Recently I’m hooked onto a Korean variety show known as Appa Oidga (아빠, 어디가), which translates to Dad, Where Are We Going? The show features 5 celebrity fathers bringing their child, ranging from 6 years old to 10 years old, to a 2-days-1-night vacation to various parts of Korea (mainly to rural areas like villages). This show explores the relationships between the fathers and their kids – as these fathers are usually busy at work, they don’t have much time to spend with their kids, so this variety show gives them the opportunity to interact, converse, understand and build-up bonds.
What I really like about this show is that it is largely unscripted. There is no way you can predict how the kids will react under different circumstances and as kids, they do not know what it really means to be tactful, so sometimes the things they say are very direct but they actually do not mean any harm. The interaction and conversations between and among the fathers and kids are very real, and can be funny, heart-warming and touching all at the same time!
So what does this show have to do with this dish?
During one episode, the fathers are required to do a cooking showdown by preparing a dish that would appeal to the kids most. One of the fathers combined two different types of instant noodles – jjapaghetti (짜파게티) and neoguri (너구리) – together into one dish. He used jjapa from jjapaghetti (짜파게티) and guri from neoguri (너구리) and called the final dish jjapaguri (짜파구리). Being instant noodles, the dish was a hit with all the kids and the father won the cooking showdown. What made this dish so popular is that the scenes where the kids (especially Yoon-Hoo) are devouring the noodles were so cute and loveable!
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| Jjapaghetti (짜파게티) | Neoguri (너구리) |
Jjapaghetti (짜파게티) is actually black bean sauce noodles served dry, while neoguri (너구리) is noodles in a spicy soup base with kombu, or known as kelp.
I try not to eat instant noodles because they are unhealthy and are made with I-don’t-know-what, but when the kids are eating it, it looked so delicious that I want to try it! And here’s how to make it!
Step-by-step Photos | |
|---|---|
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| 1) Add the noodles into hot boiling water. | 2) Add in the dried vegetables packets and the kelp. |
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| 3) Drain the noodles when they're cooked. | 4) Add in all the jjapaghetti powder. |
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| 5) Add in some neoguri powder. | 6) Oil and water and stir them together. |
Taste-wise it’s just like how most instant noodles will taste like – addictive! I will not make this often as instant noodles aren’t healthy, but if you are craving for a quick meal fix, here’s an idea! If you are making this for kids or don’t take spiciness very well, go easy on the neoguri powder as it can get pretty spicy. I accidentally added too much neoguri powder and I had to keep a large cup of water next to me while I wolf down the noodles 😉
Jjapaguri
INGREDIENTS
- 1 packet jjapaghetti, 짜파게티
- 1 packet neoguri, 너구리
- Side dishes - eggs, vegetables etc.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add in the jjapaghetti and neoguri noodles and their vegetable packets. Boil the noodles, stirring it occasionally until the noodles are al dente. If you'd like your noodles softer, cook a bit longer, if you'd like it firmer, cook it for a shorter time.
- Once the noodles are to your liking, reserve 125 ml (1/2 cup) of cooking water. Drain the noodles and return it back to the pot. Add in all of the jjapgaghetti sauce, 1/4 of the neoguri powder, all of the oil and 60 ml (1/4 cup) of the cooking water. Toss it together and add in more cooking water, spoonful by spoonful until the sauce coats the noodle well. Taste and add more neoguri powder if desired.
- Serve immediately with the side dishes. For me, I chose to serve it with poached eggs!
Zoe says
Hi Jasline,
I remember growing up eating instant noodles for my breakfast… I don’t even have time to cook any breakfast *sign*
Got to try this Korean noodles!
Btw, I have followed you at Pinterest and Like you at FB. I didn’t have a Google+ account and so can’t follow up on that. You twitter too???
Zoe
Jasline N. says
Hi Zoe!
Woah you must have led a very busy lifestyle in the past! I’m sure you hardly eat them anymore 🙂 Thank you for following! I don’t have twitter, only instagram! There are so many social platforms that sometimes it’s so hard to catch up!
kitchen flavours says
Hi Jasline,
Instant noodles are a “life-saver” sometimes! When there’s no time to cook, when the tummy is not really hungry but feel like eating something, when sometimes mommy is so lazy to cook or tapau food, when the crave for instant noodles sets in! Haha! so many reasons to eat instant noodles, even though we do not eat them very often, but to the kids, eating instant noodles is like a treat!
This looks delicious and my kids would surely like this! 🙂
Jasline N. says
Hi Joyce! Oh my god I totally agree with you when you just feel like eating something but just too lazy to cook or tapau… haha! I try not to eat them too often, but they are very addictive! >.<
Shashi Charles says
Wow – these noodles look delectable! yum!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com
Jasline N. says
Thank you very much Shashi! Have a great week ahead! 🙂
Amelia says
Hi Jasline, excellent posting. The boy eating the noodles look so cute and adorable. I love instant noodle too, yours look so appetizing.
Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Best regards.
Jasline N. says
Hi Amelia! Thank you for the compliments! I really love the little boy in the show, he’s really adorable!
DiningWithDebbie says
I have a secret addiction to Ramen noodles 🙂 Shhhh…. Thanks for stopping by to check out my easy vanilla ice cream recipe. Come on back for some more deliciousness.
I’m interested in why you switched from WP to Blogger if you don’t mind sharing. I’m in the process of doing the opposite.
Jasline N. says
Hi Debbie! Instant ramen noodles can be very addictive 😉 I’ve mailed you regarding your query! 🙂
Jeannie Tay says
My 3rd son is an instant noodles addict so i am sure he will love this! i too love instant noodles come to think of it lol! will try this too, you make them look so delicious! Love that poached egg:)
Jasline N. says
Hi Jeannie, instant noodles craving do kick in once in a while though I try my very best not to eat them! Haha thank you for the compliment 🙂
Bam's Kitchen says
Hello Jasline! So you have got your old site back? Was your hosting company able to retrieve all the data or did you have to reload everything? You poor thing! I think that on days like this instant noodles is just what the doctor ordered. I follow you by e-mail so maybe i need to resubscribe… Take Care, BAM
Jasline N. says
Hi Bobbi! Unfortunately I had to shift from WordPress to Blogger so a lot of things are lost, and there’s a lot of reimporting of posts and formatting done… but I’m glad it’s all been settled 😉 A instant noodle is definitely the quick fix when I’m rushing to get the blog done! I think the RSS feed has changed so it’s better to resubscribe. Thanks a lot Bobbi! You have a great week ahead!
Juliana says
Love the pictures Jasline…and the noodle looks very tempting…I have not had instant noodle for a while. now seeing yours, make me want to have some now.
Have a lovely week ahead 😀
Jasline N. says
Hi Juliana! Ooops sorry for tempting you 😉
crustabakes says
instant noodles are indeed made of “i-don’t-know-what”, but oh well, YOLO (You only live Once)!
Jasline N. says
Haha really love the positive attitude you’ve got there! 🙂
Ann Low says
Looks really simple to cook and yummy too!
Jasline N. says
Thank you Ann!
penangatekenny says
That looks so good
Jasline N. says
Thank you 🙂
yummychunklet says
Great looking noodle dish!
Jasline N. says
Thank you!
Daniela Grimburg says
The noodles look delicious, spicy and tasty!
I love the father son pictures, such a cute idea 🙂
Jasline N. says
Hi Daniela, I love the concept of the show! 🙂