Spring Delicacy: Minari and Samgyupsal

If you are a fan of Korean BBQ and have grown to enjoy grill-and-eat way, you are well ready for the Korea’s ultimate spring delicacy, the combination of samgyupsal and Korean dropwort! It’s one of the least known sets of Korean food among expats and tourists.

WATER DROPWORT

Water dropwort, called minari(미나리) in Korean, starts to be on market from early February. It contains vitamins, minerals and fiber and has a detoxifying effect. Daegu dropwort tastes best in spring.

It is commonly cooked as a fried pancake(Jeon 전) and hearty stew. It is also often seasoned with sour sauce as its own with steamed squid. A bundle costs about 12,000 to 15,000won.

SAMGYUPSAL AND DROPWORT

In spring, a variety of Korean herbs and vegetables come out. Each boasts its own unique scent, texture and tastes. Koreans love to match this seasonal herb or vegetable with sauce or another dish to enhance the taste. Maybe this may be an acquired taste for foreigners those who are not familiar with the scents. However, we recommend you try at least one spring herb since it will bring you to truly understand Korean culture.

One of the most popular combinations is water dropwort and samgyupsal(three layered pork belly). Each ingredient helps heighten their respective taste. A stem of clean dropwort and a piece of crispy samgyupsal with a hint of salt or doenjang(soy bean paste) is a perfect recipe for a mouthful delight. I’d recommend this combo especially because they are not seasoned at all so that you can really enjoy the authentic tastes of Korea food culture carried throughout the peninsula.

WHERE TO TRY

Approximately 180 Dropwort farms are located mainly in Palgongsan, Hwawon and Gachang areas. Though it may sound odd, you can actually go to one of the farms and eat samgyupsal!

There is also a dropwort market starting today at Duryu Park inside the Duryu Inline Skating Rink(두류 인라인 스케이트 장) The market sells dropwort at price 10 – 30% lower than regular market place. It also provides more than 80 types of Korean agricultural products at discounted prices. If you are looking for a place to eat samgyupsal with the herb, it is an accessible option.

Dropwort Market

■  Date: Mar 23 – 25

■  Hours: 10:00 – 18:00

■  Location: Duryu Inline Skating Rink (by Duryu Water Park)

■  Address: 201, Gongwonsunhwan-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, Korea

■  KR Address: 대구 달서구 공원순환로201

*The address is for Daegu Arts Center.

If you like to learn more about how and where to eat Korean dropwort with samgyupsal, read the following article.

Related

How to eat Samgyupsal: Daegu dropwort and Samgyupsal! Ultimate spring delicacy

Thank you all for your interest in Daegu Citizens Reporting Team! Gratefully, we have successfully closed our application and now in our final stage to narrow down to new members. It is a very difficult to pick only a limited number of applicants among many talents. We truly appreciate you applying for the role!

Due to the unexpected number of applicants, we will announce the new member of the reporting team on the upcoming Tuesday through the blog and our facebook page. Please stay tuned! J

The annual Dalgubeol Lantern Festival(aka Colorful Merrymaking at Lantern Festival) is coming back from May 16 to 19. One of South Korea's most anticipated annual festivals is not only a Buddhist event but also an opportunity to bring people together!

DALGUBEL LANTERN FESTIVAL

The lantern festival is a great opportunity to see Buddhist culture that is deeply rooted in the nation’s sentiment. It is held each year around Buddaha's. Not only the Colorful Merrymaking event, it presents a variety of events including the Lantern Parade.

SKY LANTERN

Sky lantern is the most popular event of Dalgubeol Lantern Festival. Sky lanterns that carry people's wishes decorate the dark sky, presenting an unforgettable spectacle to viewers. At Dalgubeol Lantern Festival 2018, the merrymaking event will be held on the last day, May 19.

WHERE IS THE BEST

There are five sections of the venue divided by "Zone": Green, Yellow, Pink, Blue and Red Zones.

─Green Zone: Can let a sky lantern into sky.

─Yellow Zone: Can view merrymaking with 83 Tower in the back.

─Pink Zone: Can have the best view of the Sky Lantern event.

─Blue Zone: Open to public (First come, first served) *no purchased ticket needed

─Red Zone: Monks and VIPs

TICKETING

Ticket will be sold at TIMON(Ticket Monster) only. Please make sure you have your friends who can use the platform before ticketing starts. Last year, 15,000 tickets were sold in 30 seconds.  

