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Korean Cuisine – Wonderful Tastes of Great Food

December 6, 2014

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Korean Cuisine – Wonderful Tastes of Great Food

Looking back on it now, I think it was very funny that my wife, she was my girlfriend at the time, really enjoyed going to the few Korean restaurants in Jerusalem. The people were lovely, and the food was certainly unique to the region! There are many Koreans living in Israel so it wasn’t so much a surprise to find Korean Cuisine there, but it was inspiring how good it tasted!

The Korean cuisine have a distinct sense of flavors and spices. Due to the geographic traits of the Korean Peninsula, the people have enjoyed the products of mountains, seas, and fields for centuries. They consider food to be of higher importance than merely something that fills our belly, it is a source of nutrition and medicine for them.

The biggest trait of the Korean cuisine is probably the use of spices.

They season their food with peppers, bean paste, soy sauce etc. Being a traveler and a foodie, one of my favorite activities is trying the local cuisines of the places I go to.

Here are a few dishes you must try when in Korea:

Soft-Tofu Stew (Soondubu Jiggae)

This is one of the staple foods of Korean Cuisine! This soup is absolutely amazing! Its consistency is thicker than that of a soup, but it’s still much thinner than something like porridge.

It is a mixture of beef and fish stock as the base to strengthen the flavor, topped with silken tofu, shellfish, eggs (optional) and hot pepper. They add only a small amount of beef to keep it light instead of making it filling – keeping it light is the cornerstone of all Korean food.

Rice Cake Street Food (Ddukbokkie)

One of the most famous of Korean Cuisine are street foods of the country is ddukbokkie.

Its smell crawls through the busy streets of all big Korean cities. Almost all the vendors cook a slightly different version so a lot of varieties are available for all sorts of taste buds. It is made usually with rice cakes and vegetables soaked in a sweet and spicy sauce. The rice cakes become absolutely divine once they are dipped in the soup!

Seasoned Fried Chicken (Yangnyeom Tongdak)

Everybody enjoys a deep fried chicken leg once in a while, but I doubt you have tried the Korean version. It is marinated in a sweet, spicy, and sticky red sauce and fried till the crust is hard and crunchy making it a uniquely Korean Cuisine dish.

yangnam chicken, korean version of buffalo wings

I have simply never had tastier chicken in my entire life, and that’s coming from a man who has eaten entire poultry farms (not in one sitting though). There are no words that could explain the taste; you will have to try this one for yourself if you want to believe me.

Stir-Fried noodles (Japchae)

Korean food is not just limited to Korea. One of the dishes that the world has accepted as a great restaurant meal is Japchae. The original Japchae was a royal dish, invented by the King’s chefs.

It was made without noodles. Later on, the recipe evolved, sweet potato starch noodles were added which gave the dish a unique chewy texture. Lightly cooked vegetables make this dish wholesome, hearty, and a delight to consume.

Fermented Cabbage (Kimchi)

The national dish of Korean Cuisine, Kimchi, is an important dish that is widely used. It is basically fermented cabbage marinated leaf-by-leaf with spices. It is then used as a base for numerous Korean dishes. Leaving it in the refrigerator for two-three days enhances its flavor and gives it a tangy and sour taste. Be sure to read about the museum dedicated to Kimchi here.

Korean food is the new hype around the world, as more and more people become exposed to it and the demand of Korean Cuisine outlets rise. If you are a fan of exotic cuisine and would love to try new things, Korea is the right place for you.

Enjoy!

Lotte World: The Fun-Packed Destination in South Korea

November 22, 2014

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Lotte World: The Fun-Packed Destination in South Korea

In my opinion, Lotte World is the best place for entertainment and sightseeing in South Korea. This entertainment packed place has so much to offer especially if you want to explore plenty within limited time.

The place is popular among foreigners, as well as local residents with nearly 6,000,000 people visiting every year to enjoy the rides, ice skating, shopping and eating.

