Jumat, 18 Mei 2012

Resep Masakan Korea (Seru buat weekend!)

Thanks God, it's Friday! Yippeeyy!!!!


Senang sekali rasanya kalau sudah mendekati penghujung pekan. Biasanya, rencana liburan akhir pekan pun mulai disiapkan. Jalan-jalan dengan keluarga, ngumpul dengan teman-teman, menghabiskan weekend bersama orang-orang terkasih, atau mungkin cukup menikmati hari dirumah saja dengan berbagai kegiatan yang sudah direncanakan, bahkan bermalas malasan tanpa ada kegiatan pun kerap menjadi pilihan untuk mengisi libur akhir pekan. Apapun itu, setiap orang punya cara berbeda untuk memanjakan diri di akhir pekan menghilangkan stress dan penat akibat tekanan pekerjaan.

Tapi, terkadang kita juga pernah merasa bosan di akhir minggu karena kegiatan yang dilakukan tidak variatif, itu-itu saja. Nah, disini saya memberikan masukan untuk rekan-rekan semua agar dapat menjalani liburan dengan kegiatan baru yang fun dan refreshing, yaitu memanjakan perut anda dengan makanan-makanan baru.Tapi eiiiittttssss!!! jangan khawatir, kegiatan ini dijamin tidak akan membuat kantong anda kering dan anda pun tidak perlu keluar rumah karena makanan yang saya maksud adalah makanan buatan tangan sendiri.

Baru-baru ini saya sangat terpengaruh dengan Korean Wave, jadinya saya sering cari-cari masukan tentang apapun yang berhubungan dengan Korea termasuk masakannya. Belakangan saya dapat beberapa resep masakan Korea layak coba yang ingin saya bagi dengan pembaca sekalian. Bahan dan alat tidak sulit koq, bisa ditemukan di dapur masing-masing. Soal rasa juga tidak usah ragu, dilihat dari bahan-bahannya saya rasa bisa diterima lidah kita orang timur. Kayanya seru tuh mengisi libur akhir pekan dengan mencoba masak sendiri resep-resep dibawah ini.


1. BULGOGI

 

Resep masakan Bulgogi

Bahan:

  • 2 pon daging sirloin, iris tipis
  • 3 siung bawang putih, geprek dan cincang halus
  • 3 siung bawang merah, potong halus
  • 1 buah bawang bombay, potong halus
  • 1/3 cangkir (2 sendok makan) kecap manis
  • 2 sendok makan minyak wijen
  • 2 sendok makan madu
  • Lada hitam secukupnya
  • 1/2 sendok teh gula pasir
  • 1 sendok makan gochujang*)
  • 1/2 sendok makan minyak wijen
  • 1 kepala daun selada
*Gochujang = adalah pasta cabai untuk masakan Korea yang bahan utamanya adalah koji beras ketan dan bubuk cabai yang difermentasi. Secara tradisional, fermentasi gochujang dilakukan di halaman rumah di dalam tempayan tembikar berukuran besar. Tempat diletakkan di alas dari susunan batu yang disebut jangdokdae

Cara membuat Bulgogi

  • Pada pisau bagian belakang, irislah dengan tipis sampai empuk.
  • Mangkok tersebut berisi sisa-sisa bahan tersebut. Campuran tersebut harus rata/tebal.
  • Tuangkan bumbu rendama ke dalam daging tersebut dan campurkan dengan tangan. Dan pastikan daging tersebut harus sudah terlapis dengan bumbu rendaman tersebut.
  • Bungkus dengan plastik dan diamkan selama 1 jam.
  • Masak daging dalam satu lapisan di meja Hibachi.
  • Daging yang dimasak harus sudah selesai, dan bagian luarnya berkaramel.
  • Di mangkok yang berbeda, gabungkan gula dan gochujang.
  • Masukkan minyak wijen ke dalam campuran tersebut.
  • Sajikan dengan daun selada dan campuran gochujang. 


2. SUNDUBU JJIGAE 



Resep masakan Sundubu jjigae

Bahan:

  • 1 sdm minyak cabe
  • 2 siung bawang putih, cincng halus
  • 1 bawang bombay, potong dadu
  • 1 sdm bubuk cabe
  • 1 sdm kecap manis
  • 250 ml kaldu daging
  • 30 gram kimchi, cincang
  • 50 gram macam-macam daging (udang segar, ikan slice, daging luncheon yang sudah dipotong dadu, daging babi slice, daging sapi atau ayam. Apa saja boleh.)
  • 300 gram tahu, potong dadu
  • 2 butir telur
  • Minyak goreng untuk menumis
  • Daun bawang potong sebagai taburan 

 

Cara membuat Sundubu jjigae

  • Panaskan minyak goreng di wajan anti lengket. Masukkan minyak cabe, cabe bubuk, bawang putih dan bawang bombay. Tumis hingga aromanya harum.
  • Selama menunggu, campur kecap manis dengan kaldu daging.
  • Sementara itu, susun kimchi yang sudah dicincang di atas mangkuk batu (claypot), letakkan dengan daging sapi dan tahu. Masukkan ke campuran kuah tersebut. Pastikan bahan tersebut 3/4 tercampur dengan kuahnya.
  • Letakkan mangkuk batu ke oven dingin dan panggang dengan suhu 250°C selama 20 menit sampai daging tersebut benar-benar telah dimasak.
  • Waktu selesai, pecahkan telur mentah di bagian atas mangkuk batu dan taburi daun bawang. Sajikan selagi panas. Campur rata sebelum mengkonsumsinya


 3. RAMYEON


Resep masakan Ramyeon  

Bahan:

Bahan : 250 g ramen yang sudah direbus, tiriskan Kuah : 1 sdm minyak sayur 2 siung bawang putih, cincang 1 sdm daun bawang iris halus 150 g daging ayam cincang halus 600 ml kaldu ayam/air 1 sdm miso kuning 1 sdm kecap asin 1/2 sdt cabai merah bubuk 1/2 sdt merica bubuk 1 sdt garam 50 g paprika merah, iris memanjang kecil 50 g mentimun, iris memanjang kecil 1 sdt tepung kanji, larutkan dengan sedikit air.

