RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

For me I just get the feeling Korean cuisine was made to avoid starving to death, rather than pretty much every other cultures cuisine that was made for both not starving to death and enjoyment.

You clearly don't understand the culinary subtleties of mountain grass, dog meat stew.

Korean food would fit better in the bottom half, than top half of cuisines, but there are reasons, both in and out of their control that made it so.

Cold climate means less good stuff grows. Isolationism means their food has less variety and fewer tasty dimensions.

For me I just get the feeling Korean cuisine was made to avtoid starving to death, rather than pretty much every other cultures cuisine that was made for both not starving to death and enjoyment.

I like to point out that France has also suffered war and starvation, but when peace and wealth returned they STOPPED eating the gross stuff.

Although we have refrigerators and freezers, etc.  Many still preserve things in more antiquated ways due to tradition and custom.

My grandfather loved lutefisk, though there was no longer a need to soak cod in poison.

We all have odd eating habits and traditions.

For me I just get the feeling Korean cuisine was made to avtoid starving to death, rather than pretty much every other cultures cuisine that was made for both not starving to death and enjoyment.

I like to point out that France has also suffered war and starvation, but when peace and wealth returned they STOPPED eating the gross stuff.

I would like to point out that your comparison is absolutely terrible lol. First of all, France's land is MUCH better at growing things. France has probably the best land in Europe for farming. While Korea has mountains lol. Mountains, while good for defending your homeland, don't provide the best farming lands. Also, France's land borders many other countries. This provides opportunites for new foods, ideas, and all that other good stuff. Also, France's "down time" is nothing compared to South Korea's "down time".

Some criticial thinking and a tiny bit of knowledge about both countries goes a long way 

Also, Philly cream cheese is available on Gmarket. I ate some this morning. It was delicious and cheap.

]

For me I just get the feeling Korean cuisine was made to avtoid starving to death, rather than pretty much every other cultures cuisine that was made for both not starving to death and enjoyment.

I like to point out that France has also suffered war and starvation, but when peace and wealth returned they STOPPED eating the gross stuff.

I would like to point out that your comparison is absolutely terrible lol. First of all, France's land is MUCH better at growing things. France has probably the best land in Europe for farming. While Korea has mountains lol. Mountains, while good for defending your homeland, don't provide the best farming lands. Also, France's land borders many other countries. This provides opportunites for new foods, ideas, and all that other good stuff. Also, France's "down time" is nothing compared to South Korea's "down time".

Some criticial thinking and a tiny bit of knowledge about both countries goes a long way 

I'm not arguing with those points, and there are some Korean meals I quite enjoy.

There is just no reason that potato stems should be offered to me as often as they are!

Also, Philly cream cheese is available on Gmarket. I ate some this morning. It was delicious and cheap.

]

A beautiful poison that I ingest with glee.

When I hear people making blanket statements about food here in Korea, it sounds exactly like the ignorant local who believes that the only foods in western countries are spaghetti, hamburgers and pizza.

Korean food doesn't have a huge palette of flavours in the way many other countries' foods do, but it's definitely not some sort of boorish, unsophisticated slop.

If Korean BBQ and 분식 are what you're evaluating Korean food on, you're really missing out.




Also, Philly cream cheese is available on Gmarket. I ate some this morning. It was delicious and cheap.

Sounds like a lot of Korean food.

My sister in law too will eat the whole damn shimp - head, shell, tail and all without a problem, but she refuses to eat the apple/grape/peach/etc skin lol. Hell, I've even seen her gnaw on crab legs too.

When I hear people making blanket statements about food here in Korea, it sounds exactly like the ignorant local who believes that the only foods in western countries are spaghetti, hamburgers and pizza.

Korean food doesn't have a huge palette of flavours in the way many other countries' foods do, but it's definitely not some sort of boorish, unsophisticated slop.

If Korean BBQ and 분식 are what you're evaluating Korean food on, you're really missing out.

It's not about the huge palette of flavours. It's about the refinement and complexity of the finished product. No one is judging Korean food on BBQ etc. But it's very difficult to find a Korean recipe that challenges my cooking ability, and I am by no means the worlds greatest cook.

The other problem is that only in Korea is "please understand our culture" a thing. Every where else Korean food and culture is simply judged on it's merits (or lack of).

