Today (November 12, Tuesday, Monday) at 6:05 PM, in the 2374th episode of MBC’s ‘Today N’, ◆ Sulbang, who raised three siblings ◆ 87-year-old barber and his helper wife ◆ They fixed everything except the roof! ◆ Seafood kalguksu is only 6,000 won! etc. are broadcast.
In Nowon-gu, Seoul, there is a sake bread restaurant that boasts exceptional moistness based on the golden ratio. It is said that a single bite of sake bread brings back memories to customers. Although it has a rough and rugged appearance, once you try it, you will remember it and come back from far away to taste it. It is said that in order to make a single sake bread, the appropriate temperature and ratio must be maintained, and there is nothing that the owner does not touch on in the entire making process. You can make the owner’s signature sake bread by kneading it 100% by hand, wrapping it tightly in a blanket, maturing it overnight, maturing it again at room temperature for two hours, and then steaming it thoroughly. He was able to perfect the current taste of sake bread after three and a half years of research alone, throwing away countless pieces of dough. 20 years ago, after her husband’s business failure, she started a liquor and bread business in Suraksan Mountain with a cart to raise her three siblings. After struggling to find a place of her own, the owner, Joo Hyang-soon (62), started her first business in a small hut-like place with no bathroom or running water next to the Gyeongchun Line train tracks. After moving the store, just drinking bread wasn’t enough, so he worked diligently to make side dishes, porridge, and hotteok, doing everything he could to make money. Sulbbang is the strength and treasure that has raised three siblings and sustained the owner until now! Let’s go together to the workplace of the owner, who is ugly but precious to the owner and cannot live without alcohol.
There is a barbershop in Dong-gu, Daejeon that has been in operation for over 60 years. The barbers who have been running the barbershop for decades are Mr. Lee Jong-wan (87), his assistant, and his wife Song Ji-cheol (83). As it has been open in one location for a long time, everything inside, including the building, scissors, and hair washing area, is worn out, making it a place where you can travel back in time decades. However, even in such an old place, 10 to 15 people consistently visit every day, and the number of regulars alone is over 300. At one time, there were 100 customers a day and 3 to 4 employees, but now the husband and wife are running the business on a small scale, with the husband cutting hair and the wife serving as an assistant by washing hair. However, as the neighborhood where the barbershop is located has been confirmed to be redeveloped, the barbershop will disappear as early as next year or at the latest the year after. The wife wants to quickly quit the barbershop and enjoy the rest of her life, but the husband says that since the fate of the barbershop is decided, they should continue to operate it until that day. Two people who exchange opinions every day, will the husband be able to protect the barbershop? Let’s go to the couple’s old barbershop together.
◆ [촌집 전성시대] Everything was fixed except the roof!
A village in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do. Here, there is a homeowner who renovated a village house that had been neglected for 10 years and was rotting at the base and on the verge of collapsing, except for the roof. Noh Cheol-won (47), who majored in architecture in college, worked as an architect at a general construction company for 12 years. At that time, after working all day at the construction site, I was exhausted both physically and mentally and neglected my family. He thought that this wouldn’t work, so he told his wife Oh Ji-yeon (46) that he wanted to return to his hometown, Asan, South Chungcheong Province. Then, after settling in a village in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, after living in the countryside for 9 years, I heard that a village house that had been abandoned for a long time was up for sale. The couple thought that it was a poor country house located at the entrance of the village when they moved in, so they bought it and renovated it. However, everything in the house was rotting and everything except the roof had to be repaired. Was the couple really able to fix the house well? Let’s visit a village house in Asan, South Chungcheong Province that has had everything except the roof renovated.
◆ [오늘은 국수 먹는 날] Seafood kalguksu is only 6,000 won!
