Dae Jang Geum

Sulfur duck at Nolboo Sulfur Duck is roasted in an earthenware jar for three hours, which guarantees grease free, extra chewy meat texture.

In an episode of the MBC hit television series “Jewel in the Palace (Taejanggum),’’ the king of the Choson Kingdom (1392-1910) falls ill after eating roast duck, which had been fed sulfur as part of its diet. At first, people suspected sulfur to be the cause of the king’s illness. Later, it turns out to be from poisoned mushrooms, while the duck had nothing to do with it, but in fact, was good for his health.

Located near the Seoul Express Bus Terminal in southern Seoul, the duck restaurant Nolboo Sulfur Duck, received immediate spotlight after the episode was aired last year. Here alone, about 160 to 170 sulfur-fed ducks are consumed daily.

The restaurant is the member of the country’s largest restaurant franchise Nolboo, which runs a few different kinds of restaurant chains, each of which specifies in different Korean dishes including “pudaejjige” (spicy stew made with luncheon meat, sausages and ramyon)’ and “hanjongsik” (a Korean-styled banquet served on special occasions).

In fact, the “sulfur duck’’ has long been satisfying the taste buds of the country’s picky food lovers, although it was the series that made the recipe widely known not only in Korea, but also in Hong Kong and Japan where it has completed its successful primetime run.

According to a widely believed oriental medical theory, sulfur can be super healthy for human body. It is because, as the theory goes, ducks’ bodies produce a lot of good elements that counteract the effects of sulfur, which neutralize in human bodies as well as working against polluting elements.

Whether it sounds plausible or not, the restaurant’s famous roasted duck (45,000 won) is hearty and tasty. Sulfur duck here is roasted in an earthenware jar for 3 hours, which guarantees grease-free, extra chewy meat texture. Usually one order of the duck makes a regular lunch or dinner for three grown-up males, as it is stuffed with 23 oriental medical ingredients, including ginseng, jujube, various herbs and roots, along with glutinous rice (just like they do when they prepare “samgyetang’’ or ginseng chicken soup).

Roasted duck is served with corned jujube, which is said to create perfect harmony with the meat both in the mouth and stomach. The roasted duck is the only main menu item here, but barbeque duck (20,000 won to 35,000 won depending on the size) is also available if and only if you are still hungry after finishing the roasted duck.

With various different kinds of liquor also sold, the restaurant’s manager recommends “pokbunja (black raspberry)’’ wine (12,000 won), which is known to be beneficial to the kidneys, overall health and stamina. Various different kinds of red and white wines are also available.

Just like samgyetang, the duck dishes used to be most popular among middle-aged men whose number one concern is regaining stamina. Recently though, there have been increasingly more young female customers, who first come to the restaurant upon hearing that duck meat is supposed to be good for their health but also after finding they have become addicted to its taste.

Location of Nolboo Sulfur Duck

Because of the long cooking process, customers are asked to make reservations at least 4 hours in advance.

Source: The Korea Times 19th May 2005 By Lee Yong-sung, Kim Hyun-cheol