Check this Music Out: KOREAN POP STYLE, Kim Bo Kyung

Aug 25, 2011 by Sami

Justin is a great friend of mine. He’s one of the few who encouraged me to start a blog few years ago. He’s also a great writer and have proofread my posts before.  He’s much funnier than I am and the idea of him guest posting here was tossed between the two of us several times before we decided that it has to be done! I couldn’t be more excited to have him contribute and with his quirky style, loving him is not going to be hard at all!

Once a week for the next 4 weeks or so I’ll include a post from Justin of a Korean pop song (KPop is what it’ll be referred to from this point forward) he likes and a paragraph or two as a companion to the song.

Kim Bo Kyung – Suddenly

This song is from the soundtrack to “City Hunter,” a K-Drama that was originally a Japanese manga. I saw about 10 minutes of it and spent 9 minutes and 59 seconds ranting at the TV. Even for K-drama, it’s super childish and just…awful.

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Guide to Japanese trend in Chicago: Sake

May 25, 2011 by Sami

Chicago has always been a foodie town with so many amazing restaurants to chose from. Sometimes it’s hard to go back to one because you know you have so many others you’d like to try. Recently, Chicago has seen the opening of more than few Izakayas. What is an Izakaya you ask? Izakaya is originally a sake “pub” that allows patrons to sit down and enjoy great sake along with small plates to share. Think Japanese version of tapas with lots of sake and beer. There have been different interpretations of the establishment and they mostly have been delicious ones! While I’m still in the hunt for the best Izakaya in Chicago I do know few things about their best drink companion: sake! There are few true experts of sake in the world but you don’t have to be a sake guru to enjoy it. Below you will find information that are both easy to digest (no pun intended) and helpful in aiding you to maximize your sake drinking enjoyment! This is my version of what you need to know about sake. Of course, you can research more since this is only the tip of the iceberg!

Sake is rice wine. How is it made? It’s a process that will take me time to explain. Time that I could be telling you more about how to enjoy it so I shall go on about that instead.

If you only have time to read the next sentence then always follow these words: drink it chilled, young and if it contains the word “ginjo” then you’re good to go! Also for the love of humanity, it’s not pronounced sa-ki. It’s pronounced sa-kei! Say it with me. SA-KEI.

A good bottle of sake would cost you about $60-$100. Of course, you can go cheaper or more expensive and that range doesn’t factor Chicago restaurants or bars prices. I personally try to spend around the $40 for non-special occasions. My advice is to trust your taste and not the price tag. Just because it’s $200, doesn’t mean that it’ll be better than the $40 bottle you tried last week.

The variations of the types of sake generally refers to the  degree to which the rice has been polished. Doesn’t mean that it’s better or worse in terms of quality. Again, it’s all about what YOU like!

The main types are below:

Special Designation		Rice Polishing Ratio
Ginjō-shu (吟醸酒, Special brew)		Below 60%
Daiginjō-shu (大吟醸酒, Very Special brew)		Below 50%
Junmai-shu (純米酒, Pure rice)		―
Junmai Ginjō-shu (純米吟醸酒, Pure rice, Special brew)		Below 60%
Junmai Daiginjō-shu (純米大吟醸酒, Pure rice, Very Special brew)		Below 50%
Tokubetsu Junmai-shu (特別純米酒, Special Pure rice)		Below 60% or produced by special brewing method
Honjōzō-shu (本醸造酒, Genuine brew)		Below 70%
Tokubetsu Honjōzō-shu (特別本醸造酒, Special Genuine brew)		Below 60% or produced by special brewing method

 

As I mentioned before, if you get anything with the word “ginjo” you will be in the safe zone. Because I like fragrant (usually peach and fig) and light sake, I tend to prefer Junmai Ginjo and Junmai DaiGinjo. Follow this link for more details about each variety and experiment till you find your own type.  I think my favorite right now is a Junmai Daiginjo called Takasago or Divine Droplets. It’s brewed in northern Japan and has an average acidity. What I love most about it is its fragrant nature and it’s deep taste that lingers after you’ve finished drinking it. Look for it the next time you’re at a spirits store. Delicious! I mostly enjoy sake without food pairings but it’s also very good with fish and grilled vegetables!

Earlier on, I recommended drinking sake slightly chilled (think white wine) because the aroma is at its best at that temperature. There are definitely instances when you can have it warm, especially during the winter! Use a wine glass to drink it and you’re good to go! Do you know why the Japanese use those small cups? Because drinking is a social experience and smaller cups means that you’ll refill your friend’s cup more often!

There you have it! You now posses basic, personal and fun tips on how to enjoy sake. Next time you visit a restaurant with an extensive list or a store with a wide varriety, you don’t have to be intimidated. Try different kinds until you find your favorite! Buy, chill, drink and repeat!

If you’re a fan of sake I please share in the comments what’s your favorite!

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Saving the World, One Language at a Time.

Apr 4, 2011 by Sami

I wish I would stop worrying about the day that I’ll forget and leave the house without hair product. I wish that I could be in Tokyo watching cherry blossoms and sipping green tea. But I won’t and I’m not. Because life happens and instead of enjoying Hanami, I’m in Japanese class figuring out how to conjugate verbs. Not as much fun as speaking Japanese to Japanese people but for now I’m fine with that.

My mastery of Japanese language consists of asking the time, asking if someone would like to enjoy my company at their residence and things in between these two phrases. I have been obsessed with learning languages for a while now. Having a multicultural background gives me the advantage of, sometimes, being able to look from the outside in. I’ve always thought and will always believe that communication is everything. I want to learn how people communicate because I have a healthy obsession with the way people understand each other. If I am able to communicate with someone in their language then maybe I can understand people better. Maybe I will be able to help avoid disasters. Maybe, just maybe, I will help prevent fighting. I will help celebrate other people’s traditions. I will help unite the world.

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