffy white bread with a teaspoon of cream cheese. Pleasant in a semi-sweet manner. Doesn't make you feel guilty, potentially leaving your sweet tooth unsatisfied. It's not a bad or good thing; only depends on what type of mission you're on. If it's your cheat day, go big! Get the Blueberry Yogurt Cream Croissants and Hawaiian Sausage Corndogs.

Paris Baguettes are located worldwide. The branch I visited is next to Galleria Market in Lawrence Plaza. Conveniently it's connected to a food court at its back entrance. Whether you're with the girlfriends to catch up on gossip or ready to pig out with the family, this bakery is a go-to place for casual treats!

*Paris Baguette next to the Galleria Market*

Paris Baguette (at Lawrence Square Shopping Center)
(408) 260-0404
3561 El Camino Real #75
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Website (USA)
Website (Korean)

OTHER LOCATIONS:
Paris Baguette (West San Jose)
(408) 366-0404
685 Saratoga Ave Ste 10
San Jose, CA 95129

Paris Baguette (near Vallco Shopping Mall)
(408) 996-0704
20735 Stevens Creek Blvd
Cupertino, CA 95014

Paris Baguette (near Stanford Shopping Center)
(650) 838-0404
383 University Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301

Paris Baguette (near Great Mall)
(408) 263-0404
249 W Calaveras Blvd
Milpitas, CA 95035

Since you scrolled down to the end of this blog post, I shall reward you with a Paris Baguette CF starring the beautiful Miss Jeon Jihyun:

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Bibimbap Grilled Eel & Yukgaejang at Chungdam

Seollungtang at Kunjip Restaurant

Paris Baguette in San Jose Koreatown