|
Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Tobacco Fiend
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
|
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:25 am Post subject: WHAT TO DO IF YOU CAN'T EAT KOREAN FOOD? |
|
|
My personal number-one living-in-Korea difficulty:
I can't eat the food! It's utterly delectable but ruthlessly vindictive on the gastrointestinal tract, damn my untermensch genes!
It took me several months here in Nam Joseon to discover why I was perpetually sick and bent over the toilet every day:
An allergy to red pepper!
Of all things!
Jesus!
Allergic to red pepper and living in Korea: What did I do in a previous life to incur such a fate?
Eating Western-style, as all of us residing here know, costs mucho dinero.
What's more, it's a hell of a time-consuming trip to get to the nearest Subway sandwich and/or other Euro-/American food emporium, at least from where I live and work.
My question to all and sundry:
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU CAN'T EAT KOREAN FOOD?
And CHRIST, I LOVE the stuff--honestly, I adore the taste of kimchee, budae jjigae, anything heavily spiced sends me out of this world in a frenzy of delight--but the chronic diarrhea brought on by a Korean-style diet forces me to look elsewhere for my daily bread.
So, fellow way-gook expats, Where do you eat???????????
Without going broke by daily visits to the Outback Steakhouse, that is.
Help me out, friends.
Peace,
Tobacco Fiend
the "anti-American American." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
OiGirl
Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun
|
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
How long have you been in Korea?
In my experience, I get the runs for about two weeks every time I come to Korea. Then my body adjusts and I'm fine. Same thing when I return home. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
itaewonguy
Joined: 25 Mar 2003
|
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
dude heaps you can do..
eat rice.. eat noodles.. eat kalbi.. there are somethings you can eat..
just need to learn what you can eat and what you dont like..
BIBIMPBAB never meet a foreigner that doesnt like that,,
plenty of supermarkets that sell spaghetti and other things,,
dont sweat it man.. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
|
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 4:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, there's several Korean dishes without the spice, and many side dishes and streetside vendors.
For main meals, you can explore the food in the countless Japanese and Chinese restaurants. Westerners tend to order the same old things, but you're safe (and motivated) to wander through the menu: red pepper isn't commonly used. Just skip the side dish of kimchi they're compelled to provide the locals.
Many foreigners eat Korean food almost everyday; if you try, you could probably find just as much tasty stuff in the J/Cs.
I go sometimes but, well, I love red pepper. I never quite appreciated how much until I heard of your situation.
It's a hassle to have to manage your meals, but it's a kicked-in-the-pants opportunity to try some things new. I wish you well. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
little mixed girl
Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Location: shin hyesung's bed~
|
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 6:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
.....
Last edited by little mixed girl on Fri May 02, 2008 6:05 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Son Deureo!
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
|
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 9:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You have plenty of choices for delicious Korean foods without red pepper. The following leap to mind:
gogi mandu ���⸸��-meat-filled dumplings. Make sure you're not getting kimchi mandu
samgyetang �����- ginseng chicken soup, basically a small whole chicken stuffed with rice, garlic and Chinese dates. About the blandest Korean food there is.
tweegeem Ƣ�� - deep fried battered squid, common at street stands
pajeon ���� - Korean pancakes, usually filled with veggies and seafood
jook �� - rice porridge. Comes in many flavors including pumpkin, tuna, bean, and beef. Mild and homey.
bulgogi �Ұ���, kalbi ����, samgyupsal ���� - All the grilled meats I'm sure you've already heard of. Just don't put ssamjang on it.
saengseon goo-ee �������� - broiled fish
ddeok gook ���� - rice cake soup, usually in a beef or fish broth.
ddeok mandu gook �����α� - see above, but with mandu added to it
omurice ���Ƕ��̽� - Omelette rice. Rice with egg, pits of ham, potato and onion. Pretty innocuous. Tastes like something your Dad might have made for you when you were a little kid and your mom was away.
kalbitang ������ - beef rib soup. 'nuff said! The red pepper is usually on the side, and I usually leave this out anyway
kimbap ��� - Korean-style sushi rolls
bulgogi ddook baegi �Ұ���ҹ�� - bulgogi stew in a hot bowl.
As a person who also suffers from food allergies (wheat and barley), I sympathize with your plight here. Here are a few useful phrases which you should learn, or write down in case you didn't already know them:
����(¯) �� �Ծ��. - I can't eat red pepper (paste).
���� ���߸� ������ ���Ŀ�. - If I eat red pepper I will be sick.
�̰��� ���� �־��? - Does this have red pepper in it?
����(¯) ���� �ּ���. - Please hold the red pepper (paste).
���� ����(¯) �˷����� �־��. I am allergic to red pepper (paste).
Finally, in case you haven't already made an effort to learn to read Korean script and speak some Korean, it is extra important that you do so now. You can't afford to eat any mystery dinners.
I hope this helps. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!
|
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 12:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you get hungry enough, you'll figure out right quick what to do! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
|
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 12:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
itaewonguy wrote: |
BIBIMPBAB never meet a foreigner that doesnt like that |
Present. Don't like it. Conspicuously void of meat (well, there's some, but it really just amounts to a slap in the face). |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Catalina
Joined: 11 May 2003 Location: Bella Italia
|
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 3:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
Like Son Dureo said - Gim Pap
Gim Pap, Gim Pap, Gim Pap
Try these
Gim Pap - sushi-like roll with ham, egg, carrot, green (cuke or spinach), pollock, radish (usually 1000 Won)
Chap-chee gim pap (Tuna gim pap)
Gogi gim pap (beef gim pap)
Available everywhere!! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|