1st Ticketing Starts

APRIL 7, 24:00

2nd Ticketing Starts

APRIL 14, 24:00

Green Zone: 25,000won (up to 4 people)

1 Sky Lantern + 1 Dalgubeol Lantern + 4 Donghwasa Temple tickets + Discount ticket for Palgongsan Cable Car

Yellow Zone: 15,000won (up to 2 people)

1 Dalgubeol Lantern + 2 Donghwasa Temple tickets + Discount ticket for Palgongsan Cable Car

Pink Zone: 15,000won (up to 2 people)

1 Dalgubeol Lantern + 2 Donghwasa Temple tickets + Discount ticket for Palgongsan Cable Car

Sky Lantern

■ Date: May 19, Saturday

■ Location: Duryu Baseball Stadium (inside Duryu Park)

■ Address: 7, Gongwonsunhwan-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 대구 달서구 공원순환로 7

■ Website: click here *Korean only

*Please note that personal lantern is not allowed in the venue for safety concerns.

Yellow dust, the unwelcomed visitors of the spring, blows from China and Mongolia and comes to Korea especially during spring. Sometimes, the level of yellow dust in the air can reach a dangerous points. It is important to keep yourself updated on yellow dust news and follow safety instructions. If you raise a kid or have a senior at home, please make sure they stay strict to the instructions more than others.

KEEP UP WITH YELLOW DUST UPDATES

Stay tuned to Yellow Dust Advisory or Warning.

  - Listen to weather forecast on TV, radio or Internet.

- Check online at http://aqicn.org/city/daegu/

- Dial 131 *ENG and CHN available

YELLOW DUST SEASON SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Avoid outdoor activities

2. Please remember the following when you go out.

  - Wear a mask specifically designed for dust prevention.

  - Wear long sleeved clothing and protective glasses.

- Wear glasses instead of contact lens.

- Do not eat food or drink that is kept outside.

3. When indoors, please keep in mind the following instructions.

  - Keep windows and doors completely close.

  - Wipe the inside your home frequently.

  - Keep room humidity by 40 ~ 50%.

4. Keep your personal hygiene.

  - Take a sufficient amount of water.

  - Shake the dust off from clothes, shoes, bags, etc after using them.

- Wash your skin exposed to the dust and brush your teeth. 

One of the best ways to welcome spring that is exclusive to Korea is to visit a traditional village. Korean traditional architecture, hanok, nature and blooming flowers creates unique vibe of spring you can only experience in Korea.

Inheung Village is one of the most famous hanok villages. It is a Mun clan residential area that embraces more than 300 year old trees, old pine trees and different types of fruit and wild flowers and the wind coming from Nakdongang River.

Mun clan is most known for its ancestor’s achievement to bring cotton in the peninsula.

Around this time of the year, you can see red apricots blooming among leafless branches. Fascinating yet humble looking blossoms are the signs that warm spring is just around the corner!

These pictures were taken two days ago and the blossoms were about 50% bloomed. The best time to visit for red apricot blossom is in March. Even if you don’t catch the blossoms, the other types of flowers like the famous trumpet creepers will bloom and fill the village here and there, so make sure to make your visit in spring!

■ Hour: 10:00 – 18:00

■ Address: 16, Inheung 3-gil, Hwawon-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 대구광역시 달성군 화원읍 인흥3길 16

Cherry blossom season is just around the corner. Don’t we all LOVE this time of the year? The flowr is expected to start blooming in the end of March. Since the blossom last for short, we’ve compiled local’s secrets to navigate cherry blossom streets in Duryu Park/Eworld and Apsan areas. More of our little secrets will come in the next  weeks, so keep coming back!

Duryu Park & Eworld

The road between Duryu Park and Eworld is are one of the most beautiful spots to enjoy cherry blossoms. Enjoy old cherry blossoms lined along the streets!

■ Nearest Station: Duryu Station(Line2) Exit 14

*Walk straight and you will notice the cherry blossoms in 5 minutes

■ Address: 8, Gongwonsunhwan-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 대구 달서구 공원순환로8

*You use an address above to get to the cherry blossom road.

*The address is for Daegu Duryu Library.

Eworld

Don’t miss out the inside of Eworld since this huge park has pale-pink trees blooming throughout the park. No wonder it is known for its Starlight Cherry Blossom Festival.

