(Chapter 1) (Chapter 2) (Chapter 3) (Chapter 4) Chapter 6 Before traveling to Seoul, the first thing that I looked forward to was the food! Researching a bit of Korean culture and reading other people’s blog posts on their experiences of trying out Korean foods for the first time. I purposefully didn’t want to try Korean food in the states because I wanted my experience in Seoul to be as authentic as possible. As I am still trying out new Korean meals, I want to share my experience of trying Korean Food for the first time. Even though I am not listing every Korean food I have tried, below are the highlighted meals I have tried so far during my time here!!!
1. Pajeon
One of the first meals I tried in Korea was on my trip to Andong with the other interns. As you can see below, we had a lot of food on our table, and it was the first time I saw the differences in how I grew up eating in the states. For one, I just learned that the side dishes (small bowls in the picture) are usually free even the refills. Now, for the bigger plates, it was my first time trying Pajeon. It ended up being my favorite food to eat that day and probably still one of my favorite Korean foods to have tried. It’s a crispy Korean pancake filled with green onions and other vegetables. Every Korean meal I have tried has been very satisfying and fulfilling. In the picture below, you will also see a few interns and me cheering with Soju. At that moment, that was my first time trying a cup of Soju. Many of you know how popular Soju is in Korea, and I automatically liked it from the start. Eating the Pajeon along with the Soju was very delicious, and everything I ate worked so well together. My first Korean meal here in Korea was an A+. What I love about Korean meals is also the way it looks. It’s colorful, inviting, and above all, very healthy. From Pork belly to Kimchi, I’ve enjoyed every Korean meal. Each food, including the side dishes, has so many different flavors that end up blending really well together. I’ve decided to be very open before traveling here. I am available to try new foods and create new experiences and memories, and I am so glad I did.
2. Pork Belly Meat
Trying Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal) for the first time interested me. It actually became one of my favorite things to eat here in Korea. What was so exciting and shocking to me was having gas or grills built into each table. In the states, everything is served to you and made in the kitchen. It was thrilling to have yourself grill all of the meat in front of you. I had my first experience grilling some pork belly meat at a restaurant in downtown Hongdae. As you can see below, a few interns and I turned the meat around with tongs. The second time I tried pork belly was with my co-workers not too long after. Experiencing this for the first time made me see why Korean Barbecue has become so popular in Korea and worldwide. I love that you are more interactive with cooking the food, and it’s in a group setting where everyone can make their meat however they like it to be cooked. I also enjoy the side dishes that usually come with the pork belly. Ssamjang sauce, white rice, radish, lettuce, and garnishes blend well with pork belly or even kinds of beef such as bulgogi or galbi. Every time I go to a Korean barbecue, I feel satisfied with a good balance of protein and vegetables. Trying Korean barbecue for the first time in Korea was a highlight for me on this journey because of the conversations I had with others while grilling and eating the food. All the times I have eaten out in Korea have been great. Having great conversations, laughing together, drinking soju, and just being in the moment is what I will never forget.
- Bibimbap
The third Korean Meal I tried and loved instantly was bibimbap. I tried bibimbap for the first time after getting ready to go to the palace and dressing in traditional Hanbok clothing. While a few interns were waiting for the other group to finish preparing, we stopped at a restaurant for a quick lunch. Bibimbap is a rice dish mixed with seasoned vegetables and meat. It depends on the kind you get, but usually, there’s also a fried egg in the middle of the hot dish. On the side, you can see in the picture that it’s served with soup, kimchi, and other side dishes on the tray. I remember feeling overwhelmed at first because there were so many different flavors and foods in the rice bowl. Still, it’s a great blend of healthy foods that gave me lots of energy afterward. It’s definitely a meal that I would like to try again, but with different ingredients.
- A Smorgasbord of Korean Foods
One workday, my fantastic co-workers bought lunch and had it delivered to our workplace. It was a variety of different Korean foods that were all delicious, and for me, it was my first time trying it. As you see below in the picture, I tasted a variety of different Korean foods. It was my first time trying the famous Tteokbokki (rice cakes) along with Sundae (blood sausage), Tonkatsu (pork cutlets), and Mandu (veggie dumplings). It was a fun time discovering and tasting all of these new foods with my co-workers that I’ve never had before. I truly enjoyed trying out all these beautiful foods, and even if it sounds overly dramatic, it’s a lunch I will never forget.
5. Jajangmyeon Black Bean Noodles
One of the most well-known meals in South Korea is black bean noodles. It’s a Chinese-Korean dish with wheat noodles, soybean paste, meat, onion, and other vegetables. The first time I tried them was during lunch with my co-workers at my internship. When I first tried it, It wasn’t my favorite, but the more I ate it, the more I enjoyed it and ended up loving it. As a fan of ramyeon and noodles, I decided to branch out a bit and try different types of noodles. During my time here, I have had Jajangmyeon more than any other Korean food here so far. It’s filling, the bean sauce has a sweet and savory taste, and I enjoy the pieces of pork and vegetables in the dish. Its become one of my go-to meals in Seoul!
- Cooking in the Kitchen
Sometimes after work, I cook in the kitchen to make my dinners when I don’t feel like going out to eat. What has been so great about cooking in the kitchen at my accommodation is that I was lucky to be a part of a community where everyone genuinely enjoys each other’s company. All of us let’s each other know when we are cooking dinner, and we all end up cooking together. The reason why cooking in the kitchen is on this list is because all of us end up experimenting and trying to cook Korean meals for us to try and eat. Whether ramyeon or making Tteokbokki, I always have the best time. Even though I didn’t list them down, there were a few other great Korean meals that I have tried so far in Seoul, and I know that I still need to scratch the surface of Korean meals. As I continue my eight weeks here in Seoul, I plan to try as many more meals as possible, and I have had a blast trying different Korean meals in Seoul!
Soju
As you can see throughout this post, I have mentioned soju a few times when talking about my Korean meals. Being in Korea for almost 4 weeks, I can safely say that soju has become one of my favorite alcoholic beverages. It was interesting to learn through others that so many different types of soju, for instance, flavored soju. I have yet to experiment with the flavors. Still, there are many different flavors, such as blueberry, peach, and grape. I didn’t know the amount of drinking that happens here, but it’s almost with every meal I have eaten. Not only did I drink soju with food, but they were everywhere in the convenience stores, so I stopped in once and bought a bottle. What’s excellent about soju is that it combines with almost every meal you can think of. Some would compare it to straight-up vodka, but I will say that soju is the first drink where I kept saying yes to another shot! Down below, you can see my favorite kind of soju. The original soju comes in a green bottle, but my favorite is the sugar-free one in the blue bottle, Jinro. It tastes a bit sweeter, surprisingly, but very refreshing. I will say, even though I like other drinks that I have tried here, such as Makgeolli, Banana Flavored Milk, and Barley Tea, to name a few, I will safely say that this is the best drink so far! Trying different Korean meals with a bottle of soju was a blast! However, every Korean meal I have had was enhanced and better because I ate with great people around me. Whether it’s your co-workers, friends, family, or even strangers. Having a companion while tasting new foods enhances your experience. It makes those moments you had while eating delicious food even more memorable. Takeaway from this Chapter?
- There is always something new to try in Seoul! - Being open to trying new foods and meals even if you think you won’t like it. - Embracing Korean culture and creating new experiences and memories with others. Stay tune and checkout my next article about my very first experience doing karaoke! Until then, checkout my previous articles below! (Chapter 7)
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