A Korean Culinary Evening.. And A Few Recipes

Posted By Toby Bloomberg on Nov 23, 2018 | 0 comments

Korean Culinary Evening

A Korean Culinary Evening!

Metro Atlanta is lucky to have a thriving, diverse food community. The Korean community is among the most active and Korean food is among the most divalicious. For me, it’s been great fun exploring restaurants that serve dishes like Korean BBQ and Galbi Jjim .

Recently I was invited to attend a special event, 2018 Korean Culinary Evening, which was designed to educate food bloggers and the media about Korean cuisine – both from the point of view of the trade and consumer markets. Sponsored by the Korean Restaurant Association , it was a wonderful celebration of food and culture with Bimibop performances, music, Korean food tastings and two Korean chefs who did live Korean cooking demonstrations.

Yum! Korean dumpling against the Atlanta Skyline!

Dignitaries attend Korean Culinary Evening

In this exclusive Diva Foodies interview, both chefs, Joseph Rhee and Michael Oh agreed to tell us more about about Korean food and even share a couple of recipes. Their passion and commitment to this healthy and delicious cuisine comes through loud and clear. Enjoy!

Meet the Chefs!

Chef Joseph Rhee – Sophia Choi, Host- Chef Michael Oh

Chef Joseph Rhee

About Chef Joseph Rhee By Chef Joseph Rhee

I am a top-quality specialty food developer, food broker and private chef. I’ve developed a variety of Korean BBQ cuisine products, Chick-fil-A style chicken products, and many flavorful chicken wing sauces as well. More about Food Factory USA products.

About Chef Michael Oh By Chef Michael Oh

I am a private chef in the metro Atlanta and a TV reality host for the Restaurant Guide. I love to use creativity to showcase my dishes and tell a story that helps bring people together.

Diva Foodies Interview with Chef Joseph Rhee

Diva Foodies: Korean cuisine seems to be on the fast track of trending foods. Why do you think that is so?

Joseph Rhee, Food Factory USA: Well, there are many facets to this current Korean culture fever in US and in fact globally. Mainly it is due to Korea’s cultural ambassador like BTS whose doing an excellent job to spread a good impression of Korean culture throughout the countries they tour to perform.

And, another reason is from all the Korean hard working immigrants who runs a Korean restaurants in US and majority of those restaurant sells Korean BBQ. And lastly, but not the least, the taste of Korean BBQ is really superb along with the fun Korean way of eating culture of this delicious BBQ leads the food trend now. People acknowledges now that it is tasty and healthy food.

Delicious Korean Dishes

Diva Foodies: For people who have not enjoyed Korean food but are curious to explore a new culinary experience what would be your ideal menu?

Joseph Rhee, Food Factory USA: So many, actually. Haha There is Korean BBQ, Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, just sliced prime meats with Ban Chan (Korean side dishes) and Ssam (various types of vegetable leaves to wrap the meat and banchan together, a Korean BBQ food culture), and Korean dumplings, Kimchi stew, soy bean paste stew, Bibimbop, Korean style fried chicken with beer and so many others. All healthy and tasty.

Diva Foodies: So many delicious choices! What is your favorite Korean food and why?

Joseph Rhee, Food Factory USA: I love all Korean food but if I have to choose just one I would say that its Korean style BBQ and its food culture. It’s just too tasty. I’d recommend it to anyone to try.

Chef Joseph Rhee at the Korean Culinary Evening with Yuni and Sophia Choi

Diva Foodies: Chef I most definitely agree. I’ve enjoyed Korean BBQ several times and the flavors are always big, bold and delicious.

Diva Foodies: Many in our community are talented home-cooks. If someone wanted to begin to experiment making Korean food which dish would be good for a beginner of Korean cooking? Can you direct us to a recipe?

Joseph Rhee, Food Factory USA: Of course. The simplest recipe for Korean food beginner will be the Bulgogi recipe. You just need to get a few Korean sauce ingredients and mix it according to proper measurement. Soy sauce, sesame seed oil, Korean red pepper paste, Korean soy bean paste are the typical main Korean sauce ingredients to make Korean style BBQ marinade.

Korean Beef Bulogi Tacos Recipe

Diva Foodies: Do you think your companies will ever offer products in the consumer marketplace? Why or why not?

Joseph Rhee, Food Factory USA: Of course we will. We already have a marinated Korean BBQ meat packages for retail consumers which we will continuously expand out to more retail super markets for your availability. And, we are constantly under R&D to make the next new retail Korean products for consumers. It is the way to go for any food companies like myself, a retail sector.

Diva Foodies: You head up three food production companies: Food Factory USA, Chicken Factory and Sauce Factory. Currently these companies serve the food industry such as restaurants, food trucks, catering companies. What are the 3 most popular products and why do you think they are your top sellers?

