Fabulous Korean Food

Fabulous Food

Completely distinct from any other Asian cuisine, the Korean diet often runs on the slightly spicy side, and is richly endowed with fermented foods, vegetables, grains, soups and teas. Korea boasts hundreds of vegetable and wild green dishes and the Korean meal is almost always accompanied by a big bowl of hot soup or stew. Eating utensils (chopsticks) are made from metal, not wood and although rice is a part of most meals, it does not dominate.

Some travelers may have a passing familiarity with kimchi-Korea's most popular side dish of fresh cabbage fermented in chili paste and garlic-which is served at every meal. Another popular dish, bulgogi, is also known as "Korean Barbecue." These items and many more are detailed in the Korea National Tourism Organization's brochure "The Wonderful World of Korean Food," a 40-page, four-color, publication that provides an overview of some of the nation's more popular entrees, as well as detailing the customs behind Korean dining. For the particularly adventurous food traveler, the guide introduces five cooking schools in Korea, and also provides ten popular recipes to try at home. To receive a copy of the book, contact the Korea National Tourism Organization at 800-868-7567.