[106 RAMYEON]Beat Hongdae hangovers with trusty ramyeon
A seafood ramyeon in Hongdae’s “106 Ramyeon.” By Park Soo-mee
Monica opened my eyes to the world of art through her delicious cynicism on things I learned from my Catholic high school. I shared fashion tips with Ju-yeon and we wrote secret notes to each other about the latest Korean television dramas during our tedious art history classes.
We skipped school together and cruised the shopping mall all day. But we stopped playing hooky after I crashed my Honda Civic into a pos Jag on the way to karaoke. The Jag owner was Korean and called my mother.
My other beloved friend from my college days was ramyeon, instant noodles.
While other Koreans I knew from college preferred fried chicken and double Whoppers, I have remained true to ramyeon throughout adulthood.
With nostalgia I recently visited the restaurant 106 Ramyeon (02-3142-1241) in student-friendly Hongdae, the school noted for its fine art programs and its proximity to clubland.
The restaurant is located on a main street leading to the university’s main gate, and the staff clearly know they are dealing with the hungry and the curious.
Instead of waitresses, there’s a vending machine at the entrance. You pull out a ticket and hand it to the chef at the open kitchen.
For the thrifty-minded, 5,000 won ($5.29) must mean a huge portion of noodles. But that 5,000 won gets you so much more.
The meal starts with a smoked salad and it’s followed by endless rounds of toast and peanut butter, boiled eggs, glutenous rice steamed with octopus (although I didn’t find any octopus) and soft drinks.
Then you get the ramyeon.
Budae jjigae ramyeon contains a simmering stew of sausage, cheese and vegetables. Budae means camp in Korean and the meal originated from U.S. military bases.
Janggeumi ramyeon, an oxbone broth with chunks of sirloin, is a healthier option, but I settled for seafood. I’m tempted by the angler fish in noodle soup.
But if you opt for angler, it’s hard to call it a true ramyeon.
The dish arrives, and I was right. It’s a seafood soup with instant noodles, instead of the other way around.
The broth tastes nothing like ones that come out of a savory packet. It’s full of prawns and mussels, but strangely it doesn’t do it for me. Perhaps I’m missing the MSG and high sodium content that gives classic ramyeon its kick.
But the dish is filling, the eatery is open 24 hours and it’ll do for those seeking recovery from hangovers after a long night partying around Hongdae.
By Park Soo-mee Staff Reporter [myfeast@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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