Kimchipapi Kitchen In Allston – Where To Celebrate “Something On A Stick Day”
Looking for a way to celebrate “Something on a Stick Day?” Let me recommend a spot I recently visited. It’s Allston’s Kimchipapi Kitchen! What’s “Something on a Stick Day?” Ok…
Looking for a way to celebrate "Something on a Stick Day?" Let me recommend a spot I recently visited. It's Allston's Kimchipapi Kitchen!
What's "Something on a Stick Day?"
Ok I'll be honest. No matter where I looked, I couldn't find when and how the day got started. People have been eating food on skewers and sticks for thousands of years, but no word on when the day was made official. It is observed annually on March 28th, and celebrates anything and everything you can eat on a stick. If you're looking to join in on the fun, grab any type of stick or skewer, and throw anything you want to eat on it. And the good news is, you don't even have to cook to participate!
What to eat on a stick today
Looking for some ideas? We got you! Throw some grapes, melon, and berries on a stick for a yummy fruit kebab. Pick any of your favorite cheeses, veggies, and meats for a charcuterie-inspired stick. Grab a box of popsicles, chop up some french toast and dip it in syrup, or cook up some shrimp and steak tips for a little surf-and-turf on a stick. The possibilities are endless.
What's on a stick at Kimchipapi Kitchen?
One of my new favorite spots is Kimchipapi Kitchen in Allston. Owner and chef Joon Son aka Kimchipapi, is following in the footsteps of his family that has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. His mother is the former owner of the popular (but now closed) Wuchon House Restaurant in Somerville. The Korean eatery menu offers: kravings, signature bowls, fried chicken, Korean street food, and korndogs. Since we're celebrating something on a stick day, lets talk about those Kimchipapi Kitchen korndogs.
The original korndog
The potato korndog
The hot cheetos korndog
If you're in the Allston area, be sure to check out Kimchipapi Kitchen. I only tried the korndogs, but I'll definitely be back to try their fried chicken, spam mushi bowl, budae jigae, and more!
Hallyu! The Korean Wave Hits Boston In An Illuminating New Exhibit At The MFA
Hallyu! The Korean Wave has arrived at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts! From award-winning films like Parasite, record-breaking dramas like Squid Game, to global sensation K-pop groups like BTS and BLACKPINK, South Korea has shown itself to be a country of innovation and influence. This new exhibit is not only a display of incredible art, it's also a captivating presentation of Korean history, culture, and people.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave Exhibit
The first major exhibition to focus on South Korean pop culture and its worldwide influence, Hallyu! the Korean Wave will be on view at the Museum of Fine Arts from March 24th through July 28th 2024. The exhibit features about 250 object that highlight Korea's contributions in the areas of art, cinema, drama, music, fashion, beauty, and technology. It's described as "The first major exhibition to explore the origins, evolution and incredible impact worldwide of Korea’s pop culture, Hallyu! celebrates a vibrant creative force that bridges cultural, societal and linguistic divides—and continues to reach new heights today."
Other Hallyu! The Korean Wave programs at the MFA
I love that there are so many other great programs available, in addition to the exhibit.
May 2nd - Min Jin Lee: Writing and the Korean Wave - I'm so excited for this. The award-winning author of Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaires will be in conversation with Min Hyoung Song, Professor and Department Chair of English, Boston College. You can get your tickets here.
Hallyu Hits: Korean Films That Moved the World - The festival will take place from May 16th–June 13th, and will feature hits like Parasite, Snowpiercer, Oldboy, and Train to Busan. There will also be screenings of Past Lives, and Minari.
Special lectures - There are several lectures taking place over the next few months. On March 27th from 1pm - 3pm, it's Ashes to Powerhouse: South Korea from the 1950s to the 2020s. On April 3rd from 1pm - 2:30pm, it's The MFA's Korean Art Collection and Hallyu! On April 24th from 1pm - 2:30pm, It's Hallyu Cinema which will include the impact that streaming services like Netflix are having on the film industry in South Korea. If fashion is your thing, On May 1st from 1pm - 2:30pm, don't miss Hallyu and Korean Fashion. There are also many other lectures, special events, courses, special nights, and performances you can check out. Here's the entire list.
I was able to preview the exhibit before it opened, and had an incredible time. Here are some of the highlights you can expect from Hallyu! The Korean Wave.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave at the MFA
PebblesHallyu! The Korean Wave has arrived at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Always exciting to walk up to the MFA for a new exhibit.
Hallyu! swag
PebblesAlways nice to get a little swag at an event. We were treated to these great posters and tote bags. We even got some delicious food as well.
Welcome to Hallyu! The Korean Wave
PebblesOn the way into the Hallyu! exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Entrance to Hallyu! The Korean Wave
PebblesEntrance to Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. It was so exciting to see this stunning display at the entrance.
My new friend Cori Ahn
PebblesMet Cori Ahn while waiting to go into the exhibit. We talked about children's books, kimchi, her fashion designer friends, and more. She ended up being my personal tour guide through the exhibit, and gave me a great perspective on items we looked at.
