Growing up there was a short list of comfort foods my family would turn to when we'd run of ideas of things to eat for dinner. Meh-um-tang, a spicy stew of fish and vegetables, was one of my dad's favorites. Oftentimes for the sake of expediency my parents would buy a prepackaged set of ready-to-boil meh-um-tang and put it in a large pot, add water, bring to boil, and simmer for a while until the ingredients are al-dente soft. This actually isn't a bad way, or in-authentic way to cook this though making it from scratch is ultimately more satisfying (something Grandma would do).
Thankfully there's a place to get an excellent bowl of this stuff, at Chung Ki Wa, the old standby Korean BBQ place on Olympic Blvd. The inside is studded with mirrors and old-wood fixtures taking one immediately back to the Motherland.
A bevy of banchan accompanies a standard order and the offerings here are textbook delicious. Ask for refills anytime you like. The best thing they have here is the spicy mackerel - yum!
There are many kinds of meh-un-tang, depending mainly on the type of fish used. Last year my friends and I went fishing in Ventura and properly disposed of over a dozen rockcod in a massively large stockpot of fresh meh-un-tang, much to the chagrin of fifteen hungry post-graduated coeds in a beachfront house. Talk about gusto.
This version comprises a different fish than what you'd find at other places in Koreatown. Mee-nuh meh-un-tang is the name of this one, where the roe and "offal" remain in place and the fish is more elegantly tender than the black cod in other meh-un-tangs. The result is a rich, brothy, spicy stew with vegetables that would knock your Frenchman's bouillebasse out of the water. Pair with fresh white rice and you're in Korean comfort food heaven. The roe is fantastic - salty but soft and chewable whereas the "offal" (looks like mini-sweetbreads) gives a contrasting textural pleasure. The fishmeat is superbly complex and soft, almost melting in one's mouth. Spicy, rich, warm comfort awaits in the coming cooler months - find it at Chung Ki Wa.
Chung Ki Wa
3545 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 737-0809
8 comments:
"Gusto" is a word that doesn't get enough play.
i love that word, and what we did certain justified its use. It's hard to come by that word in LA b/c so much food here dainty.
I've never heard of meh-un-tang, but it sounds good.
My favorite comfort food is miso soup. Unfortunately I have no idea how to make it.
miso soup should be pretty easy to make...at least with the quick stuff you can get at an asian market. I'm sure the traditional one takes much longer to make, but it should be worth it if it's your favorite comfort food.
Yum, you make me want to get some good ole Korean food. Every time I watch a drama and see them eat the food it makes me want to drive up to LA to satisfy the craving! ^_^
Any places you recommend in Garden Grove?
there's nothing quite as comforting as Korean food...unfortunately I don't know of many places in Garden Grove. I grew up in OC, but I always had Korean food at my grandma's house. I know of a decent place is Cerritos...
i heard sagan is good in garden grove
Matt!! your pictures look so amazing!
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