There is a noodle restaurant that gets crowded during lunch time! This is a famous restaurant that no one living nearby knows about. Today’s protagonist who deserves a round of applause from the moment he appears! It’s seafood kalguksu that people want to eat more when the cold wind blows like these days. Everyone focuses their attention on the green kalguksu noodles in a bowl as wide as a wash basin! From its unique appearance to its taste, it is said to be a work of art. Seafood kalguksu filled with potatoes, chives, dried shrimp, mussels, and clams is only 6,000 won! It’s pleasing to the eye, pleasant to the palate, and affordable, bringing smiles to customers’ faces. The secret to green kalguksu noodles that are rare to find anywhere is spinach! After much trial and error, I ended up adding spinach to the noodle dough. Not only does it have a beautiful color, but it also contains spinach without any other additives, making it easy on the stomach and easy to digest. The addition of fresh mussels and clams gives it a refreshing, savory taste. Today, there is one more thing that customers are looking for other than seafood kalguksu: barley bibimbap with a nutty flavor! Barley bibimbap with plenty of toppings such as bean sprouts, raw radish, and young radish is only 6,000 won. This place puts all their heart and soul into every dish, from seafood and green onion pancakes that are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, to geotjeori, which is seasoned every day! Let’s go together to a noodle restaurant that is said to be full of happiness and you don’t have to worry about your wallet even if you order as much as you want.
Below is today’s N broadcast information.
▶Mom’s handmade alcohol bread & side dishes: Dongil-ro 180-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul
▶ Daechang User Center: Solangsiul-gil, Dong-gu, Daejeon
▶ Stay Ark: Hyeonchungsa-gil, Yeomchi-eup, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
▶ Evergreen Kalguksu: Eohogae-ro, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Economy Queen Reporter Park So-gi Photo = MBC ‘Today N’
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Interview Between the Time.news Editor and Culinary Expert, Dr. Min Jeong-Soo
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Dr. Min! Thank you for joining us today. I recently came across a featured segment on MBC’s “Today N” discussing culinary gems in Seoul—specifically a noodle restaurant that serves delicious seafood kalguksu for just 6,000 won. It seems to be a well-kept secret among locals. What do you think contributes to the popularity of such hidden dining spots?
Dr. Min Jeong-Soo: Good afternoon! Thank you for having me. The charm of hidden gems like this noodle restaurant is often their authenticity and the personal touch from the owner. In today’s fast-paced world, people crave experiences that feel genuine, and when a restaurant excels in both quality and affordability—such as with their seafood kalguksu—word of mouth can spread rapidly among locals.
Time.news Editor: That certainly makes sense! The segment highlighted how the dish is presented in a bowl as large as a wash basin, filled with not just noodles but also an abundance of fresh seafood ingredients. How important is presentation in food culture today?
Dr. Min Jeong-Soo: Presentation plays a pivotal role in the dining experience. In the age of social media, visually appealing dishes are more likely to be shared online, which can significantly boost a restaurant’s visibility. However, while aesthetics are important, taste must never take a back seat. A well-presented dish should still satisfy the palate, as with the seafood kalguksu you mentioned. It’s that perfect harmony of look and flavor that creates a memorable experience.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! Now, shifting gears a bit, the segment also mentions a sake bread restaurant in Nowon-gu, which has garnered customers who travel from afar just for a taste. Why do you think customers are willing to go that extra mile for such unique offerings?
Dr. Min Jeong-Soo: The story behind the food can be just as compelling as the food itself. In the case of the sake bread—crafted with meticulous care by the owner—customers are not just buying bread; they are buying into a narrative of dedication and perseverance. The emotional connection established through the owner’s journey—from starting with a cart to perfecting her recipe over years—creates a loyal customer base that appreciates not only the product but the story and memories associated with it.
Time.news Editor: That’s so true! It’s fascinating how food can evoke feelings of nostalgia and connection. Speaking of which, we also showcased a barbershop that’s been in operation for over 60 years, managed by an elderly couple. Places like these have a unique cultural significance, don’t you think?
Dr. Min Jeong-Soo: Yes, indeed! Establishments such as the barbershop you mentioned are more than just businesses; they are community landmarks. They carry a history that reflects the lifestyle and culture of the area. In many cases, they become a part of people’s lives—visible markers of personal milestones like getting a first haircut or receiving a service from someone who’s known them for years. Such places hold cherished memories and provide a sense of belonging.
Time.news Editor: Like a culinary barbershop for the soul! Before we wrap up, Dr. Min, do you have any advice for culinary enthusiasts looking to discover these hidden gems in their own neighborhoods?
Dr. Min Jeong-Soo: I encourage everyone to embrace a spirit of adventure and curiosity! Explore local areas, ask residents about their favorite spots, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Often, the best experiences come from venturing off the beaten path. Also, support local establishments whenever possible; they are the backbone of our food culture, offering diverse flavors and stories that enrich our communities.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Min! Your insights are invaluable, and I’m sure our readers will be inspired to explore their culinary landscapes. Here’s to uncovering more hidden gems, one bite at a time!