Hummus

     Itaewon has always been a food hub bursting with ethnic eats, cafes, drinking holes, and NEW restaurants.
     The other night I met up with my favorite, Pol for a catch-up date! We stumbled upon a restaurant that JUST opened called "Hummus." My eyes lingered, my heart jumped, and my attention was grabbed.

     How could I avoid anything that has any relation with hummus?  

photo taken by VeganBeats

      The place was very roomy, lots of seats, and their menus were on clipboards. Pol and I glanced over the menu and decided to get a hummus plate. We expected to get an actual plate...what we got was a small cut of hummus, a palm sized piece of pita bread, and three thin celery sticks, three thin carrot sticks, and three small green beans. What gives? Top it off, this "plate" was pricey, too pricey. The menu had hummus everything but is all was very expensive, a salad cost 23,000 원!!!
    The hummus itself though was alright, it was beany and not doused in olive oil (thankfully) but it wasn't great. It needed more spices, garlic, and all around flavor.  

photo taken by VeganBeats

      Considering this is hummus, that's great...I'm glad to see this glorious dip getting attention. But this place is far too expensive and the portions are meager. I don't think I will visit this place or eat here again, unless I have a gift-card or a freebie. I would love for hummus to be shared with everyone who's never eaten it, but in terms of Hummus the restaurant, I can't imagine being content when you get a small portion in exchange for more than 10,000원.
    We were disappointed and decided not to eat there for dinner. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this place unless you want to spend a lot of money and remain hungry. Make your own or buy hummus~

location:
Itaewon station (line 6), walk straight out of exit three for about seven minutes or so,
Hummus is located beneath Thai Orchid.

Wiggling into Wedding Shoes~

     Thursday was marking the approaching "wrap up" of this brilliant and short stateside trip. It was also the day of the rehearsal dinner. My morning didn't start off so well, hit a lot of traffic from Burlington to Boston and dealing with the blip of potential "impossibility"~ I was as pooped as a kid could be.
      Several hours later I met up for the rehearsal dinner/wedding day and the moment I saw Nichole and the wedding party, all my stress disappeared.

This is why I'm here...

     I was filled with love, excitement, and a dream-like-kick it into gear Maid of Honor mode. A lot of little blips were thrown in the way and stress was sitting all around us but this could easily be dealt with a change of location, breaking "break" and sharing food, laughs, and stories over at The Mediterranean Grill. The last time I cruised by this place, I was with Alex and we were in one of those holy "I NEED I CRAVE FALAFEL" spaces and The Mediterranean just opened and when we glided our eyes and grumbly bellies over the menu we saw....pizza. WHAT?!~ Hearts broken, we just barely stomped out. This time around, I didn't expect anything vegan friendly, I was thinking coffee or cranberry juice and vodka...but there was hummus (grawwwwww) and babaganoush (aiiiighghhghghhghg)...split a plate full or some veggies and toasted pita with the table...

     wait weird thing...they put olive oil and basil over the celery...again, WTF?! Still...nom nom nom.

hummus and babaganoush~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     After filling our night with more laughter than laughs we all parted ways for sleep and wedding day preparation.
     The wedding was PERFECT! Nichole was BEAUTIFUL, my family was stunning, the dancing was brilliant, my date was awesome (naming him GT), I was smiling...if anyone had diamonds on the soles of her shoes (besides the bride) it was this lady~
     Ahhh quick pics~ 

GT and I =^ㅊ^=~ photo taken by VeganBeats

Papabeats and I~ photo taken by VeganBeats

Mamabeats and I~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     How much do I miss my brother?!~ Too much....TOO MUCH~

Brobeats and I~ photo taken by VeganBeats

Brobeats, Groom, Bride, and I~ photo taken by VeganBeats

GT and I~ photo taken by VeganBeats

Nichole and I~ photo taken by VeganBeats

The groom and I~ photo taken by VeganBeats

TOO MUCH~

Alex and I~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     After dancing up a storm, laughing too hard, being surrounded by insurmountable levels of love, being with Best friends and BQ over three states...America this time was beautiful~

     This wraps up stateside Veganbeats way...

