Korean Job Discussion Forums

[J Rock]

Why does every food in Korea have to be Soooo damn delicious? What I mean is I went over to my in-laws for dinner and it was like a circus as soon as we started eating dinner. We stared with Kimchee Chigae and as soon as everyone took the first bite they were like, "ooohhhhh, ahhhhhhh, ma-si-sseo!!!!!" The father in law was almost yelling at how amazing it was, my 15 year old brother in law was squealing like a baby pig and convulsing he liked it so much, his hands shaking it was sooooo great.

This got me pretty pumped up as it must have been the best Kimchee Chigae on the planet. I took a spoonful and it tasted like every other time I've ever had it, actually it was a little sour. The whole family was looking at me waiting for my big reaction. I wanted to scream, "it's just soup!! Kimchee freaking soup!!!!!" I didn’t thou, I just said it was really delicious. I did however refuse to give them an, "ohhhhhh or an ahhhh."

After that it was downhill from there, the rest of the dinner the family was almost fist pumping and pelvic thrusting at how delicious it was.

I left wondering why can't dinner just be good? Why does it have to an earth shattering event, even going out to crappy restaurants you'll hear people muttering to themselves at how amazing the rice is or the soup is.

It could also be that I'm just annoyed at my in-laws and my wife by the way they act around each other. Who knows maybe I'm overreacting. Anybody else see this type of behavior?

[EZE]

I sort of envy them. So many times I have eaten something that was probably really good, but my mind was on whatever I was doing and I just took my food for granted.

Take right now, for example. Whoever burglarized my apartment and stole my instant coffee and Hite are probably talking about how damn delicious it is right now. I would've probably drunk some coffee while typing this message and would've been too focused on my Dave's post to savor the flavor. Meanwhile, those thieving bastages are going giddy over my Maxim and Hite...their hands shaking... "sooooooo delicious!"

Going right now to the grocery store to get some instant coffee and Hite....

[cabeza]

[transmogrifier]

Unrelated, but I've been consciously trying to eat less these days, and a benefit of this is that everything tastes a lot better when you don't eat as much crap. Your meals become more memorable.

[J Rock]

[Captain Corea]

OP, I've noticed this too... but for some reason my experiences seem to center around watermelon... or fruit in general. I can't count the number of times people (and family) have gotten near giddy at the sight of some cut fruit.

And honestly, the fruit here, for the most part, is not great tasting.



I asked my family what was up with this. Why did everyone get so excited for such mundane things. My FIL said that it was because when he was young he never had anything like this... that even a banana was a luxury.

Ok. Made sense.

Except for those under 30.

[coralreefer_1]

Could it possibly be... that people say that because they are being polite to a host that has served them food? My god how many ugly dudes on here have been called "handsome" by coworkers, or otherwise misc. people they encounter? Most of us recognize this as simply lip service...so it honestly should be of little surprise Koreans do this to each other.

And in many cases, i think it seems like some kind of competition..sort of like "who can find whatever they are eating/drinking the MOST delicious and yell about it the most"

[Nester Noodlemon]

[nicwr2002]

Japanese people are bad about this too. Before the food even touches their tongue they are already screaming うまい！(umai) which means delicious.

[J Rock]

[Nolos]

This OP made me LOL

[J Rock]

[mr_thehorse]

[mr_thehorse]

[beentheredonethat777]

[color=red]quote="J Rock"]Why does every food in Korea have to be Soooo damn delicious? [/color

I think it has to do with being grateful to have something to eat.

IT took me the longest to come to this realization. I thought my
taste buds had failed me over and over again, while dining with my co-workers or friends.

Later, some of my friends confided that they only ate "this good" when they were with me or a company dinner. (mind you,it was the same place I'd frequent four or five times a week.) I had NO earthly idea, I was eating so well.


My family in the states always had plenty of food, so I didn't really fully appreciate all the meat, veggies, and assorted fruit every day. But after a trip to the Philippines and witnessing deep poverty, homelessness, and hungry, babies with empty bottles ; now every morsel I eat, tastes so yummy, amazing, delicious, ..."wow! This rice is so white, fluffy, fresh, and tasty!" I had never even tasted rice before moving to Korea!