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!
My wife and i got now fulfilled that Jordan could do his researching via the ideas he acquired while using the weblog. It is now and again perplexing to simply possibly be offering secrets and techniques which often people today might have been making money from. And we consider we have the blog owner to thank for that. The main illustrations you made, the easy site navigation, the relationships you will assist to foster – it is most remarkable, and it is assisting our son and our family reckon that this content is entertaining, which is certainly incredibly serious. Thank you for all!
1I always was interested in this topic and stock still am, appreciate it for posting.
2It’s really a nice and useful piece of information. I am happy that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
3Hello, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
4Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
5I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website :).
6Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a huge portion of people will miss your magnificent writing due to this problem.
7Appreciating the dedication you put into your blog and in depth information you present. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material. Great read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
8Well I definitely liked studying it. This tip procured by you is very practical for accurate planning.
9I do love the manner in which you have framed this particular issue plus it really does offer me personally a lot of fodder for consideration. Nevertheless, through what precisely I have witnessed, I really trust as other commentary pack on that people keep on issue and in no way get started upon a tirade associated with some other news of the day. All the same, thank you for this excellent point and even though I do not agree with it in totality, I respect the perspective.
10Simply wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness on your put up is just nice and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to snatch your feed to stay updated with approaching post. Thank you a million and please carry on the gratifying work.
11Wonderful work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)
12Very well written information. It will be helpful to anyone who employess it, as well as me. Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.
13Some genuinely interesting information, well written and generally user genial.
14I am no longer sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thank you for wonderful info I was on the lookout for this info for my mission.
15Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your web site in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a large portion of people will miss your fantastic writing because of this problem.
16What i do not realize is actually how you’re not actually much more well-liked than you might be right now. You’re very intelligent. You realize thus significantly relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. Always maintain it up!
17Great post, you have pointed out some superb details , I besides believe this s a very excellent website.
18Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
19Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
20I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
21My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on numerous websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress content into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
22Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is wonderful, let alone the content!
23Currently it sounds like Movable Type is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
24Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks
25What i don’t realize is actually how you are not actually much more well-liked than you may be now. You are so intelligent. You realize thus significantly relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from so many varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. Always maintain it up!
26I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
27I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this info for my mission.
28Aw, this was a very nice post. In idea I wish to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means appear to get one thing done.
29Hi would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
30I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again
31There is clearly a bundle to identify about this. I feel you made certain nice points in features also.
32Thanks for your marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and definitely will come back down the road. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice evening!
33I’ve been surfing online more than three hours lately, but I never discovered any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty price sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the web might be much more helpful than ever before.
34Thank you for every one of your work on this website. My mom takes pleasure in making time for internet research and it is easy to see why. Most people hear all regarding the lively medium you give insightful suggestions on your web blog and as well as increase contribution from website visitors on the matter and my princess is actually becoming educated a whole lot. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the year. You are carrying out a stunning job.
35Some really interesting information, well written and generally user friendly.
36Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
37I conceive other website proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and great user genial layout.
38Hey there this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!
39I like this web blog its a master peace ! Glad I discovered this on google .
40My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome blog!
41I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were very beneficial invaluable
42You could definitely see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
43Some really interesting points you have written.Aided me a lot, just what I was looking for :D.
44Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
45Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
46Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
47Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and certainly not seem to get something done.
48The very heart of your writing while appearing reasonable at first, did not work perfectly with me personally after some time. Somewhere throughout the paragraphs you managed to make me a believer but only for a very short while. I however have a problem with your jumps in assumptions and one would do nicely to fill in all those gaps. In the event you actually can accomplish that, I would surely end up being amazed.
49I have to show some appreciation to you just for bailing me out of this type of circumstance. Right after exploring through the the net and meeting techniques that were not beneficial, I figured my life was gone. Being alive minus the strategies to the issues you’ve sorted out through your main article is a crucial case, and ones which could have in a wrong way damaged my career if I hadn’t encountered your website. Your main competence and kindness in controlling all areas was invaluable. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I had not come across such a thing like this. I am able to at this point look ahead to my future. Thanks very much for your high quality and sensible guide. I will not think twice to suggest your web blog to any person who requires guidance on this subject.
50