El Greco

     Mediterranean food, falafels, chickpeas, sangrias?! GET in my belly!!

     In Noksapyeong there's a great little Greek place that has loads of vegan friendly plates, and body snuggling drinks~
     I doubt I'm the only one, but every so often  I crave Greek dishes, anything. Maybe it's Athena sending me "smart" meal deals. 
     A while back, (prior to Philippines) Scotty Soul and I trucked over to Kyungridan and got an early dinner at El Grecos. The seating is limited, the place is a hole in the wall but it's pretty local. First though...they have sangria, both white and red. So we got both and shared over these sweet delicious little drinks. For food though...what can a vegan's heart beat for?

sangria~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     The falafel plate obviously! This plate comes with five falafel balls, hummus, tabouli salad (heavy with parsley!!!), fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, a small salad with red and green leaf lettuce, and some red onion~ there is a tzatziki sauce, but I asked for none of it. And the pita bread is from Baker's Table!
     The plate was filling, the falafels fresh and beany, and when it comes to Baker's Table, there is no wrong doing. I'll go again...and the drinks won't be forgotten~

Falafel plate~ photo taken by VeganBeats

How to Get There?

Noksapyeong station, walk out exit 2 and walk straight. Go through the underground tunnel and walk out of the left staircase. Walk to the corner, cross the street (you'll be on Noxa's side, facing it) and take a right. Walk until you pass by a BBQ place and take that left...you'll see the cute El Greco's!

Nom up~

The Baker's Table: revisiting

     Lately my weekends have been chalk full of evening adventures, drink "tastings", music inspirations, and bed snuggles. I've slept in, enjoyed the comfort of my room, blankets, and AC~ I've been doing the weekend thing. I work a lot and when my days are free of any income-dependent activities...veganbeats is mellow~
     A couple Sundays ago I got out and bathed in the sun and got all sorts of productive and active. I started off with some giant iced coffee, legs cracking, and beats blaring and met with a beautiful Seoul over at The Baker's Table in Noksapyeong. Usually coffee does me more than well in terms of post-Saturday adventures, but the idea of hummus and a fresh Summer Salad was beyond deniable.

pita and hummus~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Scrolling over the menu, Melissa and I chose the tomato and mango salad; it's naturally vegan! There's no cheese or honey or secret animal bits, just mangoes, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, balsamic dressing, a couple toasted slices of bread! Everything looked beautiful, bright, and sunny and tasted perfect. Sweetness from the mangoes paired well with the slight sweet acidity of the tomato, and the crunch of the sunflowers added great texture to the firm and soft textures of the fruits. The balsamic was great, as it always is, because honestly~ you can't go wrong with balsamic. Some people choose chocolate as an ideal death, but I'm all about the balsamic!! Drown me in that!

tomato mango salad~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     We also got some chilled white wine to bubble up a great date, day, and meal...while her kids (Bailey and Sadie) wound themselves around us, and we both got kisses of tipsy, the sun bore down on us and I know I was sweating. We both were game for adventure and trucked to Namsan to frolic around some dirt paths!

between the trees~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     When I'm in the woods and surrounded by nature I get lost in the wonders of the world...I realize and get connected with what is around me, what truly grants my body life... I miss trees, forests, woods, animals...I wish I was in  Fern Gully!!
     After playing in dirt for a while, Melissa and I ventured to a secret bar with a Beautiful view and got some mojitos while we watched the sun set over Seoul. I got a Shirley Temple (I found one!) and as the temperature cooled, the mint sat on our lips...I fell a little bit more in love with Korea. I know I sometimes spit some anger it's way, but at the end of the day, I am grateful.

mojitos and Shirley to bid the day farewell~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Some vegan eats~

     Oh right...this is a vegan blog~ Here are some eats from the past couple weeks...

loaded 김치김밥~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

반찬~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

마파두부~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

extremely disappointing hummus from Rocky Mountain....do NOT get~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