Chef Joseph Rhee, Food Factory USA: Thank you for asking this question. My top sellers are: 1: Chicken Boneless Wings; 2. Sweet Hot Sauce; 3. Buffalo Mild Sauce. They are amazing and so delicious I know you will love them as soon as you taste them. If you know anyone who would like to have any samples, please let me know and I will send them to any food industry owners or chefs.

Diva Foodies: To wrap up our interview, what else would you like to tell us about Korean food?

Joseph Rhee, Food Factory USA: Just to ask anyone who haven’t tried it yet to go ahead and give it a try at any Korean restaurant and I guarantee that you will be hooked at its taste and how healthy it is.

Diva Foodies Interview with Chef Michael Oh

Diva Foodies: Korean cuisine seems to be on the fast track of trending foods. Why do you think that is so?

Chef Michael Oh: I noticed recently there are healthy diet trends and many chefs are exploring new healthier and tastier menus. When you look at Korean food as a whole, it contains a wide variety of vegetable dishes. You will also notice there are several pickled vegetables that contain probiotics. Besides the health benefits, it is new and it tastes amazing! Some of the soups and dishes are filled with exploding flavors of sweetness, savoriness, and heat (not over powering) Overall it is good!

Chef Michael Oh Demonstrates Galbi JJim

Diva Foodies: For people who have not enjoyed Korean food but are curious to explore a new culinary experience what would be your ideal menu?

Chef Michael Oh: Are you asking what would my Korean Fusion menu would like?

Suggested Menu from Chef Michael Oh

Appetizer: Korean sweet potato fries, drizzled with truffle honey glazed and a side of Gochuchang sauce (Korean Red Chili paste)

Salad: Arugula with ginger dressing and sliced Korean pears

Main Dish: Sous Vide Korean BBQ Ribeye with jasmine rice and a side kimchee, lettuce wraps, pickled garlic, pickled water bean sprouts, and roasted asparagus with spicy soy bean paste.

Dessert: Patbingsu– Korean shaved ice with strawberries and sweet condensed milk.

Diva Foodies: Chef, thanks for putting together a wonderful menu! What is your favorite Korean food to make and why?

Chef Michael Oh: Galbi Jjim, which is a Korean BBQ Beef Stew. It is cooked low and slow. It brings back a sense of nostalgia from when my mother prepared this for the whole family and guests.

Diva Foodies: We often ask are chef pals what is meant by “Food is Love.” Here’s what Chef Michael had to say ~

For us food is 💛

We often ask our chef pals to tell us what that means to them. Michael Oh on – #FoodIsLove pic.twitter.com/MvEZTGPv61

— Diva Foodies (@DivaFoodies) November 23, 2018

Diva Foodies: It appears as though you’d had/have a career in business. Why are you also pursuing a culinary aka chef career? What are you long-term goals?

Chef Michael Oh: I would like to be on the Food Network one day, and be the next TV personality chef. I like cooking, but it is not something I would enjoy doing full time. But time will time. Who knows!? Cooking is a hobby for me and it is a great way to escape and unwind.

Diva Foodies: You’re sure be an inspiration for many home cooks who begin their culinary adventure with a passion and a way to “unwind.” Many in our community are talented home-cooks and some are professional chefs. If someone wanted to begin to experiment making Korean food which dish would be good for a beginner of Korean cooking? Can you direct us to a recipe?

Chef Michael Oh: Korean BBQ Short Ribs!

Chef Michael OH’s BBQ Short Rib Recipe

Ingredients:

Korean pears, 2 garlic cloves, 1T brown sugar, 1 T chopped ginger, 1 T soju, 1 T sesame oil, 1 cup soy sauce,short ribs

Directions:

Chop up a few slices of Korean pears along with 2 garlic cloves, a table spoon of brown sugar, a table spoon of chopped ginger, a table spoon of soju, a table spoon of sesame oil, a cup of soy sauce, and blend in a mixer.

Thinly slice some short ribs and marinate in the Korean BBQ mix for 24 hours, then grill.

Diva Foodies: Tell us about the your show “The Restaurant Guide.

Chef Michael Oh: It is like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives hosted by Guy Fieri. I go to restaurants and eat their food, and act like a fool in front of the camera. A Win-Win for me.

Diva Foodies: To wrap up our interview, what else would you like to tell us about Korean food?

Chef Michael Oh: It is good!

Do not be apprehensive to try something new. You can thank me later.

If you don’t like Korean Food, then something is wrong with you. 😉

If you want to travel to South Korea but the budget just doesn’t allow, metro Atlanta has at least 44 Korean restaurants where you can feel like you’ve been on a trip to Asia! Explore. Experience. Enjoy.