Korean Food Bazaar

One of the many things that I love about Gainesville is the diverse population. Maybe not as much diversity as Queens, NY. But, for Florida it is pretty awesome.

I adore Korean culture, and have been studying the language for almost a year now. These past four months have been very intense because I would like to go to Korea in March to teach English. Every aspect of Korean culture appeals to me. Whether it is Korean movies, TV drama, language, traditional clothing, food, or general way of thinking. The culture is very welcoming, and luckily the KBC of Gainesville is just as welcoming to the entire community, to let the general public into their place of worship and experience authentic homemade food goodness.

The Korean Food Bazaar was held at the Korean Baptist Church of Gainesville on March 26th, 2011. Basically, you enter the building and are directed to the cafeteria area where there is a wall of menu items that you can purchase with tickets.








Delicious kimbap "rolled rice"on display. At Japanese restaurants it is often called Futo Maki. The rolls were still warm from the rolled rice that was freshly made. Fillings include carrot, cucumber, omelet, crab stick, and diakon pickle. To the left is the freshly made tempura vegetables. I never used chopstix to eat kimbap, I like to just pick up each piece and pop it in my mouth.



The Ho Tok pancakes were my absolute favorite dish at this event. It was something I have never had the opportunity to try before, even in my time eating in cities like Los Angeles and New York. So, this was definitely a treat to have in Gainesville! Ho Tok is thin non-leavened pan fried bread filled with sticky sweet melted brown sugar and cinnamon.



Ddokbokki is a rare find in Gainesville as well, since there are no places that serve it. It is considered just a snack to some and not classy enough to be served in a restaurant. Normally, it is eaten out of a paper cup with a toothpick from street vendors in Korea. It is fairly easy to make at home, but it is difficult to make just a small batch and the rice cakes do not reheat well as leftovers. I only enjoy eating it fresh, and while dining with others.

The spicy red sauce is gochujang paste mixed with some water and sugar. The white cylinder shapes are delicious chewy rice cakes. Additions to the dish are often fish cakes, onion, and hard boiled eggs. Sometimes I also want it as a more substantial meal, mixed with ramen noodles and mandoo.

The Bibimbap station was very popular and had many fresh panchan and vegetable toppings mixed with rice and goghujang sauce. This dish is served in a meal or ceramic bowl and eaten with a spoon.
See you next year!

Korean Baptist Church of Gainesville
5200 SW 63rd BLVD
Gainesville, FL 32608
Phone: (352) 380-0691