To everyone who left me such kind words with your comments and emails: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. They really did help and comfort me…You guys are the kimchi to my soul! ! >.<
On that note, today’s post is dedicated to all of you fabulous, sensational bloggers out there. Since I can’t physically invite all of you to my house, I’m inviting all of you virtually to my home for a cozy get-together and a traditional Korean meal…
First, welcome to my humble abode… 
This dining table is the spot where I blog each night. Just imagine a skinny Asian girl waving enthusiastically at you guys behind her Macbook, an English and Korean-English bible, her daily big mug of fresh-brewed coffee, and a big-ass container of roasted almonds to fatten her up… 
On the side is a lamp stand, and the red thing hanging off it has the Chinese characters, “Wan si lu yi” written on it, which means: “May all things turn out according to your will”.
On the back are two maps: 
Hello, America! 
And hello, China! (Remember, we are a missionary family to the Chinese people, hence the map of China) 
Above, are pictures of the first members of all churches my dad had founded: Singapore, America, Malaysia, and China…
Now that we’ve all settled down around the eensy weensy dining table, let me introduce to you the most obligatory Korean side dish in our kitchen: Spicy soybean sprouts (kongnamul).
Korean side dish: Spicy Soybean Sprouts
- about 5 cups fresh soybean sprouts
- 1 large onion, sliced
- handful coarse red pepper powder (preferably from a Korean store)
- dash of soy sauce
- drizzle of oil
- salt and pepper
Get a large pan, and dump all the sprouts in with the onions on top: 
Then sprinkle on the red pepper powder, the soy sauce, oil, salt and pepper, then cook for about 10-15 minutes until cooked through: 
This is what you’ll get: 
If you’ve ever been to a Korean restaurant, I’m sure this will look familiar. It’s actually not that spicy (to me) and really crunchy and flavorful. You can enjoy it either hot or cold. 
Now, what do we do with this soybean sprouts? Well, obviously you can just eat it with rice, but that’s so darn boring. Most of the time, we use these sprouts to make the most quintessential Korean dish ever, bibimbap.
Okay, let me tell you a secret to making bibimbap: There are NO rules. It is literally, “mixed rice” so you can put whatever you want to suit your own tastes. All you need is rice, and this mix-in sauce: 
Remember this amazing sauce? Gochujang! This is the miracle sauce to bibimbap!
But obviously, there are some items that work especially well in bibimbap, and one of them is the soybean sprouts. For today, we just grabbed whatever was leftover in our fridge: 
Mixed salad greens… 
Marinated beef… 
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Sautéed mushrooms… 
Of course the soybean sprouts… 
A dollop of the lovely gochujang… 
And obviously rice (a blend of white, glutinous, and black rice)… 
Topped with a fried runny egg and torn toasted nori… 
Stick a spoon into the yolk… 
Mix it up well! 
And chomp down!
Well, I hope you all enjoyed the virtual meal…and now you don’t need to fork over $15 at a restaurant to enjoy a bowl of bibimbap! Seriously, this dish can be whipped up in a few minutes; it’s what we make when we are feeling lazy and have some leftovers in the fridge to clear up.
If you ever make your own version of this bibimbap, I’d love for you to share with me! Get creative!
P.S. My parents and I have reconciled. I think they got rather guilty afterwards because they were extra-nice to me today. Tee hee!
Question of the day: Have you ever gone to a Korean restaurant, or eaten a Korean dish? What did you order/eat? (If you didn’t enjoy it, that’s ok…I’m not so much of a Korean cuisine fan myself to tell you the truth)
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It’s hard for me to believe it as I live in one of the most multicultural cities in the world but, for whatever reason, I’ve never tried Korean food. You have definitely inspired me to try some soon!
Yay! Bibimbap! I only tried this, and made this, recently for a family cooking class – where we try things we’ve never had before – it was great. Thanks for the tour too
thanks for visiting my blog.
I love vegetarian bibimbap too! Delicious bean sprouts. 
I just threw together some bibimbop the other day but I didn’t take any pictures. I love korean food, especially dukboki and kalbi tang, Kalbi on the grill, and all the panchan!
There’s this Korean/Japanese place in town called “Bulgogi” that I go to sometimes. But I always get the Japanese stuff. Now that I’m eating all types of meat again, I should try out some of their Korean dishes – maybe the bulgogi!
I lovelovelove your “humble abode.” It looks like such a wonderful space to be in. You are rockin that pink mac
i love seeing where people blog
i wish we had a good Korean restaurant here!
I have never had Korean food of any kind–that I’m aware of:) I am however all into sprouts these days! Mung bean sprouts are my current favorite.
I also read your last post about your conflict with your parents. I have been through similar things before. It does hurt when you are trying and other people assume things that aren’t true. But, it IS good to remember that they are just loving you the best way they know how. I’m sure they have NO idea what you feel like because they are not you:)
I’ve never had korean food, but your spread looks colorful and delicious!
I have never tried Korean food, not because I don’t want to but I just want to find a really good restaurant =)
I am glad things between you and your parents are better!
Thanks for having me
…now if only I could figure out how to reach out and take some real bites!
i think this post was totally fate – i just bought bean sprouts and was brainstorming things to do with them. i think you know what is in my future…
happy monday dear!
hey hun, i missed your last few posts, but i’m amazed at how much foresight you have, able to realize that your parents are concerned because they love you, and how you’ve come to learn more about your brother. keep up the conversations, that’s the best way to understand what each other is feeling and going through!
oh, and i love this idea for sprouts. last time i bought some, used a bit, then didn’t know what to do with it! now i know
yum! i love looking at your photos lady… oh and can you come cook for me? haha!
i read the post below and sorry about the troubles with your parents, that stuff can ruin your whole mind set. but i’m glad things are better for you!!
