Dakgalbi (Spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables)

Hello! I hope your week has been wonderful. I've had so much going on lately. I am working a lot, learning Korean and keeping up with all the holiday and social events going on. Before I had moved to Koreatown most of my spare time had been spent cooking. Now my time is spent eating, going out with friends and learning Korean. I thought I would be doing much more cooking. Instead I am eating and enjoying all the wonderful Korean food around me. I hope that as I take in more delicious flavors it will pave the way for much more delicious cooking.

I have always loved food. It was always a sense of comfort for me. Every since I discovered Korean food it has become so much more to me. It still a source of comfort but it has also become a source of enjoyment. With Korean food it becomes a social occasion. I am so used to eating alone. Especially since moving out of my parents house. Even though I had roommates most of my food was prepared and enjoyed only by me. Now I have friends that enjoy going out to eat. We talk and enjoy delicious food together and I find that this has a great effect on my mood. I feel happier and more fulfilled getting to share these moments with such wonderful people and enjoying just amazing food.
Recently me and a couple friends went to this restaurant called Mapo Galbi. It was a small restaurant but comfortable and parking was pretty easy to find. I love when places have good parking, especially in LA. This was my first time eating dakgalbi. I hadn't even heard of this dish before going there. As with many Korean restaurants the food is cooked in front of you. I love that! I enjoying seeing all aspects of a meal being prepared. It starts off with marinated chicken, tteok and I believe a type of potato.

They allow this to cook for awhile before adding some cabbage and a spicy sauce.

Then they add some perilla leaf and cook it some more.

 

Everything continues to cook until all the vegetables and chicken are done.

The whole dish was amazing. It is very flavorful. I love how the chicken, tteok, perilla leafs and sauce all come together to give this dish amazing flavor and texture. Then afterward they make rice with the left overs.

I really enjoy how nothing is ever wasted. All of it can be used to make this really delicious food. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. I enjoy getting to share these experiences with you. I hope to have more consistent posts for you soon. Have a wonderful week!

XOXO,

Rachel