Seoul Soondae - Wheaton

For the second time this fall, I got sick. So unfair!! So on a nice, sunny Sunday afternoon, I took a nap, and woke up stuffy and hungry. It seemed appropriate to have hot and spicy soup to open up the sinuses in true Korean fashion. The only Korean restaurants I've been to have been in Annandale and I was in no shape to drive that far, so I searched for one in Silver Spring, and found Seoul Soondae. My parents and sister know that I'm a huge fan of soondae, which is a Korean blood sausage filled with rice noodles and delicious spices. It's hard to find, and I've only had good ones in Texas at places that my parents know. Oh, and in Korea.

I took my bloated and sniffly self to Wheaton, with my beloved Chronicles of Amber book under my arm. at 5:15pm, I was the only one in the restaurant, which was fine with me, I could read in peace. I ordered the soondae soup with a side of soondae. First came the banchan (small side dishes), there were about 8 of them and they were all pretty good, kimchi was a bit on the sweet side though. Then came the soondae side, and I was so impressed that it came with a small portion of liver, lung, and whatever other innards it came with (and I love them, especially liver!). Generally, in the US, they don't serve soondae with the other parts - I'm guessing because it's too high maintenance. It's not the best I've ever had, but that could be due to the fact that my ability to taste was hindered by my inability to breathe through my nose. Then came the soup. MMMMMMMMM. It came in a stone pot, which kept it super hot for a long while, not to mention it just looks cool. The soup came with a generous dollop of chili paste and lots of cooked down leafy greens (mystery to me what it was), soondae and innards, and a nice bowl of steamed rice. Engrossed in the strange land of Amber and its shadows (I know, I'm a nerd), and a pot of fantastically spicy hot soup, I think I sat for almost an hour eating and blowing my nose.

By the time I was finished eating, and I almost ate the whole pot of soup and the side of soondae (I was hungry, did I mention?), the restaurant had filled up with a lot of people eating what I had. And why wouldn't they? It was a lot of yummy food for $13! I was happy and full, and wondered why I had never been here before. The service was quick and very friendly - the server wanted to make sure I knew what I was ordering before she wrote it down on her pad, and was ready to answer any questions I had. I would love to go back again when I'm not sick and my taste buds are alive again. Tasty tasty!!!

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Honey Pig

Honey Pig is a Korean barbecue in Annandale, Virginia. It is also the best 24 hour restaurant I've been to. The atmosphere is fun, and not at all fancy - you can find all sorts of people of all ages and occupations there, hungry for meat grilled right in front of you with complimentary side dishes, including a pot of hot soup. When you go to a Korean restaurant, it's a good sign if you see Koreans dining there, and at Honey Pig, you'll see a good mix of Koreans and non-Koreans. I've taken my parents there, and my parents always say things like, "back in Korea, this would be spicier and not as sweet" or "I could make this better." At Honey Pig, all I heard was the sound of chewing and "oh wow, that's so good." I found that the best time to go is very late at night, as that's when it's not as busy, meaning better service, and it also provides excellent people watching, as night owls and after-clubbers come in for nourishment. They also have alcoholic beverages -beer and soju (their selection is pretty decent). If you're craving some good Korean food, or never had Korean barbecue before, you need to check it out!! I suggest the thick cut pork belly with kimchi special or the spicy chicken cheol-pan. Make sure you're hungry when you go! Tasty tasty!!!!!

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