Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

Why?

It's good stuff. Everyone who lives in Korea eats Korean food all the time. Why do they assume we don't?

[pest2]

[SPINOZA]

Allow me.....

Korean person: 소리 (nervous giggle) 벗 이츠 코리안 푸드.
Waeg: That's perfectly okay. I'm very interested in other countries' cuisine.
Korean person: 오! 벗 이츠 베리.....핫
Waeg: I enjoy hot food.
Korean person: 오 리얼리?? 소 스트레이지!
Waeg: It's not strange. Western countries have experienced a lot of immigration - Mexicans in the US, Indians and Pakistanis in the UK, for example. Some of the most popular food in the West is very spicy. Many Western people visit Thailand also, which has very hot food.
Korean: 오!
Waeg:

[Bibbitybop]

"You can eat kimchi??!!!"

I love telling them I've eaten kaegogi. The response is classic.



I'd apologize if they came to the USA and all I had to offer them was fast food or a TV dinner. I wouldn't spend my money on it in the first place.

[chaq]

Whenver I meet new Korean people, I'm often asked if I like Korean food.

Korean: Do you like Korean food?
Me: Yes.
Korean: Really?
Me: Of course, I wouldn't stay in Korea if I didn't like the food.
Korean: Can you eat spicy food?
Me: Oh yes.
Korean: Wow!
...

This sort of dialogue has occured over and over everytime I meet a K-person. To me, it's like they're surprised that a "way-gook" likes their food. They seem to think Korean food is only suitable for Koreans andand that Korean food isn't very appealing to foreigners.

Anyone ever think that?

[koon_taung_daeng]

Korean food isnt even spicy. mexican food back home is 10 times more spicy then this crap.

[pkang0202]

For the Spiciness:

Most of my guy friends in the US like spicy food. Most of my female friends can't even put a drip of tabasco sauce on a taco without drinking a gallon of water.

Spicy food has taken off in the US. The pepper craze always changes. 10 years ago it was Jalepano. Then it was Cayenne. A little while ago there was the Chipotle craze. Now the pepper craze is Habenaro.

Despite that, for every foreigner that likes Spicy food in Korea, there are 5 others that can't eat it because its too spicy. Its strange that YOU like spicy food because the 5 other people before you couldn't eat it.


As for saying sorry about the food:

It could be a bunch of things. Mainly, its a politeness/humility thing. Maybe they are sorry that their aren't more side dishes. Or they are sorry because the food doesn't fit your taste. Or they are sorry because the dishes they DO have is not extravagant.

Either way, its a politeness thing. Just like how the Japanese always say "o-jama itashimasu" (excuse me) whenever they enter someone else's home.

[pest2]

[yingwenlaoshi]

Koreans are competitive with the spicy thing. I was at a twaeji guk bap place (really bland guk bap mom & pop place) and I was eating one of the green hot peppers. That's as spicy hot as Korean food can get from my experience. And they can be quite hot although they can be found anywhere pretty much in the world. Anyway, the owner comes out with hotter ones and proudly bites into one really quickly in a "Ok, then try that!" kind of deal.

Anyway, I always just say "Nah" when they say Korean food is spicy. It's not except for some kimchi and koju oil. Not so bad.

[princess]

I had one Korean guy who is 27 ask me if kimchi isn't too hot for me. After that, he never acts surprised when he sees me eating kimchi.

On the other hand, I have worked with Koreans for months who will still marvel at the sight of me eating kimchi.

[ED209]

Can any of you guys use chop sticks or am I special?

[caniff]

[Woden]

Korean food, quite simply, is not in any way, shape or form hot! I love Korean food, but it is not hot, and barely spicy.

I was really shocked when I arrived and just assumed I wasn't eating the proper stuff, but now I have realised that this is it!

As for the green peppers...they are a joke!

[LUCRETIA]

I think any Korean who hasn't travelled will probably think that Kimchi or whatever is the spiciest thing they themselves have ever eaten, and assume the same for you.

Also, if a lot of the Western food they get here is Mac donalds and spaghetti, they aren't inclined to think about Thai, or Mexican food or Indian when making a guess at what a "foreigner" likes to eat.

[pest2]

To some people here (not me), a good reason to apologize could be that it actually sucks. I dont mind it, but I know 3 people very well who dont like it at all and an apology would be much appreciated.