Seoul Street Food -- So Satisfying!

One thing I can't resist is street food.

Normally I am a neat freak and uber concerned about sanitation and cleanliness, but none of my compulsions can overcome the odors that waft toward my nose and the feast of deliciousness that is spread before me in the streets of Seoul.

For my main dish, I prefer Ddok Kalbi next to Exit #1 at Ewha Women's University (which is the exit for InKAS, in case you are also an adoptee).  Basically Ddok Kalbi is delicious hamburger wrapped around a chewy ricecake (ddok).  The lady prepares a few ahead of time (stacked on the
right hand side, toward the front).  When you order one, she regrills it so it is nice and hot.  Then she spears it with a skewer and asks you if you want spicy or regular sauce (I like spicy).   Then she dips it in the sauce and gives the whole thing to you in a dixie cup for a less than a dollar!

I think this lady may have won an award in 2007 & 2008 from KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) for the most delicious street food, becuase she has big banners saying somthing to that effect on the side of her stand.

I'm not sure if she did or not, but she won my award for some serious deliciousness in 2009.

For dessert, I have to recommend Yong Su Yeom, which means Dragon's Beard.  You can find this in Myeong Dong.  There was a man right by one of the subway exits, but I found this guy in the middle of one of the streets.

Basically, he starts with a regular prism (like a 3x3x1 "cube") of hardened honey (it might be almost frozen).  Then he makes a hole in the middle and dips it into that white powder, which is cornstarch.  Then he stretches the hole with his fingers to the length of his armspan.  Then he folds them together (like two people would if they were folding a blanket).  After he dips and stretches them again, he has 4 strands.  He does this enough times, with each fold exponentially increasing the number and delicacy of the strings, until he has about 2000 strings.

It may be a little difficult to see, but basically he is holding the entire "beard" in one hand and seperating the strands with his other one.

After he does that, he lays down all the strands and cuts them into about 2-inch sections of thousands of "beard".  After that he takes each section and rolls them arounds a nut mixture, making a bite-sized, delicious candy, which I think, tastes like divinity candy. 

He fills up a box of ten and sells them for a little less than $5.

So, this is my box of Dragon's Beard, down there. 

I have this policy that I won't bring home street food as a means of trying to limit my consumption.  If I can't eat it right there, on the spot, or while walking to my next destination, then I just shouldn't be eating it.  Therefore, I tried to buy 2 pieces of Dragon's Beard, but the guy told me I had to buy a box.  I bought it because I had already bugged him to make some fresh for me (so I could see the process and share it with you).   He also told me that it is good for months in the freezer.

What a mistake!

That piece, right there was my very last piece.  I did give one to my friend, but that left nine for me to eat by myself.  It has only been 1 day, and they are already all gone.  The box is in the recycling and the plastic tray for ten is in the white, city approved, garbage bag.

There are so many more things to eat here is Seoul, but these rank as my favorite dinner and dessert for the time being. 

Seoul Street Food -- So Satisfying!