I’m a little surprised my first Korean dining experience happened on a Virgin cruise ship. After watching countless Kdramas (admittedly 59 up to now) containing scene after scene of actors eating Korean food, I’ve been anxious to try Korean food for myself. So far, my ventures into that world include making a Korean Rolled Omelet and eating tteokbokki/rabokki, not to mention sampling tasty snacks via Seoulbox. The greater Denver area has some Korean restaurants, but I haven’t tried them – partly out of proximity, partly out of intimidation. Still, I looked forward to the day when I could sit at a Korean restaurant, try true Korean food and experience Korean drinking games for myself. It took stepping onto the Virgin cruise ship, the Resilient Lady, to finally get me into a Korean restaurant, the Gunbae – for my Virgin Korean dining experience.
Gunbae (건배: meaning Cheers or Bottoms Up) is one of several restaurants on the fleet of Virgin cruise ships. My husband and I had a chance to eat in Gunbae two years earlier on the Scarlet Lady. This was in my pre-Kdrama days, and unfortunately, we passed on the opportunity. This time, when booking opened up for our Virgin Voyage, I picked Gunbae not once, but twice. Filled will knowledge from watching Kdramas, Korean reality shows, and studying the Korean language, I counted down the days until our first dinner at Gunbae.
Gunbae – A Virgin Korean Dining Experience
Like any good Korean dining experience, Gunbae tables are shared by at least six people. As a result, for our first reservation, we found ourselves at a table occupied by two couples who hailed from Perth, Australia. This was their first time at Gunbae as well. We spent some time learning about our dinner mates, the husbands who have been friends since high school and their charming wives. I couldn’t contain my excitement as our hostess/waitress/soon-to-be game lead explained the menu. Some of the food and drinks, I recognized from Kdramas like the Bibimpap (short grain rice, egg, and mixed vegetables), Japchae (stir-fried vegetables, egg and vermicelli noodles) and one of Korean’s favorite alcoholic beverages, soju.
Small side dishes arrived. Our waitress asked if anyone could identify one particular leafy, reddish dish and
thinking the games had started – I raised my hand and yelled “Kimchi” – smiling when I got the right answer. Sadly, it was just a question, so I didn’t get any points. I made a play for the side dishes with my chopsticks, managing to get in a few nibbles. Chopsticks confuse me. Growing up, I didn’t have much of a chance to use them. My daughters make using chopsticks look easy, but I struggle. Does one stay stationary while the other moves up and down like a little claw? Do they move together? Or are they used like a shovel? (I’m thinking Cha Eun-woo wolfing down black bean noodles in episode 2 of Wonderful World.)
Korean Drinking Game
After placing our food order, it’s time for the drinking game. In preparation, our waitress offers both flavored and non-flavored versions of soju. Since alcohol and my metabolism don’t get along, I go for the non-alcoholic ginger drink. The soju drinkers at the table prefer the flavored variety. As for the drinking game, I’m sure I’ve seen this one in a Kdrama: 3-6-9. The fun starts even before the game when the rules are explained and at least one of us is totally lost. We play a practice round that goes fairly well. Our waitress/game lead is frighteningly good. By the time the first real round is played, the entire table is focused – who will go down? Counting and laughter can be heard from the tables around us. So far, this is the most fun we have had at any restaurant on the ship.
Bibmap, Samgyeosal, Kalbi, Oh My
The small plates are served: Bibmpap, Japchae, Haemul Pajeon (a mouth-watering seafood pancake), Dakgang Jeong (crispy chicken), a mixed seafood corn dog called “Hot Bar”. More chopstick endeavors ensue. I’m getting better. The grill in the center of the table has reached cooking temperature and our hostess/waitress/game lead becomes chef as she grills up Boesut Yache Modum (mushrooms and veggies), Ojingeo, Nakji & Saewoo (squid, octopus, shrimp), Samgyeopsal (pork belly) and the best of all, Kalbi (marinated beef short ribs). No wonder characters in Kdramas always want beef. It’s delicious. Sadly, I’m so full at this point I can’t each much of it. I do have room for the Mango/Matcha Green Tea Twist Soft Serve though. A perfect ending to a wonderful meal, a great dining experience and an opportunity to make new friends.
Do I believe that eating at Gunbae is like going to a Korean restaurant in South Korea? No. Not any more than eating at a French restaurant in the United States would be like experiencing a French restaurant in Paris. But, until I actually get to South Korea, I will chalk up this small Gunbae – Virgin Korean dining experience as a part of my slice of Korea.