Cara membuat Ramyeon

  1. Kuah : Tumis bawang putih dan daun bawang hingga layu.
  2. Masukkan daging ayam, aduk hingga matang.
  3. Tambahkan kaldu, bumbu, dan didihkan.
  4. Masukkan paprika dan mentimun, aduk hingga layu.
  5. Tuangi larutan tepung kanji, aduk hingga agak kental.
  6. Masukkan ramen, aduk hingga rata. Angkat.
  7. Tuang ke piring saji.
  8. Sajikan hangat.


4. KIMCHI 


Resep masakan Kimchi

Bahan:

  • 1 buah sawi putih
  • 1/2 buah bawang bombay, iris tipis
  • 1/4 btg wortel, iris tipis memanjang
  • 1/4 btg lobak putih, iris tipis
  • 4 btg daun bawang.
  • 2 sdm bawang putih, parut
  • 1 sdt jahe, parut
  • 1/2 gelas bubuk cabe Korea
  • 2 sdt garam
  • 1 sdm gula
  • 1/2 gelas garam kasar/garam laut
  • 1 gelas air cup water
  • 1/4 gelas saus ikan Korea
  • 1/3 gelas air
  • 1 sdm tepung

 

Cara membuat Kimchi

1. Sawi dibiarkan utuh dan cuci bersih dengan air mengalir hingga ke lembar terdalam daun sawi. Sesudah bersih, rendam sawi dalam campuran tiga genggam garam yang sudah dilarutkan dengan air matang untuk sedikitnya enam jam, sampai sawi putih terlihat layu.
2. Setelah enam jam, angkat sawi dan cuci kembali dengan air bersih hingga ke sela-sela lipatan daun sawi agar sisa garam tercuci bersih. Tiriskan. Bila suka sawi bisa dibiarkan utuh begitu saja atau dipotong menjadi dua bagian dengan membuang ujung-ujung sawi.
3. Saatnya mengolah sawi dengan campuran bahan-bahan bumbu. Campurkan jadi satu gula, bubuk cabai, jahe, bawang putih, selada air, daun bawang, radis, saus ikan, dan sedikit garam. Baurkan campuran bumbu secara merata menutup semua bagian sawi hingga ke sela-sela lembar daun terdalam. Simpan dalam wadah tertutup rapat dan biarkan sedikitnya 2×24 jam sampai bumbu meresap ke dalam daging sawi dan jangan menyimpan di dalam lemari es. Proses penyimpan lebih lama akan lebih baik karena fermentasi berlangsung sempurna dan rasa yang dihasilkan akan maksimal. Setelah itu, baru simpan kimchi dalam lemari es.
4. Kimchi siap saji bisa disantap begitu saja atau disuguhkan sebagai makanan pembuka sebelum makanan utama.


Itu dia  beberapa menu yang dapat anda coba praktekkan di rumah. Tidak harus ke Korea dan menghabiskan kocek hanya untuk mencicipi kimchi, bulgogi, atau ramyeon karna anda bisa membuat sendiri di rumah. Suasana libur akhir pekan pun akan terasa lebih menyenangkan. Selamat mencoba.....









(privetdriveno4_hyejung0316_choihyejung_niakurniati)

Sabtu, 12 Mei 2012

TRY TO REMEMBER (a fiction) _ Chapter 1

…TRY TO REMEMBER...   
privetdriveno4_hyejung0316_choihyejung_niakurniati
 
 
 
CHAPTER 1


“W-what???……….this……….I……...YAAAH!!!!!!” The man shouted on the top of his lungs didn’t forget to give that death glare to the girl, who just threw an empty bucket down to the floor, standing right in front of him. He had noticed that his half upper body was wet. He was shocked at first, but when realized what was happening he felt nothing but anger. He looked down to his soaked fancy suit then his eyes back to the girl, this time tried to open his both already huge eyes even wider, as much as he can, maximum size. Hoped it could make him looked so scary to the girl then earned a pity look on her face asking for his forgiveness. But what he got just made his anger even bigger. The girl didn’t seem to be guilty at all, she sent a killing glare back at him instead. Her chest moved up and down tried to manage her heavy breath, her mouth shut tight, and her fists clenched – fists of fury, clear enough to describe that she was infuriated at him. “Hell, I should be the one who is angry here!!!” He told himself.

“What do you think you are doing, crazy girl?”  He hissed, gritted his teeth tried to pressure his anger which he knew he really didn’t need to. “Out of your mind, huh?” He added.

“Shut up, you jerk!” She yelled, put her hands on her hips. “I am the angry person here!”

“What?? Jerk? Use that word for yourself! After soaking me all over yet you still proudly insult me. That already made you become one! I even can’t capture any sign of guilty on your face!” He really couldn’t hold his fury anymore.

However, the girl didn’t seem to be affected by his words. Out of his prediction, she got more courage to attack him back, “You deserve that! Bumping into my father and caused that damaged, but you still easily walked away. What else you could expect from me, huh? That I will happily let you go? No way! Who you think you are?” She blurted out then stopped for a while to catch her breath. “And guilty? Tch.., I’d be guilty when I made mistake!”

He narrowed his eyes, confused. “Damage? What damage? Look, I don’t know what you are talking about, but no matter what it is, it’s a stupid move when you decide to get messy with me, stupid head! Don’t you know who am I?” He smirked, raised his head a little, arrogantly.

She hated that smirk on his face. In fact, she was mad!

“I don’t fucking care who you are, asshole!”

“SOOJUNG!!! WATCH YOUR MOUTH!!!”

