Ham Ji Park

Hello! How have you been? It has been so long since I've posted and I apologize for that. Work has become increasingly busy and I haven't devoted as much time to writing and cooking as I would like. I'm hoping to get into a much better routine where I can begin writing and cooking weekly and possibly even more. Living in Koreatown is still amazing. I'm learning so much and my Korean is really starting to improve. When I feel more confident I may try writing some here.
This past Saturday I had the fortune of going to Ham Ji Park with my friend Alexandria. Ham Ji Park is one of my favorite restaurants! The dwaeji galbi is magical. It has this amazing sweet and tangy flavor. Its not as smokey as American style ribs. Its sweeter but not overly sweet. It's the perfect combination of flavors.

Don't they look amazing! I especially love pairing the flavor of these ribs with this spicy lettuce dish. I think the flavors blend well together. 

I think this side dish may be my favorite. I love the slight spiciness paired with the crispness of the lettuce. We also ordered kimchi jjigae to enjoy. 

I'm not usually a soup person but this dish is one of my favorites. It is so spicy and delicious. Maybe it's because it reminds me of Basque soup. Growing up in Bakersfield I ate a lot of Basque food. If you've never had it I highly recommend it. One of the main Basque dishes that I would eat all the time was Basque soup. It is a cabbage soup that is served with salsa and beans to add to it. While it is definitely different that kimchi jjigae it still has that cabbage and spice elements that, for me, make them similar. 

Overall it was an amazing meal. The food is so delicious and encompass all the right flavors. Next time you are in Koreatown I recommend taking a trip to Ham Ji Park. I hope you have a wonderful week! 

XOXO,

Rachel