Welcome to the first “Eat Drink Chapter South Korea”. When mentioned South Korea, or even just Korea, many instantly relates to K-POP and Kimchi. There is obviously more than just K-POP and Kimchi in Korea. The culture and demographics of Korea is something worth studying. If you think the K-POP artists are not as big in their native land then that’s when you are wrong. They are equally big.
Like many other cultures anywhere else, the culture in Korea is a heritage and history that is equally as important as the current development of the country. That’s why many of their cultures are still very much preserved and practice in their daily lifestyle. The best way to study one’s culture is through their cuisine. And there is no place better than street to find the best of both traditional food and the rich fusion of urbanization and cultures from overseas.
Korean cuisine is probably best known for kimchi, and I can assure you that kimchi is obviously one important dish and sometimes ingredient in their dishes. Enjoy some of their best food on the street from포장마차 (pojangmacha). What’s best to be referred to as street stalls. I call them “meals on wheels”. These stalls in almost anywhere in South Korea sells a variety of street food and mostly accompanied by soju during night time.
My favourite is the떡찜(teok jim); rice cake and fish cake with a spicy gochujang sauce), sweet potato, and fried squid.
On the street, most snacks and dishes made to be grabbed and go conveniently or at least easily consumed by the street or on your way to somewhere.
Mostly comes in skewers or served with a pick. Most dishes are mildly flavoured with seasoning but often flavourful with natural flavours from the ingredient. Also mostly is very much enhanced by natural ingredients with heavier aroma and flavours, like the seaweed and sesame.
Usually, they are creative and delicately innovative in producing eye catching snacks. This basically is a very simple snack with potato and egg right on top of it.
That was nothing compared to these fancier ones which is more commonly along the streets in stores and shops instead of vending cart on the street, mostly to capture the attention of the younger generation.
By the way, the sign spells ‘pizza’.
Note to coffee addicts, coffees are everywhere in urban lifestyle.
해피소뿡 (Happy Sopong) here sells pastry similar to pancake/waffle like with fillings inside. Fillings like sweet potato, bulgogi, pizza and more.
And did I mention the fusion in the food? You find things like the Kebab, with a touch of the local palate ie spicy.
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Love
Reading this now changes my perception on food in Korea. I always thought there is only kimchi in kimchi land.
Because koreans eat kimchi with anything and everything. So they have to have kimchi in the shops. Even pizza deliveries have pickles to go with it. And my aunt eats kimchi and rice for breakfast.
Yummy!! I wanna eat korean street food! : )