Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Nova Scotian Guy]

ive heard that there are no ovens in Korea. As westerners how does everyone find this what are ways that youve come to deal with this.

[John_ESL_White]

You can buy electric ovens here. However, if you are living in an officetel or villa that is provided by your school, you're not getting an oven.

You can get a small electric one for 100K won at most big stores.

[Straphanger]

[SeoulShakin]

My first year I lived off a two burner gas range, a toaster oven, and a rice cooker. You'd be amazed the things you can manage to cook with just those three things. You become quite creative, and generally, things didn't turn out too badly. It just makes it difficult to cook for much more than two people at a time.

My second year I had a full size oven with four burner stove, rice cooker, microwave and toaster oven. I was like I had won the lottery haha. You're more likely to find places with ovens in the Itaewon/Haebangchon area, from what I've noticed.

[Vancouver]

some places have ovens. I stayed with my 2nd oldest aunt on my mom's side in Seoul and she had an oven, thank goodness. Made pizza . Thanks guy on the forum for the dough recipe

[cdninkorea]

A small oven really does do wonders. I got mine used from a co-worker for 80,000 won. I think it's about 150,000 won new, although there are cheaper options as well.

I don't use it that often (I get far more use out of the espresso machine I bought), but last night I made garlic bread, last week eggplant lasagna, and in my weaker moments, cookies that I ate too fast. I also have a homemade protein bar recipe I've been meaning to try out.

That being said, you don't need an oven. I went almost 3 years without one, and I cook everyday.

[warren pease]

I got an oven. It's oventacular!

[pangaea]

I got along just fine with my 2 burner stove, a rice cooker, and a mini oven that I got for about 120,000 won. I found the mini oven was great for warming tortillas and baking chicken and I even managed to make banana bread with moderate success. I tried several times to make cookies and was not successful...they came out flat and tasted funny but that could have more to do with my skills as a cook than the oven. The one problem I had with my oven was that it didn't seem to hold the temperature - if I were using it for a long time, the temperature seemed to go up significantly. I just adjusted for that and I still think it was the best purchase I made when I was in Korea.

Incidentally, I lived for 16 months without a microwave and when I lost my only fork I never bothered to buy a new one. You'll be surprised at what you think are necessities now that you find you don't really need.

[hugekebab]

When you get here dont be tight like i was; buy an electric oven. I wish wish wish i did that when i got here. when you leave you can sell it; someone will buy it.

[cruisemonkey]

I dropped some major cash on an oven when I first came to K-land (it has way more features than I need), but it's the best investment I ever made. I LOOOOOOVE my oven... and can't imagine living here without it!

[Xuanzang]

Buy a convection/microwave combo and you`re set.

[wormholes101]

Gmarket sells many small electric ovens at great prices. We have one that we bought for about 60,000 won and we roast chickens, do baking and cook pizza. Great investment.

http://global.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_category/category.asp?gdmc_cd=200001062

[moosehead]

I bought one at Techno Mart a couple of years ago and only paid 40,000 won for it - I still can't believe I got it so cheap!! It's just a little bigger than a toaster oven but has both toast and bake settings. I bake chicken in it all the time - last night I got really creative and made a parmisan chicken:

first cook some pasta - I chose penne pasta

drain well
put it in a small aluminum pan
drizzle a small amount of olive oil on top
lay some sliced chicken breast next
sliced button mushrooms
diced onion and garlic
cover with your favorite sauce - I used Prego's Traditional
top with sliced mozzarella (big spender here - 5000 won for a small ball)
sprinkle with parmesan on top (I save the ones from the pizza delivery)

I baked it for 30 minutes at about 400 degrees F

Delish!! and I made two pans so one is for later - it can be frozen of course

[ahartinseoul]

...I should have just bought a lil oven when I got here but now I think it's a little too late since I'm leaving in 5 months anyway.

That being said, I cook everyday with just the stove top and sometimes I bring out the rice cooker. You'd be surprised how many dishes you can make frying, boiling, steaming and, well, I guess that's it? Also I think I've been eating a lot healthier since moving here because I eat a lot more fresh fruits and veggies.

Though I really missed baking during the winter, I'll be happy to go home and say a survived without a microwave or oven (or cell phone or TV for that matter) for a whole year! It's like my own little Into The Wild adventure!

Ash
ahartinseoul.blogspot.com

[Snowflake]

I have banged on about remoskas before on here but honestly it's the been the best thing I've ever bought in terms of value for money.
Lakeland deliver here (I bought mine before Christmas a few years back) and it makes perfect roasts, pies, cakes - everything:
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/F/C/cooking-baking/C/cooking-baking-pots-pans/C/pots-pans-remoska