They turned their heads to where the voice came from. A while before, he thought there were just the two of them, but later on he realized that they were surrounded by a crowd which looked amused with what they just saw. An old man stood next to the girl, just like him, he was partly wet too. Ramyeon scattered right on the floor next to the old man, he saw some fraction of glasses laid there, too. He knew that man, he was the owner of the stall in fact. Suddenly he grew aware of what just happened moments before. He unconsciously bumped into someone and caused the unlucky person lost his balance and then he just heard a noise from broken glasses.

“I’m really sorry, Minho-ssi. Please don’t be mad, she doesn’t have any idea about what really happened” The old man said, nodded his head a little to Minho.

The girl who had been called Soojung by the old man puckered her forehead, couldn’t believe with what she had just heard. “Dad! You’re NOT sorry for him. It should be him!” Now pointed her finger to the man front of her with that widen eyes of hers. “Yah! Don’t you hear what my father said? Be ashamed of yourself, you are the one who have to ask for apologize!!!”

There was a part on him admitted that he needed to say sorry to the man. However, his pride took the control. He was already too irritated with this annoying girl who kept shouting and yelling at him. If he did as she wished, it would only give her that sense of victory and made him ended like a loser –he hated to lose! Therefore, he defended.

“Listen, little missy. I just figure it out that everything shouldn’t be this hard if only you could hold yourself on and didn’t rage violently like crazy! But thanks to your overreacted respond that now things just turned out completely complicated!” He pressed at the very last two words, hoped it could make her felt bad. Revenge!

“What?” She moved closer to the man, hands on her hips. “Are you telling me that I cau…”

“OK, enough Soojung-ah. Stop it! Let it go now! It won’t solve the problem, you only will make it even worse!” Her father grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, tried to break up their fight.

Soojung turned to face her father, she pulled back her hand untangled it from her father’s grip. “Dad…..”

“Soojung, huh? I’ll remember that name. And you’ll pay for this!”

“What pay? No! YOU pay! Pay for all loss you made here!”

“I think it’s better for you to get going now, Minho-ssi. Sorry, not that I chase you away. But, this young lady here won’t stop nagging if you are still here.” The old man told him, knowing his pretty daughter could turn out crazy when she’s mad and she would be extremely unstoppable.

“No way! He’s not going anywhere, dad! Not before he pays the loss and apologizes.” She shouted.

“I think I’d better go now. It’s driving me crazy to have this silly argumentation with this child like girl in front of me. I’m leaving.” And he went away as he thought he couldn’t stand being around that girl whose scream could break his ear if he stayed longer.

“W-what?...............you……….YAAAAAAHH!!!”


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Soojung stood in front of her father who was standing behind the counter and paying his all attention to a small notebook he hold in his left hand while having a pen in his other hand. He would sometimes murmur after tilted his head and narrowed his eyes which he always did when he got confused, or mouthed some inaudible words when he looked up to the air tried remembering something. He looked fully absorbed in his own world ignoring annoyed Soojung who then escaped a very hard sigh.

“Dad, how could you do that to me?” She started talking to get her father attention. “All that I did was because I cared for you. But you took his side instead. What that made me? I felt so bad.”She pouted. Her father still focused with his notebook didn’t bother himself to answer her question which led her become angrier, “Dad! I’m talking to you.”

Her father gave out a sigh before looking at her and simply answer her question, “It was because you were irrational, Soojung-ah. What that fight actually for?”

She was taken aback, hardly believed that her father would say those words. She thought he would be touched with what she said to him, then gave her those reassuring words like “I’m sorry, Soojung-ah, daddy really didn’t mean that way.” Or “Please don’t get mad.” As he always did. Even though she didn’t like her father’s respond, she still managed to answer what her father just asked her. “I can’t stand him who just left that easy after causing that chaos. I just wanted him to say sorry to you, dad”

“Well, if that’s the matter, you really didn’t need to do that. I knew he didn’t do it on purpose, and……maybe you didn’t notice, but he did make an apology beforehand.” He told her softly hoped she could understand and stopped that silly conversation.

“You can’t even say that apology, dad. No sincerity at all. Couldn’t he at least check whether everything was fine or not before deciding to go away?” She blurted out.

“He seemed in hurry, dear. Maybe that’s why…….” He still tried to explain, but when he felt that he couldn’t convince her, he just came: “Right, to make it simple now, if you think that he is a bad guy, I tell you; no, he is not. I know him.”

“But, dad…..”

“Isn’t that clear enough, Soojung?” He cut her, tried to end that little dispute soon. Cause if he didn’t, it would be a very tiring conversation. “Now, let’s stop this. It’s getting crowded over there. Don’t make them wait too long.” Her father motioned his eyes to the customers inside the stall that seemed more and more crowded.

“Are we arguing because of that guy now, dad? Gee, he’s really something! It’s me your daughter, but you choose him over me. You don’t love me.”

Here it is! He thought. She would always say that kind of words to win over the quarrel, and somehow made him felt so bad. “It’s not about whom I love, Jungie but about what you should do and don’t. Of course daddy loves you, you are my only daughter. Don’t ever think that way anymore, that’s ridiculous!”

“Yeaah, sure you love me, dad. But you love him more.”

“Aigoo…, Over any other people on the earth, surely daddy loves you best, Soojung-ah.” Soojung quickly turned her head to the side when she heard that familiar voice. She found a tall, good looking man smiling widely at her. The smilling man then wrapped his long arm around her shoulder. “Nobody could beat you up if it comes to daddy’s great affection for you. Even compared to me myself, dad loves you more.” He patted her head as he said the last words.

She was surprised at first, but then it changed into a big amusement knowing her brother was there. “Jungshin oppa! You came already?” She asked excitedly.

Jungshin, her brother, chuckled because of her excessive reaction. He was just back from an orphanage to dispense ramyeon for free – their weekly program, allotted free ramyeon to some orphanages or child hospitals. He even hasn’t been out for 6 hours, but she greeted him like he just came from a long, days-worthy journey. He knew that was too much. But he didn’t mind that, he liked it in fact. “mmm, yeah…. not much to do there and the kids there were helpful too. So, I decided to come here soon knowing that you both must be extremely busy here.” He explained, looked at her and his father. Then his eyes back to his sister beside him. “So, what happened? If I’m not mistaken, I think I heard two people were bickering here.” He asked her, raised one eyebrow. “What made you look so annoyed some time ago, huh?” He added, tightened his arm on her shoulder, shook it a little.