With its amusement park, sports center, shopping center, and folk museum, I can guarantee that this place can add thrill and relishing memories to your trip.

Lotte World is divided into the ‘Adventure Land’ and ‘Magic Island’.

The indoor Adventure Land features districts, each representing different country with various facilities and souvenir shops. Laser shows, parades, films and a wide range of international cuisines are the key highlights of these districts.

On the other hand, the outdoor Magic Island boasts a Magic Castle along with thrilling rides you can’t find anywhere else.

Lotte Magic Island

The collection of high-tech rides in the amusement park, ranging from tranquil rides to exhilarating roller coasters, offer fun and excitement to everyone in the family. The Gyro Drop and Gyro Spin are the top attractions for locals, as well as tourists here.

You can enjoy the exuberance of a steeping drop from very high altitude or get the thrill of being inside a tornado in Gyro Spin. Besides these rides, the park offers laser shows and parades where nearly 200 performers dance to the music to add to the excitement.

The Adventure Land

As you would start your journey to the indoor area, you would surely be surprised to see how each floor carries a new story to unveil and new joys to explore. Here is what you could expect there.

Sports Center

After the rides, you might love the fun of ice skating as well as bowling in the indoor Lotte World.

The indoor arena offers world class sports center featuring jogging track, swimming pool, health clinic, tennis courts, and indoor golf range.

In addition to this, you can get rid of your day long stress at the upscale salon, rest area, or sauna located within the arena.

Folk Museum

Visiting the Lotte Folk Museum is a great way to get a peek into the history and culture of South Korea. The miniature along with life sized representations offer an amazing chance to learn about the everyday life and special events in the country.

The museum trip will take you through the history of the country, its village life, traditional Korean market and traditional Korean style wedding to let you get a peek at the core aspects of the culture. To make learning easier for children and teenagers, cultural programs, performance events, and special exhibitions are also held regularly.

Shopping Center

The International Market Street is just the right spot to shop. You can find everything here from clothes and accessories to a wide selection of local and international cuisines. The specialty shops surrounding the centrally located food court offers an amazing view of ice skating.

If you are visiting South Korea, you would should not miss the chance of enjoying the most unique experience of this country, Lotte World.

Enjoy!

South Korea Basic Tips – An Intro into Etiquette

November 14, 2014

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South Korea Basic Tips – An Intro into Etiquette

I was fortunate to have a very good friend, he’s American but teaching in Korea, give me some pointers on things to consider when visiting South Korea.

If you are planning a visit to South Korea, it is best to learn a few things about the culture and norms of the country not just to strengthen your relationship with your South Korean host but to win new friends as well.

Besides, there are numerous ways in which you can enjoy your trip and make it memorable for yourself as well as your host. Here is what you should do and what is expected of you to avoid when traveling to South Korea.

South Korea Basic Tips – Food and Dining

When traveling to South Korea, do try the local food. Though it may be argued that South Koreans are not as food driven as say, Italians, the street food on food stalls, makeshift restaurants or wagons, and carts can be commonly found by the side of many streets. These can be very tasty. And if you like Kimchi, I would definitely check out my article on the Kimchi Museum.

However, the formal food is usually served in dishes for guests to pick from each. It is impolite to turn down the offer of food or drink. You are expected to accept everything you are offered at the table especially by the elderly.

Koreans like to serve their guests well and would never leave your rice bowl or glass empty. If you are full or don’t want to eat or drink something, take a small bite or sip and leave the rest in your glass or bowl. Sometimes even a tiny bite means more than finishing everything on your plate.

South Korea Basic Tips – Meet New People

South Korea is a classic mixture of thoughts and beliefs. They reflect a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern ideals and values.

In addition, you would find Koreans quite kindhearted and friendly. They find pleasure in helping people learn about their food and customs. On the other hand, some may not like communicating in English, therefore learning a few basic sentences might help you get through.

South Koreans like discussing their economic conditions, international achievements, personal hobbies, health issues, and sports, while national matters like socialism, Korean War, and communism are not the right things to discuss when socializing.