The Baker's Table

the Baker's Table, European Breads & Foods~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     There's a new bakery in town, and it's loaded with BEAUTiful German loaves, pretzels, rolls, and the like. The Baker's Table has been getting a lot of buzz, even though it's quite young. The shop is filled with yeasty smells, and spicy jams where you get to taste test some very scrumptious, complex creations.

bread is still coming out~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     There are a lot of vegan breads, but the available loaves change daily. The baguette, ciabatta, foccacia, pretzels, all are safe, but the owner speaks English so getting some helpful answers is not an issue. My eyes danced over all the breads, literally squealing in perplexed delight. 

onion foccacia 3,500W~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     What I love the most about bakeries in the morning is grabbing those fresh, warm, crusty loaves, their heat warming your hands as you hold them. I bought a pretzel and an onion foccacia and eagerly wandered home to make a massive sandwich.

     Have you ever whipped something up because your eyes were feasting? I went on a long walk this morning and my body was craving something decadent, and this warm foccacia and onion wafting to my nostrils had me creating an imaginary loaded sandwich. When I got home, I got to work, and created this massive sando...

loaded~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     What is it all? "Bulgogi" tofu steak, chickpea and pea spicy garlic hummus, whole grain mustard, sprouts, lettuce, romaine, and sliced cucumber all stacked on the broiled foccacia with a little balsamic reduction. It was HUGE....is HUGE. I couldn't finish it, so tasty, but simply too much to handle. 

     The foccacia was perfect~ pillowy, crunchy on the outside, the onion was subtle- not overwhelming. And it was generous in size! I have an inkling I'll be running more just so I can eat more of this!

mammoth~ photo taken by VeganBeats

     I foolishly also made a protein packed salad for the side, I know I'm over-doing the tofu, but there was just a bit left from the "steak" so I felt the need to do something about it. The salad was lightly pan-fried tofu in a pepper garlic redux on top of steamed broccoli and more greens. Again...my eyes ate this stuff, without realizing that my stomach can't handle all of this. 

salad yummm (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     I'm already excited for eating this jazz throughout the day (and probably some tomorrow)!

How do you get to The Baker's Table?

Noksapeyong station, line 6, exit 2, walk straight and go through the underground tunnel, take the left staircase. Walk straight and pass Noxa on you right, continue straight towards the overpass and right before the stairs, you'll find The Baker's Table on your right.

Konjak mix-up and hummus

     A heavily nailed in subject for any newby vegan, or really anyone with taste-buds (that are in full working order) is the love of hummus. Packed full of protein, fiber, and a creamy smooth texture; you really can't go wrong with this spread/dip/schmere/spoonful yum! Being that chickpeas aren't too available Seoul-side, hummus comes as a special treat. I wish grocery stores mirrored the state-side stores, fridges layered full in ready made (and affordable) hummus. I buy dried chickpeas over at the Foreign Food Market and after soaking them overnight and boiling them, making this jazz is a breeze.
     This is a couple past eats, a daily feast I guess. I whipped up some super garlic-spicy hummus and topped it with some roughly chopped greens. Post-workout tired Veganbeats was feeling great after this!

hummus~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     I didn't just eat hummus, granted I could but this body was craving something a bit different (texture wise). I had some konjak, a calorie free plant similar to muk, tofu, and seaweed. What I did was dice both the konjac and tofu and pan-fried then in some coconut oil for about 30 seconds. I then threw in some water and almost 3 cloves of garlic, 1/4 an onion, red pepper flakes, and a splash of soy sauce. After everything was cooked and simmered down and the konjac and tofu was lightly brown in color, I threw is all on top of shredded greens and Vavoom, protein heavy, textured, flavor packed greens.

loaded~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     This meal was super protein heavy, generous in fiber, and well worth every bite. I had leftovers too and...it isn't too bad. Maybe I can start casting aside my "Only fresh" rule~

Dessertin Dips a Daze!