■ Nearest Station: Duryu Station(Line2) Exit 14

■ Address: 200, Duryugongwon-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 대구 달서구 두류공원로200

Related

Korea Cherry Blossom Festival 2018: “Starlight” Cherry Blossom Festival in Daegu

Apsan Cafe Street

10 minutes away from Eworld/Duryu Park is the infamous Apsan Café Street! From Apsan Intersection, Nammyeong Intersection to Hyungchung 3-way street, the road is decorated with this spring flower spectacles.

■ Nearest Station: Hyungchungro Station(Line1) Exit 2

*Walk straight and turn left. Imediately you will see the cherry blossom streets!

■ Address: 49, Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 대구 남구 현충로49

Road to Apsan Ppallaeteo Park

Don’t stop at Apsan Café Street and make a right turn at the very top! If you turn right at Hyungchung 3-way street and walk for a couple of minutes, another cherry blossom street starts! Many Daegu people know about Apsan Café Street’s cherry blossoms but not here! It’s the least known spot in the district.

■ Address: 477, Apsansunhwan-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 대구광역시 남구 앞산순환로 477

Apsan Park

Begin again at the very end of Apsan Café Street, Hyungchung 3-way street, and make a left turn. You will pass by Chunghontop Tower. The street will eventually lead to Apsan Park Cafeteria and you can enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the scent of cherry blossom. It’s the street that lead to the Apsan Observatory. Be aware that it might not be a walking distance from the café street.

■ Address: 574-45, Apsansunhwan-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 173 Mt, Bongdeok-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu, Korea

Considering warm days we are having this week, it is hard to believe we had a heavy snow last week! It’s spring and it’s good time to have our own MUKBANG TRIP to a local night market with a group of friends!

1 Chilseong Pocha Street 칠성포차 거리

#the_tents #round_tables #free_side_dishes

  

Maybe you are not familiar with the term “pocha” which is an abbreviation of pojangmacha meaning tented wagon. This type of eatry does not have to involve wagon in a lot of cases, though. The orange tents you see on the streets at night are the so-called “pocha” that serve tasty food and alcohol, typically famous one is soju. When you hit near Chilseong Market and Neunggeum Market after 6 in the afternoon, you will see arrays of orange pochas ready to serve seafood for customers! The tents at Chilseong Pocha Street serve mainly seafood in a variety of ways—grilled, steamed, seasoned, or raw.

■ Hour: Around 18:00 – 3:00

■ Location: Near Chilseong Market Station (Line1)

*Come out through EXIT 1 and go straight, you will spot the pochas immediately.

■ Address: 207-1, Chilseongnam-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 대구 북구 칠성남로207-1

2 GYO-dong Dokkaebi Night Market 교동 도깨비야시장

#hit_the_downtown #the_hippest_Gyodong #Korea_monster

  

Daegu’s first night market, GYO-dong Dokkaebi Night Market, is probably the most accessible night market of all! It is conveniently located in Gyo-dong area which is only a street across Dongseongro. Gyo-dong is a mni version of Seomun Night Market. It provides a dozes of different street foods ranging from toast, stick meat, Pat Thai and Daegu Makchang(pork intestine). A handful of tables are available for those who’d like eat comfortably.

■ Hour: 18:00 – 24:00 everyday,

* On Saturday, you can also check out a flea market from 18:00 to 21:00

■ Location: Near Daegu or Jungangro Station (Line1)

■ Address: 68-1, Dongseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, Korea

■ KR Address: 대구 중구 동성로68-1

3 Seomun Night Market 서문야시장

#food_goldmine #travel_hotspot

Mentioned in so many travel blogs and social media, Seomun Night Market is the one of the biggest night markets in Korea. Last year, 2 million people visited here, which makes 80,000 visitors per day! Recently, a soon-to-be new K-drama sensation “Four Men” filmed at the market. If you enjoy a bustling vibe of Korea’s market, you will love this place. It is an ultimately night-hour snacks goldmine where it is too difficult to pick a couple of foods that you want to try for the night! The market will soon change some of the stalls so that they have an updated menu for the new season!

■  Hours: 19:00 – 23:30 (close at 24:00 on Friday and Saturday)

■  Location: Seomun Market Station (Line3) EXIT 3

■  Address: 45, Keunjang-ro 26-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu

■  Address(KR): 대구 중구 큰장로26길 45