What is Korean food?
traditional.
Not an every day occurrence, for the most part.
What is Korean food?
Korean food is unique in its characteristics of being able to offer all the flavours we are able to perceive on our taste buds in one meal. Exciting the taste buds differently with foods that taste bitter, sweet, salty, sour and umami makes eating a truly memorable experience. Fats and spiciness are also said to be important qualities in a balanced meal- and Korean food definitely has those covered too!
What is a Traditional Korean Meal?
A bowl of hot rice accompanied by DOENJANG JJIGAE (a fermented bean soup that has deep umami flavours). This filling stew also satisfies salty taste receptors as fermented beans are preserved in salt. Side dishes (BANCHAN) are common on the Korean table. One of them will most likely be seasonal herbs (bitter) lightly dressed in sauce. A meat dish of BULGOGI or DURUCHIGI will delight with their salty/sweet or salty/sweet/spicy combo. Have it with some over-ripened (sour) kimchi that some call “zing” and you’ll find it cuts the fattiness of the meat deliciously. Just for an example.
What is Korea’s national dish?
Korea’s national pride and joy is The Kimchi. It is so famous now that people all over the world recognize it or have tried it for themselves. Kimchi has unlikely fans everywhere, regardless of background! Although this isn’t a dish in and of itself, it is a friendly sidekick that goes with many meals- or even just a bowl of rice. It can also be used as the main component in dishes like Kimchi Stew or Steamed Kimchi and Pork.
“BAP- MUGGUT – SUH?”
“Did you eat?” in Korean
After the Korean war, the country was devastated and people would ask this very literally and care for one another. The sentiment has carried on and is still said today. It is a friendly “How are you?” and implies that they care for your well-being.
It is similar to how you will hear “All right?” in the UK and foreigners are taken aback and unsure of how to respond. Does this person really want to know what I’ve eaten and do I really need to start a conversation? It just means hello 😊.
Say it to your elderly grandpa: “SHIK-SAH-HA-SHUT-SO-YO?”
Say it to your co-worker: “BAP-MUGGUT-SUH-YO?”
Say it to your friend or child: “BAP-MUGGUT-SUH?”
