Korean Job Discussion Forums

mysterious700 · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

Looking to move to Seoul soon from Canada. I am curious about food. IS it as cheap as I have heard - 4000 Won to eat out a large meal? Can you buy western food in grocery stores such as milk and bread? Most apartments are listed as having hot plates. Can you cook on them? Where do you get bottled water? (Yes, I know water comes from taps, but some have told me not to drink it.) Any feed back and advice on where to shop, what to expect, and whether eating out is cheap or not would be greatly appreciated.

peppermint · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:32 pm Post subject:

the major grocery stores like e-mart have in house bakeries, and bakery chains are everywhere here, though the quality of bread is questionable.

Milk is widely available in corner stores and grocery stores, along with bottled water and at least some of the things you'd expect to find in such stores at home.

Hot plates are for cooking on, think of them as a two burner stove ( ovens are not common, but you can do lots with a toaster oven)

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

visitor q · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: Food In Soeul

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

A "big" meal for 4000, no. But a full dinner or lunch for about 4000 is easy to find.

Dude, you've been asking a lot of questions lately (i think they've all been you) that makes it look like you think Korea is some backwards farm land. It is not at all (well, maybe socially). They have pretty much all the comforts of home, save a few minor things like deodorant, large shoes, hockey, good beer.

I think you really need to read more about Korea cuz it ain't sounding like you know too much about this place. Not trying to be mean, just want you to be prepared.

mysterious700 · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

that's why i am here asking these questions. i want to be prepared once i leave canada and set foot in korea. thanks for the feedback everyone.

visitor q · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:12 pm Post subject:

I don't know man. Truth be told, you sound pretty lazy. I mean, how long did it take you to register for this board? I'm guessing about a week at least.

During that time, I'm pretty sure you could've read some threads and worked out that there is milk here, and that there has to be bottled water (I mean, you admitted to knowing that the tap water is undrinkable, so if there is no bottled water, what are people using to make kimchiade with here?).

mysterious700 · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

soy milk? sea water? haha no, seriously, i had heard that the chinese thought our western ways of drinking milk from a cow was discusting and did not drink milk. i wanted to know if the koreans thought the same, but apparently they don't. also, there is very little specific information available out there about korea. as for the water, i wanted to know if there were the large 18 litre containers available for your home. thanks for the feedback peppermint. it helps me in my planning. i want to minimize my culture shock, which i am told lasts 4 months.

peppermint · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 4:24 pm Post subject:

you can buy two liter jugs of water at the 7-11, or you can get watercooler jugs delivered for 5,000W.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Culture shock doesnt come from the absence of familiar consumer goods (& no worries, you'll find most everything you need or something like it). You may well be struck at first glance by how modern & familiar Korea appears -- I was.

It hits you later once you start to realize the psychological gulf.

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul