Bulgogi Japchae {Stir-Fried Noodles with Bulgogi}

Bulgogi Japchae | cHowDivine.com

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I decided to celebrate this occasion with some Bulgogi Japchae (Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Noodles with Bulgogi). Japchae is usually served at birthday celebrations. It’s a birthday of sorts. So it was perfect for the occasion. This version of japchae is incredibly easy and quick compared to the traditional version. And it’s adaptable depending on the veggies you have in the fridge. I know how much I hate wasting food. It’s nice to have a dish you can cook, while cleaning out your fridge at the same time.

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Bulgogi Gimbap

Bulgogi Vegetable Gimbap | cHow Divine

I try to make a lot of banchan (Korean side dishes) on the weekends. During the week, I can just eat them cold right out the fridge with some steamed rice that’s always waiting for me in my trusty rice cooker. If I’m feeling a little more ambitious, I would fry up an egg and make bibimbap. And if I’m feeling even more ambitious, I would make gimbap. It doesn’t happen too often, but often enough for me to sate my occasional gimbap cravings. On a side note, you may also know gimbap as Korean “sushi” because of its similarities with the Japanese Futomaki.

This week, I had plenty of vegetable banchan in the fridge that I needed to finish. And I also had some top sirloin in the fridge that I didn’t want to freeze. So I decided to make some bulgogi gimbap. I guess I was feeling ambitious this week…

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Easy Peasy Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)

Kimchi Jjigae

I didn’t cook much as a college student. It was mostly dorm food, cheap takeout, or whatever was on sale – preferably instant – at the market. But there was one thing I made that I was proud of: Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew). Truthfully, the end result had very little to do with my limited skills at the time. It’s really difficult to mess up Kimchi Jjigae. As long as you have some decent kimchi that is slightly beyond its prime (sour kimchi), the simmering does all of the work in bringing the flavors together. Nevertheless, I felt like a great cook whenever I made this and lapped up all the praise that came my way.

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Sangchu Geotjeori (Korean Lettuce Salad)

Sangchu Geotjeori (Korean Lettuce Salad) is commonly served with Korean Barbecue at Korean restaurants. Its slightly salty, sweet, and vinegary taste complements Bulgogi and Galbi perfectly. I love it, in part, for the convenience, because I use it in lieu of lettuce wraps – saam – sometimes. It’s almost like eating a bulgogi or galbi lettuce wrap, deconstructed. And you don’t have to get your hands “dirty” in the process.

Continue Reading Sangchu Geotjeori (Korean Lettuce Salad) . . .