Soojung’s expression fastly changed. She reached her brother’s arm on her shoulder then put it down. “Don’t ask me that, oppa. I’m peevish just to think about it.” She pouted, gave a slight glance over her father.

Jungshin widened his eyes, confused. He stared at his father with that questioned look stuck on his face, wanting for a clarification. He kept locking his eyes to the man, who seemed busy with his note on his hand, until finally the older one gave up. He looked at him back, sighed, then shrugged his shoulder. “It was nothing, Jungshin-ah.”

“Aisshh…, daddy!” Soojung yelled, “Here, oppa. There was this man who….”

“We’ve discussed bout that before, Soojung-ah.” Her father interrupted, again.

She ignored it then continued telling the incident to her brother beside her, “Ok, to make it short, I had a little quarrel with him but daddy chose to nurture him. Whereas all I did because he was so mean to dad, all that because I cared to daddy. However, dad seemed didn’t like it he blamed me instead.” She stopped for seconds, then circled her both hands around one arm of her brother and looked up to his face curiously, “Oppa, tell me.., you’re on my side, right? You don’t blame me like father, do you?” She asked him, showed her puppy eyes which she knew he couldn’t resist. Nobody can!

Jungshin proof his laugh seeing her act, and ruffled her hair, “Do you really have to ask me that, Jungie? You know my answer already. No matter what it is, I’ll be on your side. Always.”

She straightened her body, completely contented with her brother’s answer. Excitement was clearly written on her face, “Really? Yaaay! As always oppa, you are the best brother ever!” She flew a thumb in the air and rested her head on his shoulder, “What a relief! Well, since I have Jungshin oppa with me, I don’t mind daddy then.” Soojung eyed her father then looked away, arrogantly.

“Good. Your problem is fixed, right? Now, go help other workers serve the customers! They’re starving over there.” Her father moved his head to the crowd where many people seemed sitting impatiently waiting for their ordered dishes while some waitresses busily going here and there served the ramyeon to them. Soojung didn’t respond her father’s command. She released her arms from Jungshin’s arm then smiled at him before finally she joined the crowd.

“See that? That’s what we get if you keep spoiling her, she won’t grow up.” The old man told the young one, his eyes were on his daughter.

Jungshin followed his father’s gaze, caught his sister who were having a chat with one customer. He faced his father back and gave a small smile, “Just let her be, dad. And don’t worry, she might seem so fussy outside but I know she’s a good girl.”

“Hey, don’t talk to me like I don’t know her! She maybe your sister, but she’s my daughter too, after all.”

He covered his mouth, giggled to his father’s respond, “Sorry, dad. It’s because you look worry too much. We’ve seen that side of her hundreds of time, right? I thought you’ve got use to it now.”

“Right, I will never win over you if it’s about her, son.” The old man rolled his eyes, shook his head, then concentrated his mind back to the notebook lied on the counter, finishing his interrupted counting.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


“Good afternoon, Mr. Lee”

“Oh, Minho-ssi! You’re here!” The old man looked up and smiled at him, “How’s life doing? Seem that you’ve been busy lately, I haven’t seen you for days, or a week?”

Minho hold his nape, he didn’t know what to answer. The way the old man greeted him made him felt uneasy, “hmmm…., yeah. No, I mean…., not really.” He stuttered, lost idea about what to say, “I just…..” He stopped and looked down. When he looked up he spotted Soojung who was taking a note to the customers’ order. He stared at her for a while then back look at the man when he had courage to speak, “Mr. Lee, about that previous day, I’m really sorry. Believe me, I didn’t know that it was you. I really didn’t do that on purpose, I was in such a hurry, had something to do immediately. That was why…..”

The old man firstly looked confused at his act, then he grew amused when he finally got the point, “Ah, that’s not a big matter for me, Minho-ssi. I even can’t recall it unless you talk about it just now. Just relax” The old man tried comforting him, “But, I think I need to say sorry too, for my daughter, I know she was too much.”

“She really is your daughter, then?” He asked, “But I don’t think I ever saw her here before.” Again, he glanced at her.

Mr. Lee nodded, “She used to stay at home, but then she insisted to help me here. She couldn’t stand being alone and doing nothing.” He stopped talking, just noticed that this young man front of him would secretly glance at his daughter for several times. And it tickled him when he looked at Soojung and knew that his daughter acted the same as he did. He looked down and shook his head while having that big grin plastered on his face “Kids”. A while later, he asked him, “So, what brings you here actually? Do you come here to apologize only?”

“Surely not, Mr. Lee. I come for your ramyeon of course. It’s been a while and I missed it. I’ve tried some other ramyeon there in those stalls. But none of them could beat your ramen up. Yours is the best! That’s why I’m here now. What else could I do?”

“Really?” His both eyes grew wide, clearly excited upon Minho’s praise. But then he frowned, “Well, it’s weird to know that you don’t like my daughter but still bother yourself to be here.”

Minho was definitely shocked, “What? What are you thinking, Mr. Lee? Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t have any interest on her. It purely has nothing to do with her. I think I’ve told you the reason why I’m here, and it…..”

“I know it, young man. What I mean is that you love the ramyeon yet you don’t like the one who made it.”  He was taken aback, dumbfounded, and disbelieved pictured on his face.  As if reading his mind, the old man repeated his statement to convince him that he didn’t misheard him, “That’s right, she made all ramyeon here.”

Still in his confused look, Minho turned his head to the direction where the girl who he frequently stole glances to moments before stood, right when she did the same to him. Their eyes met!

