Rainy days in South Korea were some of my favorites because it usually meant that I got to eat one of my favorite Korean dishes: dumpling noodle soup, or mandu guk su (만두국수) in Korean. When I worked in Gyeonggi province, there was a small restaurant down the street from my apartment. It was your typical “동네맛집,” a good neighborhood restaurant that sold various kinds of Korean food at low prices. On rainy days, I would always eat there with my girlfriend. We’d order 김치전, a fried Korean-style kimchi pancake, and two bowls of 만두국수. It was always a perfect meal in my mind because of the good vibes and being able to spend time with my girlfriend. Every time I think of 만두국수, I often reminisce about peaceful moments while eating with my girlfriend in Korea.
Before I end up going on a tangent, let me tell you about 만두국수. It’s a soup containing dumplings (만두), noodles, and assorted vegetables. Depending on where you visit, you may find that it can include slices of beef brisket, pork, or chicken. The recipe for this dish is incredibly versatile, allowing for endless customization. Personally, I am a fan of classic 만두국수 with rice cakes (떡), as I have always had a love for soups and noodles, even before moving to Korea. Living there only made my love for them grow stronger.
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making 만두국수 at home, I highly recommend checking out Maangchi’s recipe! It’s easy to follow and the results are absolutely delicious.
Jelly Teacher Writes 