Bossam belly

October 6, 2015

Koreans are famously carnivorous people. We downright LOVE our meat, and we hardly discriminate between our protein sources. But let's face it, we live for all things pork, right down to their fatty feet. I, personally, could not imagine life without bacon, pulled pork, or some good ol' blood sausage (soon dae). Sure, it's not for everyone, but look at my recent feast below, courtesy of Mr. Bossam in Koreatown, and just TRY to tell me it doesn't look gooooood. While not typical Korean BBQ, this style is just another satisfying fix for the carnivorous appetite. "Bossam" refers to style of pork belly served and all its glorious accompaniments. The meat is served on cast iron pans and kept warm over open flames. Once you are stuffed silly and left staring at the piggy remnants taunting your defeat on that fiery plate, the servers take it all away only to come back moments later with a full platter of heavenly kimchi fried rice mixed with the pork bits, and topped with a perfectly sunny and runny egg. The heavens will part and the angels will sing until all piggies fly home to our bellies.

Balancing things out with some veggies...potato pancake style

Pad See Ew...do YOU?

September 15, 2015

For the devoted pad see ew fan community there may always be on ongoing debate on which is THE best. I know a couple friends and myself have had this discussion quite recently. However, let it be known, right here, right now, and once and for all, that there is NO debate. There is only one pad see ew that has indisputably, unequivocally, undeniably earned my official title of "Crack Noodles," and it is the pad see ew from Sapp Coffee Shop in Thai Town. Let it be known that I've been a devotee since even before Mr. Bourdain stopped by and instantly put this textbook "hole-in-the-wall" on the map (so to speak). They are masters of the Boat Noodles, and they are inventors of Jade Noodles (another personal fave of mine). But this post is dedicated to their absolute perfection of our occidental-ian perception of a "Thai food staple" - the beloved pad see ew. My photos below may not do it justice, but just admire the immaculate caramelization of each noodle, hugged by a generous blanket of egg, and accompanied by perfectly sauteed Chinese broccoli (you know, cause every brown dish needs something green...for color and shiz). You're welcome.

Hello world!!!

September 15, 2015

We all have moments where we might feel like we're standing on the outside, looking in back at ourselves and wondering, "what the heck are you doing still sitting there?!?!?!"

Today marked the GAJILLIONTH time that has happened to me this year (not to count the uber-billions of times last year). Basically, what I'm getting at is that I have zero excuses to not be tapping away at this computer, writing out my thoughts, feelings, observations, blah, blah...oh, and my eats. Let's not forget about the foooooooood.

So it's been a good long while since my whoppin' TWO whole previous posts, which in all honesty were my "trial" runs with this whole blogging thing. I guess this is my inaugural post? And to honor my "coming out of my shell" and exposing myself to the world in ways that have nearly paralyzed me by the mere thought of it, I find it befitting that I share my recent attempts to conquer another previous source of paralysis....water submersion. Yes folks, this crazy Kat avoided water for pretty much the majority of her adult life thus far. And no, showers don't count! I shower, people! I just have this ongoing, inexplicable "thing" with being in actual water. That means I've dodged baths, pools, jacuzzis, lakes, and yes, the good ol' wide open oceans where sharks roam freely and indiscriminately. Well, I'm pretty proud of myself because in the past two weeks alone I have swam in a pool, gone down a water slide (TWICE!), and...get ready for this....dangled beside a boat in the OPEN WATERS OF THE PACIFIC like an afternoon snacky bite for Mr. Sharky Shark. I recognize I'm no Janet Evans, but this my Olympic gold moment for now. Evidence below.