They kept staring each other for seconds. He didn’t know what that feeling called. All he knew was he didn’t want to broke that little moment so soon. She didn’t give him that death glare she did when they met for the first time. Instead, she had those soft, calm, beautiful eyes. There was something in her eyes, something that comforted him, reassured him, as if told him that he had found that what he had been looking and waiting for on his lifetime. He found peace there.

Minho still busied his mind with his peaceful concept when suddenly the girl smirked nastily at him, rolled her eyes, and then went away. He was definitely sure that she uttered something since he saw her mouth moved a little right before she turned her back to him. He might not hear it, but he was positive that she was cursing. Somehow it called him back to earth, to the idea how hateful she was. And he was ashamed of himself to the fact he was enchanted with her just a while before. “Tch….., peaceful? I should meet a psychiatrist!!” He reprimanded.

“Sorry, Mr.Lee. I know you don’t want to hear this,” He turned back to the man front of him. “but I think she and I couldn’t get along that easy. I can say she hates me that much looking from the way she looks at me just now. And I don’t think I have intention for that too.”

“Youth fight, huh? I know, you kids always have that kind of stuff. Don’t mind me, I can understand that, Minho-ssi. Now, better you take your seat if you really want to eat, look, the rush is getting busier.” The man reminded him. Minho gave a look to the crowd which grew wider. He still had something to be told left in his mind, actually. But in the end he chose to follow the old man instruction. He gave out a smile before turning his back and retreated to his table.

“Table 10, one portion, please!”

Soojung heard her father shouted clearly. Sometimes, he would shout the order himself when some regular customers came. She always took that as a command, and she would immediately run toward the customer and served him/her. But the situation was different, the customer was that certain person she really didn’t want to see, the one she got into a fight with a week ago, a new foe of her – at least that was how she felt.

She was surprised when she saw that man coming inside the stall and having a chat with her father. She thought he would never come back there after that incident last week. But there he was, in her ramyeon stall and chatted comfortably with her father. She was busily serving the never-ending-looked customers but still managed eyeing him several times. She was wondering “What kind of talk they could possibly have?“ She could say that he looked uneasy at first, but her dad seemed to reassure him and the next she knew is their awkward conversation turned into a good companion discussion. She couldn’t help her curiosity, that’s why she kept turning her head to his direction, stealing glances until finally his eyes caught hers.  She didn’t know what pushed her or where she got the courage to look at him back in the eyes, but at that very moment, she felt something playing inside her and it was so strange. She didn’t know what kind of feeling was that and it made her head dizzy as much as she tried to figure it out. Soon, she decided to break their gaze and back to her work hoped it could help her forget that silly moment.

Soojung was still stuck on her place, turned her head anywhere in the stall looking for any free waitress. Unfortunately she didn’t find even one. “Well, I have no choice.” She thought. She stepped forward toward the fancy suited man half heartedly. She was thinking hard on how she would face him without causing a fuss when suddenly a corner of her eyes caught someone coming near to her. “Right! Jungshin Oppa!” Her heart yelled in happiness. She quickly moved her head to the side to her brother direction, grinning widely at him, “Oppa, you are free right? Can you please handle that customer over there? I have something to do back in the kitchen.”

Jungshin followed her hand direction, turned his head a little to the side and looked at a man sat alone on that chair who stared outside over the glass window. Jungshin knew who that man was even though he couldn’t see his face clearly. He was one of regular customers there, a rich, young, successful businessman who occasionally would come and eat there every time he could. He always took the same spot and always looked outside the window while waiting his ramyeon served. Jungshin just learned that this man was the one whom Soojung had a quarrel with a week ago. He gradually realized why Soojung wanted him to serve that customer instead of herself. “I have something to do back in the kitchen”  She made up a reason! Just a moment before she told him that she has done and had nothing to do in the kitchen. And he himself had also checked that everything was OK there. He chuckled to the fact how childish she could be and back facing her, “Try to find some other more reasonable excuses, Soojung-ah.”

“What?”

“Never mind, I’ll have him.” He smiled, pinched her cheek and approached that guy over there.

Minho sat on his usual spot, table 10. The one next to a big window which gave him a free sight outside the stall, where he could watch people running their lives rushing here and there like there’s no tomorrow.  He often come here, he’s one of the regular customer in fact. He wasn’t coming every day, but he would be there every time he got his free time, when work didn’t seem to kill him. He was a businessman, running his family business which soon will be his own. What a lucky guy, successful at a very young age. He could easily go into fancy restaurants and ordered those expensive meals as much as he wanted considering he was a wealth young man. However, he preferred to be here and met different type of people.  So what? Having different taste is not a crime, right?

He inhaled deeply then let out a sigh once he got his eyes locked to the view outside. It wasn’t a nice view to be seen actually, what so special with rushing people, anyway? It was just….., he liked it to be there, the only place where he could be alone and have his own pleasure time. The only place where he could freed his mind from work and other life matters which would drive him insane if he kept thinking about it. The only place where he could freely think about her. He would easily fall into his own world not minding his surrounding once he had her in his mind. He would frequently grinned and smiled sheepishly in his deep thought when recalled their moments, try to remember all memories they had, as much as he could. Until a waitress distracted his daydream and served him his ordered ramyeon. For those who noticed, it would be weird seeing somebody smiling and grinning to the rushing crowd of the city outside. Fortunately, no one seemed to pay attention.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


It was 2 PM in the afternoon, sunny day. Minho sat on a bench under an oak tree. He looked straight to the wide grass field in front of him. He slowly close his eyes, took the fresh air as much as he can then threw his head back - eyes were still closed. He could feel the heat of the sunlight beamed his face through the rift of the oak leaves above him. He took a day off that day, job had been so stressful lately. So, he went anywhere he thought could refresh his mind, that ramyeon stall surely also typed on his lists. It had been a month after the incident in that stall happened. However, he would always come there as he wished, just like he usually did. They, Minho and Soojung, still acted like strangers to each other. Nope, it was more like enemy. He always caught her eventually went away every time they met there, of course by leaving him those irksome look on her face beforehand. He didn’t mind it, as long as she didn’t invite him into a fight then he let her did what she wanted to. But, that very one day was different. He came there earlier and didn’t see her around. Well, no problem. It didn’t give any change to him whether he saw her or not, right?

