Ram-don (Chapaguri); Parasite K-Movie dish

Let’s create Ram-don aka Chapaguri or Jjapaguri, a famous dish inspired by K-Movie Parasite. Serve with noodles, udon, and fancy steak, so tasty and juicy!

Oscar-Winning Award Movie; Parasite

Today, we will not make a recipe, on contrary we will recreate one famous dishes inspired by Parasite, a Korean movie that got many awards. They are; Baeksang Arts Award Grand Prize in Film, Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actor in Film, Oscar-winning an Academy Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Directing, Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, and many more, mostly in 2019-2020.  

So, here’s a little overview of Parasite with the original Korean title Gisaengchung is a 2019 South Korean thriller film tells The struggling Kim family sees an opportunity when the son starts working for the wealthy Park family. Soon, all of them find a way to work within the same household and start living a parasitic life. This is the best of the best K-movie, with genres of thriller, mystery, drama, and dark comedy. little deep movie, but very well.

One of the interesting facts is There is a specific scene in this movie, It’s the critical scene when the Kims get a call from Mrs. Park saying that the family will be home in 8 minutes. Mrs. Kim prepares a noodle dish topped with expensive meat at Mrs. Park’s request. The portrayal of ram-don in the film became widely known. It became a symbol of the contrasts in the lives of the rich and the poor depicted in “Parasite.” speaks on the larger theme of the movie: the class divide. Right after that, everyone was craving for the dish Ms. Kim serve to her boss; a Ram-don.

What Is Ram-don a.k.a Jjapaguri/ Chapaguri?

Ram-don, also known as Jjapaguri, is a Korean noodle dish that has gained popularity due to its appearance in the film “Parasite.” It is a fusion creation that combines two brands of instant noodles, Chapagetti and Neoguri. Chapagetti features a black bean sauce flavor, while Neoguri offers a spicy seafood taste. When these two noodle brands mix together, they produce a unique and flavorful dish that has captured the attention of food enthusiasts worldwide. It’s worth mentioning that the name “Ram-Don” was coined for the film’s international audience and translation purposes.

In the movie “Parasite,” the dish known as ram-don (also traditionally known as Korean jjapaguri) carries symbolic meaning. It combines two simple ingredients, Chapagetti and Neoguri instant noodles, with a luxurious addition of ultra-premium Hanwoo beef. The fusion of these three components represents a contrast in wealth and social status.

Beyond the film’s explicit meanings, the popularity of ram-don is so over whelmed, people worldwide are intrigued by its fusion flavors and seeking to recreate the dish in their own kitchens.

The Symbols of ram-don in the movie

The symbols of ram-don in the context of the film “Parasite” lies in its representation of the stark contrast between social classes. In the movie, the rich Park family requests the creation of Ram-don. They elevate it by adding a humble dish by serving it with a generous expensive portion of Hanwoo steak, which is a high-quality and expensive cut of beef in Korea. it’s symbolizing their desire to showcase their wealth and status.

This juxtaposition of a cheap noodle dish with a lavish meat topping symbolizes the Park family’s attempt to glamorize and elevate something ordinary, reflecting their desire for exclusivity and a certain social image. This highlights the disparity and tension between the privileged and the working class, reflecting the broader themes explored in the film.

Overall, the symbolism behind ram-don in “Parasite” lies in its representation of social and economic disparities, as well as the contrast between ordinary and luxurious elements. It serves as a powerful visual tool to convey the themes of wealth, class divisions, and the lengths some individuals go to maintain their privileged status.

Ingredients of Ram-don (Chapaguri)

• Chapagetti; a type of instant noodle that comes in a pack. It is a popular brand in South Korea known for its black bean sauce flavor (Jjangmyeon taste).
• Neoguri; Neoguri is another brand of instant noodles (udon specifically), also commonly found in South Korea. It has a spicy seafood flavor profile, typically including ingredients like dried vegetables, kelp, and seafood powder. Both of these noodles make a combination of black bean sauce and spicy seafood flavors creating a unique taste experience.
• Sirloin Steak; This ingredient adds protein to the dish. Sirloin steak is a tender and flavorful cut of beef that is commonly used in various recipes. It is usually sliced thinly for use in ram don. In the original movie, the sirloin use is a premium Korean beef steak which is Hanwoo.
• Green Onion; it’s optional, also known as scallions or spring onions, and use as a garnish or ingredient in Asian cuisine, including ram-don. Green onions add freshness and enhance the visual appeal and provide a contrast in texture and flavor.
• Water; Water is a fundamental component of the recipe, used for boiling the noodles and cooking the ingredients.

Instructions of Ram-don (Chapaguri)

First thing first, To make ram-don, begin by preparing the ingredients. Cut steak into bite-sized, and season it with salt and black pepper. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat, then cook the steak until cooked. Transfer it to a plate and set aside.

Next, bring a pot of water to Boil water over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, add dry vegetables from both packages, and both of the noodles. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the noodles become tender.

Then, once the noodles are cooked, drain water from the pan leaving about 1 cup water. Return the pan with noodles, and turn the heat to low heat. Add all of chapagetti seasoning and ½ or all of Neoguri seasoning.

Next, add cooked sirloin steak and mix the noodle until well coated in sauce and well combined.

Turn off the heat and (It’s optional) sprinkle the ram-don with thinly sliced green onions for a burst of freshness. Serve the ram-don while it is still warm, allowing the flavors to meld together and create a delightful eating experience.

Now, relax, and enjoy this delicious fusion dish! it brings together the richness of the steak, the boldness of the black bean sauce, and the spiciness of seafood flavor. Ram-don is an indescribable dish that leaving you wanting more!

NEED MORE KOREAN SNACKS? YOU MUST TRY THESE!

• Corn Dog Sausage
• Korean Popcorn Chicken
• Korean Mozzarella Cheese Balls
• Korean Beef Bulgogi Meatballs

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