Gourmet Ramen

The other day, my co-teacher invited me to lunch with her and her friend.  They took me to a place on the beach that I probably would never have gone in.  It wasn't a shady place, it just didn't look interesting and I honestly wouldn't have even noticed it except for my co-teacher pointing it out.

We sat down and my co-teacher and her friend ordered for us.  The food they brought out was a big pan with lots of vegetables and hot dogs.  A type of seasoned water was poured into the pan.  The waitress left and came back with a square of ramen noodles.  Ordering ramen noodles at a restaurant is not uncommon and I've done it several times.  I have just never had "gourmet" ramen before.  Haha!

"Gourmet" ramen - Budae Chigae (or Jjigae)

My co-teacher said that this dish was invented by American soldiers during the war.  I thought that was a neat story to share with my American family and friends.  However, after doing a little research, I have found that my co-teacher was not entirely correct about the origins of this soup.

The name of the dish is actually Budae Chigae (or Jjigae).  "Budae" means military base and "Chigae (or Jjigae)" means stew in Korean.  After the Korean War, there was little food.  People were able to use the leftover food (mostly hot dogs and spam) from the American army bases.  The soup is basically ramen noodles, vegetables, and a form of meat, usually hot dogs or spam.

Yeah, I know.  Riveting read, right?  Haha!  I just think it has a neat (although a little sad) story behind it.

Ringing in the New Year - 2013

Four couples who happen to live in the same apartment complex, and who have since become fast friends rang in 2013 in style!  We made reservations for 9:30pm at The Back Room (TBR) in Busan.  TBR is a speakeasy-type bar.  We actually walked through a door that was disguised as a bookcase.  It was one of the neatest experiences!  (To see more about TBR, check out one of their Youtube videos - TBR Youtube video)

 A view of the bar from the upper level.

The Back Room

 The group: (left to right)

Tyler, Natalie, Sam, Zach, Josh, Kalie, Arin, Cody

 "The Toast"

Happy New Year!

 We were given cards to write a wish.

 The cards were then tied to balloons.

Letting the balloons go right after midnight.

Letting the balloons go right after midnight.  The bartenders gave the balloons to Kalie and Tyler to let go.  The balloons got stuck in the rafters but they were quickly freed and the balloons soared off into the night sky with our wishes for 2013!

The eight of us decided at 3:00 am that we were hungry and were craving breakfast food.  That's when we decided that we would come back to Zach's and my apartment to fix breakfast.  It was one of the best decisions of the year so far!  ;)

 Bacon, eggs, pancakes - yum!

 Zach making pancakes.

What a great way to begin the new year - good friends, good atmosphere, good food!

However you may have spent your New Year's Eve, I hope it was just a memorable!  And, may 2013 bring you nothing but happiness all year long!