S'ra & E's "Late Night Cafeteria."

Backstory:

                So last night, while some people may have been doing Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None upstairs, E and I may have been passing the time until the actors got out of costumes and makeup and watching… wait for it… Korean talk shows. 

Agatha Christie, Death, it's a good time. 

                I know, I know… I don’t even like American talk shows.  I sometimes like British talk shows.  But- there’s just something fascinating and utterly hilarious about Korean talk shows.  It doesn’t hurt that this particular show (Happy Together)  is co-hosted by the endearing Yoo Jae Suk (whom I first cheered on in Running Man).  But I digress.

             
 

This particular episode of Happy Together focused on the cultural quirks and anecdotes of Korean celebrities living abroad, growing up abroad, or of international entertainers that have made Korea their home.  It’s a great watch whether you want to laugh uproariously or you’re a student of culture.  You can find it here (until youcan’t.) 

The guests included Ok Taecyeon of KPop boy band 2pm *Squee!!* (I have a soft spot for these dorky boys), Jungyu, Fei from Miss A, John Park, and Australian comedian, Sam Hammington.  From what I gather, it’s a “thing” for each guest to end the show by bringing a snack recipe to the Late Night Cafeteria.  E and I like snacks.  There were glass noodles with soysauce (not as exciting as it sounds), a ramen grilled cheese (run away!) and of course Fei (the reputed culinary genius of Miss A) made sweet and spicy dumplings that won the round. 

Nervous! Taecyeon and his fondue.

Poor Taecyeon brought fondue.  Fondue!  E and I like cheese, especially cheese you dip things into.  Unfortunately, the staff was a little unfamiliar with the rather western dish that is Fondue, and due to the "magic of television" (or in this case, the lack of magic that is television and how long it may have been sitting around while they were filming), it was pretty stringy and dubious by the time they brought it out.  Also, apparently Taec's role for the episode was to be the scapegoat of the day, so pretty much nothing went to plan.  It's better viewed than explained, just watch the episode.     

Present Day:

                E and I were inspired by earnest Taec and well… the delicious looking cheese in Whole Foods.  (We were in the mood for an excursion and what's more fun than wandering around and looking at delicious, but overpriced food goods?    So we went to Meijer and bought cheaper cheese.  (I miss Meijer.  They don't have Meijer in the "deep south" as everyone back home refers to Texas.) 

Fancy 2PM Fondue with Rice Cakes.

Our Version: more authentic experience

 Taecyeon suggested that you should use leftover cheese in your fridge because apparently “everyone has leftover cheese in their fridge” and it’s good with rice cakes.  Of course, since rice cakes are like “a thing” as my students say, in Asia, this seemed reasonable.  Apparently, they are not “a thing” in the Midwest of America.  What are “a thing” in the Midwest are Quaker Oats Puffed Rice Cakes.   So we got those.  Also, bread.   

And we blatantly thefted a recipe from THIS GUY.  Cause if you’re going to steal, steal from the best.   Wait…  

                

All in all, it was a great supper, complete with Izzies and a couple episodes of You are all Surrounded! (Which is shaping up as major awesome, thus far.)

                And now… to the dyeing of the hair.  More on that adventure to follow.