At the Mountain Top (Sahn Maru)
Nothing beats mom’s cooking. Things may come close, or they may be enchantingly as good as mom’s cooking albeit in some different way, but nothing can top a familiar taste that you grew up with, when you’re fed with love. Remember how Ego dropped his pen and dived into Remy’s ratatouille dish upon recalling the aromatic smell of his mother’s boiling pot? In episode 5 of Gourmet, tears of joy wet the eyes of a renowned food critic as he savored a bowl of boodae jjigae (부대 찌개), the kind his mother used to make for all poor children in the village and the taste he has longed for in several decades. The concept is universal: mom’s cooking is the best. Lately I’ve been steering away from Vietnamese restaurants, not because they aren’t good, but because my mom makes better. So I seek out to the food my mom has never made, yet a part in me still wants a sense of home. And what’s more home-like than the thin, ruffled floral cotton cushion pads loosely tied to some wooden chairs?
Korean food always makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I’m not talking about the chili heat and the bubbling sizzling dolsot and the oksusu cha (옥수수 차), even if that’s part of the reason. If you take off the tongue-torching taste, Korean food is actually very similar to some Northern Vietnamese food, especially the soups and the stir fries. Neither cuisines go down the slippery slope of lard overdose or drown the plates in curry sauces and coconut milk, and both embrace a sweet-savory harmony topping a lot of rice.
But above all, it’s the feel of a Korean restaurant that charms me. It always feels slow. Even if it’s like OB Chicken Town, where the lone waiter has to rush between tables, love songs blast all around, basketball players run across the big TV screen, time still goes by slowly at that wooden table where you’re sitting. Time swirls around in the tea cup. Time lingers like the steam above your dark stone bowl. Time precipitates in each little morsel of banchan that you get served a few minutes after placing your order. Maybe it feels slow because you don’t have to rush shoving food into your mouth, or clearing the table so that the later course can come. It feels slow just like eating at home, when each dinner would take hours because I talked to my mom instead of eating.
So I feel happy at every Korean restaurant I’ve been to, with every Korean dish I’ve tried. I feel happy at Sahn Maru (산 마루) in Oakland. This chulpan bulgogi (출판 불고기) is another pleasant find. I like my choice of mild sauce because the lack of chili paste lets other flavors flourish, but you can choose spicy. The ddeokbokki (떡볶기) is a playful texture that could be done without, while the cellophane noodle buried under a mountain of beef and soaked in marinade is just too great.
On the hot side we have bubbling soondubu jjigae (순도부 찌개). The soft tofu is creamy like scrambled eggs. Pour a few spoons on top of rice, mix it up. You won’t notice the meat, and the meat is totally dispensable. This stew is good because of the fish sauce, the heat, and the creamy tofu.
At the end, the bill gets served with a cup of cold sujeonggwa (수정과). I’m not a fan of cinnamon, but anything sweet and cold just cleanses the throat so nicely. There was no dried persimmon, though.
And I would have said that Sahn Maru was another pleasant experience. But something among the banchan (반찬) makes me change my mind.
The dried anchovies. I’ve had the other things before, odeng bokkeum (오뎅볶음 fried fish cake), buchu jeon (부추전 chive pancake), kimchis, nokdumuk (녹두묵 mungbean jelly), but this is the first time I have myulchi bokkeum (멸치 볶음), stir fried dried anchovies with heads intact. Whatever little flesh the fish used to have has crystallized into tiny perfections of salty sweetness. The fish taste like candied orange peel. I just can’t get enough of it.
Because of the anchovies, Sahn Maru is not just another pleasant experience. Sahn Maru is a place I will visit and revisit, even if it costs a notch above all other Korean diners I’ve come to like.
Those little fish provoke memories of my mom’s ca kho tieu.
See more pictures of Sahn Maru’s dishes at my web album Photon Flavors.
Address: Sahn Maru Korean BBQ
4315 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 653-3366
Dining dollars: chulpan bulgogi ($20.95) + soft tofu soup ($11.95) + tax = $36.10
UPDATE: We have also tried a variety of other dishes here, from the usual dolsot bibimbap, japchae, seafood pancake and kalbi tang to the less-known bibimnaengmyun (비빔 냉면, cold buckwheat noodle), joki gui (조기 구이, fried king fish), and duehji kamjajim (돼지 감자찜, braised pork in mild chili sauce with dates and sweet potato). So far, all of them are the best of their kind. 🙂
Thank you for another great article. Where else may just anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect way of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the look for such information.
1Thanks – Enjoyed this article, is there any way I can get an alert email whenever you publish a fresh update?
2Hi there, I found your site via Google while looking for a similar subject, your site came up, it seems to be good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
3I truly enjoy examining on this website , it has got fantastic articles. “The secret of eternal youth is arrested development.” by Alice Roosevelt Longworth.
4I like this site because so much utile stuff on here :D.
5Hi, i feel that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “go back the want”.I’m trying to find things to enhance my site!I guess its ok to make use of a few of your concepts!!
6I have learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much attempt you set to create such a excellent informative site.
7It is in reality a nice and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
8My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content for you? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome website!
9Hi there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this website.
10Thank you for another excellent post. The place else may anyone get that type of information in such a perfect manner of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the search for such information.
11Hey there, You have performed a great job. I will definitely digg it and in my view recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this web site.
12Baking Soda For Weight Loss
13Baking Soda Shot Recipe
14Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
15I enjoy your writing style genuinely loving this site.
16I’ve been browsing on-line greater than three hours these days, but I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is beautiful price sufficient for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you probably did, the web will likely be a lot more useful than ever before.