Yes, I have been to Korean restaurants! Mostly the all-you-can-eat ones on Little River Turnpike. To tell you the truth, I am not a big fan of Korean cuisine, but I definitely enjoyed learning more about bibimbap from your post!
By the way, do you have a pink Mac? How cute!
Wow! Thanks for dinner!! I’m stuffed.
There are a number of Korean restaurants in Annandale, Virginia, and some friends and I went in that direction in search of a Korean barbecue place not long ago. The meal we had was AMAZING! I loved all of the little bowls full of this and that, and the meat was so delicious. That’s my only experience with Korean cuisine, and it was a good one!
The beginning of this post is adorable! Love the virtual tour, thanks for bringing us into your world!
I’m not sure if I’ve eaten at a Korean restaurant. I know I haven’t in recent years. Maybe my parents took me to one when I was younger?
That rice dish looks incredible! I feel like I haven’t been exposed to much Korean food. I guess this means I need to do more exploring because I am sure that Korean restaurants exist near me.
I’m so glad that you and your parents are on better terms. Eating is definitely a sore topic in many families, my own included.
Hehe, I blog at the dining room table too, when I’m home in Michigan. Those sprouts looks fabulous–I really want to make that. I love how you combined all those ingredients into a truly fabulous dish
I’m so happy you are getting along with your parents again!! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a korean restaurant… I need to go!
Haha, um, ignore the fact that I used “fabulous” twice in one sentence… you can just replace one of those with “delicious” or another highly complimentary word of choice
hey you! Glad you and your parents are getting along well today. Haha to the fact that they’re being so sweet to you <3
Mmm that dish sounds yummy! I don't think I've ever had a korean dish. Sorry!!
<3 jess
xoxo
That dish sounds delicious! Mmmm! I LOVE sprouts!
Glad your parents and you are having a better day today and haha that they’re being so sweet. How cute! <3
I've never had a korean dish before I don't think, sorry!
<3 jess
xoxo
What a neat place to blog! Haha, I can seriously imagine you sitting at that table, staring off at the maps and photos, coming up with your lastest fabulous blogging piece!
xxoo
Heather
such a cute post!! i loved seeing inside of your lovely abode
the recipe sounds awesome though…
i dont think ive ever actually eaten korean cuisine..mostly chinese or thai..but maybe i have and didnt even realize it!
You have brought us, here in California, a real classic! we only hope our frige has all the goodies you mention on the day we make this. need to locate the sauce? we love this one, thanks for the visit to your home. best, s
My dad was stationed in Korea in the 80′s, and he fell in love with the food, so my mom has always cooked it pretty frequently for him. When I was a kid, my all-time favorite korean dish was beef bulgogi, mmmm mmmm mmm……
Yum! That looks so good! I’ve never tried Korean food at a restaurant but one of my coworkers is Korean and she cooks for us a lot! I love any kind of food!
Looks great! I’ve had bibimbap a few times and have really been wanting to make it on my own. I haven’t done enough cooking lately and I’d like to try something interesting.
Being a Texas duckie, I’ve never had Korean food. But Ben had some last week, and he liked it! Of course, it’s Texas Korean food so it’s probaly not as good as yours!
I’ve never been to a Korean restaurant, sad! Love the meal you made!
Loving my virtual meal here
I’ve had Korean barbeque before and really enjoyed it!
What a nice place to live, and the food looks fantastic!
You have a very simple and neat abode.I love the use of sprouts in all the dishes.I do cook soba noodles korean style,love them:)
The food looks amazing and how fun to see a little glimpse at where you live.
That was SUCH a cute post
I love when bloggers post little pictures of where they live… it’s so opening and friendly. Glad everything is going well!!!!
That looks like such a delicious meal and so so simple. I am going to have to try that. It looks like somethign right out of a Korean restaurant. Yum
Holy crap you get a lot of comments!! But that sprout dish looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it.
You are such a little cutie!!! Very creative and clever. You know, I’ve never had real Korean food before. I need to visit a Korean BBQ restaurant one day. There’s millions of them in SoCal….as many as there are Pho places. lol
What a lovely tour! Thank you!
I went to a Korean restaurant in New York, but all I had was grilled beef and rice. I have “issues” with soy sauce which limited my experience.
Love this post! Bibimpap is one of my faves! I’m half Korean and grew up eating my mom’s Korean food.
Boy you sure stacked up some great flavors in that bowl…in Texas I had a Korean couple friend who owned a small coffee shop where my kids and I got danish once a week. They asked us to dinner, and took us to a Korean restaurant…we told them to order, so the table was full of so many bowls of this and that, and my kids ate everything, I cannot remember it all, but it was wonderful!
What a lovely spread. Thank you so much for inviting us:) I plan on expanding my taste buds with a few more tastes of Korean food. I was introduced to bibimbap over @ Selba’s. Now, I have more to look forward too!
Thank you so much for sharing…
everything looks delicious.
Trupti
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I’ve been catching up on all of the posts you wrote while I was out of town. You’re so prolific!
This is just lovely.
Mmmm, that looks fantastic!
What a meal – my mouth is watering!!
I love seeing the asian influence in your house!
– a fellow asian :]
This looks divine! I can’t wait to make this one at home.
I haven’t been to a Korean restaurant but growing up in Northern VA in the early 80′s my family lived next door to a Korean family. They would make amazing little dumplings by the hundreds and then pile them high on silver trays and deliver them to the neighbors at Christmas time. I’ve never had anything like them since . . . I’ll never forget how wonderful they were.
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