The Japchae I grew up eating — memory as a review

I grew up eating Japchae and have strong opinions shaped by memory. The version here triggered that recognition in the first bite — the complex and bold was right, gochujang chilli paste was handled the way it should be.

the communal banchan side dishes are as important as the main. Growing up it was always a pojangmacha street tent, which shaped my reference point entirely. banana milk alongside it is the only way it makes sense to me. It's hard to be objective about food you have emotional history with, but objectively: this is very good.