Korean Job Discussion Forums

Omkara · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: USA

Just curious about how or if you made "changes" in your diet living there. I'm not in Korea just yet, but have been thinking about this issue. How am I going to resist sushi, etc.? (I'm thinking of letting some fish into my diet . . . .)

I was not a vegtarian the last time I was in Korea.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I had two friends who were in Korea for the long term (army brats) who both were vegetarians. They were dating, and after they broke up they both started eating meat.

Vegetarianism is a slippery slope. Are you going to eat fish, egg, or dairy products? If not, ouch. Even kimchi isn't vegetarian by that definition.

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

Interesting that you should ask. I've met a couple of people who became carnivores while in Korea. I think they were concerned about the lack of alternate protein sources here (you can only eat so much tofu).

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

For my first six months or so here I was able to limit it to eating only fish and seafood, though if my bocambap came with a few bits of ham in it I'd just try to pick them out. Then I started to slip a little bit. Then, at around eight months, the time I took my public school job, I just gave up on the idea and life has been so much easier. It's interesting how my vegetarianism and social / political liberalism sort of went out the window around the same time.

Omkara · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: USA

I do eat eggs from chickens that are not caged, and I consume dairy products.

I thought that allowing myself fish would make it easier, though I'd keep it minimum. Technically, that's piscatharianism (spelling?).

I'm a yogi and the vegetarianism is related to ahimsa, or doing no harm. But, I also refuse to be that vegetarian who's a pain-in-the-butt guest--you know, the kind that refuses what hosts have to offer.

In America, it's been easy to be a vegetarian. But that's because it's so easy to find what I need. In Korea, it's less so. I enjoy my diet and don't miss meat at all (and I used to be a meat-and-potates guy!).

So, I'm just curious of how others have delt with the issue.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I was a pretty strict vegetarian for about 2.5 years before coming to Korea. I would drink milk for the calcium but that was about it for animal products.

Since coming here, I've gotten back on the meat wagon. Kalbi...mmm...mmm....good! Who could resist? And kimchi: when in kimchi-land you must eat kimchi. It's just too hard not to.

However, serious meat intake is still a semi-rare thing...never more than once a week and usually closer to once a month. If there's a veggie choice when eating out, I'll usually go for it. I never cook meat at home.

Loza · Joined: 28 May 2006

I'm a vegetarian not vegan in Korea. I grew up that way. It's challenging but possible, I cook alot at home, and take lunch to my public school. You can do it! Smile

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

kermo · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject:

I have definitely eaten things here that I wouldn't have touched back home, but stopped short of actually eating chunks of meat.
Compromises have included:
-eating *around* the meat or removing it, like kimbab
-eating soup that has seafood in the broth
-eating things that may or may not have teeny bits of meat in it or broth, like kimchee or naengmyon

peony · Joined: 30 Mar 2005

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I can understand why, but in Korea it would really suck to be vegetarian. Imagine all the great food you'd never get to try.

SirFink · Joined: 05 Mar 2006

It seems to me that part of being a traveler and visiting and experiencing other countries and cultures is about adapting to that culture ("When in Rome...").

I'm not a vegetarian but I've met many foreign teachers here who are and I can't imagine the hassle of maintaining such a diet while one travels the world teaching English.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

Where there's a will, there's a way... It hasn't been very difficult for me to stay vegetarian (as I have for over 33 years - no meat, fish, or eggs...)
Of course, I'm exceptional in that I've had some training in vegetarian Indian cooking, and I avoid associating with meat-eaters (unless I meet them at a vegetarian restaurant ...) There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Korea. Anyone within a couple hours of Seoul can come to Seoul Vegetarian Club gatherings (pm "Hater Depot" to get on mailing list ...) The following website lists vegetarian restaurants, bakeries, and other resources all over Korea:http://www.vegetariankorea.org/

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

Not yet, but several forum members from down there have asked about it, so someone should organize at least a monthly get-together...

Here's what's listed for Busan from her website listing a couple years ago:

BUSAN

Busan Supreme Master Ching Hai Veg. Restaurant
Geumjeong-Gu, Chun Dong 1415-24
051)503-4410

SM Vegetarian Buffet
Geumjeong-Gu, Bugok 3-dong 23-15
051)581-9993

Jayounsaengwhal Ch'aesik Buffet
Nam-Gu, Daeyeun 3-Dong
Located west of Kyung-sung University, right next to exit number one of Daeyeun Station.
051)625-9289
Sun-Fri 11:30-8:30 W 6,000
Buffet. Vegetarian-friendly products like T.V.P and veggie-meat are available for sale.

2nd location:
Yeonjae-Gu, Gajae 1-Dong Koreo Bldg.4F
051)504-7230

Jangsu Vegetarian Restaurant
Yeonjae-Gu, Gajae-Dong
051)504-9934
W3-10,000
Korean and some Western foods; veggie-meat.
http://www.freewebs.com/vegetariankorea/gyeongsanprovinces.htm