Discover Chicago’s Culinary Delights: A Joong Boo Market Adventure with Getaround

It’s hard to believe, but over eight months have already passed since my husband Connor and I first moved to the vibrant city of Chicago. And even more surprisingly, it has been nearly six months since my last personal update here on the blog! Time truly has a way of slipping by, especially when you’re immersed in the exciting, yet demanding, world of cookbook creation. Despite the whirlwind, one of my ongoing goals for 2016 has been to intentionally explore more areas of Chicago. It’s not just a hobby; it’s a crucial source of inspiration and a necessary escape for my sanity amidst countless hours of recipe testing.

This post is in partnership with Getaround, a peer-to-peer car sharing service that truly enhanced our city exploration.

The Quest for Culinary Inspiration: Joong Boo Market Beckons

For me, much of my creative spark, especially in the culinary realm, comes from discovering new places and immersing myself in diverse food cultures. With this in mind, two weeks ago, my good friend Kristin, who also recently moved to Chicago, and I decided it was time for a much-needed girls’ day trip. Our mission: to explore Joong Boo Market, a renowned authentic Korean market here in Chicago. Our friend Nora (A Clean Bake) had raved about it months ago, and it quickly ascended to the top of our “must-visit” list. The only snag? Its location isn’t particularly convenient for either of us living downtown, making a spur-of-the-moment visit a bit challenging.

Navigating Urban Life: The Need for Flexible Transportation

Living in downtown Chicago comes with countless perks, but one minor compromise we made was giving up our second car before the move. Financially and logistically, owning two cars simply didn’t make sense when we’re within walking distance of nearly everything. For daily errands and commutes within our immediate vicinity, this arrangement works perfectly. However, there are definite occasions when I keenly miss the freedom and spontaneity that a car provides.

These moments typically arise when I want to venture beyond a ten-block radius – perhaps to explore a new neighborhood, visit a specialty grocery store like Joong Boo Market, or transport bulkier items home. Think large grocery hauls, cookbook equipment, or, let’s be honest, various food photography backgrounds! With Connor’s demanding work schedule, which involves him driving our sole car six days a week, my personal access to a vehicle is, at best, minimal. This is precisely where a fantastic solution presented itself.

Getaround: Your Key to Seamless City Exploration

About a month ago, Getaround, an innovative peer-to-peer car sharing service, contacted me about a potential collaboration. This service allows users to rent out their own cars when not in use, and conversely, rent cars from other individuals in their community. Days after our initial contact, a notice appeared in the elevators of our apartment building, proudly announcing that Getaround was expanding its service to our very neighborhood! It felt like perfect timing, as I had been eager to try the service since its initial arrival in Chicago, envisioning its potential to unlock new exploration opportunities.

While Chicago’s excellent public transportation remains my primary mode of getting around, the Getaround option is now an invaluable addition to my urban toolkit. It’s particularly useful when I have friends and family visiting from out of town, allowing us to venture further afield with ease. Beyond its convenience, Getaround prioritizes safety and peace of mind: every rental is covered by comprehensive insurance and includes roadside assistance, ensuring a worry-free experience. Kristin and I rented a car for half the day, and the flexibility it offered was truly liberating. The entire process, from locating and reserving a vehicle to unlocking it, is handled seamlessly through the Getaround phone app – it’s surprisingly intuitive and straightforward!

A Deep Dive into Joong Boo Market: Authentic Korean Flavors

Our visit to Joong Boo Market itself was an absolute delight – a truly engaging and much-needed break from the intensity of cookbook recipe testing. While perhaps not as vast as some larger Asian supermarkets I’ve visited in the past, Joong Boo offered an incredibly rich and authentic experience. We made the most of our visit, starting with a stop at the bustling outdoor dumpling station before heading inside to the order-at-the-counter food stall.

