TAKOYAKI ( たこ焼き): A Japanese Snack!

Takoyaki-(たこ焼き)-타코야끼- is one of my favorite snacks from Japan which is very popular in Korea. It is a fresh baked squid or octopus muffins (in shape of a ball - eatable ping pong balls) topped with a very tasty sauce. I think it is the most renowned among the Japanese snacks outside Japan. They are crispy from the outside and are hot and soft from inside.

The invention of Takoyaki was inspired by Akashiyaki - a street vendor named Tomekichi Endo in Osaka, 1935. It was first enjoyed as a popular dish in Kantai and then was introduced to Kanto and other areas.

Takoyaki can be purchased in many street food stalls and in takoyaki specialty restaurants and eateries especially in Jongno and Myeongdong area and usually near the schools. We had a permanent Takoyaki Truck outside Bokwang Dong , on the road heading to German Embassy near Capital Hotel in Itaewon.

One can learn to make this from a very interesting youtube video at the end of the post!


Last night, I saw this guy near Pangyo, it is quite rare!

I requested him to come here every day but I think that's not possible since shop owners running snack shops won't like his presence that would attract clients.

For more information on this particular franchise "WANGTAKO" one can visit their website and can buy the ingredients or tools used, right here in Korea. It is a very elaborate site but the only problem is that it is in Korean only. ;-(

Through their website, I found out that it takes only a 1000$ (USD) to set up this business and the most expensive of all is the tray in which we prepare Takoyaki - which is 300$ (USD). I guess I must ask Takashi- a long time friend from Kyoto to get me a small, easy to use tray-for personal use!

I am already full with ideas of even making "hodeok - kwaja" or Korean freshly baked walnut cookies in this this... ;-)

If you are looking for halal snacks on the streets of Seol, then this particular snack is 100% halal. Try it, I'm sure that you will love it.

A LUNCH IN NORRKOPING

I am missing the Swedish lunch - price for students was about 15$(USD) and we had a buffet option (this price was after getting 15% off for students)- with 4 different types of soups, 10 main dishes, a lot of salmon, salads, fruits, desserts - pie or cakes...with a syrup to pour on them...mouth watering..unfortunately, I lost my pictures...but the mouth watering food is still fresh to my mind...ahhhhhhh!!


This was my first lunch in Sweden and after getting so full - it was so hard keep up with the lectures/classes afterwards...really wanted to doze off.



Salad Bar: Ate there a few times and it was great!!!

World's Tallest Men from Pakistan

I stumbled upon this very interesting website - who call themselves a giant website for the tallest men. Back in 1980's, Alam Channa was a very popular figure in Pakistan. When he got a last minute government support for medical treatment in the US, it was too late and on July 3rd. 1998, he died in a New York hospital. I wonder what became of the widow of Alam Channa and his son (who must be about 21 years old now)?

Some of these 'very tall men' in the world from Pakistan are:

1) Alam Channa

2) Aurangzeb Khan

3) Zafarullah Satti

4) Ajaz Ahmed

5) Naseer Soomro

6) Haq Nawaz

Now what is the reality of being tall besides having have a celebrity status if one is discovered.

Just from looking at the images - such as photos, interviews, reports, and documentaries - I felt literally bad for all these people, many of them mentioned that people do NOT give the the privacy that they need in their lives. They can NOT do anything in a normal way because they are a 'tasmasha'( a 24 hours circus) for many! Last year, while watching a report on a Pakistani channel - on Naseer Soomro- young and old in the neighborhood were running after him and shouting, screaming and passing remarks , some trying to touch him and gosh, what a life! This obnoxious behaviour just doesn't stop there - a guy who lives next door - whom they get to see almost every day - why he's not given the space and respect he/she rightly deserves - every day is a living hell.

Some other difficulties that these people face almost on daily basis are:

1. Means of transport


2. Dietary needs


3. Proper Rest rooms


4. Comfortable shoes as one person complained


5. Lack of government support ( after all, they are a brand name of country)


6. Proper Housing


7. Medical treatments (they must get regular checkups)

These are some of the very few things that their respective countries should provide for them and here in this case Pakistan. Their short lived fame is more of a headache rather than a blessing which add problems to their tough lives.

While being concerned about 'the tall men', we must not forget Zainab Bibi - who was and probably still is the tallest woman of Pakistan. In 2004, she was the second tallest woman in the world. In 2009, on her visit to Britain, she filed for an asylum which was rejected. Her main concerns were the threats she received from different religious groups and the treatment at the hands of the men in general. Moreover, when men are being tortured by our people, I can fully understand Zainab Bibi's status and concerns.

Have to say that being a woman isn't easy in Pakistan.

