Jja-Jang for the lonely

So it's now 2 months after Valentine's Day, yet here in Korea I am culturally obligated to once again admit that I am without a gentleman wooer (unless you consider those construction workers who shout out "woooooooo" as I walk by...but I wouldn't call them "gentlemen" per se).

The Korean culture likes to recognize all the many sides of a romantic relationship. Or even, as in this case, the complete absence of a romantic relationship. And it takes 3 separate monthly occasions to complete the observance. We begin with the traditional February 14th; here it is called "Red day" when girls give the boys candy and gifts. Then a month later, March 14th or "White day" the boys kindly return the favor. This would seem to equitably cover all the necessary Love Days needed in a single year. But no, there's more. Wait another month and around comes "Black day" April 14th, for the passionately pathetic. It is a day to rub a little more salt into the wounded hearts of those romantically unattached solitaries who were not able to participate in the previous two months' mush fests.

"Black day" is celebrated by those who did not receive Valentines from an admirer and are therefore entitled to eat Jja-jang Myon or "Black Noodles". Jja-jang myon is a gooey bean paste sauce with onions and carrots, poured hot over fresh noodles. And, despite its aversive appearance, it is quite delicious and satisfying. I know...I ate the noodles. No more need be commented on my relationship status.

I guess in Korea, if you got no romance at least you got ramen. So next time you're feeling lonely, just smother your sorrows and woes in noodles and bean paste. I promise you'll feel all warm and gooey inside.