Trader Joe's

So, I’m going to let you in a little secret….

When I cook kalbi everybody LOVES it!! They tell me how good of a girlfriend I am for making it for Anthony, as we eat it together on our lunch break. Sometimes it’s irritating when our other co-workers plop next to us because they always give that hint that they want to try it by saying, “Mmmm.That looks and smells good! What is it??” Of course the natural (and polite) thing to do is offer them a piece, right?? Well….I’m selfish when it comes to good Korean food and I try to avoid sharing at all cost! Hahhaha! (unless I favor that person) I like to have every finger-licking drop to myself! Everyone at work knows I’m a food hog and proud of it!

What would frustrate me even more was if I actually took the time to marinate the kalbi. My precious time put into my meal isn’t so I can freely give it away to other people at my job! Especially when they annoy me half the time…. :P

That’s where my secret comes into play. *dun dun dun*

One of my favorite grocery stores is Trader Joe’s and I go there religiously. I’m actually “practicing” eating organic and range free chicken and beef. The pay is almost double than what you would find at a Wal-Mart or Safeway but well worth it, I’ll tell ya.

If you’ve never been to a Trader Joe’s than you need to get on the ball and GO! In the back section of the store they have a “sample” section where everyday they let you sample food/ juices that they carry. One day, I just happended to glance over there and I saw the word, “Korean” something. Korean?? I thought. What on earth could Trader Joe’s have that is Korean…and on top of that…good? Lol

Well, was I wrong! It just so happened to be kalbi, and man, was it good! They actually sell kalbi?? And it turns out they also sell bulgogi!! I was flabbergasted!

I swooped those up in a heart beat and was on my way home to prepare them!

Now, as far as authenticity, it was pretty darn close! Close enough that I buy it all the time now!! I do add a little more sugar to the bulgogi, however. The kalbi I add sugar as well, but that’s because I like my meat sweet. J

If you have a Trader Joes in your area, I encourage you to check it out!

**Here are some more Korean items I find delicious at Trader Joes*