Con el Hallyu (k-wave o la ola de Corea) la propuesta gastronomíca asiática se ha ampliado y aunque me encanta las propuestas más tradicionales, fui a visitar a @danielys y @mayra a Valencia y aprovechamos la oportunidad de ir a
Itaewon un pequeño restaurante muy al estilo callejero ubicado en la urbanización La Isabelica.
With the Hallyu (k-wave or Korean wave) the Asian gastronomic proposal has expanded and although I love the more traditional proposals, I went to visit @danielys and @mayra in Valencia and we took the opportunity to go to Itaewon a small restaurant very street style located in the urbanization La Isabelica.
No tiene un gran letrero, así que al bajar del taxi un enorme cartel de Jin de BTS nos indicaba que habíamos llegado. Otros carteles de actores nos señalaban la puerta de entrada; al pasar, nos recibían amablemente un espacio al aire libre con un toldo y algunas mesas con banca. En mi vista periférica pude ver letreros en coreano, murales y pendones con dibujos bastante creativos que le daban ese toque informal y urbano al sitio. También vi un mostrador con artículos que fácilmente serían souvenirs: llaveros, peluches de los diversos grupos de K-pop, Skzoo (Stray Kids), BT21 (BTS), Lovely (Twice), Lomocards, entre otros detalles.
It doesn't have a big sign, so as we got out of the cab a huge sign of Jin from BTS indicated that we had arrived. Other actors' signs pointed us to the entrance gate; as we passed, we were kindly greeted by an open-air space with an awning and some tables with benches. In my peripheral view I could see signs in Korean, murals and banners with quite creative drawings that gave that informal and urban touch to the place. I also saw a counter with items that could easily be souvenirs: key chains, stuffed animals of the various K-pop groups, Skzoo (Stray Kids), BT21 (BTS), Lovely (Twice), Lomocards, among other details.
Pero mi sorpresa es al ver a la chica que nos atendía llegar con el menú. Mi pensamiento inmediato: este lugar es muy divertido. Una foto de los Bities por un lado, por otro Blackpink mostrando un menú bien específico; como ya había leído en IG, la propuesta era comida callejera coreana o lo que se ha popularizado por los Kdramas. Aun así, iba con poca expectativa, pero sigo diciendo que se ve divertido. Como ven, los fans del kpop tienen siempre a la mano photocard e imágenes de sus favoritos. Mayra recreó una photocard con la foto que nos habíamos tomado en Caracas la última vez, mi favorita: mis amigas, mis ídols. 🤭
But my surprise is when I see the girl who was serving us arrive with the menu. My immediate thought: this place is a lot of fun. A picture of the Bities on one side, on the other Blackpink showing a very specific menu; as I had already read on IG, the proposal was Korean street food or what has been popularized by Kdramas. Still, I was going in with little expectation, but I still say it looks fun. You see, kpop fans always have photocard and images of their favorites on hand. Mayra recreated a photocard with the picture we had taken in Caracas last time, my favorite: my friends, my idols. 🤭
Eligiendo....
Fue difícil así que entre todas decidimos pedir combos distintos para apreciar el menú, principalmente me pedí un arroz frito de kimchi, este venía con una ración de pollo frito y papas acompañado de una salsa picante a base de gochugan, el resto de las chicas pidieron corndogs, Tteokbokki, kimbap y ramyeon.
It was difficult so we all decided to order different combos to appreciate the menu, I mainly ordered a kimchi fried rice, this came with a portion of fried chicken and potatoes accompanied by a spicy sauce based on gochugan, the rest of the girls ordered corndogs, Tteokbokki, kimbap and ramyeon.
La comida estaba bastante buena; siendo sincera, no tenía mucha expectativa con la comida, pues es realizada por venezolanos y su amor por la comida coreana. Sin embargo, pude reconocer sabores que son muy característicos de la comida coreana y nada de fusión; eso me gustó. El arroz estaba fresco; el sabor del kimchi ya cocido con el ahumado de la panceta le daba un aroma particular. Agregué picante y se elevó el sabor. Si algo me gusta de esta comida es la combinación con el picante delicioso. Mientras comíamos nos amenizaron con las canciones de BTS, tanto las grupales como los solos de los chicos. Comer mientras tarareábamos o movíamos las manos por alguna coreografía que recordamos nos hizo pasar un gran rato.
The food was quite good; to be honest, I didn't have much expectation with the food, since it is made by Venezuelans and their love for Korean food. However, I could recognize flavors that are very characteristic of Korean food and no fusion; I liked that. The rice was fresh; the flavor of the already cooked kimchi with the smokiness of the bacon gave it a particular smell. I added spice and it elevated the flavor. If there is one thing I like about this meal, it is the combination with the delicious spiciness. While we were eating we were entertained with BTS songs, both group songs and solos by the guys. Eating while humming or moving our hands to some choreography that we remembered made us have a great time.
My combo came with a special gift, 2 Lomocard Photocards that they had as souvenirs and, upon learning that I had traveled two hours from my city to try their food, they gave me another one. I noticed that they sold soju, so I bought a bottle to share with the girls, since I had left the ones I was supposed to bring at home.
Itaewon siempre tiene propuestas de eventos, combos y buena música para que los fanáticos de la cultura pop coreana disfruten de una comida diferente, llena de sabor y muy divertida. Espero regresar pronto a Valencia para seguir disfrutando de su menú en buena compañía.
Itaewon always has proposals for events, combos and good music for fans of Korean pop culture to enjoy a different food, full of flavor and fun. I hope to return soon to Valencia to continue enjoying their menu in good company.
📸 Pocophonex6pro
✒️Translated with DeepL.com (free version)