Something wonderful and tasty came to Gardiner two and a half years ago. It’s Insook’s outstanding organic produce and homemade Korean food. In her store, you can buy vegetables in season, including Korean garlic chives, sesame leaves, locally grown shitake mushrooms and homemade items such as kimbop, sweet potato noodle dish and kimchee. Regularly emailed lists specify that week’s offerings.
There’s no denying that Insook, who prefers to go by only one name, is a hard-working perfectionist, but she always finds time to chat and give cooking and gardening advice. She plants mostly her own seeds and does not use organic sprays, preferring to battle the bugs by hand. During the growing season she works from dawn to dusk. Often in the garden by 5:00 am, Insook enjoys the peaceful dawning new day and munches on her produce for breakfast as she works.
It’s a mysterious and quirky fact that while deer roam all over her neighbors’ land, they do not interfere with her gardens, even though she has no deer fencing. Perhaps they are cowed by this super woman!
Even as a sixth grader in Seoul, South Korea, Insook was cooking—preparing dinner for her two working parents and three siblings. If she ate something special in a restaurant, she would go to its kitchen to find out how it was made. At first the chef would smile benignly saying, you’re just a child, but Insook would persist. Today, she loves to cook and serve, and if you read the reviews on Facebook, you will learn how grateful and happy her customers are.
To qualify to sell homemade foods, Insook installed a commercial sink, obtained a health department permit and has her water tested regularly. Her 30 chickens provide plenty of fresh eggs. Insook’s homemade goods are prepped, marinated, baked – whatever is required – the night before and morning of Friday and Saturday. Treat yourself to this happy, healthful venture. A complimentary cup of Solomon’s Seal tea adds to the welcoming atmosphere as does Insook’s enthusiasm and dedication to creating delicious and good-for-you food. Visit the store on Deyo Drive. 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm Fri. and Sat., and if you have questions, call Insook at 845.797.7637.