Hi bento pals! We've had our first snow of the season this week, about an inch of icy white that has stayed as on the ground amid near freezing temperatures. This radiant pink camellia has remained in bloom...amazing!
While I enjoy authentic Korean anytime, it seems so well suited to chilly temperatures... last night we visited Goong Jeon in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Crispy Korean-style pancakes with seafood and scallions are a weakness of mine...really good version here:
Nakji bokeum was lovely with an abundance of octopus in a mellow, lightly spicy sauce served with fat, chewy noodles, peppers, carrots--perfect dish for a cold night:
Marinated cuke banchan:
Soju...!
Monday's bento includes nakji bokeum tucked into an avocado half and a wedge of scallion pancake. It gains vibrant color from stir fried purple cabbage, pink radish pickles, scallion, romaine leaves, purple potato slices, orange pepper, green apple and a lavender foil-wrapped chocolate...a little gold bird ornament on the right looks ahead to Christmas, which is coming up so quickly, lots of last minute preparations to attend to this week!
Hope you are enjoying the season and its spirit of love and warmth...
Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, J and J!
ReplyDeleteWow, look at those colors! Incredible, and such delicious descriptions! I agree, Korean food is so perfect when it's cold out.
ReplyDeleteWow, that purple cabbage is REALLY purple! At first glance I thought it was flower petals of some kind! Korean is one of my favorite cuisines, especially the tofu stews :D Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteAlways love your bento color. Its colorful and radiant!
ReplyDeleteI am savoring the seafood and scallion pancakes, also a weakness. Luscious octopus, chewy and full of flavor. The delight of snow, good food and the expectant cheer of the season. Happy Holidays Jenn!
ReplyDeleteThe octopus does look spicy Jenn :D. Wow, the snow sounds so exciting *never have and see directly snow in my whole life, so sad T_T*, would you love to send me some?
ReplyDeleteHi Megg! Brrrrr, a very chilly morning here but not much relative to Chicago! Thanks for your sweet comments, wishing you a cozy day...
ReplyDeleteHi Carol! Yep, the shade really pops...gotta love purple food! Mmmm, good point about tofu stews, must tuck into one of those next time. Have a great day--I'll bet the city is looking very festive and fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet Sysyl, really appreciate your great comments!
ReplyDeleteHi Robin! Yay, another fan of these crisy treats ;) Looking forward to your holiday celebration posts--you bring out the festive, convivial joy of food so amazingly well! Happy Holidays my friend :D
ReplyDeleteHi Ta! It would be lovely to share a magical, snowy winter scene with you...imagine what great pictures you'd take!
ReplyDeleteI love Korean dishes too, especially when they're not too hot. That octopus looks so delicious. Makes me want to make something like that too!
ReplyDelete*Ena*
Love the combination of the spicy octopus and the bright purple cabbage! Yum yum!
ReplyDeleteCan I come over to your house to play? I'll ask my mom? :D
ReplyDeleteEverything looks spectacular (as usual) I wish we had a good Korean restaurant...actually I wish we had any Korean restaurant. The owners of our local Asian market is Korean and on Saturdays they have lunch which Maranda and I take advantage of often. One girls daughter goes to the school I work at and she is a pistol! What fun! I am now on 2 week Christmas break so I do hope to be posting more....but maybe I'll just be baking more!
I love your photos and can't believe you still have a tiny camellia bloom!
Hi there Ena! Nice to know...maybe we'll be seeing some Korean style treats at your bento blog?
ReplyDeleteThanks Lexi! I stir fried the cabbage quickly over high heat and discovered what a treat it is made like this...tender but slightly firm with a lightly carmelized flavor.
ReplyDeleteHave been reading the UK papers re the snow and cold, sounds epic! Hope you do not have to travel over the holidays and can stay snugly at home :D Merry Christmas!
Hi Lyndsey, loved reading your comment/visit, thank you! Wow, homestyle Korean sounds awesome.
ReplyDeleteCool that you are on break...maybe lending the season a more relaxed tempo with time to savor and enjoy it all?
Looking forward to your new posts and sending warmest holiday greetings! Here's to happy bentoing and cooking together in 2011 :D
What wonderful looking dishes! Being Korean, there is nothing more satisfying for me than Korean food!
ReplyDeleteHello Kay! Thanks for sharing these lovely comments. Wishing you a beautiful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteguessing purple or lavender is your fav colour? -i like it too.
ReplyDeletelooks like you had a fab drooly korean feast, yum. those octopus, I've always dreaded the round 'sukers', too much tv influence i think haha!!
Wishing u and your family Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!
Hi javapot,
ReplyDeleteI do love all shades of violet/purple! They do look rather sci-fi, these octo, but taste so good...:)
Have a wonderful holiday, warm wishes to you and family and for a bright 2011!
Thanks so much Kuusou! Happy Holiday celebration to you and yours, looking forward to more bento fun in the new year!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays Jenn! Ah the first snow is always the best isn't it? Then after that...well.. :P
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat for us readers, through your photos and phrasing, to experience the robust flavors and colors of Korean cuisine.
Thank you for the lovely visit. :)
Hello Debra, Happy Holidays and thank you for this very nice comment/visit! Korean food does wonderfully melt the chill edges of winter...
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying the special warmth of holiday celebrations this weekend :D
Have been away from active blog visiting the last month, and so glad to be here now to see such a cheerful bento!
ReplyDeleteHi Ai Ping, I've also been away for a while and look forward to returning to bentoland...
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very Happy New Year!