I’m still settling in.

It’s now been a week since I’ve arrived and I’m still trying to get used to the fact that I’m back in Korea. I’m still getting used to my new apartment and I’m hoping that my first class tomorrow will go smoothly. I haven’t hd much time to go out and meet with everyone, but after a week or two, I should be able to get into a solid routine and free up some time. By then, I should be able to get a cell phone too, so that’ll help meeting up with everyone.

Also, I did some exploring and I found that I’m within walking distance to a Pizza Maru, so it looks I can continue my Sunday afternoon pizza ritual.

The McRib is back!

I saw the sign on the side of a bus while driving.  I haven't had one yet, but you can expect me to tell you about how I ate one by the end of this week.  It's things like this that make me proud to be an American.

Costco wins every time.

I’m a huge fan of the Costco chicken bake. I remember the first time that I went to a Costco in Seoul that I damn near lost my mind when I discovered that they had a bulgogi bake in addition to the wonderful masterpiece that is the chicken bake. This Koreanized version of the chicken bake was so delicious that I ordered one every opportunity I had in Korea. Now imagine me today, standing in line at the Costco in my town and discovering that they now had a carne asada bake for sale. I couldn’t even bring myself to order one because I wasn’t able to prepare myself for the deliciousness that would ensue. I also did not have a camera with me, which would have been necessary to document the monumentous event. It probably won’t be until next week that I will be able to bring myself to order one.

88 King’s Donuts and Chinese Food

I enjoy greasy Chinese take-out more than I should. I know that it is bad for me but I can’t resist the black pepper chicken at this place. I grew up eating here and I have been ordering the same meal for as long as I can remember. To giver you a better picture of this place, I feel like I should describe a little more what it’s like. It’s a small dingy place on the corner. I guess that I have to include that it’s a Chinese place in a Korean plaza that is in a Mexican neighborhood, which makes it sort of an anomaly. It’s frequented a lot by me and people from the neighborhood. If you pass by it on a weekday morning, you’re likely to see a few Mexicans standing around outside looking for work. Like every other Asian run business in my neighborhood, there are metal bars over the windows. Inside the place you would find the regular counter with Chinese food sitting on top under heat lamps. There are a few extra additions to this place though. For one thing, they sell donuts. Since I have been going to this place my whole life, I know that one should never eat the donuts. They also sell ice cream, which is alright to consume. What you might not see in other Chinese food places are lottery tickets and cigarettes for sale. Not surprisingly, I have never been asked for an ID when purchasing either. Usually there are only two people working in the front. It is always two of these three people:

1. The old Chinese man who always nods when I walk in the door. He doesn’t usually say much, he only looks as if he has been carrying the weight of the world on his back for his entire life.
2. The old man’s wife who is always nice to me. She sometimes asks how my mom is doing. Apparently my mom came to America from the Philippines the same year that she got here.
3. The younger woman who works there. As far as I can tell, she is not there daughter but may be some relative. She is probably the same age as me or a little older but she speaks the most English. I like it when she takes my order because she knows exactly what I want. She’s the only one who’s realized that I only order the same thing every time I go.

There is also one or more cooks in the back, but I have never seen them. They’re Mexican though and I only know this because I can hear the music they play on their radio. You might be questioning why I’m taking the time to write all this down. I’m also wondering the same thing, but I feel a sense of closeness to this place that I have only realized since I have been back home. As far as I can tell, there will be at least a few more black pepper chicken combos in my future.

It must be something I ate.

A carnitas burrito foam Chipotle

It must be something I ate.

Triple cheeseburger combo from a McDonald's in Taiwan

That’s right.  It’s a mother fucking triple cheeseburger.  I’m not even ashamed to say that I’ve had more than one of these on my trip.

It must be something I ate.

 

Jajangmyun at work

The cafeteria is closed over the summer break so I’m left to fend for myself during lunch.  Luckily, I can ask my co-teacher to order food.  This is what I had last week.

It must be something I ate.

 

A burrito from On the Border at the Times Square Mall in Seoul

I know the photo doesn’t do it justice, but the burrito was fucking huge.  It was called something special too, but I forgot the exact name.  The thing was as big as my forearm.  The place is really expensive though.  I’m talking 20,000+ won expensive.

Taco Bell in Seoul

I have a long history with Taco Bell, having grown up down the street from one.  It's like one of my oldest and most cherished friends.  So Taco Bell coming to Korea might be the most important event in Korea's history since the founding of the Joseon Dynasty.  It's located in Itaewon, right next to the subway station, which is alright by me.  The only problem that I have with it being in Itaewon is that I live so far. 

It's actually one of the biggest Taco Bells that I've seen.  It's three stories.  The first is for ordering food and the other two are seating areas.

The menu isn't as big as it is at most Taco Bells back home.  It's more like a Taco Bell Express, but a little better.  The Mexican pizza and the gorditas are missing from the menu.  It's heartbreaking because I love the Mexican pizza.  There are also a few things that I haven't seen before, but most of them are things that were added to the menu since I left America, like Limeade.  However, there are french fries and that's entirely new.

There's a serve-yourself soda fountain.  This is the first one I've seen in Korea.

I like how the packets of sauce are a little bigger and still have shit written on them, just in Korean.

I'm well aware that Taco Bell is a bastardized version of actual Mexican food, but I can't help but liking it.  Just look at that shit.

It must be something I ate.

2 tacos and a nachos bell grande at the Taco Bell in Itaewon

Sweet Jesus, it's finally here.