Back to basic obsessions...Korean BBQ

Ask anyone who knows me--meat is my obsession. For anyone who's ever read this blog, you know that my muse takes form as the the cured, roasted or grilled piece of partial animal carcass that happens to be posting up on my plate, if not for a brief moment.

With the recent XL Foods beef recall in Canada (if you haven't read about it yet, here's a snippet from the CBC) the worry-warts are soaking up the fear and potentially cutting down on their normally carnivorous tendencies. Me, I'm an optimist--so I decided to celebrate the latest E. coli scare by indulging in an all you can eat meat-centric marathon! 

Read my latest blogTO review of Bryan's BBQ and get into the spirit of supporting our nations most precarious (currently) and delicious industry! 

Tasty cuts of sirloin

Some nostalgia brew

Haembeogeo hanaman, juseyo. (One hamburger, please)

Not that I got sick of the food by any means, but it's always helpful to know where to get your burger fix in when you really need it....especially if you prefer to have your patty made out of bulgogi rather than standard ground beef...

(The Teriyaki Burger from Kraze Burger: Bulgogi burger with sauteed shiitake mushrooms, cheese, lettuce and tomato and signature teriyaki sauce.)

While this may not be the prototypical haembeogeo that the hungry North American traveller is looking for, the meat was juicy and the shiitake's were a nice touch, and added to the breadth of textures between the soft whole wheat bun. Unfortunately, like most pickles in this country these were sweet...not my thing...but, I've since managed to find a rocking burger joint that serves their massive burgers and hand cut potato wedges with a side of crunchy dill pickles!

You'll know you're looking at the Ambulance Burger when you see it. Just pray that you're not seeing the hospital ceiling after it's ingested! Stay tuned... 

Lost In Translation

Originally composed: March 4, 2011 (~2:00pm @ 30,000 feet)


My first case of Asian food envy came quickly, along with a minor and mediocre language struggle. 


For my first meal on the airplane I was offered the following, somewhat inaudible options: "Bibimbap, meat...beef?" While there should have been no hesitation nor drastic confusion, I attempted to question whether the Bibimbap also contained beef; somewaht of a logical question for a guy who'se only experience with the dish came many years prior, and who had now inconveniently forgotten that said dish was almost always of vegetarian nature. 


The bop was clearly the better choice...as going local always is, not to mention that you are NEVER to choose any option referred to simply by a broad category of "meat". Nevertheless, I chose the beef. My decision was more than just a slip in better judgement but a succession of effort on my part to try and get the answer I was looking for from the flight attendant. After several misinterpreted lines of questioning, mixed with my desire to not waste any more of her valuable time, I caved. Accepting the mystery dish from her already outstretched arm I knew just what was in store: instant food envy of the girl sitting next to me and all the other Bibimbapians on the airplane. 


Lesson Learned #1:
Be persistent in one's quest for the truth that one is seeking...or at least accept the embarrassment of changing one's mind before peeling back the foil to sure culinary disappointment.


Lesson Learned #2:
Airplanes are loud and are not the most conducive environment to break the language barrier.

(Actual photo not included)

Gotta love the comfort of a warm set of Buns

My first tasty Korean treat on my 15-hour flight to Seoul.

Warm, soft egg buns filled with sweet beef and a side of Korea's finest brown rice green tea.