The Legendary Joong Boo Wang Dumplings

Oh my goodness, the dumplings! They were nothing short of colossal. We ordered both the pork and kimchi wang (king) dumplings, and I am not exaggerating when I say they were each the size of my head! These massive, perfectly steamed parcels were incredibly flavorful and satisfying. Eating them hot from the outdoor station was an experience in itself, setting the perfect tone for our culinary adventure.

Hearty Meals at the Market Food Stall

Inside the market, we found a table in the bustling food court and sampled more authentic Korean dishes. We indulged in a fiery bowl of spicy ramen, packed with depth and flavor, and a comforting soybean paste tofu soup, which arrived at our table still vigorously boiling! This hearty soup was served with fluffy white rice, an assortment of fresh vegetables, and, of course, a generous side of kimchi. As avid food bloggers, we couldn’t resist snapping a few photos of our spread, a common practice that often draws amused glances from fellow diners – it’s just part of the food blogging life!

Stocking Up on Asian Pantry Staples and Unique Treats

For me, one of the greatest joys of visiting an Asian supermarket like Joong Boo is the chance to replenish my pantry with favorite staples, always at prices that are significantly better than those at conventional grocery stores. My shopping cart was filled with treasures: abundant bunches of fresh Thai basil for fragrant curries, slender Chinese eggplant, aromatic lemongrass, premium-quality sushi rice, the largest bottle of toasted sesame oil I could find, versatile tamari, firm tofu, delicate spring roll rice papers, creamy coconut milk, and my absolute favorite Korean gummy candies in a unique Yuzu flavor. And, naturally, no trip is complete without grabbing a few Pocky sticks – a sweet, nostalgic treat that never disappoints!

Discovering Kitchenware Wonders

Our exploration didn’t stop at food. We also ventured into the market’s kitchen supply area, a fascinating section brimming with unique and specialized cooking tools. Here, we were amazed to find the largest stainless steel mixing bowls and spider strainers I’ve ever seen in my life. The photograph truly doesn’t capture their immense scale; the sheer variety and professional-grade quality of the kitchenware available was genuinely intense and inspiring, a testament to the rich culinary traditions supported by such markets.

An Afternoon Escape: Exploring Evanston

After several hours of delightful discovery and filling our Getaround car’s trunk with groceries – a truly convenient feature! – we set off north to Evanston, one of my absolute favorite areas just outside of downtown Chicago. We spent a relaxing afternoon cruising through its picturesque neighborhoods, taking a leisurely stroll around the beautiful Northwestern University campus, and soaking in the vibrant college town atmosphere. To perfectly conclude our day, we stopped for coffee at Kafein, a charming and cozy college coffee shop nestled in downtown Evanston. It was the ideal way to unwind, recharge, and reflect on a day wonderfully spent exploring new facets of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Unlock Your City’s Potential: Why Getaround is a Must-Try

Our Getaround adventure to Joong Boo Market and Evanston was a resounding success, underscoring just how valuable flexible transportation can be for truly experiencing all that a dynamic city like Chicago has to offer. If you’re eager to explore your own city’s hidden gems, culinary hotspots, or simply need convenient access to a vehicle, I wholeheartedly recommend trying Getaround. Use this referral link to receive a generous $20 credit towards your first rental! It’s an incredibly convenient, user-friendly, and efficient way to broaden your urban horizons and embark on your own unique adventures.

Furthermore, for those who live in a city and own a car that isn’t in constant use, Getaround presents a fantastic opportunity to transform your idle asset into a significant income stream. By safely and easily renting out your personal vehicle through their platform, you have the potential to earn anywhere from $500 to $1,500 every single month. It’s essentially the car-sharing equivalent of Airbnb, providing a smart and sustainable solution to offset the often-high costs associated with urban car ownership. It’s a genuine win-win, empowering both explorers and car owners within the community.

This post was created in partnership with Getaround, but rest assured, all opinions expressed are entirely my own and reflect my genuine, positive experience with their service. Thank you for supporting the brands and services that I genuinely use and love!