By Saili Joshi
If there is something that the Koreans take very seriously, it has to be food and beauty. Korea is a food lover’s paradise if you are a non-vegetarian but I am sure vegetarians will not be disappointed as there is something for all but will have really search for some places to eat…
Korean cuisine has evolved through centuries of social and political change. Originating from ancient agricultural and nomadic traditions in southern Manchuria and the Korean peninsula, Korean cuisine has evolved through a complex interaction of the natural environment and different cultural trends.
Korean cuisine is largely based upon rice, vegetables, and meats. Traditional Korean meals are noted for the number of side dishes (banchan) that accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. Kimchi is served often, sometimes at every meal. Commonly used ingredients include sesame oil, doenjang (fermented bean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes and gochujang (fermented red chili paste).
Koreans are early eaters there typical lunch times are 12pm to 1pm and dinner time starts at 18:30 hrs and gets done by maximum 20:00 hrs. A Korean meal table will have around 8 – 10 sides along with the main rice or meat preparation. Food generally is decently spicy and can easily be liked by Indians if only you fancy authentic Asian cuisine.
Some of the Not to miss dishes are as below
Bibimbap:
A dish made by mixing rice with various other cooked vegetables. Bibimbap is great for experiencing different vegetables, pleasing to the eye and full of nutrients. A great catch for vegetarians they generally use beef in here but vegetarians can request this withoot the beef or any other meat.
Samgye-tang (Ginseng chicken soup):
A young chicken is cleaned out then stuffed with various ingredients before being boiled to draw out a delicious broth.
Juk (Porridge):
Again can be enjoyed by vegetarians as well. Water (6 or 7 times the amount of grain) is poured over grain and boiled for a long time. There are many variations of juk such as pine nut juk, sesame juk, jujube juk,red bean juk, beef juk, pumpkin juk, and abalone juk I had tried the last one abalone juk.
Gimbap:
Cooked rice is slightly seasoned with sesame oil, salt, and sesame seeds. Then it is placed on a sheet of dried laver. Strips of ham, pickled radish, seasoned spinach, and egg are then placed close together on the rice; it is then carefully rolled together until the roll is evenly shaped. The street vendors usually sell a mini-roll.
Tteok-bokki:
Rice powder is steamed and made into a long cylinder-shaped rice cake called garaetteok. It is cut into finger size pieces and cooked in a spicy and sweet sauce. Meat, vegetables or ramyeon can be added depending on different tastes.
Buchimgae/Jeon:
Kimchi or seafood is stirred in a flour mixture, and then pan-fried in oil.
Korean Shabu Shabu:
originally a Japanese dish but do try the Korean version The dish is prepared by submerging a thin slice of meat or a piece of vegetable in a pot of boiling water or dashi (broth) made with konbu (kelp) and stirring it. Cooked meat and vegetables are usually dipped in ponzu or goma (sesame seed) sauce before eating, and served with a bowl of steamed white rice.
Patbingsu:
It’s a popular South Korea Desert that has shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings such as chopped fruit, condensed milk, fruit syrup, and red bean paste. Gyeongju bread is a small pastry with a filling of sweet red bean paste.
Dragon Beard Candy in Insadong: hard block of honey, powder it up with corn starch and stretch it out into super thin strands of stringy sweet Korean street snack goodness. They cut up the strands and wrap it up with nuts, powders, or other goodies.
Egg bread (계란빵):
Egg bread (aka gyeran ppang) is a popular winter street food in Korea. It features a whole egg inside or on top of some bread (or baked waffle batter). The egg is complete with both white and yolk.
For vegetarians restaurants providing temple food made as per Buddhist norms are located in various parts of Seoul city and serve equally delicious Korean vegetarian food that will tickle your taste buds. Also Indian restaurants can be found in Seoul, Jeju Island and also Busan but I am sure those will be the last choices as when in Korea do as the Koreans do and I am sure Korean food will not disappoint you.
