Original Slow Food at Song Juk

[사토시]

12-13-2007   The Korea Times

Original Slow Food at Song Juk

Clockwise from top left: Special abalone juk, ginseng chicken juk, shrimp juk and mushroom and oyster juk. / Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

The health-oriented ``well-being'' food and lifestyle are all the rage these days, and have led to the rise of so-called ``slow food'' as opposed to fast food. The trend has revived a host of old school traditions, and among these is Korean rice porridge.

Korea's culture and history is deeply rooted in rice, with the word ``bab'' (rice) also being synonymous with meals. Juk or rice porridge is prepared just like steamed rice, except you add more water (about 1:6 ratio) and cook it longer so the rice grains bloat. Easy on the stomach and available in a myriad of flavors, it is an age-old remedy for the sick or a simple, nutritious meal for anyone. The warm meal is also perfect for the nippy weather.

Becoming popular 40 years ago, just after the Korean War (1950-53), Song juk claims itself to be the inventor of novel recipes in addition to the traditional abalone and pine nut flavors, which inspired a host of modern juk chain stores such as Bon Juk, which you see around each city block

The one and only Song Juk offers just eight types of juk, and the menu has remained unchanged over the decades, according to Lee Eui-ja, 62, who has been running the place for the past 24 years.

We tried one of the three types of abalone juk, the ``luxury'' version. Its price is on the high side, 15,000 won. Its green coloring may strike you as being odd, but this is because it contains the entire abalone, instead of just the meat in the standard version (7,000 won), which is white. Abalone juk has long been considered the ultimate nutrient here. Song's version, topped with sesame seed, crushed dried seaweed and a raw egg (which you can mix in or remove accordingly) was savory, with no additional flavoring necessary.

We also ordered Song Juk's original inventions _ the mushroom and oyster, shrimp and ginseng chicken, all 7,000 won. Mushroom and oysters blended in perfect harmony, while the shrimp was light and tender. Ginseng chicken is like the juk version of ``samgyetang,'' or traditional Korean soup where a whole chicken is stuffed with rice, ginseng and other nutritious ingredients. It might a good alternative to Western chicken soup, except that the rice makes it more filling.

Also on the menu are vegetable juk (6,000 won) and pine nut juk (7,000 won), which tastes nutty and is more diluted.

Another unique feature of the place is that each person gets his or her own set of side dishes of kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts and pickled radish, which serve to spice up the slightly bland meal. ``Mulkimchi,'' or water-based kimchi, is also a perfect accompaniment.

Like most ``matjip'' or restaurants known for their own colorful taste, television stills of shows hang on the walls. And like other homey eateries, the interior of the place is minimalist in design and has a down to earth retro touch, with plain wooden tables and chairs and harsh, yellow-tainted wallpaper and flooring.

Here, the bowl of rice porridge does the trick, and needs nothing fancy.

Song Juk is located near exit 5 of Chungmuro Station on subway lines 3 and 4. From the exit, walk straight and enter the first alley to your right. Go down the alley until you arrive at Family Mart, and take a left. Song Juk is to your left past a noodle eatery and a couple of other stores. Open everyday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call (02) 2265-5129.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

[쩡아]

사토시 오빠~~ 영문기사 매일 읽으시는거데용~ 영문기사 공부하는 팁좀 알려주시와요~~ 공부까지는 아니더라도 이비에 올라오는 거라도 그냥 읽어볼까 하는데 모르는 단어도 너무 많고 그러다 보니 흥미를 몬 붙여요~ 혹시 사토시 오빠는 어케 하시는징~~ 다른 분들도 자신만의 방법이 있다면 댓글 달아주심 감솨하겠습니당~~`

[사토시]

Article 하루 하나씩 읽는게 New Year's resolution이라서... 매일 읽고 있는데... 모르는 단어가 넘 많아서 시간 걸리네...^^;;;; 모르는 단어는 사전 찾으면서... 꾸준히 읽고 있단다~ 언젠가는 사전 없이... 그런 날이 오겠죠...^^

[사토시]

담부턴 사전으로 찾은 어휘를 정리해서 올리도록 할게~^___^

[사토시]

다른 회원님들도 ♠Headline News♠에 글 올려주세용~ Let's share information each other~*^^*

[Helen♡]

Song Juk.. I didn't know that...Bon Juk is well known for us.. do you know BonJuk founded a chain store in Vetnam?

[혜영]

The warm meal is also perfect for the nippy weather..Ginseng chicken is like the juk version of ``samgyetang... Song Juk is located near exit 5 of Chungmuro Station on subway lines 3 and 4. From the exit, walk straight and enter the first alley to your right. Go down the alley until you arrive at Family Mart, and take a left. Song Juk is to your left past a noodle eatery and a couple of other stores.