The Single's Antidote for Valentine's Day

[Aggie]

Heh, this would be even more appropriate over at TOP, but a Toadfish doesn't need much encouragement to eat and drink, eh?

http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/02.11.04/black-day-0407.html

I could probably dig up a recipe for jajjangmyun if anyone's interested.  Might need one specialty ingredient (black bean paste) from a Korean market; alternatively, powdered 'instant' mix is available, tasty and probably shippable.

[Opsa]

Are those the squid ink noodles?

[Aggie]

Nah, the noodles themselves are actually normally coloured wheat noodles, but the sauce is thick and very dark brown, to the point of blackness (black bean paste).  It's quite a different taste and texture than Chinese-style black bean sauce.  The taste reminds me of an ultra-flavourful stew...  rich and savory.  Usually eaten with raw onions and pickled radish.

The article mentions that these are served at "Chinese restaurants" - it's actually a Koreanized Chinese dish and would be considered Korean food here.  We've got one of these restaurants in Calgary... other specialties include spicy seafood noodle soup, fried rice dishes, and a kick-arse deep-fried pork dish in a sweet, clear potato-starch sauce - similar to but more subtle and tasty than North Americanized 'Sweet and Sour' pork.

Oh yummy...   we may have to stage a temporary 'break up' for Black Day.  I'll definitely request jajjangmyun for dinner. 

*hungry now*