So I'm being shown around my area by a fellow teacher, and we come across a street he has fondly named "Chicken Street." It was easy to see why it got this name. A restaurant that featured chicken as its main dish was never out of my line of sight. However, one restaurant caught my attention. The sign in front of the restaurant had a chicken with a big "X" over its backside...unique to say the least. My friend informed me that it was exactly what I was thinking. They specialize in the fine culinary art of chicken butt-hole cooking. Not my thing to say the least, but my mind couldn't help but wonder. How are they served? Do you get them in a six piece package like chicken nuggets from McDonalds, or is it a more formal thing and they come accompanied with wine, rice, and their own special fork? Maybe someday I'll have the courage to find out.
The next day I'm told to come into work early the next morning for a special ceremony to open the school. Of course with the language barrier in the way, it came out more like, "Come early tomorrow for ceremony [pause] pig head." At first I thought it was a figure of speech; however, as I wandered up my building the next morning I was met by a freshly butchered pig head. The ceremony itself was cool. They put liquor, fruit, and cake around the pig head, and offered prayers to their ancestors to bless the new business venture. Everyone put a ten-spot in the pigs mouth, did a little bow, and then we all ate the fruit and cake. However, that would not be the last of my new friend. Now my school prepares a lunch for the students and teachers everyday, and what do you know it...freshly cooked pig head slices for everyone. I hadn't worked my way up to the 6 piece chicken holes yet, but this wasn't that weird where I wouldn't try it. Now I don't know how they cooked it, but it wasn't all that bad. It was chewy cartilage mostly...mmm. The kids couldn't get enough.
Later that day, the teachers noticed I was looking a bit tired (jet lag isn't completely gone yet) so they offered me an energy drink. It looked like one of those 5 hour energy shots you can buy from any gas station in the states, except this one came accompanied with a pill. The funny thing is, I was never bold enough to try one of those in the states; however, when hospitality is offered, it would be rude to say no. So I open the bottle and give it a sniff...something familiar. So I take a sip and the my memory starts to connect the dots. Smoked Paprika! The stuff I use in the rub for my ribs (Ha Ha...rib rub). You might think it strange that this gave me courage, but me being of Hungarian descent...royalty apparently, and paprika being the national spice, I thought it would be foolish for me to be scared off by something paprika flavored. So I popped the pill and drank the shot. Yep, just like it sounds.
Well those are my stories. Of course I have had some really fantastic food as well. The Koreans like their food either very spicy, very sweet, very pickled, or a fine combination of the three. I've had some amazing spicy (Korean) BBQ, sweet breads, and pickled vegetables (cabbage, onion, and radish mostly), but those stories aren't that fun to tell. And it is amazing to see all the stuff that made it from America. Crispy Creme, Quiznos, Papa John's (Drew coming?), and Baskin Robbins to name a few, but I'll stick to Korean for a while.
SOTP - "L.E.S. Artistes" by Santogold
3 comments:
I will never go to White Castle and order Chicken-O's in the same way again.
Ever.
I'm not sure if this is going to make your mother feel better or not!
i have yet to see the chicken-ass on the menu. perhaps i just have not been looking. the description of the picture does ring a bell in my mind, though. i guess i just never thought...
sounds like you've had quite the experience thus far! glad it's going well. you'll be korean in no time.
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