Okay so what is on the menu for today Sam?
Alright, so for lunch today we're having Tonkatsu (돈까스) and Udon (우동) and this place
is right nearby our apartment where we're staying at in Hapjeong here in Seoul and I
just happened to discover it.
As was at the sauna the other day and I was walking around, and I'm like ah I'm really
hungry, afterwards it was like I don't know like probably really late at night.
Ten or eleven.
So I saw this place outside that had a huge Donkatsu (돈가스) sign and I'm like I've
gotta come here and try it.
Yeah, and he came without me.
Yeah, and let me tell you they have the biggest portions of Donkkaseu (돈까스) so when
it comes here we're going to be in for
a treat.
Alright, so we need to show you guys what showed up at the table like two seconds ago.
Yeah.
This is insane.
I wasn't kidding when I said the portions were huge.
Like massive.
Here is my hand for a sense of scale.
This is bigger than like both of my hands.
It is bigger than your head.
It is bigger.
Way bigger.
It is bigger than your stomach.
It is way bigger than my face.
So basically this is a Japanese dish that has become popular in Korea.
It was invented in the 19th Century.
It is basically a breaded piece of pork cutlet.
Yeah, and it deep-fried.
So if you look down here you can see that it has a gravy sauce over it.
Oh la lah.
But you can also get it in Korea as well with a curry.
Yeah, with a curry sauce.
Sometimes you get it without sauce so it just has cheese stuffed inside.
That is also really good too.
Yeah.
And there is just a whole bunch of different variations and it has become such a staple
in Korea that you can find it almost anywhere.
You can find it at kimbap restaurants, you can find it at a restaurant like here that
specializes in it.
Yeah.
And you can also find it in Japanese Korean restaurants so.
And you know what else?
We've had similar dishes to this around the world wouldn't you say?
Yeah, we sure have.
Schnitzel comes to mind.
It reminds me of schnitzel in Austria and Germany.
Yeah.
And it also reminds me of Milanesa in Argentina.
So this is the kind of classic pork cutlet meal and I'm just going to take my first bite
here.
Yeah, you're just soaking it in the gravy.
Soaking it in the gravy.
I love this stuff.
I know.
It looks so good.
It is so good.
I actually want some.
I have food envy at the moment.
Hahaha.
Alright, so my has arrived as well.
And when I saw the size of the bowl it was like oh my gosh.
This could feed a family or like a couple.
Check it out.
This is like a massive bowl.
I knew you were going to like this one.
I don't know how I'm going to finish all of this.
But basically I'm having Udong (우동) which is a thick type of wheat flower noodle.
We've got some greens here.
No idea what kind of greens.
It looks like maybe some fish cakes, some tempura.
Um, yeah and we asked for it spicy.
So we'll see what that is like.
Actually he told me it is going to be very spicy.
Very spicy.
Oh ho ho.
Well, well.
This is going to be kind of messy.
Mmmm.
What do you think?
Ah, my tongue was immediately on fire.
So he was not kidding about the spice.
Wow.
Haha.
Let's try with some greens.
I wonder what this is?
Oh man, I feel like I should have tied up my hair today.
This is like a messy meal.
You really have to get involved here.
Mmmm.
Spicy?
Mmmm.
Alright being the nice guy that I am I was kind enough to share.
I mean I did have like a Fred Flintstone sized portion so.
Look at how much he is willing to share.
These two little nuggets basically.
Still I was planning on eating the whole thing.
So I want you to try it.
I'm going to steal some of your gravy first of all.
There we go.
Actually I've already tried this when you weren't looking I took a piece.
So this is your second bite.
I didn't even see you having your first one.
How is that?
It is good.
I just love this sweet gravy.
It works really well with the pork.
Really nice.
So how are you enjoying that meal so far?
Loving it and what came to mind is this reminds me so much of the different kind of bodegóns
we used to go to in Buenos Aires.
And what the bodegóns were liked these traditional restaurants that had kind of a simple decor
inside.
Everything was all about the food and this is what this place is about.
Like it is very simple inside, it is not fancy, the prices are very reasonable but as you
can see by the portions that we have like we are being fed very well.
They do not skimp out here.
This is almost like a double meal here.
Yeah, it is kind of going to be a challenge to finish all of this.
Well, I'm going to finish my donkaseu (돈가스).
You've got your work cut out with your Udon (우동).
Well Sam, you did very well.
Yep.
Look at that.
That deserves an A+ for effort.
I on the other hand.
You know what you almost finished.
You almost finished.
Like half.
No, you did way more than half.
Come on.
You know my tongue is on fire.
That is the reason I have to stop.
It is like burning.
Yeah.
But anyways let's talk about price point.
So on to price point.
So my Tonkatsu (돈까스) was eight thousand Won and you Udong (우동) was six thousand
Won so it came to fourteen thousand Won in total which is W14,000 KRW.
And that is roughly like under twelve US dollars.
About eleven something US dollars so it is a lot of food for not a lot of money.
And now that I've found this place just a few days ago we're definitely going to be
coming back here quite regularly I think.
Yes but next up I need a Popsicle to cool down.
Hahaha.