Sung Si-kyung visits his father's favorite Namdaemun restaurant for lamb tripe

Singer Sung Si-kyung shared a nostalgic meal at Namdaemun's Yangmiok in a recent YouTube video, where he enjoyed lamb and large intestine paired with soju. The singer described the experience as "adults' fire-gazing" and noted the establishment is a place for those who can comfortably spend around 100,000 won.

Singer Sung Si-kyung visited an old, long-standing restaurant in Namdaemun to enjoy lamb tripe paired with soju, soaking in the unique atmosphere of the establishment. The video, released through his YouTube channel 'SUNG SI KYUNG', captures his culinary experience at Namdaemun 'Yangmiok', which was a regular spot for his father.

"A regular spot for my father and 'adults' fire-gazing"... A special culinary experience with lamb tripe

Sung Si-kyung began his meal by revealing that the destination was a place his father used to frequent. He described the sight of fat dripping onto the fire and smoke rising from the lamb tripe as "adults' fire-gazing." Watching the fatty tripe cook as it met the flames, he enjoyed the distinct atmosphere of the old restaurant.

He ordered one serving each of lamb and large intestine (daechang). Checking the freshness of the pinkish lamb, Sung Si-kyung noted, "To be fresh, the lamb must be pink." He emphasized the combination of eating the fatty large intestine and lamb with garlic, explaining, "The fat completely offsets the spiciness of the garlic, allowing you to feel only the umami."

From a symbol of success to a family menu: Memories held in lamb tripe

Sung Si-kyung reflected on the social significance and personal memories associated with lamb tripe. He mentioned that lamb tripe was once quite a luxurious food and shared an anecdote about how his father chose it when treating his father-in-law to a meal for the first time. He recalled the weight of the dish, remembering how his self-made grandfather, at the time, suggested seolleongtang instead, asking, "Why buy such a thing when there is no money?"

He defined the atmosphere of the restaurant as having a "strong feeling of coming with family." He analyzed that while it might be somewhat intimidating for a man living alone and the price point might be high for office workers, it is a refined old restaurant suitable for bringing a wife or parents. "It is a place you come to once you have achieved success and are in a position to comfortably spend around 100,000 won," Sung Si-kyung said, conveying the feeling of being treated well at the venue.

"The value of a single bite enjoyed as one ages"... The joy of a solitary gourmet

As he continued his meal, Sung Si-kyung compared his way of enjoying lamb tripe to that of 'The Solitary Gourmet.' Rather than eating large quantities, he focuses on enjoying the intense umami of a single bite while pairing it with soju. He described the flavor by saying, "The umami of this single bite is so great that you could drink two shots of soju for every one bite."

In particular, he mentioned that one's attitude toward food changes as they get older. "Even if I can only drink half a bottle of soju because I am older, there is this tremendous joy," he said, emphasizing the pleasure found in the harmony of the fatty lamb tripe and garlic. He shared his thoughts on the meal, stating it was "a time that felt like being at a club for youth, while simultaneously making me think a lot."

Source: original video (YouTube)