This is closely related to its origins. The words
“gun budae” often refers to military camps in Korea.
After the Korean war, food was extremely scare and surplus processed foods from the US military bases became useful for the Korean. Surplus foods such as processed meat products from army bases, are used by people to create thick
jjigae (stews).
Thus, the name “Army Stew”.
To me, the main differentiating factor between competing restaurants is always in its base, that it has a balanced mix of spiciness, saltiness and slight sweetness (from the tomato baked beans), with the density not overly gravy-thick, or soup-like thin.
We can all agree this year has brought challenges like no other. Whether at work or home, COVID-19 has affected us all in some way.
The year also changed the Gaston County restaurant scene. Some spots permanently closed their doors after serving the community for many years.
And many new restaurants embraced the tough business climate and opened despite state and county stay-at-home orders and new, rigorous standards for cleaning and sanitization.
In this story we look back at the restaurants that left us this year, and we celebrate the restaurateurs who brought their concepts to Gaston County in 2020.
If we omitted a restaurant that should be included in this story, email gstewart@gastongazette.com.
Known for serving affordable and authentic Korean dishes, Ajumma’s Korean Restaurant has closed down its original outlet at The Cathay recently and it has officially opened its new location at Bukit Panjang Plaza on 21 Dec 2021.
Ajumma’s is a casual Korean eatery where you can get Korea homestyle cooking minus the frills (and service charge).
Most of the dishes on Ajumma’s menu are affordably priced under S$10 and they include options such as Chicken Bulgogi, Bibimbap, Spicy Ramyeon, and House-Smoked Mackerel.
The Beef Bulgogi (S$10.50) set comes with plump white rice and an assortment of small side dishes. The marinated grilled beef was juicy and savoury, best eaten with rice to balance the saltiness.