Replacing Forks with Chopsticks in Korea

by Christy Anderson, Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Participant in Korea

While preparing for Korea, I imagined that I would lose a lot of weight with ease as I would not want to eat the majority of the food that was presented to me. Dried fish, shrimp, and seaweed is what I imagined would make up my main diet while I stayed in Korea. I didn’t imagine that I would particularly like their food as I heard it was spicy and full of kimchi. While the meals are spicy and full of kimchi, it is actually quite delicious!

First I must mention the multitudes of Korean Barbecues here. If you are ever in the mood for some delicious meat wrapped up in a lettuce leaf with some rice, garlic and some of their delicious brown sauce, look no further than a few feet away where you are sure to find a Korean barbecue restaurant. Here is one of my many, many meals of sam-gap-sal.

Next I must mention another dish, Ji-Gay. Ji-Gay is a delicious stew in Korea. There is also a variation called Kiimchi Ji Gay, yes that’s right, they put kimchi in stew. It may sound repulsive to some (mom), but this is seriously some of the best stew I have ever had.

Since we are talking about stews, I have to talk about the most delicious stew in Korea.  I am not exactly sure how to say this but it sounds something like “Com-jay-tang.” This soup comes with a massive pork backbone boiling in a broth that is absolutely heavenly. It also has cabbage, potatoes, and straw mushrooms (which I have an extreme-and I mean extreme- affinity towards).  Although it kind of freaks me out that I will be the unfortunate person they discover mad pig disease in, I try to eat this as much as possible. This is it all stirred up.

Read more about Christy’s favorite Korean cuisine…