I couldn’t factcheck it properly, but I was told that this is because the wartime and post-war hardship meant entire generations of Koreans have gotten used to drinking cheap/crappy alcohol as a means of escape, and it’s become ingrained in the culture now as a normal way to deal with stress. And people don’t want to… Read more

Ah! You were referring to Shrimp and Boy, I think. Yes, you’re right, that’s not belachan, my mistake. I was thinking of Njonja, but wrote and linked Shrimp and Boy instead. Thanks for pointing it out! And for kafromet, this is the belachan I should have linked to you. Read more

The Lee Kum Kee is a brand of shrimp paste that is fairly available in the US, which I also didn’t say was belachan since it obviously isn’t. It’s also not a black paste(?!). Here is a better picture of the bottle. https://sybaritica.me/2012/11/18/foodstuff-lee-kum-kee-brand-shrimp-sauce/ Read more

As “Hachi” has commented, shrimp paste would usually be found in a shelf. It’s hard to recommend a specific brand since everyone has got their own preference, but a decent starter belachan/terassi is Shrimp and Boy. https://halalmarket.sg/product/shrimp-boy-shrimp-paste/ Read more

Yes, it would be like adding soy sauce with an umami kick. You have to be okay with the smell first, though. Read more