NEWS: Melamine Found in Korean Food Products

Korean moms are fearful of buying anything with milk powder due to the "melamine scandal" originating in China. Chinese baby powder was found to have high levels of melamine in over 20 Chinese baby powder manufacturers. Over 50,000 babies became ill due to the tainted formula and it is reported that 4 babies died as a result.

Korea Food and Drug Administration put an immediate ban on imports containing Chinese milk powder. They have found unacceptable high levels of melamine in Korean snacks made with imported Chinese milk powder. Misarang Custard distributed by Haitai and Milk Rusk biscuits imported from Hong Kong are currently being recalled due to melamine findings.

Melamine is an industrial chemical which can damage your kidneys if taken in high levels.

Korean Dol Party Favors

Can you believe these are all towels?? Towels are very popular party favors in Korea...so cute! Other popular items include cups, clocks, chopsticks, mugs, and plates.

Dol party planning is a big business in Korea. There are many stores that sell just dol products!

Thought we'd give you some ideas for your baby's dol!

*Little Seouls now offers towel cakes at our store. Click here for more info.

Korean Dol Today (Korea Version)

The first picture is a traditional table set up for a Korean baby's 1st Birthday.

A typical dol arrangement includes candy towers, rice cake (duk), display of fruits and the placement of a Korean folding screen in the back.

However, we are noticing that native Koreans are being less traditional in their dol party decor. Candy towers are no longer "a must have" on the birthday table. You will find more use of flower arrangements, balloons and stylish tableware.
Also, notice the backdrop is no longer the traditional folding screen but a modernized Happy Birthday banner.

Its interesting to me that Korean Americans tend to be more traditional in their dol decorations than Koreans in Korea.

Korean Dol Today (U.S. Version)

Dol's among our Korean-American friends are quite fancy. It's just as fancy as a wedding reception! And yes, probably spend just as much! They usually have them at restaurants, hotels, reception halls, etc. These pictures are from Cara's dol.

As you can see there lots of decorations. The balloons are quite popular at dols. In Koreatown, there are several balloon stores that do this....and it's not cheap!













Guests also get party favors. For adults, they will all get Dduk (ricecake) to take home and kids will usually get some little gift.

They will also hire some sort of entertainer for the kids like a magician, puppeteer, clown, etc.

Not everyone goes all out like this. Some keep it simple like a bar-b-q at the park or in their backyard.

Here she is in her hanbok! A little Korean Princess! By the way, those things in front of her is the dduk (ricecakes).

My son's favorite Korean food

My son's favorite food is Dduk Guk (Rice ovalette soup). He can eat this everyday. One thing you need to know about him...he's a finicky eater. Normally, I have to force him to eat 10 bites of food and it takes him forever to eat but when it's Dduk Guk, he can finish an entire adult portion in less than 15 minutes!

Quick and easy recipe (for 2 kid-sized portions):

2 cups of rice ovalettes (sold in Korean grocery stores) soaking in water.
Cook a 1/4 lb. of ground beef* with 1 tsp of sesame oil with 2 tsp of minced garlic and a tablespoon of soy sauce. After a few minutes add a can of Swanson's Chicken broth and about a half cup of water (or more depending on the taste).

When the soup boils, add an egg and mix it in. (If you don't want to cook the egg inside the soup, you can always cook the egg on a separate pan and thinly slice them as a garnish). After, take the rice ovalettes out of the water and add to the soup. You will only need to cook it for about 3-5 minutes depending on how chewy you like it.

Garnish with green onions and thinly cut slices of roasted seaweed.

That's it. It usually takes me about 10-15 minutes to make this.

Dduk Guk is traditionally eaten on New Years Day.

*I use ground beef since it's easier for kids.

Korean/Chinese Restaurant?

Now going back to the Pucca post, Korean/Chinese restaurants are unique from typical Chinese restaurants in that they serve 2 noodle dishes you cannot find at regular Chinese restaurants. They are Cha Chiang Mein (pronounced Ja Jang Myun) and Cham Pong (pronounced Jahm Bbong). Cha Chiang Mein is a favorite with Korean kids. It's noodles with black bean sauce. It's quite yummy. You will have to ask your Korean friends where they serve this as it will be hard to find. I say this because on the outside, it will just look like any other Chinese restaurant. Make sure to read the menu...under Noodle section-Cha Chiang Mein, noodles with black bean sauce.

The other noodle dish Cham Pong, my personal favorite, is a spicy seafood noodle soup. It is spicy and hot.












For most Koreans, it's always a tough decision on whether to order Cha Chiang Mein or Cham Pong. Some restaurants in Koreatown are now even selling a split bowl with one side Cha Chiang Mein and the other Cham Pong! Genius!

If you are trying this for the first time, I suggest trying the Cha Chiang Mein. Our kids love it! They call it noodles with brown sauce.

Also if you watched the hugely popular Korean drama, Coffee Prince, there is a scene in the beginning where they are having a Cha Chiang Mein battle. I remember watching that and my mouth watering! Mmmm....so craving one right now!


-written by E.M.

Is Pucca Korean or Chinese?

Pucca is an animation character created by Korean company, Vooz Character Systems. Pucca, a lone daughter of chinese restaurant owners, is desperately in love with a 12 year old ninja boy named Garu. She loves black noodles (Cha Chiang Mein) and seeks Garu's affection and kiss.

Like Pororo, Pucca is leading the international surge of Korean developed characters. Bu-Gyeong Kim, the creator of Pucca, finally answers the mystery question, "Is Pucca Korean or Chinese?" Kim says Pucca was never created with a nationality in mind, as he wants to leave it up to the imagination of the consumers. Hmmm....so what do you think?

If you haven't watched Pucca, it appears on Disney Jetix. Pucca merchandise is everywhere. In fact, this fall and winter, you will also be able to purchase Pucca fashion wear at Benetton stores.

I haven't personally watched an episode, but I hear its geared towards young teens and adults.

-written by S.C.