     This past weekend I got together with the lovely Melissa, we were ready to dance, super chilly, and prepped with high protein noms! The plan was a 'RETROSKANKMANIA' dance party, 80's hair whipped, and florescently adorned but that kind of fell through but it was still AWESOME! Melissa whipped up a delicious turmeric and garlicky hummus (we both like hummus) that was...so good! Homer moans deserved!

Melissa's yummy hummus!! (photo taken by VeganBeast)

     I played with some ideas and made some desert dips...but SUPER HEALTHY dessert dips! I'm not into sweets very much (gimme them salty stuff) but maybe it's the rounding Vday situation or the overwhelming lack of sweets that had me really thinking "Snickerdoodles drool"~
     I wanted healthy and guilt free, high protein preferably and I wound up with a Snickerdoodle raisin dip and a chocolate chip cookie (with green tea kisses) dip!

snickerdoodle raisin's a blazin (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     I've never been one to gorge in cookie-dough but I imagine the is a close one, right? So...what did I do for the snickerdoodle jam?

Snickerdoodle Raisin's a blazin~
What you need:

1. 1 can of chickpeas
2. 1-2 T nut butter (I used chunky peanut...nommm)
3. 1-2 T of cinnamon...up to you really, this veganbeat LOVES cinnamon~higher fiber!!
4. 2 or more T water, add more for preferred consitency!
5. 1+ T liquid sweetner...feel free to add more if you want more sweet 
6. 1/2-3/4 C raisins (OR dried cranberries!) 

What to do:

1. Got a blender? Mix the first five ingredients..then throw in them dried yums!

Enjoy with apple and asian pear slices, or some whole wheat crackers! YUM

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip with some Green tea kisses (photo taken by VeganBeats)

      Cookie dough, the mere thought of it and I start thinking some sort of post-break up "I WILL REGRET THIS" therapy...but after working out hard, and barely eating anything sweet (How I've avoided this in Korea) this is deserved...hell it always is, it's nearly fat free!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip with some Green tea kisses
What you need:

1. 1 can chickpeas
2. 1/4-1/5 dark DARK chocolate
3. 1/4 t green tea salt
4. 1-2 T nut butter (again, the crunchy peanut butter)
5. water until preferred consistency
6. 1-2 T liquid sweetner (or dry sugar)...sweeten to your liking!

What to do:

1. blender this jam! Just do it...and love it!

Serve with some sort of hard stone fruit or whole wheat cracker

So much protein, fiber, and all around goodness! If you can find some date sugar, I bet this would taste even better. Maple syrup, where you at?

Sugar free is very possible, and you won't substitute taste...agave!!~

Happy nomming!

Crunchy bagels...

     While flying over, "the first thing I'll eat" scrolled through my mind as often as my neighbor shifted next to me. I thought of hummus, celery, dinosaur kale, pink lady apples, organic freshly ground almond butter...the first thing I had was a freshly foraged meal my mom concocted. My first day, that surprising evening, my mom prepared a completely vegan meal! Coincidence eh!
     That day she foraged and went mushroom hunting and with some herbs from her garden she made a mushy dish packed with both texture and flavor. She also made a multi-veggie and nutty barley fry (huzzuh Mom!) and she also made fresh kimchi. So my first meal was a foraged and local one...hell yea mom. Bad news...this vegan here has not a picture to tease you with. Maybe my brother snuck one....anyways here is something else I've eaten.
     I don't eat a lot of bread, I really barely ever do but with it's availability in the states...I nommed on a whole-wheat bagel (or two).
     Bagel half numero uno was organic smooth peanut butter (with cinnamon swirled in), organic local grape and raspberry jam, and oven roasted tamari sunflower seeds! (yumm!)

photo taken by VeganBeats

     Bagel half numero dos was homemade garlic and chive hummus, sliced avocado, and organic romaine lettuce. I dribbled on some sriracha and munched gleefully!

photo taken by VeganBeats

     crunchy, nummy, goodness!!

