Five Foods to Try in Korea

“You eat Korean food so well!!”- this is the go to English phrase for other teachers at my school during lunch. I’ve never had my eating habits scrutinized and praised so much before moving to Korea. I had no idea that my ability to eat the food put in front of me would be considered such a praise worthy accomplishment!  Although when I REALLY want to impress folks here I start throwing back the spicy food... they pretty much look on in wonder as I chow down on the fiery ddukbokkie.

But I suppose even I’ve been surprised with how much I’ve enjoyed trying Korean food. Yes, there are some things that I just can’t quite get used to, I ask for the bare minimum when I see octopus tentacles in the school lunch line. However, my overall opinion of Korean food so far is a positive one. Most of what I have had I’ve really enjoyed. Of course there is still lots of Korean food that I have yet to try but here are some of what I consider the basics of Korean cuisine. Things that you certainly should try someday!

1)    Kimchi
This is the obvious starting point for any post about Korean food. Kimchi is served with every meal. Breakfast, lunch, dinner- there is kimchi. It is made of fermented cabbage and other vegetables usually including radish, scallion and cucumber. It also has lots of spices and red pepper paste, so it can be a bit spicy. There are many variations to kimchi, have just a few meals in Korea and you will be able to start sorting out your particular favorite!
 

I would have to put kimchi under the “acquired taste” category. It is certainly not unpleasant, but it takes awhile for westerners to build up their tolerance and consumption. I’m not sure if it will ever be something that I crave for breakfast but I do find myself enjoying certain varieties with a good Korean dinner!

2)    Korean Barbecue
After kimchi this is the next logical step on a tour of Korean cuisine. I’m certainly not an expert in this area and am working out all the different styles and kinds of barbecues. So please do not take my information as law!
BUT, when I think of Korean barbecue it usually brings to mind a table with a grill to cook on and lots of tasty meat! They will bring the meat to you raw and it’s up to you to do the grilling. As you cook the meat there are always lots of side dishes to munch on. When the meat is ready it’s common to wrap it in a lettuce or sesame leaf with some spicy sauce, maybe some garlic, kimchi or any of the other additions that are sitting around the table.  Word to the wise- don’t put in too much or it’s hard to fit the wrap in your mouth in one go, just FYI. I’m a BIG fan of this part of Korean food. It’s super tasty and a great way to spend an evening meal with a few friends and beers.
 

3)    Bibimbap
Bibimbap day in the lunchroom is a happy day for Bethany!  밥 or bap means rice in Korean (it can also mean ‘meal’ since you always have rice when you eat), so Bibimbop is ‘mixed rice’. To make it you start off with a foundation of rice. Added to that are lots of different vegetables, perhaps an egg, maybe some meat and (my favorite part of it all) chili paste. Before you eat it you must stir it all together really well. It’s a simple dish but SO tasty!

4)    Street Food
Walk down any street in Korea and you are bound to come across little booths selling all sorts of tasty goodness. There are dumplings, hottoek, odeng, kimbap, tokkebi, walnut bread... and those are just the ones I’ve been able to put names to! There are plenty more that I’m still referring to as “ya know, that tasty thing on a stick” or “ ya know, that really good bread like thing”.  But, to date, my two favorite snacks to grab on the go are deokbokki (rice cakes cooked in a spicy/sweet red sauce) and gukwah-pang (bread filled with red bean paste). They are both served nice and hot which is perfect now that the biting cold is starting to set in!

    


5) Omurice
I had this for the first time when my adopted Korean family took me out to dinner and I really liked it (ok, I might have also been excited because omurice had played an important role in one of my favorite dramas. It was one of those- ‘I saw this on tv and now I’m eating it in Korea!!’ moments). I think Omurice is traditionally a Japanese dish, but I see it in lots of restaurant here. It’s a thin omelet filled with fried rice. It’s common for it to be served topped with ketchup but there are variations to the rule. Once again, simple but very tasty and filling!

So when you come visit me here in Korea be ready to try a few tasty new treats!

Kpop Song of the Week: Super Junior H- Cooking, Cooking