In one of the interviews, Naseer Soomro mentioned that some of his concerns are: to be watchful of doors, roofs, ceiling fans, getting into a public transport and of course, to run his house as the eldest and the sole bread winner. Both of his parents have passed away. For Haq Nawaz, he said that when he stands up in his yard, he can easily look into the other houses - which of course is a huge problem - while living in a Muslim society - where if by accident he sees a woman - may mean 'a fatwa'...who knows, while on the other have have a 9 or 10 feet wall - means economic burden and some other suspicions.

These tall men wished for: respect for them like any other person, a transport facility and establishing a school in their villages...I wonder, are they asking too much - if they ask for some privacy, respect, space and last but not the least a school for their communities??

They are not just tall but are really great men as well!

Subway Shops and Kiosks in Seoul

One thing that always impressed me in Korea is its subways and subway stations. Another fascinating feature are these stores and shopping areas inside the subway stations that offer almost everything.


Korea is the most digitally connected city in the world and with all these gadgets we see charms , pendant sort of a thing hanging to them....every single cell phone, or cellphone holders, netbook bags, Ipads, backpacks, purses, has this small, cute character hanging with it (here they call it jewellery for the gadgets etc. or gadget accessory) and it comes in all shapes and sizes. There were times when I started collectig them and finally at a point, I realized that living a nomadic life- I must give-up on this hobby... however, I must confess that these are unique, cute and a sort of a creative art - I love it.

Line 9, is a new addition in the subway line and is the most gorgeous - obviously it is brand new, high tech and very cool-this same line takes us to the airport too. This line has some of the best shops and most intersting stores and kiosks - if one has time- I would highly recommend to explore Line 9 of Seoul Metro. I have not been to every single station but the few I tried, were a treat indeed.


Korean subway stations and trains - are indeed the best, the most comfortable and really clean, among the ones I have come across in different countries. Previously, I have used subways in Paris, New york, Washington DC, Tashkent, Stockholm, Philadelphia, Tokyo and Beijing!

Mosaic Sculptures in Seoul(Gangnam)

Gangnam

Korean Cuisine that is all Halal..

Salad with sesame dressing, Mul-kimchi, Ttoek with red bean paste filling and Surasang- royal court cuisine - witj wraps in which one put in the shredded fried/raw vegetables and a sweet and sour sauce that goes with it.

I chose Yae-ul as a representative Korean restaurant ( our key word was Halal) for some foreign guests visiting Korea for the first time in their life. They already told me that they did NOT like the Korean food which they tried in Gangnam. 

Walnut pie

 I told them not to worry. I knew that the menu I selected is not just beautifully presented but will taste great too aside from being halal. This particular restaurant is located near Chongye-san  in Bundang. It is also very famous among celebrities.  I informed the owner that all the guests will be Muslims so please do NOT served any beef, chicken etc. except for sea food. They chose 4 different varieties of Korean fish, jambo prawns, shrimps, crab and a lot of salads and vegetables.

Whipped cream with coffee bean

I am really thankful to the Sajangnims (restaurant owners) to cater to our special needs and for changing their standard menu. Everbody loved Korean food and especially those who were very critical of it before heading for dinner.

Crab pie; it was so great!

Korea has a huge array of choices but the problem arises because people are stuck with their life long taste and then they also expect that the food in Korea must be similar to Chinese and that is a very wrong assumption. I think that Korean cuisine offers a lot of choices for vegetarians, for Muslims or for anyone with special needs but then one has to ask their countrymen/women - who have been living in Korea for a while for a reference. I think that students in Korea are a good source of it.

Grilled pumpkin with some sweet and sour sauce.

Jumbo Prawns with cheese and fresh basil.

A dessert made with black sesame seeds, it was lovely!

Sashimi- Korean style and everybody ate this despite the fact that they told me they will not eat it.

Pasha: A Turkish Restaurant in Gangnam

Pasha - The Turkish Restuarant in Gangnam has one of the best kebabs in town!

I ordered a platter of Pasha's assorted kebabs and lawasi with a soft drink. This menu comes with a choice of salads at the salad bar, desserts and soup...simply fanstastic!
Pasha is a halal restuarant.

My guests said that these were the best kebabs they ever had...made my day!

For great pictures of food at Pasha check this website of Menu Pan.

How to get to Pasha (파샤):
Click here if you know Korean to see the map or else:

Take a Taxi and give the address to the taxi driver - from Gangnam it may cost 2-3 USD.
Address of Pasha:
Saegay Building -4th Floor
1317-31 Seocho 4(sa)-dong,
Seocho-gu
Seoul South Korea

서울시 서초구 서초동 1317-31 세개빌딩

In case you are at Gangnam Station then take exit 5. Go straight for 5 minutes and turn right in the first ally. Look for Say-gay Building. On its 4th floor is Pasha. Ask people, they are helpful but write the address in Korean language before heading there.


or Call them at this number: 02-593-8484 .

Myeong Dong at Night

Korean Souvenirs