The $15 Lunch Box Meal That Stole My Heart!

Introduction

If you don’t know me, let me introduce myself: I spent five adventurous years living in South Korea before making the big leap back to Minnesota. 

Now, let’s get personal: I’m a delightfully awkward person who spent five adventurous years in South Korea, navigating social anxiety and a sprinkle of low self-esteem. I often found myself shy about dining alone and hesitant to practice my Korean, especially when surrounded by confident middle schoolers. But as time went on, I learned to embrace new experiences. These days, I still get butterflies when venturing out solo, but thankfully for different reasons!

That is why during those initial weeks in Korea, my diet consisted of onion chips, water, and whatever I could scrounge up from convenience stores. 

Speaking of which, convenience store lunch boxes were my first “real” meal upon landing in Korea. They encapsulate everything you could dream of in a traditional Korean meal: rice, protein, veggies, and a delightful array of side dishes. The only thing missing? Soup!

Since returning to the States, I often find myself craving that simple yet satisfying convenience store lunch box. Quick to heat and utterly fulfilling! Unfortunately, here in Minnesota, we’re mostly greeted with taquitos, hotdogs, and pizzas. Don’t get me wrong, those options are fantastic too, but as an Asian food enthusiast, I can’t help but yearn for a fully loaded meal complete with rice and all the fixings.

Imagine my elation when I discovered that there’s a full lunch box meal, featuring rice, protein, and a medley of side dishes, available for just $15 right here in Minnesota! I literally screamed!

Now, you might be wondering where I found this gem. Enter Seung Noh!

They offer lunch boxes bursting with two types of meat, four delightful side dishes, and a generous helping of rice. If only they included a side of soup, it would be pure bliss! And the cherry on top? They provide utensils!

Let me just say, I devoured every single dish because they were exquisite and totally aligned with my taste. As you may know, I’m not a picky eater, but I do have my standards—and this lunch box soared above and beyond!

Rice

Perfectly cooked, fluffy rice that assures you it’s going to be a good meal. No complaints here!

Meat Dish 1 – Spicy Stir-Fry Pork (제육볶음 – Jeyuk-bbokeum)

Juicy, tender, and just the right amount of spice with a hint of sweetness. Seriously, what more could a gal ask for? The crunchy sweet onion slices cooked with it? Pure heaven! My mouth is watering just reminiscing!

Meat Dish 2 – Chicken Bulgogi (닭불고기 – Dak-bulgogi)

Big, juicy slices of chicken thighs paired with tender yet crunchy cabbage. It was so perfectly cooked that it practically melted in my mouth with minimal chewing effort required. Normally, I’m not a fan of bulgogi unless it’s beef, but this one was a solid 5/5!

Side Dish 1 – Spicy Radish Salad (무생채 – Musaengchae)  

Okay, I’ve got to admit, the way this dish arrived was a bit quirky, but that’s not what matters—it’s all about the flavor! Juicy, crunchy, sweet, and tangy with a delightful kick! This was definitely the first side dish I polished off!

Side Dish 2 – Stir-Fry Sausage (소시지 볶음 – Sosiji-Bbokeum)

In Korea, this dish is usually stir-fried with cabbage, bell peppers, and onions. I was pleasantly surprised to find fish cake in the mix! It appears they used round fish cake cut into rings to wrap around the Vienna sausage. Individually, sausage and fish cakes are delicious, but together? Absolute magic!

Side Dish 3 – Korean Lettuce Salad (상추 겉절이 – Sangchu-geotjeori)

Typically, you’d find carrot slices or onions in a lettuce salad, but I usually like to toss in some Korean apple slices for an extra crunch. This time, I learned that brined cucumbers can add a refreshing twist! They were perfectly crunchy, and the sweet, tangy sauce had just the right amount of heat.

Side Dish 4 – Potato Salad (감자 샐러드 – Gamja-Saelleodeu)

Picture mashed potatoes, but instead of being buttery and savory, it’s a delightful sweet, creamy, and crunchy concoction. There’s no single way to make this dish; I’ve encountered countless variations in Korea, but the consistency remains soft and creamy. The crunch comes from the toppings, and let me tell you, I enjoyed this potato salad a little too much—I practically scraped the tray clean! Honestly, I would have licked it if it hadn’t been surrounded by other dishes!

Where to Order?

Each dish in this lunch box was a treasure. Words can hardly capture how much I savored this meal—I felt like I hadn’t eaten in ages (which is kind of true since it had been years since my last full Korean meal).

If you missed out on ordering a lunch box from Seung Noh last time, fear not! I’m confident they’ll bring it back soon. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to them and inquire about the lunch boxes. The more people ask, the sooner they’ll make a comeback!

When they’re available again, don’t let hesitation hold you back—grab one! I promise you won’t regret it. With their generous portions, your $15 is absolutely worth it. You might even find yourself pondering if you could have paid more for such a feast!

So, until our next culinary adventure, keep your taste buds tingling and your hearts hungry! Remember, the world is full of flavors waiting to be discovered. Peach out!