Korean Foods

Korean food is rich in nutrition, balanced in content, and low in calories. They say you can eat as much Korean food as you like without gaining weight! Rice, either plain or mixed with other grains, is the staple of all Korean meals, and is accompanied by a variety of side dishes. Soy sauce, soybean paste, red pepper paste, ginger root, and sesame seeds are the essential seasonings added to Korean food. When dining, keep in mind that Koreans eat their rice and soup with a spoon and side dishes with chopsticks. Other common traditions of Asian dining apply in Korea, such as not spiking your chopsticks into the rice (this symbolizes that the rice is reserved for the dead) and waiting for the oldest person to begin a meal before starting yourself.

	Kalbi: Short ribs of beef or pork. They are grilled at the table and restaurants that serve good pulgogi also serve good kalbi.
	Kujolp'an: At an elegant dinner, this is usually the first course. Similar to a French hors d'oeuvre tray, kujolp'an consists of cooked meats and vegetables arranged on a large platter with a stack or Korean pancakes in the center. The fillings are wrapped in the pancakes and eaten.
	Kimch'i: This is Korea's most famous food. A fermented vegetable dish highly seasoned with red pepper and garlic. It is served at virtually all meals.
	Shinsollo: Served as a main course, this is a delicious mixture of meat, fish, vegetables, and bean curd. The ingredients are simmered in beef broth over a charcoal brazier at the table.
	Sollongt'ang: This is a rice beef soup seasoned with sesame seeds, salt, pepper, scallions, and sesame oil. It is served with rice as a main dish along with a special radish kimch'i called kkaktugi.
	Pibimpap: Cooked rice is served with bits of meat, seasoned vegetables, and egg. Koch'ujang, a red pepper sauce, is often used with this interesting dish.
	Hanjongshik: This literally means "full-course Korean meal" and it literally is just that! You are usually served pulgogi, steamed short ribs, grilled fish, and a plethora of side dishes. The side dishes vary from restaurant to restaurant and region to region, but be sure that the servings are ample.
	Samgyet'ang: This is a ginseng chicken soup, believed to cool the body during hot and humid days. The chicken is stuffed with ginseng, jujubes, sticky rice, and garlic; it is then stewed and seasoned with salt and pepper when served.
	Pulgogi: Literally "fire beef", this Korean barbecue is one of the most popular Korean dishes. Thin, tender slices of beef are marinated in a sauce made with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and other seasonings, and then cooked over a hot charcoal grill at your table.
	Naengmyon: These cold noodles are a truly refreshing summer favorite. Thin and chewy buckwheat noodles are served in a cold beef broth with chopped scallions, shredded radishes, cucumbers, sesame seeds, and slices of lean beef. Condiments include hot mustard and vinegar.

If you'd like to learn more about the "Land of the Morning Calm," read this article on Korea.

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