This is pretty much what happens when someone who doesn't understand the Korean sensitivity to their food, and that is basically everyone in the world. Ok, sure it's airline food, but swamp soup, and stuff... yerh, we all know what they are talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y27ON8Z2kzM

When I hear people making blanket statements about food here in Korea, it sounds exactly like the ignorant local who believes that the only foods in western countries are spaghetti, hamburgers and pizza.

Korean food doesn't have a huge palette of flavours in the way many other countries' foods do, but it's definitely not some sort of boorish, unsophisticated slop.

If Korean BBQ and 분식 are what you're evaluating Korean food on, you're really missing out.




Also, Philly cream cheese is available on Gmarket. I ate some this morning. It was delicious and cheap.

You can't compare people who actually live here and have to eat Korean food everyday  to the ignorant people who have never left their country.

But honestly, I wish BBQ and 분식 were all I had to evaluate Korean food on. Unfortunately I've been presented slop full of animal innards that would be considered garbage in other countries almost anytime I try to get a taste of the "real stuff."

Please tell us what amazing delectable dishes Koreans are hiding from us. I'd really like to know, because I'm tired of eating the same stuff over and over again or be faced with feeling like I'm eating peasant food. What are some quality foods that aren't soggy vegetables, covered in hot pepper sauce, or meat that's more than just gristle/fat/random bones sticking out everywhere (because apparently Koreans don't know how to properly butcher an animal)??

산낙지
낙지 볶음밥
생선 구이
떡국 (My favorite)
잡채
김밥
초밥
수제비
냉면
장어구이
계란찜 (admittedly not a meal)
파전
떡볶이

For me I just get the feeling Korean cuisine was made to avtoid starving to death, rather than pretty much every other cultures cuisine that was made for both not starving to death and enjoyment.

I like to point out that France has also suffered war and starvation, but when peace and wealth returned they STOPPED eating the gross stuff.

Erm... snails, pate (minced liver) Foie Grois (essentially Goose hapatitis), Cow's tongue, Tetines (cow's udders), calf pancreas.  I could go on, but there is no point.  All culture keep "peasant food" even after prosperity has arrived.  Frankly, i think they are the best examples of a culture food.  Give me haggis or a hotpot over a quiche anyday!

I'm so frustrated with the fourth grade classes, but one in particular is just awful. I'm too mentally drained to even rant about them. After class I sat in the bathroom and cried for 20 minutes because I felt so broken and frustrated.

Locked myself out of my online banking (my fault) at KEB and can't log in.

Went to bank-nope.

Called-need a digital certificate.

Digital certificate needs a log in.

Cannot log in.

For me I just get the feeling Korean cuisine was made to avtoid starving to death, rather than pretty much every other cultures cuisine that was made for both not starving to death and enjoyment.

I like to point out that France has also suffered war and starvation, but when peace and wealth returned they STOPPED eating the gross stuff.

Erm... snails, pate (minced liver) Foie Grois (essentially Goose hapatitis), Cow's tongue, Tetines (cow's udders), calf pancreas.  I could go on, but there is no point.  All culture keep "peasant food" even after prosperity has arrived.  Frankly, i think they are the best examples of a culture food.  Give me haggis or a hotpot over a quiche anyday!

+1

Quiche is nasty 

I get that some people prefer one nation's cuisine over another's, fair enough. But the "peasant" or "starvation food" dig doesn't really hold water. Just smacks of snobbery to me. Of course food can be poorly prepared and have rotten ingredients, but that's a different complaint.

There's so many "weird" foods all over the world, it all depends what you're raised with.

Locked myself out of my online banking (my fault) at KEB and can't log in.

Went to bank-nope.

Called-need a digital certificate.

Digital certificate needs a log in.

Cannot log in.

I accidentally typed my password incorrectly a few too many times. It took me about 20 minutes to figure it out, but you can reset the password and issue yourself a new certificate all on their English website. It's a bit irritating, but better than not having access to your bank account. And it was all in English.

Wrong.

I'm so frustrated with the fourth grade classes, but one in particular is just awful. I'm too mentally drained to even rant about them. After class I sat in the bathroom and cried for 20 minutes because I felt so broken and frustrated.

If you are crying over stress from Korean students, then you are putting way to much energy and expectation towards what teaching in Korea is.

Chin up.

When I hear people making blanket statements about food here in Korea, it sounds exactly like the ignorant local who believes that the only foods in western countries are spaghetti, hamburgers and pizza.

