"People who love to eat are always the best people."
I do not know if it is just a mere coincidence, but most restaurants that I have been to where I read this quote on the wall often serve good food.
Aside from the diverse culture and traditions that I have learnt from teaching ESL learners, their love for food will always be notable for me.
Korean food is loved by many filipinos as much as we love korean dramas. In this blog, I would like to share my journey in discovering korean food. While many people meet korean food through watching kdramas, I met them as I teach korean students.
First was Kimchi. I had only seen it in kdramas and judging by its look, I did not like it at first. One day, we went to a Diner just near the school we used to teach to have dinner. My friend who was also my co-teacher could not contain happiness when he saw this red colour radish with strange smell for me and smiled like a child after having a bite, but I, who found the taste strange, swore that I would never eat it ever again. However, I met Samgyeopsal after that, and this kimchi was always present as a side dish. No, actually, whenever I eat in any Korean restaurant, Kimchi is always present. As time went by, I learnt to appreciate and love it. Moreover, I also discovered the different types of Kimchi (I personally like Radish Kimchi because I myself can make it easily even if I close my eyes. haha..)
I already mentioned Samgyeopsal. If you are a fan of kdramas, or kpop, you surely know this. Samgyeopsal means pork belly that is wrapped with lettuce together with side dishes like Kimchi, onions, garlic, gochujang, rice (if you want) ramyeon (if you want) or any side dishes that you want). I always enjoy eating Samgyeopsal when I eat it with my group who are also "BIG EATERS" like me. Samgyeopsal experience could be better with a drink of soju (but of course, drink for the food, and never drink to get drunk.), and because I do not drink, cold sprite or coke with a lot of ice are always the best partner for this food. After having this feast, we often drink Yogurt and walk to digest the food fast while talking about our lives and life goals under the stars.
Tteokbokki is one of my favorite korean food. Again, if you watch kdramas, you always see this cylindrical rice cake with red sauce which looks succulent. I do not know if it is only me, but I like eating it more with kimchi.
Another korean food is Ramyeon. Have you ever experienced that moment when you lost your appetite, but through Mukbang shows, you suddenly get the urge to eat? There are many Mukbang episodes on Youtube when koreans eat a huge amount of Ramyeon, which makes me hungry. But let me tell you something. If it looks appetizing on Youtube videos, well, it is even more when you see a korean eating noodles using chopsticks with a live sound, and with an excitement on his face. Ramyeon is best when you eat it with Kimchi. (like I said, kimchi makes all the food more delicious.)
Next is Jajamyeon. Have you seen this black noodles? For me, this food is just "so-so", not really my type of food, but Korean people love this, specially the kids. Even my niece likes it. There were times that my students would approach me and give me Ramyeon or Jajamyeon cup noodles to try. I always ate the Ramyeon, but I would bring home the latter.
The foods that I mentioned are just some of the many korean foods that I have tried. There are more others that I want to introduce, maybe I will write another blog about them next time.
But you know what? Trying, and loving korean food made me realize that understanding someone's culture takes time, and no matter where you are from, you will surely love the food served when you eat it together with awesome people.
Jalmukesumneda! (I will eat well.)
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