Dakgalbi

The city of Chuncheon, Korea, despite being a large provincial capital, is a getaway place for people looking to escape megacity Seoul for a day or two.  Chuncheon is about a one hour, scenic train ride northeast of Seoul.  Along the way, the view consists of forested hills and farmed valleys, intermingled with smaller cities.  Numerous reservoirs created from impounded streams sprawl beyond the original watercourses of the lowlands.

Chuncheon is a chicken producing region famous for dakgalbi, an indigenous dish comprised of chicken, sweet potatoes, cabbage, scallions, and rice cakes stir-fried in a chili pepper based sauce on a hot plate in the center of the diners' table.  The city's popular Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street is actually more of an alley, and is home to twenty or so restaurants featuring slight variations of dakgalbi at about the same, very affordable price.  Expect to pay about 10,000 won per diner (that's under 10 US dollars at current exchange rates).  We partook of the offering at Myung Mule Restaurant.

I've become quite nimble at handling chopsticks, and managed to eat my entire portion of the excellent fare without spilling any down the front of my shirt.  Aprons hang on hooks along the walls, and can be donned by customers whose dining skills are less refined than mine.

An entrance to Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street
in Chuncheon, Korea.

The famed stretch of restaurants,
between dining hours
and somewhat deserted on an early Thursday afternoon.

The interior of Myung Mule Restaurant,
which offers a choice
of Eastern or Western style seating.

Dakgalbi sizzling on the grill
between stirrings.

Outside looking in.

A shot out of the train window along the Gyeongchun Line
between Chuncheon and Seoul.

Balancing Act

Boys play on an improvised balance beam on the grounds
of the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.

Street Photographer

Near Hongik University in Seoul,
looking down the barrel
of a street photographer's telephoto lens.

Riverboat Cruise

On the Han River in Seoul, revelers await the dinner buffet
aboard a riverboat cruise.

Overhead lighting in the dining hall
of the riverboat.

A passing riverboat and a gray evening on the Han.

Chopper over Chuncheon

A helicopter passes low over the city of Chuncheon,
the capital of Gangwon-do,
South Korea's northeasternmost province.

COEX Aquarium

A red tailed catfish at the COEX Aquarium in Seoul.



The aquarium's sea tunnel facilitates viewing
from the bottom up.

Aquarium visitors.

Poppies

Poppy blooms in Seoul along the Han River
across from the National Assembly Building.