The sun’s heat increased. He could feel his skin burnt. Minho then decided to leave that place. Furthermore, he needed to leave soon unless he wanted to be at home when the day turned into night. He got up from his seat lazily and started to walk away. It was just some steps away from the bench when he suddenly looked up and stopped his step, stuck on his spot, looked straight to the familiar figure in front of him.

“You?”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TRY TO REMEMBER (a fiction) _ Foreword

I like reading fiction. I've read many great stories written by gorgeous authors. And now, I make my own - my very first published fiction. I've given my best in writing this, however, you probably still find some errors and mistakes. Hope you like it. But, if reading this story makes you feel like just wasting your time cause there's no good in it, oooooppppssss! sorry. I'll try to be better~ ^_^


____________________________________________________________________________________




…TRY TO REMEMBER...   
privetdriveno4_hyejung0316_choihyejung_niakurniati





FOREWORD 

“Are you OK?”

“mmm.., yeah, I’m fine. Thank you…”

“No problem. Well, what did they just do? I mean, why did they harass you?”

“Dunno! I even didn’t do any bad to them. It’s just their habits. I think you should ask them directly.”

“Habits? So, this is not the first time they bully you?”

“Nope, they always do that when I’m here actually.”

“And you still dare to come here even though you’ve known what you will get?”

“So what? Do I have to run away from them? No way! I’m not that kind girl, being afraid and running away, that doesn’t make sense!”

“Whuaaa…, you’re so brave, I like that. But, don’t you scare of them?”

“Why should I? And do I have to?  Are you worrying me? Don’t worry, I’ll survive! I’ll fight! I won’t let them have that victory smile stuck on their faces because they think they have beaten me up!”

“Tch… Survive? How can you? I still remember how you look when you begged them to let you go. You just cried like a crying baby. You even didn’t fight at all. I think they’ll happily chase after you more from now on!”

“It was just because they took something from me.”

“And what was that?”

“……………………….”

“Do you mean that Mp3 player?”

“ng..”

“Is that really important?”

“It’s my only treasure.”

“Owh…, hmmm…, so…, well, do you often come here?”

“I do, I always come here. You know, I hate hospital and everything about it. Too many sick people, you can even find death there. I dunno why, but I think it haunts me and I don’t like that. This is the only place where I could feel peace, I feel so light. So, I came here every time I think I need to comfort myself.”

“hmmm.., you are right. It feels so good to be here.”

“You feel that way too? All right, you may come here anytime, then. I don’t mind sharing.”

“Really? I’d love to. …..Hey, if you want I can accompany you everytime you wanna be here. So, those naughty girls won’t disturb you anymore. Hmmmm.., I think they are afraid of me now. I’m good enough, aren’t I?”

“ckckckck…, you are so funny. Well, sure! I’d like that too. Being with your friend is much more better rather than being alone.”

“Friend?”

“Yeah, that’s what we are now, right? I share you my place, you accompany me, and we’ll play together. That’s what friends do.”

“Friends… I like that word. Sounds good to my ear.”

“Then, it is fixed now. Nice to meet you. And since we’re friends I think I need to introduce myself properly to you. By the way, I’m…..”

“Angel. You are Angel.”

“huh?”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jumat, 04 Mei 2012

Ke Korea ==> Jalan-Jalan, Wisata Kuliner, Belanja (Jangan Pulang Sebelum Melakukan 3 Hal Ini!)

Korea?
Rasanya saya tidak akan pernah kehabisan bahan jika berbicara tentang negeri gingseng ini. Ada begitu banyak hal yang dapat dibahas mengenai negara yang saat ini tengah menggemparkan dunia lewat fenomena Hallyu atau Korean Wave nya. 2PM, Super Junior, SHINee, Miss A, Girl's Generation, f(x), dll merupakan beberapa dari sekian banyak boyband dan girlband - grup musik yang identik dengan gaya bernyanyinya yang selalu diiringi tarian-tarian memukau - teluran management-management artis disana.

Tidak hanya exist dengan dunia musiknya, negara ini juga terkenal dengan drama-drama seri romantis yang tidak pernah gagal menarik minat dan perhatian para penontonnya. Yap! Saya salah satunya . Sebenarnya sudah lama saya menyukai drama-drama seri Korea, mulai sejak saya masih putih-biru (dibaca: duduk dibangku SMP). Bahkan menonton serial drama Korea selalu masuk dalam daftar kegiatan harian saya. Tapi baru 1 tahun belakangan inilah saya mulai menaruh perhatian lebih pada negara asal Kimchi ini. Hal ini bermula ketika saya mulai rajin mendownload video musik beberapa boyband/girlband  Korea tertentu dan juga variety show-variety show  yang disiarkan di sejumlah stasiun televisi disana. Awalnya sih untuk seru-seruan dan lucu-lucuan saja, tapi lama kelamaan saya mulai tertarik untuk mengetahui lebih banyak tentang Korea, tidak hanya tentang dunia hiburannya saja tapi juga budaya dan objek-objek wisatanya. Saya jadi sering surfing internet untuk mencari apapun yang berhubungan dengan Korea, baca artikel-artikel, browsing gambar, juga nonton video-video tourism promo yang dimodeli oleh artis-artis setempat. Salah satunya video yang ini nih:




