Korean Job Discussion Forums

[drdst122]

I always hear people talking about bringing spices with them to Korea.

What spices are you guys talking about that aren't easily accessible in Korea?

Any other suggestions for things to bring that are easy and simple that you wish you brought?

Thanks!

[Senior]

I haven't seen curry powders (except for normal curry) at super markets here. Home Plus has a pretty good selection of spices that go well with meat. eg, oregano, bay leaves, rosemary.

Here are some pretty good curry pastes on Gmarket
http://gen.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=153169095&pos_shop_cd=SH&pos_class_cd=111111111&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=spices&search_keyword=spices

In my opinion, Korea is getting better by the month for western items. There are few things you can't get now. Even in the two years I have been here, things in this area have improved dramatically.

[madoka]

[drdst122]

haha.

Well I usually just use garlic salt, black pepper, ground cayenne.. nothing too elaborate

are those readily available?

Any other suggestions? Doesn't have to be food.

[caribmon]

you cannot get cayenne in Korea, except for tiny bottles for $5

[Gatsby]

[curiousaboutkorea]

nutmeg is hard to come by (ground that is, whole nutmeg doesn't exist as far as I know). I've found the cinnamon, at least at e-mart to be terrible, but the Costco cinnamon does its job. Korea had only one kind of chili powder (a mildly hot flaky stuff), so you might want to bring any of your own. Some spices are available at Foreign Food mart in Itaewon, though I can't vouch for their quality and I think they're pretty expensive.

Bring cumin, coriander, fennel, cardamom, cloves (I've seen them once or twice).

There's plenty more, but those are the common ones I can think of.

[Gatsby]

Don't bring nutmeg or cumin, but chili powder is a good idea.

I don't know how many times I have to keep posting this info, but from now on your on your own:

http://www.gmarket.co.kr/challenge_eng/neo_seller_collection/seller_collection_main.asp?cust_no=jA0MR38TMjgxNM2xNDMxOTc0NDR/Rw==&l_top_gd_no=101378924

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gmarket.co.kr%2Fchallenge_eng%2Fneo_seller_collection%2Fseller_collection_main.asp%3Fcust_no%3DjA0MR38TMjgxNM2xNDMxOTc0NDR%2FRw%3D%3D%26l_top_gd_no%3D101378924&sl=ko&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8

On the other hand, don't expect to find spices at Costco here. They are run by Koreans for Koreans. You will find garlic, onion, and other basics.

[aldershot]

habanero, chipotle, sweet basil, chinese five spice, kaffir lime, cilantro, celery salt, tarragon, jamaican jerk seasoning, and mint were just delivered c/o my dear mother. you can't get any o' that goodness where i live.

[OiGirl]

Ground cloves and nutmeg are usually available at my Homeplus.

[Keepongoing]

The problem here would be fresh spices. There are places and I have had good and bad luck. I took a Thai cooking course in Thailand and have had trouble finding fresh ingredients and spices here. I am now taking an online course on Spices and Herbs. I had to make some Herbal Butters and was [leased to find all the ingredients at Hannam market. I found fresh tarragon, chives, Basil, flat parsley, and they had many other fresh herbs there. As far as dried spices then Hannam market and the Foreign store in Itaewan is a good vet. You can find various curry spices for red, yellow and green curries/