Posts Tagged ‘Gaju Market’

Lotte Butter Coconut Biscuits

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Had a hard time making out what this was from afar. The prominent Korean characters said it was 빠다코코낫 (bbada kokonaht). The coconut part I got but what’s bbada? Sounds almost like 바다 (bada), which means ocean.

Lotte Butter Coconut Biscuits

Closer inspection of the English lettering revealed that it was Butter Coconut Biscuits. Another part of the label said it was Biscuits with Honey. Whatever… I’ll try anything new and on sale, so I bought a box without checking the ingredients, which by the way contained high-fructose corn syrup (yuck!).

You’d think with such a sweetener, they would taste good, but these biscuits were unremarkable. Crisp in texture, but bland in flavor.

Most of the information on the box is in Hangul, but there was a square sticker on the back side listing the ingredients and nutrition facts in English.

Product Name: Butter Coconut 100g. Ingredients: wheat flour, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, salt, leavening, (sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate), dry beta-carotene 10%, sodium bisulfite, wheat fiber, vegetable shortening (palm), margarine, corn starch, coconut powder, artificial flavor.

Allergy information: contains wheat and coconut.

Nutrition Facts. Serving size: 1/3 pack (33 grams). About 3 servings per container. Each serving: 125 calories, 40 from fat. Total fat 5 grams: saturated 4 grams, no trans fat. No cholesterol. 131 milligrams of sodum. Total carbohydrates 20 grams: 1 gram dietary fiber, 7 grams sugars. Protein 2 grams. Percent Daily Value: 8% vitamin A. No vitamin C, calcium or iron.

Net weight: 100 grams (3.52 ounces). UPC 8 801062 247035

Manufactured by Lotte Confectionery Company, Limited. Seoul, Korea. Tel: USA (213) 688-8806, Korea 2-2635-8722.

Lotte Original since 1979. Promise the Best. There’s a man dressed like a doctor on the side of the box holding up the box. He is identified as the head developer of these biscuits. Quote: “I made this while thinking of my family.” (High-fructose corn syrup???)

Anyhoo, the box says the suggested retail price is 1,000 Korean won. California Market is currently selling it for 50 American cents. These biscuits are not even filling, so don’t bother.

Mandoo (Korean Dumplings) at California Market

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

On one side of the Korean supermarket California Market (Gaju Mah-ket)

MANDU: Korean Dumplings at California Market

HONG KONG MANDOO = 홍콩만두

I found the name interesting because the initials of Hong Kong, HK, also stand for HanKook, which means Korea. California Market’s chief competitor in this area of Koreatown in HK Super just a few blocks north.

The window sign says “Please knock.” When you do, it opens and you can ask for what you want. They sell fried dumplings, king dumplings (hwang-mandu, which could actually be “emperor” dumplings), steamed bread (jjinbbang), kimchi dumplings, pork dumplings, cold dumplings (neng mandu), shrimp dumplings (se-u mandu) and boiled dumplings.

Price seems to be $7 for a dozen. I’ll check next time I’m there. Mmm, you can probably just go inside the supermarket and order while enjoying the air conditioning, and even sit down to eat. You can buy a bag of mandoo (Aisle 7, frozen foods) and fix them up yourself at home.

The phone number shown (213) 385-2174 has been disconnected.
Gaju Address: 450 S Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020