Seolleontang (Korean Bone Soup) #MoviesandMunchies

I am posting this after watching KPop Demon Hunters which is our September-October Movies & Munchies selection. Actually it was our September selection, but several us were slow to the party; so Amy - of Amy's Cooking Adventures - extended our deadline and gave us October to watch and head into the kitchen. Phew.

On the Screen

image from https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250715-the-animated-k-pop-film-that-swept-the-world

I didn't know what to expect from this movie. Honestly, I would never have chosen to watch this, but I am so glad that Amy picked it for us. I will say that while the movie is rated PG, I don't think it's really a kids' movie...maybe more like a teen flick. There are romantic themes; and the idea of soul-stealing seems mature to me.

The movie centers around a KPop (that's Korean pop rock, if you are unfamiliar) group called Huntrix made up of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. Not only are they pop stars, but they are hunters who track down and kill demons. Demons steal people's souls and vanish them from the planet. The girls sound off with a rival band called Saja Boys who are actually demons in disguise.

The colors of the movie are fun and pop-y as is the soundtrack.

Korean Snacks

Before Amy hosted, she told us that there was plenty of food in the movie. She was right!

The characters eat cup ramen during the opening fight scene. I have made a long-simmered broth for homemade ramen. IAnd I did buy a Buldak Spicy Ramen at the Korean market, but none of us have dared. Also in the airplane scene you also see a boba drink.

When they are writing the song "Take Down" you can see a multitude of snacks, including Pepero which is similar to Japanese Pocky (I have made Homemade Pocky before) and spicy shrimp chips. You can also see a lot of Korean comfort foods on the table such as tteokbokki which is a popular Korean street food made of chewy rice cakes (tteok) stir-fried in a spicy and slightly sweet sauce, primarily flavored with gochujang (red chili paste).

In the scene where Zoey and Mira are settling down on the couch post-spa, you get a glimpse of bingsoo, a milk-based Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings that may include chopped fruit, condensed milk, fruit syrup, tteok, and red beans. I have ordered bingsoo several times, but never made it myself.

Another of Huntrix's favorite foods is kimbap; you can see my hybrid version. Banana milk makes an appearance in the final credits as does a Korean corn dog. And I picked up a Korean juice pouch that was similar to what Rumi received from the healer that had a different sticker slapped on it.

Seolleontang

Korean Bone Soup

But the dish I chose to make was the soup that the trio eat to comfort Rumi when she starts to lose her voice. I wasn't exactly sure what kind of Korean soup it was, but decided it was Seolleontang, a hot beef bone soup with noodles or rice. In the movie you can see an array of banchan next to the soup. Though I often pickle and ferment veggies to go with my Korean dinners, I guess I haven't shared a bunch of recipes. Here is my Purple Napa Kimchi.

This soup takes quite a long time to prepare as the bones soak and simmer for hours. But it is well worth the effort. I promise!

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 pounds beef marrow bones (I had the butcher cut them into 1-1/2" lengths)

• water

• 1 to 2 pounds beef brisket

• Also needed: rice, sliced green onions, and banchan

Procedure

Soak the bones in cold water to draw out as much blood as possible. In another bowl, soak the brisket. Soak them both for at least an hour; but I left them for about 3 hours. Rinse well and drain.

Add the bones to a large stockpot. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the bones completely. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, and boil for 5 minutes. Drain, rinse, and clean all of the bits from the pot. Return the bones to the clean pot. Fill up the pot with cold water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the bones boil for as long as you have time. I left them overnight, so about 12 hours. Every so often, top the pot off with more cold water.

Add the soaked meat into the pot and boil the meat for at least two hours. Remove the meat and, once cool, thinly slice the meat for serving.

Serving

To serve, place some rice and, if desired, noodles into individual serving bowls, add in the meat slices, and then ladle the hot broth on top. Sprinkle in the sliced green onions and let everyone season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve piping hot with kimchi.

That's a wrap for my September-October #MoviesandMunchie offering. Thanks for picking the movie, Amy. What fun!! The group will return next month as I host Hannah and Her Sisters.