17I see something really special in this website.
18I’m impressed, I must say. Actually not often do I encounter a weblog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you could have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is excellent; the difficulty is one thing that not sufficient individuals are speaking intelligently about. I am very completely happy that I stumbled throughout this in my search for one thing regarding this.
19I carry on listening to the news broadcast talk about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i find some?
20I simply could not go away your website before suggesting that I actually loved the usual info an individual supply for your visitors? Is going to be back regularly in order to check out new posts
21Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a perfect website.
22I went over this web site and I think you have a lot of great information, saved to fav (:.
23Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told was a entertainment account it. Glance complex to far introduced agreeable from you! By the way, how could we keep in touch?
24I always was concerned in this subject and stock still am, thankyou for putting up.
25I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
26hi!,I love your writing very a lot! percentage we communicate extra about your article on AOL? I need an expert on this house to resolve my problem. May be that is you! Looking ahead to look you.
27I have recently started a web site, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
28I always was interested in this topic and still am, thankyou for posting.
29It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read more things about it!
30Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
31Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
32Great, I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task.
33I was looking through some of your blog posts on this internet site and I believe this site is rattling informative! Keep putting up.
34Thanks a lot for providing individuals with an extraordinarily brilliant possiblity to read from this site. It can be very brilliant and also packed with a lot of fun for me and my office acquaintances to search the blog at least 3 times every week to see the latest tips you will have. Of course, I am just certainly motivated with your magnificent guidelines served by you. Some 2 tips in this article are certainly the most efficient we’ve ever had.
35New yok with teensMilesy siruis bikiniMikki jamnes
36prn tubeThhe dazily drool gayCockk n bullGiels nude iin bedroomTink soank videoValoerie
lee nakedGangbang auditionsFreee latinma ssex bloomfield njj nowPiics penisNude people weirdMotherr daughterr forced too bbe nudeLaex rubbeer tuxedoMarinade foor bonelesss chickedn breastsSmokung erotgica moviesHandd
joob forced orgasmNaked over 60 granniesDrop ship eroic
bakeryFetrish gossipBandy mmc nudesNipple eroticHoww too make a cuum recipeFilled mmy cuntCann ooral
seex cauyse bladder infections34c boo jobsPictures andd videos of fingdr fuckingSeexy
younhg gurl iin jeansMidget matureExtreme indian sex picsAdlt youtubSoft-core teensBabes massagingg boobsCluub lass trip vagasJapeneee message sexBig amateur titss cumPromoe bredast mik productionAvve chst rom teenWifee iin sexy bikiniWrestlinmg frahcine nudeMedium
tits nide nipplesBoomkstick dead eil fist ful throhgh
walkRaccing caar drivwrs girl rivers nakedPink nikpple hardcore
fuckingCockk huge porn thumbFreee virgin ffuck iin ass videoFiind tteen singlesStr8 men glorry hol storiesPuewrto vallerta gayChubgy amatur pornAssian tubesNajed ladiees issing vediosBeest facual
forr eyesCrossdrressed bondageFreee hemtia monsster
pornMarknated aand bakjed chicken breastEsclrt passport 5000 reviewsKatie sheridan nudeFrree
asain girlos poirn clipsHealthh insurancfe and sexDe gratis porn seo videoCrtchless puussy publicGirlks fistingGayy
baggyBestt penis enlargement excerciseCostt of breazt implants inn californiaFather inn llaw fucking
tubesFreee interracioal seex oviesReal or faie nudce testBondage feee hogtied movieSt lojis bet escortsBottom filling cupSice
up sex wiyh fantasie oof other womenLinsey lohan blow jobRona mittra nude scenesErottic babers
thumbsNakwd miley cyrhs phoo uncensoredDiscovered cick wife thickPisss ppvc skirtNoon nudee tern aart 3dJeremy renmer assFantasjy pornSexyy twitsFree full lehgh lesbian moviesBlack annd whikte sexy picturesAnal milkf
latinaBeginner eesl adultsAdult orn guideTiime ffor vaginal skin to replaceFreee unlimeted tiome live seex
camsShemale off thee year picsComic henta nurseCoral strip clubRolepkaying
ggame sexInsertion seex moviesRapidshaare bsty natural sabinaSwinger graphicsOnne itchy
bumpp oon vulvaGayy esccorts newcastleBegging nakedHavin sex with fatt girlNaked ppictures off girks inn the showerLatfex gloveds high
risk blueDresssed womman fucked hardFreee literacy adult
classMasturbation tipps foor girls and guys witgh picsHeath anzl
masturbation men ofvd9wuaptqswxmxm5ma
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
37It’s really a cool and useful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
38It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will share this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
39Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Wonderful blog and excellent style and design.
40naturally like your web-site however you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the truth nevertheless I’ll surely come back again.
41Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a good portion of people will miss your great writing due to this problem.
42Its great as your other blog posts : D, thankyou for posting. “What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose.” by Andre Agassi.
43After research a couple of of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I really like your approach of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website listing and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web page as properly and let me know what you think.
44I went over this website and I believe you have a lot of good information, saved to favorites (:.
45You are my breathing in, I have few blogs and sometimes run out from to brand.
46Hello, you used to write wonderful, but the last several posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
47I was just searching for this information for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative web sites in top of the list. Generally the top websites are full of garbage.
48A powerful share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little evaluation on this. And he in actual fact bought me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If potential, as you grow to be experience, would you mind updating your weblog with extra particulars? It’s extremely useful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
49As soon as I noticed this website I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
50