The Happy Return of Kimchi Chigae
Just a short post before I settle down to my favorite cold-weather dinner: kimchi chigae. That’s Korean kimchi stew for the uninitiated or anyone who missed my paean of love for kimchi chigae last March.
Most mere American mortals usually hate the stuff. But if you love hot, spicy, edgy food as much as I do, a big bowl of fermented, heavily spiced cabbage boiled up with onions, pork belly, and Korean beef powder, garnished with medium tofu and served with a bowl of scallion-covered rice can be a definite turn-on.
Devyn hates the stuff. Oh well, more spicy, fermented goodness for me. Click through here to my March 2006 post to learn of my love, and my recipe, for kimchi chigae.
Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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Great call on kimchi chigae. Any recommendations on restaurants that make a good bowl?
I’m sure you could give it a go in the decentralized Little Korea area on the NW side. You could peruse along Lawrence or Bryn Mawr in the general vicinity of the north-south Kimball Avenue artery.
Koryo in Belmont Harbor (Broadway kind of halfway between Belmont and Diversey) is popular. Their chigae is served too hot (traditionally but painfully), isn’t that flavorful, and is madly overpriced. I’d stick to Little Korea or making your own.
The little Japanaese/Korean storefront restaurant next to Koryo, called Rice Box, makes a mean bi bim bap, and a pretty cheap one, too. No chigae, though.
For that matter, don’t forget about Korean Express at the corner of Wells and Van Buren in the Loop. Again, no chicage, and they’re only open weekdays, but they make a great bi bim bap, and various BBQ dishes and spicy stews. Beware, their kimchi side is absolutely nuclear.
So you know damned well I love them.
Hope this helps!
i love kimchee chigae!!! it is the best hangover food too.