Semakin saya gali informasi tentang Korea, menelusuri seluk beluk budaya dan kepribadian dan kebiasaan orang-orang disana, semakin saya jatuh cinta pada negara ini. Akan sangat senang sekali rasanya jika suatu saat nanti saya punya kesempatan untuk berkunjung kesana. Waah! Kalau benar-benar kejadian, saya tidak tahu mana yang akan lakukan terlebih dahulu; lompat kegirangan, lari keliling rumah, atau teriak sekencang-kencangnya (mungkin lebih baik saya lakukan ketiganya secara bersamaan. hehehe... ). Tapi tentunya bersyukur adalah yang paling utama dilakukan. Saya bahkan sudah mempersiapkan diri mulai dari sekarang agar saya tidak mengalami culture shock kalau nanti setiba disana (amiiin.., mudah2an kesampaian. ). Saya mulai dengan mempelajari bahasanya dulu (tapi jangan salah paham ya, kemampuan bahasa Korea saya masih jauh dibawah rata-rata), saya juga mencari tahu kebiasaan orang-orang disana juga informasi tentang apa yang boleh dan tidak boleh dilakukan. Yang terpenting saya juga sudah membuat daftar apa yang ingin saya lakukan jika nanti ke Korea. Nih, saya list-kan 3 hal yang paling ingin saya lakukan di Korea. Check this out yoooo, siapa tau bisa jadi referensi juga bagi temen-teman semua.

1. JALAN-JALAN
Teman-teman semua pasti setuju dengan list pertama saya ini. Jalan-jalan memang merupakan sesuatu yang wajib dilakukan jika berkunjung ke suatu negara. Apalagi jika negara yang dikunjungi adalah Korea Selatan. Dengan keindahan alam dan tempat-tempat wisatanya yang gorgeous, Korea tidak akan membuat penikmatnya kecewa. Saya tau beberapa objek-objek wisata Korea dari membaca artikel-artikel, serial drama, juga dari video Tourism Promo yang tadi itu tuh. N Seoul Tower, Istana Gyeongbokgung, dan pulau Jeju adalah 3 tempat yang paling ingin saya datangi. Kenapa?


N Seoul Tower

 

Ya, dari namanya saja bisa diketahui kalau tempat ini adalah sebuah menara. Tingginya 237 meter dan terletak di Gunung Namsan. Objek inilah yang pertama kali menarik perhatian saya ketika melihat video tourism promo 'Fly to Seoul'-nya 2PM. Arsitekturnya bagus dan menjulang tinggi di tengah kota Seoul. Dari atas menara ini kita bisa melihat keindahan pemandangan kota Seoul, apalagi pada malam hari, hmmmm...

Dipuncak menara ini ada tempat yang bernama Love Lock. Tempat yang sangat tepat jika pergi bersama pasangan. Ditempat ini ada sebuah pagar besi, dimana terpasang begitu banyak gembok disana. Gembok-gembok ini dipasang oleh pasangan-pasangan lain yang pernah kesana. Jadi, mereka memasang gembok disana kemudian kunci gemboknya dibuang. Ini sebagai pengharapan agar cinta kedua pasangan itu akan terus bersama. Itulah kenapa namanya Love Lock. Unik ya?


Istana Gyeongbokgung

 

Bagi saya Korea adalah sebuah negara yang kompleks. Kita tentunya sudah tahu kalau Korea adalah sebuah negara maju dan modern yang berkembang sangat pesat. Namun, ditengah modernisasi itu, Korea masih memegang erat nilai-nilai budaya tradisionalnya. Tidak heran kalau masyarakat disana selalu merayakan hari-hari besar tradisional seperti Seollal (Tahun baru lunar), Chuseok (perayaan masa panen), dan hari-hari besar lainnya. Walaupun dibangun dengan begitu banyak gedung-gedung pencakar langitnya, di Korea kita masih bisa menemukan tempat-tempat yang menyimpan banyak catatan sejarah dan budaya negara ini, salah satunya adalah Istana Gyeongbokgung.

Istana Gyeokbokgung adalah istana terbesar di Korea yang terletak disebelah utara kota Seoul. Di istana yang dibangun pada tahun 1394 - pada masa dinasti Jeoson - ini, kita bisa melihat berbagai benda-benda peninggalan, arsitektur, adat istiadat, dan banyak lagi yang lainnya. Jadi, jika ingin mengetahui sejarah atau budaya Korea dengan lebih dekat, Istana Gyeongbokgung adalah destinasi yang tepat!
Satu hal yang sangat ingin saya lakukan jika berkunjung ke tempat ini adalah; berkeliling istana dengan menggunakan hanbok (pakaian tradisional Korea). Pasti seru sekali ya?


Pulau Jeju

 

Tempat berikut yang ingin saya kunjungi adalah pulau Jeju. Terletak di sebelah selatan semenanjung Korsel, dan pulau ini merupakan pulau terbesar di Korea. Keindahan pulau ini sangat luar biasa! Pulau yang juga dijuluki 'Bali'nya Korsel ini memiliki banyak pantai yang indah, wilayah pegunungan yang dingin, dan hamparan bunga-bunga yang cantik. Pemandangan tebingnya yang sangat indah adalah salah satu yang menjadi ciri khas pulau ini. Bukan itu saja, di pulau ini juga ada taman nasional, air terjun, gua dan gunung api Hallasan yang cantik. Dari membaca saja sudah terbayang keindahan pulau ini. Tidak heran kalau Pulau Jeju masuk ke jajaran nominasi New7Wonders of Nature (makanya saya beri 3 bintang untuk objek wisata ini )

2. WISATA KULINER


Mencoba makanan baru adalah salah satu hobi saya. Dan Korea adalah jawaban yang pas, karna Korea menawarkan bejibun makanan yang layak dan wajib dicoba. Mulai dari makanan berat, hingga jajanan jalanan pun ada. Tidak hanya enak, tetapi juga menyehatkan. Apa saja?


