Rather than turning to more Korean-Chinese restaurants or perhaps a homemade Korean meal by request, I've decided to turn to the supermarket aisles to further reveal the unique background behind Korean-Chinese cuisine... although at first I wasn't sure what I would find or how much more of the unique background I could reveal. But lo and behold... in the instant noodle aisle at 99 Ranch... instant noodles, Korean-Chinese style! (Perhaps I should have shopped at a Korean supermarket like H-Mart, but there aren't any nearby...)
I've only ever had Shin Ramyun (kimchi flavored, spicy, Korean instant noodles), but this pack of Chapagetti chajang noodle (jjajangmyeon) peaked my interest. Has this always been in the supermarket aisle? And I've just never noticed? Hmmm... my recent discovery of Korean-Chinese cuisine led me to pick up this instant meal to give it a try.
Five minutes and a few packets of vegetable seasoning, soup base, and vegetable oil later... whoa. All it took was one bite, and I was hooked like a captain on a pirate ship. I think it was the MSG talking to me, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was salty, but it wasn't death-from-sodium salty. And no shampoo-like consistency. If I had some kimchi on the side, it would have been perfect. (Damnit. I should have had kimchi ready!)
This is definitely a novel find in the quest for more Korean-Chinese food, and I am definitely returning to 99 Ranch for some more... This is firm evolution from the good ol' days in college when all I ate was simple chicken flavored Maruchan, spicy Shin Ramyun and the different varieties from Taiwan.
Until another Korean-Chinese food find, let's all get S.O.F.A.T.
ML - 20100918/20100916
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