Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stickfigure]

Hi everyone - I'll be arriving in SK next month for the EPIK/SMOE programme and would appreciate some help so that I don't starve to death (yes, over exaggeration...after the orientation at least).

I was thinking it might be a good idea to make a card/print out written in Korean explaining what I don't eat to make eating out easier while I can't speak the language at all. Maybe I'l put it down to allergies so that its taken seriously. Something like:

Hello, my doctor has placed me on a strict diet and I cannot eat animal products. This includes:

beef
chicken
fish
pork
ham
egg
milk
cream

Please bring me a vegetable dish that has no animal products in it. Thank you for your help.

If anyone can help me with a translation or point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it (and Vegan in Korea advice is most welcome!). Maybe I should have a this card for ordering and another one just to explain the whole vegan thing to people in general (Maybe I'll say "It is against my beliefs" for that one.

Other than that I'm just hoping that fresh produce (markets and whatnot) are common in Seoul. I'm used to (and prefer) making all my food at home and don't care for soya substitutes, so how hard could it be...

[b0101]

Can't help with the translation, but may be able to point you to someone who can. This is the email address of an international center in Gwangju (another city in Korea). It's okay if you won't be living there, they are happy to help with translation stuff and I'm sure could write something up for you. Email is [email protected]

Also, fresh produce is a available almost everywhere, so you shouldn't have any problem with that.

Good luck.

[furtakk]

If you are a really strict vegan, I would avoid eating in Korean restaurants altogether. I'm not a Korean food expert, but I think the great majority of Korean foods, save a few side dishes, include some sort of fish or animal product. Someone correct my ignorance if I am wrong.

[pangaea]

I think the majority of foods do contain animal products. The only vegan main dish I can think of at the moment would be bi bim bap - if they don't put meat on it and you order it without the egg. I think most soup bases are made with fish or beef, but I could be wrong. Not sure about seaweed soup or bean sprout soup. I think the base for doenjang chige is just water and bean paste but most places put clams or mussels in them.

There are side dishes that I think would be vegan. A place I go to near my apartment makes great tofu and usually includes bean sprouts and various sauteed veggies or some sort of weed I can't identify. I don't like cabbage kimchi but I do like the cucumber kimchi that is served in the summer, though I can't remember what the name of it is.

I have been trying to go vegetarian here and it is hard, but I have to admit I don't like to cook. There are plenty of places to buy fruits and vegetables though, so if you are a good cook you will probably be ok. Good luck OP.

[furtakk]

Even stuff like kimchi is seasoned with fish paste or some sort of fish based product as far as I know. So if you're a really strict vegan, it's not something you should gamble on.

[Vimfuego]

this is your saviour

http://www.lovinghut.kr/kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=menu_kr_en&lang=_en

Vegan Korean food. Enjoy

[laguna]

[oldfatfarang]

OP. Just prepare you own food (vegs/tofu from local markets / supermarkets etc). I follow a pretty strict diet - and I prepare every meal (2 times a day) (although I'm a carnivor). I only eat out about 3 times a year in Korea - and that's just the coming and going ritual dinners.

Be aware!! Koreans are not used to diversity. Many Koreans feel very threatened by people (especially westerners) who do not share their customs or habits. In 5 years, I've never been able to fully explain to Koreans why I don't eat during the day. My custom causes me a lot of problems here - and alienates me from my colleagues. They will continually try to get you to eat with them - and when you don't, you will be treated as an 'outsider'.

Also, I once lived next to a vegetarian guy in Korea, and I think he survived on cooking pasta and going to a bibimbap (vegetables and rice) restaurant. He carried around a laminated card his school translated for him. Interestingly, my school never called him by his name - they always referred to him as the: 'VEGETARIAN !'.

Good luck with it all.

[wilson535]

just eat some meat you fussy buggers.

[NYC_Gal]

It's easy enough, and the big supermarkets have all kinds of cute lunch containers. You can find brown rice, barley, and assorted grains, so that you aren't stuck eating icky white rice all the time. There are plenty of produce markets, and tofu is very easy to come by. Have fun experimenting with the new spices and pastes and take care to pack any spices that you can't live without, in case you don't find them here. I also recommend packing seeds for herbs that you enjoy fresh.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

Eating is one of the main activities here. If you can't eat the food you'll be in for a boring year. I hope you drink!

[prideofidaho]

[ennoncha]

I'm also a vegan in Korea and it's not nearly as hard or terrible as everyone here is making it out to be.

The foreign food markets in Itaewon and other areas are a real saviour. You kind find all types of beans, spices and even TVP there. Tofu and soymilk in Korea are way cheaper and tastier than th varieties back home. Someone already mentioned Loving Hut, which is amazing. There are also a tonne of restaurants in Itaewon that are pretty vegan friendly - Bhudda's Belly, Gecko's, the Wolfhound, Roofer's etc.

Keep your chin up

[NYC_Gal]

Brown rice and kidney beans, with a sauteed onion and some salsa is one of my go-to recipes. Super easy if you have a rice maker. Make the rice then add everything else (I use rinsed canned beans). I make a big batch and the rice maker keeps it good for a couple of days.

[sojusucks]

It's easier to be a vegan in or close to Seoul, but outside of the Seoul area you'll find it to be tough, and expensive.