Korean food doesn't have a huge palette of flavours in the way many other countries' foods do, but it's definitely not some sort of boorish, unsophisticated slop.

If Korean BBQ and 분식 are what you're evaluating Korean food on, you're really missing out.




Also, Philly cream cheese is available on Gmarket. I ate some this morning. It was delicious and cheap.

You can't compare people who actually live here and have to eat Korean food everyday  to the ignorant people who have never left their country.

But honestly, I wish BBQ and 분식 were all I had to evaluate Korean food on. Unfortunately I've been presented slop full of animal innards that would be considered garbage in other countries almost anytime I try to get a taste of the "real stuff."

Please tell us what amazing delectable dishes Koreans are hiding from us. I'd really like to know, because I'm tired of eating the same stuff over and over again or be faced with feeling like I'm eating peasant food. What are some quality foods that aren't soggy vegetables, covered in hot pepper sauce, or meat that's more than just gristle/fat/random bones sticking out everywhere (because apparently Koreans don't know how to properly butcher an animal)??

Out of interest, where do you eat most of your Korean food?

I'm so frustrated with the fourth grade classes, but one in particular is just awful. I'm too mentally drained to even rant about them. After class I sat in the bathroom and cried for 20 minutes because I felt so broken and frustrated.

Sorry, but I'm grateful that I can't relate.

I don't take much, if anything "work-related", that seriously.

Take it easy.

For me I just get the feeling Korean cuisine was made to avtoid starving to death, rather than pretty much every other cultures cuisine that was made for both not starving to death and enjoyment.

I like to point out that France has also suffered war and starvation, but when peace and wealth returned they STOPPED eating the gross stuff.

Erm... snails, pate (minced liver) Foie Grois (essentially Goose hapatitis), Cow's tongue, Tetines (cow's udders), calf pancreas.  I could go on, but there is no point.  All culture keep "peasant food" even after prosperity has arrived.  Frankly, i think they are the best examples of a culture food.  Give me haggis or a hotpot over a quiche anyday!

Yeah. French food is generally held up as sort of the paragon of haute cuisine, and the French love them some organ meat and know that it's generally the most tasty. And then you get people coming to Korean saying, "OH MY GODDDDD THEY EAT INTESTINES HERE! WE WOULD NEVER DO THAT IN MY UPPER-MIDDLE-CLASS SUBURBAN HOMETOWN! GROSS!" When literally a generation or two ago, and even today, in a lot of places, sausage casings are still made with intestines.

Just saying, y'all can say "Ugh gross, I personally hate Korean food because I don't enjoy the taste of it, and I'm totally not down," and I'll give you a high five and be like, "Dang, I'm sorry, bro."

But people who insist, "Korean food is bad because red peppers and not-fancy method and presentation" are literally wrong.

I have no problem with organ meats.

I eat everything presented to me, and I smile and thank my hosts. I have tried it all.

I love (most) seafood here; live octopus is best because it isn't overcooked like they usually do it.

I think the two things that get me are the fermented foods and the woody textures - sometimes in combination.  They are just too common in the rural resturaunts and factory cafeterias I eat lunch in every day.

With the wealth of this country, and their claim to be a trading nation, I think they should be able to do better than to keep these as every day fare.

Erm... snails, pate (minced liver) Foie Grois (essentially Goose hapatitis), Cow's tongue, Tetines (cow's udders), calf pancreas.  I could go on, but there is no point.  All culture keep "peasant food" even after prosperity has arrived.  Frankly, i think they are the best examples of a culture food.  Give me haggis or a hotpot over a quiche anyday!

have you ever eaten any of those dishes? i've had all of them, and all of them are superb. the difference is the way in which they're prepared, which is what gives them their flavor. if you took those things and just tossed them in a pot with some red pepper paste they would taste like garbage, of course.

and that was my entire point to begin with. that the way korean food is prepared is just super-lazy.

to give you another example - samgyetang. i love samgyetang, i think it tastes great, and i could eat it all day. but why is a half chicken just thrown in there? why do i have to struggle with a ****** spoon and chopsticks to try and get the meat off the bone? the soup should be cooked with the chicken in, the chicken removed, the edible meat properly cut from the bone and then placed back in the soup. but that would take effort and skill, something that is severely lacking from a lot (most?) of korean cooking.