Budae Jjigae

This week I'd like to write a post talking about one of my favorite Korean dishes I discovered. I'm talking about Budae Jjigae aka "soldier food". This is a Korean dish that was first created during the Korean War in the 1950s. Being that food was scarce, people would gather whatever they could find, throw it in a big pot with some ramen, and stir it up. With America playing a pivotal role in the war, many foods from the soldiers (hence the term "soldier food") were included such has spam, hot dogs, pepperonis, and cheese. Fifty years later the result is what Koreans consider a unique and cultural food, one which is very popular. You can find restaurants that serve the dish all over the place, making it quite difficult to decide on one spot. There is one chain of Budae Jjigae restaurants that is most famous though. This place of glory is called "Nolboo". Man is it good! I've eaten at one of their locations at least five different times. Before coming to Korea I had never heard of the dish. Nor have I ever seen a place in America that serves it. Korean BBQ is very popular here in Hawaii, I'm sure Budae Jjigae would be a smash hit. Maybe I should open a franchise and become a gazzillion-air hmmm...

The famous Nolboo logo. When ever I'd see this my taste buds would start to boogy

-TDtravels-