Food.

One of the things I love most about traveling.  I knew I would be trying and eating many new things, however I did not realize that by moving to Korea I would have to redesign my entire diet.  It’s coming as a bit of a shock actually. I have never considered myself a picky eater, apart from being an olive-despising vegetarian, but after transplanting myself into the Korean culture I realize I am much more particular than I thought. I think this is attributable to two reasons…

First, I’ve become a huge health nut in the past couple of years.  Whole grain, cage-free, no processed sugars, farmer’s market, organic, fresh, local, sustainable (have I annoyed you yet?) And not having access to these foods can kind of, well, freak me out.

Second, my mom says I never eat a calorie that I don’t absolutely love, which is all too easy at home (thanks, Ina, love your show!) I really think I must get more enjoyment from food than your average person, and with just so many good tasting choices around, I would never something that wasn’t worth it.

My taste buds have been busy at work this week. I eat ethnic food nearly everyday at home, but Korean food is by far the Asian cuisine I am least familiar with. Many good and bad surprises.

I did a little research yesterday on being a vegetarian in Korea…and the bottom line is that…it is hard.  Koreans eat SO much red meat, it really surprised me. And the concept of vegetarianism seems difficult for Koreans to understand. No, ham and crab do not count at vegetables, nor does chicken. I may have chosen the wrong Asian country to teach English in (just kidding, I love it here!) Seafood may just be my savior.  Even still, the seafood seems to be a bit fishier than I am accustomed to at home.  It is becoming standard for me to see a little octopus tentacle in any mixed seafood dish. As I go out to restaurants, I think may be better (at least for now) that I don’t know much Korean. Probably better to not know what I’m eating…

Korean barbeque is huge, and from what I can smell, delicious.  I can’t say I have any desire to eat pork, but sometime down the road I’m sure I’ll try a bite.  Everyone else loves it.  We’ve been out to two Korean BBQ restaurants this week, and while there are lots of little side dishes for me to nibble on, I do feel like I’m missing the big event.  The second restaurant had a steamed egg soufflé that will probably be my go-to on KBBQ nights. On the other hand, if you don't get eat meat you can get a nearly free dinner. Side dishes are free!

Red pepper paste. It’s everywhere, like it or not, and in the past week it has definitely grown on me. Spicy food is no problem as long I can still enjoy my meal. Given a preference, I would choose not to sweat during dinner. But anyways, I hope to continue acquiring a taste for red pepper paste because Koreans sure have. Right now it just seems spicy while lacking flavor.

Kimchi…I’m working on that one.  I don’t mind it, just don’t love it.

White rice is served with virtually every meal here. And sometimes white rice freaks me out…I am ashamed to say that the words “white rice is my worst enemy” may have come out of my mouth at one point in time, unrealizing. But I have seen brown rice in the market but I think that cooking rice at home will not happen often because I will get my fill of rice at every other Korean meal I eat this year…

As for things I am excited about eating. Tofu! Eggs! Eggplant! Sweet potatoes! Soondubu (soft tofu stew)! Pajeon (green onion pancake)!  I know this list will grow day by day!

On the plus side, there are TONS ice cream parlors and coffee shops! (There has got to be some kind of coffee shop record here…) I know I’ll be just fine.

I know you want to hear about MORE food (and I definitely want to talk about it,) so stayed tuned for the next post.

Tuna Kimbap

Haemul Pajeon (savory green onion pancake with seafood)