However, from my own experience, if you feel that the situation is relaxed, ask if it is okay to talk about these matters. You may be pleasantly surprised that your host wants to talk about these topics as well.

South Korea Basic Tips – Visiting a Korean Friend

Being on time is considered a polite gesture among Koreans. It is good to present flowers, fruits, or chocolate to your host.

If you bring a gift, make sure that it is not too expensive, especially if your host cannot reciprocate it, as returning the favor is part of their culture. You should avoid gifts in the multiple of four as they are considered unlucky.

Additionally, your gift should be wrapped nicely in red, pink, or yellow paper. While green, black, and white make the worst choice when exchanging gifts. Conversely, if you are offered a gift by your Korean friend, you are expected to accept the gift. It’s nice to give something in return later.

Moreover, it is customary to bid farewell to everyone individually with a bow when leaving. It is good to send a thank you note to your host the following day.

These are just a few but South Korea basic tips, but they’re important. But feel free to ask your host what is okay to talk about. If you really can not eat something, let your host know. They are equally concerned about dishonoring you as well.

Enjoy!

Namsan Mountain – The Spectacular Hike in South Korea

November 6, 2014

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Namsan Mountain – The Spectacular Hike in South Korea

Ranked as one of the most scenic locations in the Jung-gu district of Seoul, South Korea, the Namsan Mountain or the South Mountain, is a glorious journey into South Korea’s grand past. Indeed some people term the mountain to be a natural museum without walls that is reminiscent of all that South Korea has witnessed over time.

A very popular hiking destination it is, surrounded by the Namsan Park with a magical view of the surroundings. Going on a hiking trip proved to be a really worthwhile decision as this became one of the most interesting and fascinating hiking trip of my life.,

I decided to hike up the Namsan Mountain as I wanted to witness the much talked-about glorious views of Seoul. The fall had descended on the mountain very beautifully, scattering its colored leaves all over the ground. It was quite a steep trail, nd just a few moments after I had stated on my hike, I saw a peculiar phenomenon. The forested peak of this mountain is embedded with statues, that are thousands of years old, and I could actually walk up to them and touch them.

I hiked through the Samneung Valley on the mountain’s western slope; it took around two and a half hours, but gave me the view of several statues and a beautiful panoramic view of the Jung-gu district. The hike continued to unfold upon me the amazing treasures nestled within the mountain. After some time I arrived at Sangseonam Hermitage, which is a small temple and I relaxed there for a few moments.

I remember coming across a statue of Maitreya Buddha along my journey up the Namsan Mountain that was made around 700 years ago and its magnificence totally overtook me.

As I moved along I saw several enormous statues decorating the mountain quite impressively. Furthermore, there are numerous burial mounds dotting the mountain’s landscape. After ever few minutes, I saw an ancient grave site, some were in disarray, while some were cleaned up and presented with fresh flowers.,

The trail is spectacular, as its makes its way through twisted trees, and is covered with large rocks, and unevenly cut out stone steps as well. I chose to sit down at the large rocks to catch my breath, and have some snacks. I was lucky enough to have ample water and snacks with me, because to my dismay, there were no hawkers, stalls, or marts along the way. The hike was quite peaceful as it was not crowded with tourists and I thoroughly enjoyed every twist and turn that brought me to amazing views and exciting statues.

From there, it was a brief hike to the ridge of the mountain, which is completely surrounded by trees. After I reached, the peak, I turned left, and continued up the ridge and came across a dazzling view of the district, which truly refreshed my soul. Once there, I saw a sign, pointing towards a trail that was leading to the Sambulsa Temple at the bottom of the Namsan Mountain, which was quite serene and I spent some time walking around it.

The hike downhill wasn’t as smooth, but wasn’t too troublesome nonetheless. It was short walk back and from there I took a bus back to the town area. Overall, it was a very fulfilling and amazing experience hiking on the Namsan Mountain, and I enjoyed every bit of it.