Fresh Feast!~ dips and stuff^^*!~

     I love days where you spend time with a wonderful Seoul, and whilst exchanging energy you learn more. My friend is traveling out of Korea and while she's doing that, I get to play with her wonderful pups! To get better acquainted with her hood and the pups we kicked it all day and we whipped up a delicious and lovely feast of sorts.
     We collaborated in the kitchen and stitched together classic appetizers, dips and crunchies~

ughhhhh~ *drool* (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     There is always a classic go to for any vegan (for this one it's hummus) and when it comes to exploring vegan eats, I feel that hummus is essential to become comfy with first. 

     Melissa has traveled all over the world and she whipped up a lovely bruschetta. I've never had a real bruschetta before, I've had salsa and sauces but this was a first...

bruschetta (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Melissa also whipped up some eggplant crisps! Usually you would use a European eggplant (those big hulky ones) but being in Korea, we got some Asian eggplants and the result was a sweet chewy crisp!

photo taken by VeganBeats

     I love me some carrots...always~

eggplant crisps and carrots (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Melissa also whipped up a quick oat bread, it was dense, sweet, and more than enough for two people! I will get the recipe for sure!

oat bread (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     This meal, feast, yummy bits were delicious. Not only was it shared and made with an awesome person, but it was enjoyed with two beautiful pups too!

hummus (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Mashed hummus

What you need:

1. can of chickpeas
2. 2 T tahini
3. 1/4 cup warm water
4. 2 T olive oil
5. 1 T crushed black pepper
6. 3 cloves of garlic (add more if you want!)
7. splash of lemon juice
8. 1 T sesame seeds

What to do:

1. heat the can of chickpeas and add the water to it once warmed
2. add all of the ingredients except the garlic and mash everything together
3. add the garlic, mash some more and enjoy with any and EVERYTHING!

김치 Hummus and coffee....

     I've been taking advantage of the rain, playing and wandering outside has left my body tired and joints aching. I don't get sad or lonely when it rains, but my joints ache up, they creak and I feel like I've aged several decades. I don't take pills or medications for any issues I have, I believe in the power of tea...(China, be prepared for me!) And although coffee isn't 'tea' when it comes to cramps and aching joints, coffee has always worked the best for me.
      Korea has gotten really trendy with tea and the concept of freshly dripped coffee now comes in single-fresh-air-sealed bags. I got a couple from some friends and took it for a test spin. (By the time I decided to test it out, I was crunched up in one achy pile, I can only kiss upon what arthritis must feel like.) The second I opened up my "drip coffee" the scent teased my nose and the aroma danced around my face...for a second I felt like I was Carlton Banks falling upon a Tom Jones classic at random (I've been watching loads of Fresh Prince....) goofy smiles.

pouring the water! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

let it drip...(photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Considering it was packaged 'drip coffee' it was pretty good. Each individually wrapped portion provided about two decent cups of coffee, and it was surprisingly bold and flavorful. It wasn't too acidic and I actually savored it. I wish it wasn't so heavily packaged though. I'll stick to my bags of beans and grind them myself..but if these happened to end up in my possession....

     After coffee sipping, my body craved some protein, so a hummus experiment was in the works. 김치 hummus!! With too much garlic to leave the house with! I wanted spice, fiber, flavor, and overwhelming with flavor...plus in my theory...김치 can only improve things...김치 chocolate is next to play around with (I don't like chocolate >.<#)

김치 Hummus (kimchi hummus)

What you need:

*can of garbonzo beans (or about two cups of soaked once dried garbanzos)

*1/2 cup of water (or 1/4 cup olive oil)

*1.5-2.5 T minced garlic (I love this....too much)

*1/2 tsp pepper~~ground fresh

*1/2-1 cup 김치 

What to do:

1. get your food processor...

2. throw everything in

3. press go...

OR

1. cook the beans over medium heat with 2-3 T of water

2. while beans are cooking, chop the 김치  as small as you have the patience for (reserve some 김치 juice. 

3. once the beans are mushy enough to smash with a fork, remove from heat and add minced garlic, pepper, and water (or olive oil.) 

4. add the 김치 and mix all together. 

5. if not a creamy consistency, add more 김치 juice or water or oil. 

~~enjoi!

yum! (photo taken by VeganBeats)