[Lunch Review] December 15 - A Heartwarming Feast of Kimchi Braised Pork Ribs

 


Sunday mornings at Evergreen Church are filled with energy, as volunteers hustle to prepare a delicious lunch for the congregation. The aroma of spices and the sound of teamwork fill the kitchen, promising a meal that’s as comforting as the fellowship it accompanies.

Ms. Bak Iro led the charge in seasoning the dishes, while Ms. Arisup—whose name beautifully translates to "Beautiful Forest"—took care of making fresh napa cabbage kimchi. Even Ms. Lee Young-ok, who typically accompanies the choir, lent her helping hands in the kitchen this week.



Preparing for a Special Meal

The team’s synergy was evident, as the food always turns out delicious when everyone works together. The fresh napa cabbage kimchi, already a crowd favorite, was made in abundance this time. The tangy, crisp kimchi was expected to complement today’s star dish—kimchi braised pork ribs.


The preparation for the pork ribs started well ahead of time. The ribs were soaked in cold water for 12 hours to remove any impurities, a crucial step that ensures the meat’s clean flavor and tender texture.


With more soldiers expected to attend today’s service, a generous 20 kilograms (about 44 pounds) of pork ribs were prepared.


 


The kitchen was abuzz as the chef carefully trimmed the meat, while Mr. Blue Star assisted in the process.

The more care put into the kitchen, the more delicious the dishes turn out to be.

The chef pours his passion into cooking every week. He is wholeheartedly dedicated to it.

The chef shares that cooking brings him immense joy and happiness.

“I wish I had discovered my love for cooking earlier,” he sometimes laments. But it’s never too late. Evergreen Church has provided him with a wonderful role, so he can now fully embrace and enjoy it!


A special trick was employed to enhance the ribs’ flavor—cola was added during the initial boiling stage. This not only tenderized the meat but also eliminated any lingering odors, setting the foundation for a perfect dish.


Meanwhile, aged kimchi was rinsed and seasoned with a mix of red pepper powder, green chilies, ginger powder, and cooking oil. It was layered with the pork ribs in a large pot, covered with water, and simmered slowly. The result? A deeply flavorful dish where the richness of the pork met the tangy depth of aged kimchi.



A Morning of Worship and Grace

The time of praise before the service begins is truly uplifting.

Evergreen Church is a military church affiliated with the 1113 Engineer Battalion.

However, it is also a place where civilians are welcome to worship freely.

Before the meal, Evergreen Church came together for worship, starting with a heartfelt time of praise. The choir’s rendition of "I Have No Regrets in Serving the Lord" was particularly moving, setting a reflective tone for the service:

"There is no regret in serving the Lord.
The best decision in my life was meeting Jesus.
The most meaningful thing I have ever done is to serve Him as my Lord."

While walking the path of life in this world,

There are times when it is rough, and I stumble.

But the mighty hand of the Lord upholds me,

So I will live my life serving Jesus alone as my Lord.

I have no regrets in serving the Lord.

Every moment I have walked has been by His grace.

And every day ahead, I will live serving Him alone,

Calling upon the name of Jesus with every step.

This is my testimony,

This is my song.

For as long as I live,

I will ceaselessly praise my Savior.

For as long as I live,

I will ceaselessly praise my Savior.



The Evergreen Church choir’s graceful and uplifting hymn.


Today, more soldiers attended the service than usual.

Typically, around ten soldiers join the service, but today, nearly double that number—17 soldiers—participated, bringing great joy to everyone.

We hope that during their time of fulfilling their military duties, these brothers in uniform find true blessings and grace by coming to church and deepening their faith in the Lord.


 



Pastor Yoon Yong-jin delivered an inspiring sermon titled "The Reason We Can Rejoice in Any Circumstance." Afterward, the congregation welcomed new members, including Ms. Kim Mi-ran and her son, along with eight soldiers who pledged to attend regularly.

We bless and warmly welcome everyone who has come to the church.

It brings us joy and happiness to worship together with you.

Evergreen Church is always waiting for you with open arms.

We hope to share worship and a joyful journey of faith together with all of you.




A Feast Worth Remembering

After the service, the congregation gathered for lunch, starting with a sweet appetizer: pumpkin porridge. This was made using a pumpkin grown by Ms. Sin Sook-hee’s mother and prepared into a golden, velvety dish by Ms. Saengsek, whose playful nickname reflects her love for showcasing her contributions.


Ms. Arisup, who has been a huge hit lately with her fresh napa cabbage kimchi, is all smiles today, radiating confidence in her cooking.



After tasting the napa cabbage kimchi, Brother Choi Woo-seok suggested adding sesame oil to enhance the flavor.

It seems that young people have a refined palate, able to detect even subtle differences in taste. With everyone contributing their sense of taste, the napa cabbage kimchi turned out even more delicious today.


The dish combined the sweetness and crispness of napa cabbage, the sharpness of green onions and radish strips, the spiciness of red pepper, ginger, and garlic, and the nutty aroma of sesame oil and sesame seeds, creating a truly flavorful kimchi.


The pork ribs braised with aged kimchi had a rich, deep flavor that looked incredibly appetizing. They were generously served in a hotpot.



Before the meal, everyone joined in a prayer of thanksgiving.

Sharing lunch with the soldiers was a joyful experience.


 




They thoroughly enjoyed the kimchi braised pork ribs.

The church elders and deacons made sure the soldiers had enough food, quickly replenishing any dishes as needed.



The pork ribs were tender and juicy, melting in the mouth and creating a feast of flavors.



The spicy and savory richness of the braised ribs paired perfectly with warm rice. The broth, with its spicy and hearty flavors, stimulated appetites, leading to extra helpings for many.


Thanks to the dedication of the chef and the kitchen volunteers, a hearty and delicious meal is prepared every Sunday, making lunch with the soldiers a delightful experience.

Evergreen Church hopes that the soldiers who come to church will listen to God’s word, communicate with us, and share life together.

Evergreen Church is a place of faith, love, and happiness, where joy is shared with all.

The church is committed to spreading the gospel to soldiers, offering young servicemen the assurance of salvation and a vision for their future.

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