[Lunch Review] 1/12 A Comforting Table --- Daechang Handmade Pork Cutlet, Cabbage Salad, Soybean Paste Soup with Napa Cabbage, Kimchi, Pickled Radish
Today’s menu featured:
Daechang Handmade Pork Cutlet, Cabbage Salad, Soybean Paste Soup with Napa Cabbage, Kimchi, and Pickled Radish.
After a long business trip, I finally returned to church.
This was my first time back this year.
I might have planned my trip around hearing that today’s menu included my favorite dish—pork cutlet.
Okay, fine. I absolutely did.
With my heart racing, I went to the kitchen to check things out.
Everything was already set up!
Let’s take a closer look:
The pork cutlet sauce was shimmering, made with fruits and only natural ingredients.
The sauce was made with only natural ingredients.
It sparkled beautifully, catching the light like a jewel.
I wanted to write "donkkaseu" (a common way to spell pork cutlet in Korean), but apparently, the standard spelling is "dongaseu."
The spell-checker insists I use the official version.
Honestly, shouldn’t the standard adapt to what most people are already saying?
Fine. For today, I’ll use "dongaseu."
But next time? It’s "donkkaseu" for sure!
Cabbage salad: the eternal fountain of youth.
Topped with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds, the dressing looked divine.
And, of course, no pork cutlet meal is complete without fresh kimchi and its trusty companion: pickled radish.
Today, the meal would be served on cafeteria trays—a bonus for self-serve enthusiasts like me. Why? Because self-serve means unlimited cabbage salad!
The kitchen team also prepared soybean paste soup, packed with napa cabbage and radish.
Despite the busy prep work, they kept everything tidy with mid-prep cleanups like pros.
Post-service excitement:
Back from worship,
The frying master of the Evergreen Kitchen took charge, skillfully frying up the pork cutlets to perfection.
The frying master of the Evergreen Kitchen is also the floral arrangement expert of the Evergreen Table.
The Frying Duo took their positions.
Paranbyeol ("Blue Star") dipped the pork cutlets into the fryer, while ABBA ("Dad") managed the perfect fry.
Their teamwork was seamless, as always.
The pork cutlets practically glowed, as if blessed by divine light.
Each one was carefully sliced into perfect bite-sized pieces.
Each cutlet was sliced into perfectly sized portions, ready to eat.
Did your eyes suddenly feel a bit blurry?
It happened to me too while editing photos—I was so startled, I grabbed some blueberries.
They say blueberries are great for your eyes.
Why not have some? Who knows, it might even make your photos look sharper!
Meanwhile, the soybean paste soup was portioned out, ready to be served.
The pork cutlet sauce is warmed up, ready to serve hot.
While waiting for the pork cutlets, the pastor and the soldiers enjoy a casual chat.
The conversation naturally turned to a classic debate:
“To drizzle the sauce (boomeok) or to dip it (jjeokmeok)?”
Spoiler: either way, it’s amazing.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.
It had been far too long since I’d had such a comforting meal.
The chef had prepared plenty, encouraging everyone to go back for seconds (or thirds).
I quickly responded,
“Yes!”
The pastor grabbed a spoon as if it were a microphone and led the prayer of thanks for the meal.
The brothers joined in heartfelt prayer of thanks.
The sight of the congregation praying together is as beautiful as ever.
And here’s what I brought.
Take a look!
With your eyes—
Ahhh~
Is it too small, you say?
Of course, it’s just a sample portion.
A little later, I came back with a heaping plateful!
Everyone went back for refills two or three times of the soft and comforting soybean paste soup with napa cabbage.
Here’s a confession:
Due to lingering COVID-19 symptoms, I couldn’t taste or smell anything that day.
Even rubbing alcohol under my nose didn’t register.
I could only feel the textures of the food—no flavors.
But somehow, I still found myself going back for more pork cutlet. Why? Because humans can overeat based on memory and imagination alone!
Sauce Drizzlers vs. Sauce Dippers
Whether you drizzle or dip, pork cutlets are irresistible.
Can’t taste anything, you say?
Well, it’s still absolutely delicious!
The Evergreen Kitchen team wrapped up with their usual efficiency.
Pork Cutlet Therapy Time
Pork cutlets are one of those irresistibly charming dishes that you always want to eat again.
If you think it’s just me, well, we might need a one-month friendship break.
Pork cutlet combat power is at its peak!
It’s not every day you get to enjoy delicious handmade pork cutlets in the military.
The chef’s menu choices always earn a round of applause.
The chef is the best!
Today, the men’s fellowship took care of the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen.
Even as they neatly stacked the new trays,
Even as they put their heads together to figure out how to handle the used frying oil from the pork cutlets, their dedication was truly inspiring.
It brought a little tear to my eye.
Meanwhile, the women’s ministry took time for quiet prayer, enjoying a well-deserved break.
In the corner of the kitchen, a red geranium caught my eye. Its reflection in the window seemed to smile, as if it knew how beautiful it was.
Its flower meaning? Comfort.
Sharing a meal isn’t just about food—it’s about connection and healing.
“Next week’s menu is udon with fish cakes and jumbo shrimp tempura—five shrimp per person!”
With that announcement, all our worries melted away.
Even post-COVID fatigue felt like it was banished to another galaxy.
The Evergreen Kitchen isn’t just about food—it’s about creating a space for comfort and care.
Evergreen Church is where comfort thrives, shared among its congregation.
Are you in need of comfort?
Come to Evergreen Church.
We’ll keep the table warm and ready for you.
A heartfelt thank-you to the chef and all the volunteers who made this meal possible.
This has been This Forest from Evergreen News, signing off with today’s lunch review.
Hashtags:
#ChurchLunch #HandmadePorkCutlet #ComfortFood #EvergreenKitchen #SoybeanPasteSoup #FaithAndCommunity #FoodTherapy
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