James Park, Apartment Therapy Journalist Profile

Articles

The $6 Instant Noodles I Stock in My Pantry All Summer Long

Aug 19, 2024 | yahoo.com | James Park

James ParkAugust 19, 2024 at 6:35 PM·4 min readAs soon as the weather turns from warm to too-hot-to-function, I crave all types of cold noodles — especially the spicy, saucy, tangy ones like bibim guksu. As the dish’s name suggests (Bibim means “mixed,” and guksu means “noodles” in Korean) the cold noodles get mixed with a gochujang-based sauce. Its zesty, tangy flavors bring my appetite back almost immediately.
The 15 Best Korean Groceries to Buy at Trader Joe's

Jul 9, 2024 | parade.com | James Park

As a Korean-American recipe developer, I'm always looking for ingredients to incorporate into my Korean cooking. When I first started shopping at Trader Joe's, I didn't really see a lot of options, but recently, the fan-favorite grocery has introduced so many types of Korean-inspired seasonings and ready-made meals that make my job easier-and more delicious. Some of these ingredients are often cheaper than what I can find at H Mart, and the quality and taste are fantastic.
These Creamy Lemon Noodles Have the Most Delicious Sauce

May 25, 2024 | yahoo.com | James Park

James ParkMay 25, 2024 at 7:00 AM·4 min readOne of my favorite condiments to cook with is yuzu kosho. This beloved Japanese condiment, which has a paste-like consistency, has two main ingredients: spicy fresh chiles (typically green) and yuzu, a sweet-tart citrus fruit. It’s a great way to add zesty, spicy flavors to just about any dish (like my ginger chicken soup).
The Iconic Korean Snack I’m Making at Every Cookout This Summer

May 24, 2024 | yahoo.com | James Park

James ParkMay 24, 2024 at 9:00 AM·5 min readTwo simple ingredients — chewy rice cakes and juicy, plump sausage — make up one of my favorite Korean snacks. This street food, also known as so-tteok so-tteok (소떡소떡), is particularly popular at Korean rest stops, where drivers can rest, eat, and recharge after hours on the highway. During my recent trip to Korea, I made sure that I got my hands on this easy-to-eat snack, and I was pleasantly reminded of how delicious it was.
We're Calling It: Filipino Barbecue Chicken Is THE Easy Dinner of Summer

May 20, 2024 | yahoo.com | James Park

One of the easiest and tastiest ways to add flavor to your chicken is to marinate it. This Filipino barbecue chicken has become my new go-to way to cook chicken. Here, chicken thighs are marinated overnight, making them juicy, tender, and beautifully glossy. What makes this chicken recipe unique is the use of soda and banana ketchup. The carbonation from the soda tenderizes the chicken while adding a nice zing, and the banana ketchup has a unique flavor that makes this recipe stand out.
These Impossibly Crispy Kimchi Pancakes Are Surprisingly Easy to Make

May 14, 2024 | yahoo.com | James Park

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy cabbage kimchi. For a quick weeknight meal, you can make this foolproof kimchi fried rice. Or if you are craving something more comforting, this bubbling kimchi stew is a perfect fix. But one of my favorite ways to enjoy kimchi is in savory pancakes. They’re so easy to prepare and come together in less than 30 minutes. These kimchi pancakes are perfect as a midday snack, side dish, or delicious drinking food.
This Beloved Ingredient Is the Secret to My No-Bake Cheesecake Bars

May 12, 2024 | yahoo.com | James Park

One of my favorite dessert flavors is ube (purple yam). Its unique, vanilla-like, and slightly earthy flavor works perfectly in many not-too-sweet desserts like ube tiramisu and ube ice cream. So, of course, I’ve been thinking about the next dessert to get an ube upgrade. Enter: Ube cheesecake bars! Here, a creamy, wonderfully airy cream cheese base gets flavored with ube and paired with a graham cracker crust for a stunning, crowd-pleasing dessert.
The Vietnamese Chicken Salad I Make Every Week of Summer

May 11, 2024 | yahoo.com | James Park

One of my go-to grocery items, especially as the weather gets warmer and I don’t want to cook, is rotisserie chicken. It’s delicious on its own, but love it most for making a tangy, salty, slightly sweet Vietnamese chicken salad, called Gỏi Gà. Gỏi gà, which translates to “chicken salad,” is a perfect lazy summer dinner, and using rotisserie chicken means you don’t need to turn on the stovetop. But what makes this chicken salad exceptional is the dressing.
You've Been Making a Mimosa Wrong Your Entire Life - Here's My Perfect Ratio

May 10, 2024 | yahoo.com | James Park

One of the easiest, most delicious cocktails you can make is a mimosa. It’s so simple to make and only calls for two ingredients (the Cointreau is optional). And the result is refreshing, slightly sweet, and zesty. Plus, it’s the perfect celebratory cocktail. You can easily make it for any special occasion like Mother’s Day, or just for a casual brunch on the weekend. Why You’ll Love ItIt’s not too sweet! My recipe has the perfect ratio of orange juice to cold sparkling wine.
This Korean Pantry Staple Is the Secret to the Most Flavorful Meatloaf

Apr 17, 2024 | yahoo.com | James Park

I moved from Korea to the United States when I was 13, and didn’t grow up eating classic meatloaf. My first time trying it was a bit disappointing. It was bland and slightly dry, and the overly sweet ketchup glaze didn’t do much for me. As I was staring at my plate of the unfinished slice, a wild thought hit me all of sudden: What if we make meatloaf Korean?