Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lizlemon]

Hey everyone - in the past month I've been doing a lot of reading and seriously considering either becoming a vegetarian or exclusively eating humanely raised meat. I'm also getting ready for my move to Korea and I had some questions for some of you that are already in that boat.

Does anyone know how livestock are generally raised in Korea? Is most meat domestic or imported? Do they use factory farming?

For vegetarians, do you find it tough to find good alternatives to meat in Korea?

I'd really appreciate any insightful advice, even if it is to advise me away from it. Would love to hear all opinions on this. Haven't had much luck researching this online, would love to hear suggestions of further reading as well.

[Steelrails]

The only way you know meat is humanely raised is if you raise it yourself.

And these days most vegetables are a mish-mash of pesticides and genetic engineering.

[sqrlnutz123]

I highly reccomend that if you become vegetarian, you learn to cook for yourself. Unless you can speak Korean and explain very carefully what vegetarian means, restaurants will give you vegetables flavored with animal broth or even having small bits of meat in it and consider it vegetarian.
I have been living here for five months now as a vegan and it is entirely possible to eat well and healthy.
There are many vegan and vegetarian restuarants. And I only eat out if I can go to one of those places. You can check out happycow.net and the Seoul Veggie Club on facebook to find some. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11299200065

I haven't found much in the way of meat alternatives except tofu. At the Loving Hut restaurants (a vegan food chain) they sell some hot dog and veggieburger type things, but in an ordinary supermarket, I don't think you'll find anything.

I don't know about how humane Korean animal farming is compared to my home country of USA, but I agree with the previous poster, that you don't know for sure unless you raise it yourself. Better to be on the safe side and risk murdering some inhumanely raised vegetables instead!

[drydell]

hi there..good luck in your transition.. I'm a strict vege and been here in Korea for the last few years and am surviving fine - although it's only homemade kimchi for me..
Your location will determine how easy it is for you in Korea. Things are changing here quickly though. 2 years ago in Busan there was 1 vegetarian restaurant, there are now at least 7. Seoul has plenty. out in the sticks....hmmmm
Eating out socially is the biggest difficulty..I won't pretend that side is easy - but if you can cook well and imaginatively at home you will be fine.
There is tons of fresh fruit and vegetables, really good multi grain rice, tofu in every corner shop, plus loads of places that sell import food and lots of vegetarian styles of meat you can order online or pick up if you have a vege-place in your town.

re humanely reared meat- not really sure - there is organic food everywhere if you look around and free-range eggs are in all big supermarkets. It's quite possible it is available.. Some people seem sceptical about the organic stuff but i'm not sure on what basis..
One thing is for sure..you'd better like bibimbap or you'll be in trouble

[Mint]

[Bramble]

I agree that preparing most of your own food and sticking to reliable restaurants like Loving Hut is a good idea. I also suggest cutting out animal products altogether, or at least as much as you can, rather than bothering with "happy" animal products or loading up on dairy products and eggs in place of flesh. (Unfortunately I increased my dairy consumption when I began avoiding flesh many years ago.)

If you're having trouble finding certain items, you can order things through VeganEssentials, and this local company also offers many products that are hard to find elsewhere. Don't worry, you can do it.

[Fishead soup]

If you become a vegetarian you'll miss out on

Samgyup Sal- Korean pork belly grilled at the table nice and fatty and crisp great with soju.

Kalbi- Marinated pork or beef ribs. Cooked at the table in front of you. Great meal for interacting with friends.

Dok Kalbi- Chicken marinated in spicy souce. A real tasty treat. The level of spice is just about right.

Truck roasted chicken- Whole chickens roasted until the skin is nice and brown and crispy.

Sashimi- A variety of different raw fish seved with a choice of say sauce and wasabi or hot chilli sauce.

Hoo La La hot spicy chicken. Really nice great with beer.

Now here are your vegatarian alternatives

Tasteless Tofu and Kimchi, well at least the Kimchi has a floavour plus fish sauce and shrimp sauce.

More Tastless boring tofu.

Even More Tasteless boring tufu dishes like

Sun Tobu Tubu Chungool Tubu Kimchi.

[Bramble]

^ Aren't you bored yet?

OP: I don't remember the last time I ate tofu at home. (Long before Korea.) I'll eat it if I'm going to Loving Hut or Sanchon, where the chefs know how to make it taste good. There are tons of options at Loving Hut, not just tofu, so don't listen to the idiots.

[wylies99]

[drydell]

[quoteMaybe you can help me with this... Why do vegetarian companies make products that imitate meat? I mean, if you are gonna stop eating meat why pretend to eat it?[/quote]

It's simple.

Almost nobody becomes a vegetarian because they object to the taste of meat. It is usually for health, for environmental or ethical reasons. By removing real-meat from their diet they've resolved these issues. Eating pretend meat doesn't perpetuate the original problem/issue for the person concerned so most (i'd guess most) vegetarians are happy to eat vege sausages burgers pies whatever.

However, some do object and argue we should reject all substitutes on the grounds that it supports the 'idea' of meat eating and keeps it acceptable. Personally I'm a Peter Singerite on this issue and think it's a case of practical ethics. Roll on lab-grown meat that is identical to the original I say... although you can't beat a good spicy bean burger imo.

@fishhead soup.
yeah I urge you to remove all the 'boring' vegan ingredients from your meals - all the peppers/herbs/spices/garlic/ginger/veg/salt etc - much tastier now!

[cj1976]

Most Koreans are baffled by vegetarians. Not eating meat is strange and unnatural. Not eating meat because you feel sorry for pigs and cows is just downright bizarre. To be honest, I think I have to agree with them.

[rocket_scientist]

Vegans need to eat dirt and *hit as vegetables have emotions and feel pain.
Vegetables and fruits have rights and vegans deny them their rights all the time. Legumes too.

[Bramble]

[cj1976]

[drydell]