Curious, I came closer and saw...
Whoa! Korean/Middle Eastern fusion. Pitas and lavash wraps stuffed with Korean barbecue. Genius!
So I ordered a shik hae (Korean rice drink) for $1.50 and a bulgogi lavash wrap with sesame/ginger/soy sauce for $8. I was sad that the shik hae came in a small can, but it was so hot that day I gulped it all down while waiting for my wrap.
The lavash wrap was soft and fluffy and generously stuffed with Korean marinated beef, chopped field greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
The sesame/ginger/soy sauce seasonings blended with the usual Korean barbecue flavors. What I liked most was that the lavash wrap nicely complemented the fillings. Why had I never thought of this before?
So I went back again.
Jap chae (Korean stir-fried glass noodles) for $3. The mushroom flavor was a little too strong, but the noodles were fresh and warm.
This time, I got a barbecue chicken pita with balsamic/olive oil flavor for $6.50. The pita was very thick and fluffy, unlike any I've ever had before. It was a perfect cushion for the thick chunks of seasoned chicken, again served with chopped field greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
While the balsamic glaze nicely matched the chicken, it didn't taste Korean to me. I felt like the barbecued beef lavash wrap was better representative of this Korean/Middle Eastern fusion.
Curious, I asked the lady at the booth where the idea came about? Was the market ripe for fusion cuisine because of the Kogi BBQ fusion food truck craze?
"Oh, have you tried Kogi?" she asked. "Is it good?"
I said I had. That I remembered liking it, but since it took me two tries and more than four hours (Ack!) to eventually get two tacos, it wasn't something I was willing to go back for.
So nope, just a happy coincidence. Her partner owns a Korean grocery store in the San Fernando Valley and had recently taken a trip to Israel where she was drawn to the food. It seemed natural to add Korean barbecue meats to the pita wraps she had enjoyed.
It's a homey type of atmosphere. Where their kids help out by taking orders, sometimes needing just a little nudging to figure out how to add up prices.
The booth opened about a month ago. I hope it stays awhile.
February 8, 2010 update: I haven't seen the Korean BBQ Corner stall for several months now so I don't think it's part of the Alhambra Farmers' Market anymore. :(
Korean BBQ Corner
Located on Monterey Street. The following is general information for the Farmers' Market - Alhambra.
Farmers' Market - Alhambra
On Monterey, between Bay and Main Streets
Alhambra, CA 91801
626-570-5081
Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
*****
1 year ago today, Love Actually Mr. Bean: Banoffee Pie, Flapjacks, Ginger Bears, Kendal Mint Cake, Twiglets, and Worcester Sauce and Prawn Cocktail Potato Crisps.
2 years ago today, the marble craze that swept 4th grade in I only bought the lychee drink for the marble inside.
Nice find! Leave it to you to unearth cool new stuff like this. :-)
ReplyDeletethis sounds really cool
ReplyDeleteWow, yummy! I usually go to the Montrose farmer's market on Sunday, but I might have to give Alhambra a try just for this! (I came here via Twitter, btw :)
ReplyDeletethat looks so delicious!!
ReplyDeletewhat a great combo - lavash with korean style marinated meat inside! mmm! i wish they would serve that at the farmer's markets here in sd! i love chap chae too, but it's so time consuming (for me) to make.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and interesting combination! Your photos make everything they serve look so fantastic. I think my weirdest combination would be chow mein with gravy and toast. But some people say it is already American-Chinese cuisine; I make it up out of the blue.
ReplyDeleteGreat find! THe wraps sound really interesting, would love to try the bulgogi lavash!
ReplyDeleteYep, this might scratch my "can't find the Kogi truck" itch...
ReplyDeleteWhat great serendepity - finding the stall and the great combination of foods.
ReplyDeleteAlso - loving the close up food photos. Brilliant depth of field!
Joyce,
ReplyDeleteThanks. ;)
Justin,
Yup.
Cindy,
I've never been to Montrose farmers' market. I wonder how it differs. I like seeing how other markets do.
Tania,
It was.
CC,
I liked the lavash much better than corn tortillas. The breading doesn't interfere with the taste of the meats.
ETE,
Chow mein with gravy and toast sounds like something I'd find at a Hong Kong cafe.
Pigpig,
Bulgogi lavash was awesome!
Why We Type,
Especially since it's in one spot so you don't have to drive around trying to hunt it down!
Oanh,
Thanks. I try.