How to Eat Bibimbap

Hello, lovelies, it's Renee!  In case you didn’t already know, my good friend Christine and I embarked on a 17-day sojourn of Vietnam over the weekend.  (Sojourn: noun, a temporary stay.)  Arthur Tinybeard was nice enough to let me use his blog to share some of the cool and interesting things we’ll encounter in Vietnam.  Thanks, Arthur!

First, literally the day before, I heard for the first time “Marvin Gaye” by Charlie Puth featuring Meghan Trainor.  I am really digging this song, but since I apparently have been living under a rock since February, here it is--really for my own listening pleasure rather than yours.  But I’ll be visiting this blog 5 times a day, will you?  Please say yes.

"Marvin Gaye” by Charlie Puth featuring Meghan Trainor

Also, just a note that this temporary takeover of the blog may not always be to share things that have something to do with Vietnam, though in this case, Charlie Puth does have a Vietnam connection.  Namely, I hear that Charlie P. is very popular here in Vietnam, at least with "Tim" (if that's even his real name).  Consider:

Christine's and my flights were at different times and I flew Asiana.  I scored a window seat with no one sitting next to me, also known as the poor woman’s business class.  I’m convinced this was a good omen for the trip to come.

During the flight, we were served food several times.  Dinner, which was curiously served at 3:45pm, was bibimbap because Asiana is a Korean air carrier (specializing in seniors???), a fact that I did not know until approximately 18 hours ago.  Don’t pretend you knew this by the way.  I won’t believe you.  The bibimbap was pretty tasty to my United-honed taste buds.  Even curiouser—the bibimbap came with instructions!  And a TUBE of gochujang!  (Gochujang: noun, Korean hot pepper paste.)  Koreans are SO considerate!  This opinion is also formed on the basis that my friend Vivian, who is Korean, is extremely considerate. #shoutouttoviv

Since I’m a stickler for the rules, of course I had to follow the instructions.  Does that surprise any of you?  I also had to document every step along the way.  Does that also surprise any of you?  Below are some pictures of my efforts. 

Tray as it was given to me.  Note the rice in a box on the right.

Rice is now in the bowl.

Tube of gochujang (Korean red pepper paste).

Gochujang is now in the bowl.

Mix, mix, mix.

I can only imagine what the woman sitting in the aisle seat, effectively my next seat neighbor, was thinking of this bibimbap-making session.  These are some of the things that I thought might have crossed her mind:  “Why is she taking so many damned pictures of her food?”  “Has she never had bibimbap before?”  “Is she a blogger?”  #firstimpressionsareforever

I also had some questions about her: “How many times can I ask her to get up so that I can pee before she gets annoyed at me?”  "Is she a data scientist?”  “Where did she get her bag?”  #firstimpressionsareforever

Anyway, here’s the end result.  Impressions, everyone?  #perfectionista

Our meal also came with these almost microscopic, sweet yet savory, dried fish, lightly drizzled with some kind of sticky sauce, served in a cupcake wrapper.  I know many of you are thinking #ewwwwwcupcakewrapper, but I kind of liked these.

Then the mild paranoia crept back--at an alarming speed: “Am I supposed to be pairing the 2 together like this?”  “Is this a culinary faux pas?!”  “Am I offending the Korean culture?!?!”  “IS ANYONE WATCHING ME?!”  “IS THE DATA SCIENTIST?!?!”  

No one was watching.  #possibleinternationalincidentaverted

Overall, a very pleasant flight.  Asiana was a great flying experience.  In addition to the window seat with no one next to me and the bibimbap, they also gave me a pair of disposable slippers to wear during the flight, a “refreshment towel” before every meal and free wine!  And I was in economy!  The only thing I would consider a downside was the movie selection.  Seen one Mad Max, seen ‘em all, amirightcanigetanamen?

Oh, and here’s the second meal.  No instructions.  What???  I'm gonna starve!