Ddukbokkie

 

Ddukbokkie. Jajanan jalanan Korea ini mungkin sering kita lihat di cuplikan-cuplikan drama korea. Pernah melihat aktor/aktris favorit anda berakting di sebuah stand makanan di pinggiran jalan dan makan jajanan yang terbuat dari kue ikan, telur rebus dan ditambah saus pedas yang sedikit manis sambil berdiri? Itulah ddukbokkie. Katanya sih makanan ini pedas, jadi sebagai penawar rasa pedasnya, diberikan kue beras yang kenyal dan lembut. Makanan ini adalah jajanan paling populer disana. Yang membuat saya sangat ingin mencobanya adalah bentuknya yang sangat menngundang selera dan cara makannya yang unik; dimakan berdiri langsung di stand makanan tersebut selagi masih hangat.


Seolleongtang

 

Saya tidak tahu banyak tentang makanan ini. Tapi dari beberapa informasi yang saya dapat, seollongtang adalah sup yang sangat terkenal di Korea. Saking terkenalnya, sup ini bahkan dijadikan satu-satunya menu yang sengaja disediakan salah satu restoran. Ckckck.., sampai segitunya, pasti enak sekali ya? Inilah alasan saya ingin mencicipi masakan ini. Bahan masakan ini adalah tulang sapi berupa kaki atau buntut yang direbus. Merebusnya harus berjam-jam agar semua kalsium terlepas dan sampai tulangnya berwarna putih yang khas. Karena itu, Seolleongtang adalah makanan yang paling lama masaknya (biar lama asal enak, gapapa donk ya??? )


Kimchi

 

Yay!!! 3 bintang untuk kimchi! Makanan yang paaaaaaling ingin saya coba. Kalau dari bentuk sepertinya biasanya saja. Tapi yang membuat saya begitu tertarik pada hidangan hasil fermentasi ini adalah karena namanya yang sangat identik dengan Korea. Saya pernah nonton sebuah serial drama Korea, dan ada satu line yang membuat saya makin penasaran dengan makanan yang bahan utamanya adalah kubis ini. 'Jangan mengaku orang Korea jika tidak suka Kimchi' begitu katanya. Kimchi adalah makanan yang wajib ada bagi masyarakat disana. Baik itu untuk hidangan sarapan, makan siang, ataupun makan malam. Jika begitu harusnya, makanya saya pun memutuskan untuk harus mencobanya.



3. BELANJA


Belanja, belanja, belanja! Kurang lengkap rasanya apabila jalan-jalan ke suatu negara tanpa menyempatkan diri untuk kegiatan yang satu ini. Nah, di Korea ada banyak tempat-tempat belanja asyik yang tidak akan rugi jika dikunjungi. Mau belanja atau sekedar window shopping? Gag masalah..... Tapi tentunya butuh kocek banyak untuk bisa belanja sepuasnya disini , tapi jangan khawatir, buat yang punya budget terbatas Korea juga punya tempat-tempat belanja murah yang tidak kalah seru dengan Dongdaemun Shopping complex atau Apgujeong-dong dan Cheongdam-dong (yang notabene-nya adalah tempat belanja elit dan tentunya butuh keluar banyak uang). Jadi, tetap bisa belanja sepuasnya tanpa bikin kantong kering? Wah, saya banget itu!


Myeong-dong Shopping Area

 

Tempat ini adalah surga belanjanya para wisatawan mancanegara. Di tempat dengan luas lebih dari 300.000 m2  ini, para pengunjung bisa membeli berbagai barang kebutuhan kebutuhan seperti pakaian, tas, sepatu, aksesori, juga kosmetik dengan harga miring! Tapi jangan salah, meskipun murah bukan berarti barang yang ditawarkan asal-asalan. Barang-barang bermerek seperti H&M, Uniqlo, dan Forever 21 ditawarkan dengan harga murah disini.

Jika berbelanja ke Myeong-dong, ada baiknya menyempatkan diri mampir ke Namdaemun market. Sebuah pasar tertua di Seoul. Pasar ini adalah perpaduan pasar tradisional dan modern di kota Seoul. Letaknya tidak jauh dari Myeong-dong. Disini banyak dijual makanan sampai baju-baju second. Benar-benar tempat belanja yang tidak boleh dilewatkan.



Insa-dong

 

Bagi yang suka hal-hal yang berbau antik dan tradisional (seperti saya), pilihan yang pas jika berbelanja kesini. Disini bisa ditemui beraneka hasil kerajinan tangan Korea mulai dari hanbok, keramik dan produk-produk lainnya. Jejeran toko-toko antik juga menunggu disini. yang membuat saya memberi 2 bintang untuk tempat belanja ini adalah suasana tradisionalnya. Daerah ini memiliki nilai sejarah dan budaya yang sangat tinggi sehingga Insa-dong sangat terasa tradisionalnya.


Jalan Ewha dan Jalan Hongdae


Untuk yang suka bertualang dan menginginkan barang-barang unik, maka Ewha dan Hongdae harus dituju. Disini adalah tempat tujuan para pembeli yang ingin mencari tren terbaru dengan harga murah.
Kedua tempat ini terletak di dekat kampus-kampus Universitas dan penuh dengan produk-produk kreatif yang ditujukan untuk mereka-mereka yang menyukai gaya-gaya unik. Dan karena pasarnya adalah pelajar yang tentunya punya anggaran terbatas, makanya harga yang ditawarkanpun murah. Nilai plus kedua tempat belanja ini adalah nyaris tidak ada yang seragam disini. Jadi, jika membeli sebuah produk, maka Andalah satu-satunya yang punya.

 

Khusus untuk jalan Hongdae, produk-produk disini kebanyakan merupakan hasil karya pelajar-pelajar dari Hongik University (sekolah prestisius yang terkenal akan program seni dan desainnya) yang berlokasi tidak jauh dari sana. Barang-barang yang bisa ditemui adalah sepatu, pakaian vintage dan yang paling banyak; aksesoris.


Inilah 3 hal yang sangat ingin saya lakukan jika datang ke Korea. Semoga bisa menjadi rreferensi bagi teman-teman pembaca yang lain. Atau mungkin ada tambahan saran? silahkan tinggalkan komentar ya,.... Annyeong..
.  

(privetdriveno4_hyejung0316_choihyejung_niakurniati)