Food in Korea

Korean food is delicious. Every meal in Korea is served with numerous side dishes. These side dishes are free, and vary depending on the food you ordered (even the pizza is served with a side of pickles -T). Korean food is generally flavoured with garlic and red pepper paste. So, for our faithful dongers here is a crash course on the Korean foods we have tried so far...

Kimchi - Kimchi is the Korean staple. It is said in Korea that, a meal is not a meal if it does not include Kimchi and rice. Kimchi is usually cabbage that has been left to ferment in spicy red pepper paste. Kimchi can however be made with other vegetables...such as raddish. It also varies in taste depending on how long it has been left to ferment (Fermented Cabbage. It tastes as good as it sounds -T). Kimchi has been known to be left for up to a year. Every October in Gwangju is the traditional Kimchi making festival.....this is one place that I will NOT be visiting. Troy and I have been told that the longer you spend in Korea, the more you will enjoy Kimchi. Obviously we haven't been in Korea long enough!

Samgyeopsal (sam-gip-sal) - Samgyeopsal is barbequed pork filliets brought to the table raw, then cooked on your table, dipped in sesame oil and salt, then wrapped in lettuce leaves. This is a VERY popular dish in the restaurants surrounding our place. Samgyeopsal is served with the many side dishes that accompany most Korean meals. I can gladly recommend Mr. and Mrs. Park's Samgyeopsal resturant in Songchon-dong!

Kimbap - mmmm. Kimbap is similar in looks to Japanese "Sushi" or Nori Rolls. Kim (seaweed) is wrapped around a neatly made package of rice, ham, raddish, fish cake and egg. These are the basic ingredients of Kimbap, however there are numerous versions of Kimbap (including Kimchi Kimbap). I personally like Chumchi Kimbap, which is tuna Kimbap. The basic Kimbap costs around 1000w (Au $1.20) while the Chumchi Kimbap is about 2500 w (Au $2.80). It is a cheap and filling meal.

Bibimbap - This is one of my favourite Korean dishes. Bibimbap is a bowl of mixed shredded vegetables, lettuce, cucumber, rice, and hot sauce with an egg on top. Upon recieving your Bibimbap, you then procceed to mix the ingredients vigourously. My prefered way to eat Bipbimbap is Dolsot Bipbimbap . Dolsot Bibimbap is served in a hot stone bowl with a raw egg on top. The egg cooks as you mix it in. It's delicious! You can get Bibimbap at all good Kimbap places for W2500-W3500 (AU$3-4).

Mandoo - Mandoo are steamed or fried dumplings that are served either on their own, with noodles, or in Mandoo-guk (Mandoo soup). Mandoo is usually filled with meat and vegetables, as well as some spices, however you can also get other types of Mandoo...such as Kimchi mandoo.


Kalbi - Kalbi are short ribs that are BBQ'd Korean style at your table. Kalbi ribs are marinated and brought to your table to be cooked and served in the same style as Samgyeopsal.

Seafood - Seafood in general here is really good. My favourite seafood dish is Samchi. Samchi is a pan fried fish brought to your table on a sizzling plate. There are also many sushi and sashimi places nearby, as well as lobster and crab restaurants. (There is also a huge amount of squid served in the menu here. Served in all sorts of ways, the most interesting being squid jerky which is commonly served at bars -T)

***AMENDED 09/15/2005***

Donkkas - Much to certain peoples disgust we left this culinary gem off our original food posting. Donkkas is much like a cutlet or schnitzel that you would eat at home. Its basically a pork cutlet which is breadcrumbed and fried and served with either a savoury brown/BBQ type sauce or a spicy sauce and sides. Its delicious - If you are ever in Songchon-dong, Daejeon I strongly suggest you try the Donkkas from Jin Jin Pig next door to the BYC undies shop.

Cheers - T

There are many more Korean foods out there, we have only just begun on our culinary guide to Korea. Stay tuned for the Winter Soups review.

- A.

P.S If anyone from the land of the morning calm is reading this and thinks that I have left anything major out, please email me.