Children's book author Cori Ahn
PebblesChildren's book author Cori Ahn holds up My Name Is Kimchi. The book explores the cultural significance of kimchi, Korea's national food. It also tells the dog's journey to being named Kimchi.
Squid Game comes to the MFA
PebblesI think I'm the only person in the world that hasn't seen Squid Game. The series is Neflix's most-watched series in 94 countries. It revolves around a secret contest where 456 people who are struggling financially. They then participate in series of children's games for billions of dollars.
Bathroom of the movie Parasite
PebblesA recreation of the bathroom featured in the movie Parasite. The 2020 movie made history when it became the first non-English-language film to win the Oscar for ‘Best Picture.’ According to an Instagram post by the MFA, "The inclusion of the “Parasite” bathroom was discussed with production designer Lee Ha-Jun and it was agreed that the bathroom would be the most powerful set to recreate, as a way to highlight the societal inequalities explored in the film."
Crash Landing on You
PebblesCrash Landing on You is about a South Korean heiress who accidently lands in North Korea after a paragliding incident. She then forms a relationship with an army officer and members of the community. Super popular series that was an introduction to Kdramas for a lot of people when the pandemic hit.
Kdrama costumes
PebblesThe green outfit on the right is the one that was worn by Park Bo-gum in the series Love in the Moonlight. Loved this one about a woman who secretly enters the palace as a eunuch, and ends up forming a relationship with the crown prince.
Traditional men's Korean hats
PebblesHere are four different men's Korean hats. From left to right: the Gat is the basic hat worn by nobles outdoors , Jeongjagwan - a hat worn by upper-class scholars at home, The Jurip was worn mainly by the royal guards and was part of the royal army and the bottom right one is Manggeon and was used to hold the headdress.
Historical Kdrama table setting
PebblesI've seen this scene so many times in Kdramas. I LOVE historical Kdramas, also known as sageuk. The table setting here is bronzeware known as bangjja or yugi. A complete set of bangjja includes dishes, bowls, spoons, and chopsticks, and was historically used as tableware for the royal families of Korea. I was lucky enough to buy a couple bowls, chopsticks, and a spoon on my visit to Seoul.
Julia Kwon in front of her artwork
PebblesArtist Julia Kwon in front of her Korean silk artwork that's sewn in the format of Korean object-wrapping cloth called bojagi. It's a really moving and emotional piece as the yellow bars represent a graph of the different types of AAPI discrimination in the United States. I stood in front of this for a long time. Art really is powerful.
Kpop comes to the MFA
PebblesKpop costumes worn by RM from BTS and Wooyoung from ATEEZ
PebblesAs a proud member of the BTS ARMY fandom, I almost screamed when I saw this part of the exhibit. The outfit on the right was worn by my BTS bias Namjoon aka RM. It was worn when the group performed Ddaeng at the BTS Prom Party in 2018.
Kpop costumes worn by Wooyoung from ATEEZ (left) and RM from BTS 9right) of BTS
PebblesIn case, like me, you want a more close-up look at the outfits, here you go! Yes I feel a little nuts that I got that excited about something one of my favorite people in the world once wore. But you gotta take the joy where you can get it! Lol
Korean culture and fashion
PebblesThis was such a stunning display. They include classic and modern hanbok. Hanbok is the traditional clothing of Korean people.
Moon Jar Dress, Blue, 2021. / Minju Kim
PebblesThe Moon Jar dress is the creation of Minju Kim. She was the winner of the first season of Next in Fashion. You'll see the inspiration for the dress in the next picture. The Moon Jar.
Korean Moon Jar
PebblesThe Moon Jar is one of the items from the Korean art collection at the MFA. The white porcelain moon jar is from the 18th century. It's from the Joseon dynasty, the last dynastic kingdom of Korea.
Pebbles and the wall of Kpop lightsticks
PebblesThis wall is a display of various Kpop lightsticks. Different groups have their own unique lightsticks that you take to the concerts. The first lightstick is credited to G-Dragon, the leader of BIGBANG. He decided their fans should have a light to support them on stage, and designed a yellow, crown-shaped golden lightstick named BangBong. I personally have a BTS one known as an ARMY Bomb, named after the BTS fandom.
Kpop light sticks
PebblesIf you've ever been to a Kpop concert, or have seen one online, you've also seen the sea of light sticks. Different groups have their own versions of light sticks. This display included ones from BTS, Blackpink, and more. I recently got my own BTS light stick and can't wait to go to a concert to use it!
Pebbles tries Kpop choreo
Cori AhnNo I can not dance. But yes, I wanted to give it a try. This interactive exhibit shows you some moves to That That by Psy and Suga of BTS. There are different levels to try. I did the lowest level obviously.
Hallyu is_____________?
PebblesThe final stop on the Korean Wave is this wall. You then can take a paper and write your answer and post it on the wall. You can see what my friend and I posted for ours.
Hallyu is_____________?
PebblesMy new friend Cori Ahn and I sat down to reflect on what Hallyu means to us. The one with BTS and Kdramas is obviously mine. And Cori Ahn summed hers us up with: fabulous, inspiring, beautiful, and aesthetic. I agree with all of this!
