An Epic Meal

As Kelly noted, last night we met the District Governor of the local Rotary and were treated to an elaborate Korean-style Japanese meal.

The image you see here is a stately platter of raw fish, or woe, nestled on cellophane noodles. ["Woe" was Kelly. She was hoping for something cooked].

The meal had at least five courses and included a vinegary salad, uncooked soft shell crab, a pleasant pancake, and raw fish served with smoked pork that Duwayno described as tasting of Lysol. It had a brazen sting, like a bit of novocain. My gag reflex kicked in, but a swig of tea helped me save face -- which is culturally crucial here in Korea.

Later came some familiar-looking tempura, a steamed egg, and small cooked fish with a salmon-like flavor, along with some fish soup. The last victual presented was an exquisite platter of bright, sweet tangerines.

I said to Kelly that this meal must have cost more than one million won. Another example of Korean generosity. At dinner I sat next to Mr. Kim Jae-il. He's the secretary of the Rotary district. A nice man with three children, we learned. We are getting to know our hosts.