Korean Job Discussion Forums

MollyBloom · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants

Is it true, that once I move to South Korea, I will have food poisoning at least once or become very ill at least once, because my body is not used to the germs that South Korea has?

Also, I know this is kinda personal, but has anyone experienced dysentary from the water or any other food in S.K.?

What is a good way to stay healthy once I move there? I know rest, regular meals and exercise, etc. But are there any Korean herbs or potions that anyone has used? Some kind of superfruit?

Hapkido-In · Joined: 24 Jun 2006

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

I am more sensitive than anyone when it comes to eating foreign food. I don't touch the Korean food for the most part but just quickly about the water...
I've been drinking it for a year but I always boil it first. I'd be the first person to get sick if that were dangerous, believe me.
It could also depend on the city as well, but I honestly think you'll be ok here if you just use a little common sense. Korea's not a third world country.

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

Koreans tend to eat pork undercooked. And it will make you sick.
Just tell your host or the wait-staff you prefer yours well done.

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I got pretty sick after I got here, a lot of people experience the same thing.

I agree don't drink the water, buy bottled water.

Last year, I did food poisoning from a Subway near Seoul National University of Education. I'd also avoid the carts on the street as well, but many foreigners do eat at them.

Just a note, this should be in the General discussion forum. I'll ask for it to be moved.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

About pork and it not being entirely/thoroughly cooked enough. Doncasse, the breaded, fried pork meat can sometimes be. Not long enough in the pan, rush job. Check the consistency when you cut into it. Got a real nasty gutache a few times.

About being sick when you first get here. The first six months. It's a common complaint of newbies that they have some kind of cold virus. The strains here are different than at home. So you run through them playing catch up with your immune system, using a lot of kleenex.

Korean food can give you the runs, a kind of explosive diarhea. It could be the kochu. It could be that some side dishes have been let sit at room temperature for too long. After awhile, though, that bathroom time will pay off with a sort of immunity to low level food poisoning. You will have bowels of steel.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

heydelores · Joined: 24 Apr 2006

MollyBloom, I've never had stomach/intestinal problems here (knock on wood!) and I eat Korean food all the time. I did have the worst cold of my entire life about a month after I moved here. It dragged on for a solid 6 weeks.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

Don't eat any dish with raw or undercooked eggs in the countryside. Or even in a small city. This is the only ingestion-of-some-foul-substance type illness I have ever personally encountered in Korea.

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Is it true, that once I move to South Korea, I will have food poisoning at least once or become very ill at least once, because my body is not used to the germs that South Korea has?

Its likely that you may suffer some type of stomach disorder due to the change in food. Avoiding roadside stands and making sure everything you eat is thoroughly cooked will help. Get ready for a plethora of colds....your body will be introduced to a myriad of new viruses. Bringing along some of your favortite cold medicine will help!

Also, I know this is kinda personal, but has anyone experienced dysentary from the water or any other food in S.K.?

No one that I know has! Diarhea yes...dysentary no!

What is a good way to stay healthy once I move there? I know rest, regular meals and exercise, etc. But are there any Korean herbs or potions that anyone has used? Some kind of superfruit?

You can get various health drinks at the pharmacy and other places....as a matter of a fact they are often difficult to avoid Laughing

as they are handed to you on a daily or weekly basis.(beware some of these health drinks contain such goodies as nicotine!) Develop an affection for kim-chi...it will keep you healthy(er) and continue your exercise.

farfromhome · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Location: seoul

i drink water from the tap and eat korean food every day and ive never had a problem.

Endesu · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Location: Bucheon

I eat Korean food from stalls, restaurants, anywhere, and never have any problems. Depends on how sensitive you are, how much you have travelled before, and how adventorous you are with new food. I will admit though, the first time I went to Korea, my stomach was never 100% like it was at home.