Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gollywog]

Today, Korea; Tomorrow, the World!

What is it with Korea and their globalization this, globalization that?

First it was globalizing Hangeul, now it is globalilzing Korean food.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2008/10/178_32754.html

Is their no limit to their conceit and self-delusion?

Most Koreans don't have the faintest idea what foreign food tastes like because they either don't go abroad or don't eat anything but Korean food when they do. They don't even know there are other spices in the world besides red pepper, don't know what they taste like, and don't know that other cuisines use red peppers.

Yet they have this bizarre idea that the rest of the food in the world must taste much worse than Korean food, and that the world will be clamoring for more once they taste it.

Listen up, Korea: The word "globalization" doesn't mean what you think it does. It means becoming integrated with the rest of the world, part of the global community. It doesn't mean turning the rest of the world into a clone of Korea. Several countries tried this, including Nazi Germany and Japan, and the recipients of their thoughtful generosity were not impressed.

And, yes, I'm saying that if Korea had the military might, this is precisely what they would do, make the rest of the world speak and write in Korean, eat Korean food, use ondol heating, take off their shoes before entering a school, etc., "for their own good."

Koreans are closet cultural imperialists.

[Hyeon Een]

Your post is so stupid I don't know where to start.

So I won't.

(Though that butter comment was particularly retarded)

[VanIslander]

and hence exporting one of the world's highest rates of stomach cancers

not a good idea

[jdog2050]

[sojourner1]

I think the samyeopsal, gamjatang, and gimbap would go over well. We have Korean BBQ restaurants in America, but I never tried it. I also seen kimchee, ramyeon, and other things Korean in the super markets at home. We have many international food sections and stores that cater to foreigners. I remember how a Korean friend last year was too scared to travel to America for fear he'd not have Korean food, but I told him it's not a problem though it's American grown meat, rice, and potatoes. He actually believed Korean produced food was superior to all other food and it was NOT ok to eat foreign food. I took him to an American Thanksgiving dinner at the Seamans club in Busan and he wouldn't eat it for fear it was not pure enough.

I would imagine that Korean food would be gourmetized when served abroad. For example, instead of only getting only one small pototoe and 2 pieces of pork spine with barely any meat in your gamjatang, you'd get more potatoes and a lot more meat such a slab of slow cooked pork ribs. You'd also get friendly smiling warm service instead of this cold robot style of treatment. In Italy, the pizza is much more basic such as only having a few tiny cherry tomatoes, unlike in other countries where it gourmetized with many toppings. Many international foods get gourmetized to satisfy diners from other countries. I'm sure Korean food in 5 star Seoul hotels is very delicious and filling. I ate at one high class Korean restaurant last year and it was awesome. The royal cuisine goes over well with non-Koreans.

I really like the gamjatang and fried rice, but it's ridiculous how skimpy they go on the meat and potatoes, but if this is all you know, then it's OK and keeps your weight down while you're at. I seem to be hungrier than Koreans.

[alex83]

I absolutely love Korean food, always have.
However, I believe there must be a relatively large Korean community around to support any Korean restaurant. In Toronto, there are probably dozens of Korean restaurants, almost exclusively frequented by Koreans (even though Torontonians are generally very open to new tastes).

Then, there are the sushi joints advertising "Japanese and Korean food."
110 times out of 100, they're Korean owned. Anyone from Toronto knows there's about 12 Japanese people living there.

This is how many people back home have their first experience with Korean food--getting served random panchan with their sashimi boat. Most people don't have the exposure to realize what kind of food they're eating.

In terms of opening restaurants, if this is done in areas without enough Koreans to support them, I belive they'll mostly fail (with the exception of Korean BBQ). Because unlike other Asian cuisines (Thai, Indian), which can still taste ok when "dummed down," taking the spice out of most Korean food kills it altogether.

[ciccone_youth]

In Montreal, we'd always go to this Korean restaurant to eat bibimbap and BBQ meats and bulgogi, it was such a novelty for me! The ajuma who owned the place was so friendly too, it made me love Korean food before I came here.

However I realized now that it tasted a bit different than what I eat here, but it was really good, the portions were big, too.

[pkang0202]

[laogaiguk]

Korean food is actually taking on back home. I've been back in Canada for over 6 months in nowhereville and it's becoming more popular. It won't replace sushi anytime soon, but there is some good Korean food. It's just now I don't have to eat it every day. Sometimes I actually want it.

As for the cultural imperalism, if Korea was powerful or had ever been powerful, they would have taken over as many countries as they could have (or would) and would be pretty much the same as Japan was in WWII. Look how they treat whities (the people they respect the most) from significantly more powerful countries with skills they need. Now imagine if they were the powerful ones and didn't need to pretend to respect us...

[spencer23]

I live in Taipei now and Korean food is really popular here too. Actually my local supermarket sells Kimchi (locally made in Taiwan but called "Korean Kimchi") cheaper then what I could buy it for in Suwon.

Actually funny story my two Korean friend's (brother and sister) came and stayed at my house in Taipei. I bought them a tub of locally made Kimchi. AT first they were like " Kimchi can be only made it Korea" and were a bit apprehensive about eating "foreign" Kimchi. But after the first try they devoured the tub in about 24 hours..

[Whirlwind]

I agree with you, OP. It's a good thing that Koreans don't have any power in the world because if they had, they be exactly like those two countries that you mentioned. Thankfully, they are a tiny country without any real significance. As for Korean food, I just can't see the appeal. Leaves, twigs, rotten cabbage and everything drowned in red pepper paste. All that cuisine available back home(Italian, Mexican, etc), why would anyone choose Korean? I guess maybe because it's dirt cheap and a fast option. The reality is that Korean food is peasant cuisine.

[hugekebab]

[alex83]