So I wanted to have something spicy while at work today (yes, I work on Saturdays) as I have been eating pretty healthy, which in my case,,, not too exciting and kind of bland.
There are various Korean restaurants and markets not too far away, so I decided to get some Kim Chee at one of the larger markets named Hankook in Santa Clara, CA. I've never been there so I did not know how much they had or what to expect. I just knew that I wanted something tasty and on the spicy side, something that I haven't had for a while to stimulate my taste buds.
Well, I hit Kim Chee paydirt...
There was no shortage of Kim Chee here:
I have been to a few Korean restaurants and have had a variety of Kim Chee. Each one serves something a bit different before your lunch or dinner is ready, but most of these I've never seen.
No shortage of colors to stimulate your eyes
There were rows and rows
You can smell one of the key ingredients in the air, sesame oil
Some of it looked really HOT
Baby octopus anyone? Hmm, maybe next time
They also had sashimi packaged up and ready to go
So when I got in the truck, I couldn't wait to have a taste so I dug in.
The potatoes are boiled, then fried with honey, sesame oil and soy sauce. Then sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Very tasty!
The noodles (Japchae) are from sweet potato starch and they are mixed with onion, mushrooms, bell pepper, spinach and green onions. Seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar. Also very tasty.
I though the cucumbers were going to kill me at first with that vibrant red chilli pepper mixture. But to my surprise, it wasn't too hot, definitely spicy though. I'd buy it again.
So if your ever in the bay area CA, make sure to stop by Hankook Market in Santa Clara if you have an urge for Kim Chee, there is no doubt that your taste buds will thank you.
