SOUTH KOREAN EATS: The Experience
Dear Foodie Fam,
I haven’t been to many countries but of them all, my personal opinion stands that those who fed me in Seoul were the most happy to share their food.
Some of my blogs and videos have mentioned this so you may know that most of my favorite places to eat foster a sense of of belonging.
Being welcomed by someone eager to share -not eager to please- flavors my palate incredibly. Koreans who served us their food were always happy to teach us the proper way to receive and eat the delicious food. This was even true of hosts who did not speak English (who were at pretty much all the places we ate). I remember I was taught gently -not shyly- how to cut the noodles in my Naengmyeon and how to stash my purse in the empty tin seats at KBBQ joints. It’s these little hints that made me feel welcomed and at home so far from America.
Those who prepared and brought food to the table didn’t just teach us about how to eat it… they genuinely cared that we ate it at it’s prime. As a pure introvert, I definitely do not like being fussed over… but this was more like being a kid coming in from a long day in one’s own little world and sitting down at my aunt or uncle’s kitchen table… and then realizing that the outside world has melted away because someone has left food for you… and, even then… they’ve silently laid out everything you didn’t know you needed. Can I note here that women who work in restaurants are often called something familial: younger women are called “eonni (언니 – older sister)” and older women are called “emo (이모 – auntie)” !
In a Korean BBQ joint, an Eemo for example, grilled for us. This is an authentic tradition. How unnecessary is that? The food is there- you can easily grill it yourself. Yet, in Seoul it is tended to for you so you can be sure you’ll eat it at what the master host knows is the prime moment.
I feel like in Seoul, there’s so much genuine concern in the eater’s reception of food as experience, necessity and bond. I mean, why are so many joints open so far into the early morning? Why are eaters given free range as to what they want to eat (like rice) and not restricted to certain items for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Why is it customary to just grab a seat anywhere in the restaurant unless it’s full? Why are they so tolerant of (even patient with) the many drunk kids finding their way through the rest of the night? I think it’s all about making you feel at home.
There was even a welcoming vibe from those we ate with or even ate near.
Everywhere we sat to eat, locals expressed delight in our interest in their culture. More often than not, this expression came in the form of Soju (소주) or Somaek (소맥) and genial conversation. In fact, the experience of drinking in South Korea is so thoughtful that one is not allowed to pour their own drink. You don’t need to worry about that… it’s considered rude to not tend to your friend’s empty glass.
These are just a few reasons why eating in Seoul is so enjoyable… I haven’t even talked about the food, itself, yet!!! Can’t wait to share that with you, too!
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