Tea has been a hugely important part of Korean culture for well over a millennia. Today, tea in general is becoming increasingly popular in Korea due to a renewed focus on healthy living. There are many types of tea "native" to Korea, but here are some of the more common varieties. Yugacha is a traditional fruit tea, and is actually made from citrus fruit. The combination of … [Read more...]
Samgyetang: Korean Chicken Soup
Written by KTO on March 7, 2013 at 10:30 am
Every culture has its comfort foods and it's amazing how versions of those foods cross borders and oceans. You're likely well familiar with chicken soup, whether from a can or homemade and simmered for hours with flavorful, nutritious stock and farm fresh vegetables. Korea actually has its own version of chicken soup called samgyetang, which translates to something like "ginseng … [Read more...]
Great Korean Dishes: Bibimbap
Written by KTO on February 5, 2013 at 5:24 pm
Bibimbap is one of the signature dishes of Korea. There, it's consumed widely, both at home and out, at small restaurants. In Korea, bibimbap is loved and has a place in Korea's food culture equivalent to something between grandma's home cooking, a fast-food hamburger, and a blue plate special at a diner. Of course, it's vastly healthier than the last two, but it's both ubiquitous … [Read more...]
Eating Sannakji or “Live Octopus”
Written by KTO on January 31, 2013 at 10:15 am
Korea has a rich culture around its food. Some food comes out of long-rooted traditions dating back hundreds of years. Other Korean food represents the mingling of Korean cuisine with other food cultures: those of China, Japan, Europe, and the U.S. But one of the most fascinating Korean dishes, the one that can shock even the most adventurous diners, is Sannakji. Sannakji is … [Read more...]
Korea Wine Train: A Journey Through the World of Wine
Written by KTO on September 19, 2012 at 10:48 am
Korea might not have a reputation as the world's top destination for wine tourism, but how many places in the world are there where oenophiles can board a special train in Seoul in the morning, travel to "Korean wine country" (Yeongdong), enjoy as much wine as they like along the way, and be back in Seoul for dinner--perhaps at one of Seoul's many wine bars? Lovers of wine should … [Read more...]
Jeonju: An UNESCO City of Gastronomy
Written by KTO on June 29, 2012 at 10:30 am
UNESCO has officially designated the Korean city of Jeonju (in Korea's North Jeolla Province) as a City of Gastronomy. Jeonju is the fourth city in the world to earn a place on UNESCO's list of culturally significant culinary capitals, following Colombia's Popayan, China's Chengdu, and Sweden's Ostersund. For a 1,000 years, Jeonju has been the economic and cultural center of the … [Read more...]
Gwangjang Market: A feast for the eyes and stomach
Written by KTO on June 19, 2012 at 10:17 am
Seoul is famous for its thriving markets, where locals and visitors alike can wander the stalls, bargaining for food, fabric, housewares, and clothes. In Seoul, different markets are known for various specialties, but Gwangjang Market is one that's not to be missed. Established in 1905, the market consists of over 5,000 stores selling fabric, bedding, handmade crafts, ibaji … [Read more...]
A Guide to Korean Chopsticks
Written by KTO on May 15, 2012 at 10:00 am
When most Americans think of chopsticks, they think of the disposable tapered wooden variety, packaged in sealed paper pouches, that most U.S. Asian restaurants provide. Visitors to Korea might be a little surprised when they sit down at a restaurant table to find the flat steel chopsticks that are almost omni-present in South Korea. Their flat shape (great for picking up rice!) and … [Read more...]
