Eating in Jeju: 4 Course 갈치 (Kalchi) Meal
Two months ago, I went to Jeju Island for the annual Fulbright conference to present my research. I stayed a few extra days after the conference to explore the island. Which, of course, means trying different foods as well!
For our first meal after the conference, we decided to stop at a restaurant that specializes in the fish known as 갈치 (kalchi) in Korean, which literally translates to sword fish, but is not the same type of sword fish with the long nose that is more common in restaurant menus in the US. The official name of this fish is the largehead hairtail, and it is a small and long fish shaped like a sword, hence the name in Korean. This fish is a speciality of Jeju Island and this restaurant (which I unfortunately forgot the name of and I didn’t take photographs either of the name of the restaurant!!!) is located in Seogwipo, which is where we stayed.
We had just walked an incredibly long distance, following one of the beautiful Blue Pony trails (officially they are the Jeju Olle trails, but the mascot is a blue pony), which is also the same name of our fabulous AirBnB! The owners, a lovely couple, had walked every single trail, which traverses the entire island and its coasts and their love of walking gave birth to the idea of opening a guesthouse named after what brought them to Jeju Island in the first place. We actually walked from the Blue Pony Guesthouse to the KAL Seogwipo Hotel and were pretty much starving by the time we were ready to eat dinner.
We figured since we had essentially been receiving free food from the conference and since we were so hungry, we decided to splurge on the four-course kalchi meal, which came with kalchi prepared 4 different ways: raw, in soup, stewed, and grilled. This seems like a lot of food to commit too in case we didn’t like the fish, but it turned out to be a really great meal!
First up was raw kalchi (갈치회). I normally don’t like Korean-style sashimi because usually the fish tastes too frozen (as if it was just taken out of the freezer) or the flesh is too firm and chewy. (I generally prefer raw fish that tastes as if it almost melts in my mouth like butter…) While the kalchi was still chewier than I would prefer, the fish definitely tasted extremely fresh and dipping it into the vinegared gochujang (초고추장) made for a perfectly suitable bite.
Shortly after the sashimi arrived, we received the second course: stewed kalchi (갈치조림). The spicy sauce was perfect and the fish was so delicate. Despite thinking that the small long fish would be oily like mackerel, the flesh is more similar to a white fish – meaty and surprisingly substantial. And it also tastes just as good cooked as it does raw!
Third course was kalchi soup (갈치국). This is a traditional Jeju dish and the fish is boiled with some green vegetables and pumpkin (단호박). Compared to the 조림 (stewed dish), it was very bland, so we ended up not appreciating it as much. I would have preferred to have this dish come out second because then we would have eaten a lot more of it. The stewed kalchi and then the next course ended up completing stealing the soup’s thunder sadly…
This is the grilled kalchi (갈치구이). This was everything I could have ever wanted in a fish dish – salty (the kind of salty that is addictive so you go back for bite after bite), crispy (just look at that skin!), and meaty (the white flesh of the fish was just so good). Each bite was perfect and we unanimously agreed that this was the best of the four courses. Simple and delicious, this is fish and kalchi at its best.
I would definitely recommend giving kalchi a try; my partner’s mom in Seoul cooks the fish quite regularly as well! This fish tastes good in so many different preparations as well – raw, stewed, boiled, and grilled – so there is something for everyone! Hopefully I’ll be able to find this restaurant again!
This actually answered my downside, thank you!
1Just a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great pattern. “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.” by Albert Einstein.
2What i do not realize is in fact how you’re no longer really a lot more well-favored than you may be now. You are very intelligent. You realize thus considerably with regards to this matter, produced me personally believe it from a lot of various angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be involved except it is something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs great. At all times care for it up!
3This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.
4I have been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours lately, yet I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you probably did, the net will probably be much more helpful than ever before.
5Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your theme. Bless you
6I’ve learn a few good stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot effort you set to create any such excellent informative website.
7This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
8Very interesting points you have mentioned, thanks for posting.
9good post.Ne’er knew this, regards for letting me know.
10I simply couldn’t leave your website prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual information a person provide to your guests? Is gonna be again frequently to check out new posts
11Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
12certainly like your web site however you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth then again I’ll certainly come back again.
13https://shorturl.fm/qd4Tq
14Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Many thanks
15you are really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a great job on this topic!
16You are a very intelligent individual!
17Sweet web site, super design and style, really clean and utilize pleasant.
18I enjoy the efforts you have put in this, appreciate it for all the great blog posts.
19Can I simply say what a relief to find somebody who actually is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know how to carry a problem to gentle and make it important. Extra individuals have to learn this and perceive this facet of the story. I cant believe youre no more standard because you positively have the gift.
20Hi, i believe that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “go back the prefer”.I’m attempting to to find issues to enhance my website!I assume its ok to make use of some of your ideas!!
21Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
22Simply wish to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is just great and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
23I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
24This is really fascinating, You’re an overly professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to searching for more of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
25Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
26It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
27Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually recognize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally seek advice from my web site =). We may have a hyperlink change contract between us!
28I will right away grab your rss as I can not find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
29This really answered my problem, thank you!
30Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I want to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and not at all appear to get one thing done.
31you’re really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is incredible. It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you’ve performed a magnificent process in this topic!
32I like this website so much, saved to favorites. “I don’t care what is written about me so long as it isn’t true.” by Dorothy Parker.
33Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, amazing blog!
34Thanks for any other magnificent article. Where else could anybody get that kind of information in such a perfect manner of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.
35Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
36You could certainly see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.
37https://shorturl.fm/SeopH
38Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
39hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this web site, as I experienced to reload the site many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for a lot more of your respective exciting content. Ensure that you update this again soon..
40hyperliquid wallet worked fine earlier
41Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, good blog!
42Hello.This article was extremely remarkable, especially because I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.
43Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
44I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout 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 one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
45That is the appropriate blog for anybody who desires to seek out out about this topic. You understand a lot its almost laborious to argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, simply great!
46Hola! I’ve been following your website for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the excellent job!
47Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too fantastic. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific website.
48We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.
49Awsome website! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am bookmarking your feeds also
50