noelle’s posthaven

What proportion of Angry Korean Lady is persona, person, and brilliant marketing plan—we can't say for sure. But we must have been convinced enough to jun ken po (rock paper scissors) to determine who would place our order in the kitchen and who would ask for the bill. 

On her way to becoming Honolulu's Soup Nazi? Perhaps. Whatever the case, this one-woman show cooks up a tasty homestyle soon dubu chige, that hot, comforting bowl of Korean spicy tofu soup. Though more oily than other soups I've had, the broth packed a powerful punch of flavor—made red and rich by Korean pepper paste, ground pork, clams, and prawns.

- sent from my iPhone

 

Though we think the prices recently went up half a notch, you can still get a steaming bowl of pho for about $7. And the trays, shown here, are about $14--which seems like a deal compared to places that charge closer to $20 for the same dish. The trays are enormous and complex, with meat, mint, pickled vegetables, rice noodles, cucumbers, and lettuce to fold into rice paper and dip into fish sauce. It requires my full attention for the span of the meal, but I am preoccupied and happy.

As a side note, this hole in the wall is even appropriate for vegetarians. Besides a tofu tray, the spot also offers vegetarian pho--no chicken or beef stock at all--though sometimes we are warned by the waiter or waitress that the flavor will not be as food as the full-blown meat version. :-)

- sent from my iPhone

Though I wish the helpings of vegetables were more generous.

Fresh island fish with two eggs and rice ($8) and polenta with chard and fresh mushrooms :-)

It's moving incredibly fast. Like a spirit moving through the city. Or an arm slithering across the mountain tops. 

Almost terrifying to watch.

This also reminds me that I would like to get a new camera someday, since my old one broke.