Korean Job Discussion Forums

[buji]

the hardest thing is not being able to read ingredients

[snurglersons]

I was vegan for about 3 years, but have started eating some meat again. Mainly just fish because I really enjoy sushi/sashimi, but I still try to eat "vegan" as much as possible. I'm also lactose intolerant, which all-in-all made vegetarian to vegan really easy since I really only had to eliminate eggs at that point. I already figured finding things like rice or soy milk would be pretty easy and hopefully eating out will be doable. Anyway, I'm arriving in Busan in two weeks. I've noticed there are 2 Loving Hut's, only one semi-close for me--I'll be living by Gwangalli.

If there are any other vegans, border vegans or whatever in Busan with some tips and maybe willing to show me around for some eats I would appreciate it, just PM me.

[sqrlnutz123]

[sqrlnutz123]

I made it to Seoul and found Sticky Fingers and The Loving Hut which were both amazing. Also we got icecream at Purely Decadent which is actually based in my hometown, although they don't have a parlor there, you can just buy it at the store.
Now, I was wondering if anyone could help me with a few phrases. I was able to find the Korean for 'I don't eat meat, eggs, shellfish" etc, but I can't find the English pronounciation for them. Does anyone know how to prounounce:
I don't eat meat
I don't eat eggs
I don't eat shelfish

[Bramble]

You probably won't be understood if you rely on Romanized Korean ... it's best to ask a Korean to teach you how to say those sentences and check your pronunciation (but even then, you may have trouble making yourself understood if you can't clarify exactly what ingredients you don't want and why you don't want them). You could also explain what you want in a note (in Hangeul) and show it to the person.

[sqrlnutz123]

[elizabethbennet]

A few things you can find/make pretty easily in Korea:

Stir-fry with tofu and various vegetables. Use sesame oil and season with soy sauce. Put over rice. Change it up with various veggies. Feel for the firmest tofu at the store. Make friends with the bok choy. It's the best stir-fry vegetable ever.

Spaghetti/Tesco sauce (w. veggies optional)/Tous Les Jours baguette. To mix it up a little saute some garlic for the baguette or the sauce.

Hobo chili (if you brought some spices, or can find some): Black beans (can be found in cans at Home Plus or bulk some other places), rice, a little chili powder, pinch of cayenne, salt, add some tomatoes and spinach. If you have chips and salsa, use 'em. Surprisingly satisfying.

Peanut noodles: Peanut Noodles with Zucchini
Submitted by Hank

prep time: 10 mins | cooking time: 20 mins | makes 4 good servings

This recipe came about when I discovered that peanut butter + water = peanut sauce, booya! I usually use whole wheat spaghetti for this one, but rice noodles are really good too. Chunky peanut butter, of course. If your leftovers get a little dried out, just add some extra water or soy sauce and they'll be all nice and saucy again.

Equipment:
medium skillet
mixing bowl
pasta pot

Ingredients
1 lb pasta or rice noodles
1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium zucchini, sliced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon hot chili oil (or more if you like, optional)
1 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
about 1 1/2 cups warm water


Directions
Get some water boiling and cook your pasta/rice noodles. In a skillet, saute the ginger and garlic in a little canola oil for a few minutes, then add the zucchini and cook until soft. When the zucchini is just about done, add the sesame oil and chili oil, if desired. Meanwhile, mix the peanut butter, water, and soy sauce in a mixing bowl until well blended, and then add the zucchini mixture. Toss with cooked pasta until well-coated - add more water if necessary to distribute sauce evenly. Serve with extra soy sauce and red pepper flakes.

[sqrlnutz123]

I just got back from New Start vegetarian restaurant in Seoul. Excellent food, excellent variety, all you can eat buffet. And it has a few groceries there too. http://www.happycow.net/asia/south_korea/seoul/
We were trying to find Huckleberry farms in Bundang and unfortunately it's shut down. I read on eslcafe that the Seoul location was also closed, so I'm assuming the Busan location probably is too. Very sad.
So now can anyone give me directions to Orga Foods? Preferably one near a subway station and relatively easy to find.

[Bramble]

That is very sad about Huckleberry Farms! There are plenty of Orgas around ... most of them seem to be in the basement of either an E-Mart or a Lotte Department Store.

[Old Gil]

[Rteacher]

I think it's tandanam dubu (rhymes with "on-on-on who-do" ...)

Btw, today was "World Vegan Day" and it was celebrated at the Seoul City Hall Plaza Square. Major Korean organizations participating included the Vegetarian Korean Union and Animal Care Association.

Some members of the Seoul Vegetarian Club also were there. Reportedly, vegan snacks were distributed and statements were made to invited journalists and media reps to promote the vegan diet.

I strongly recommend any vegetarian or vegan living in Korea to register on Facebook just to connect with the Seoul Veggie Club, which now has over 500 people signed-up, including a significant number of Koreans and vegans.

Club "events" (usually going to vegetarian or vegetarian-friendly restaurants but occasionally picnics and dinner parties) are scheduled every two weeks - alternating between Saturdays and Sundays and lunches and dinners.

I'm a former president - and one of the original founders - but currently members volunteer to organize events on a rotating monthly basis.

It's a great way to meet other vegetarians and vegans because there is usually a big turnover of people from event to event. Non-vegetarians are also welcome to attend gatherings if they sincerely have some positive interest in vegetarianism or veganism.