RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

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.

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.

This is my beef with Haejangguk/Gamjatang.

It's supposed to be hangover food, right? What hungover person wants to pince their way through the spinal column of a pig to get the meat out? I don't even want to do that when I'm in a good mood!

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.

because the chicken is stuffed.

because the chicken is stuffed.

I think that's why they said to cook it in whole, then disassemble it after for you. 

I'm British and even I think the food here is shit, that must be saying something.

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.

Also, if you have trouble with chopsticks, most places do keep forks for when kids or tourists are eating.

 Ooooooooooooooooooooooh Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrnnn

Thankfully, you guys don't quite know how good you have it today, as when I first arrived there wasn't much of a selection with regards to produce or anything for that matter.

No beets, no celery, no bell peppers, no avocados, no rutabaga, no cilantro, no dill, no rosemary, no basil, no cherry tomatoes, no purple potatoes, no jalapeno peppers, no broccolli, no cauliflower, no alfalfa sprouts, no snow peas, no asparagus, etc., etc.

In the stores, you would find one variety of onion, one variety of potato, one variety of carrot, cow corn, Daikon, leeks, garlic, bean sprouts, and spinach, if you were lucky.

Same problem with fruits.

To this day, I still don't know why they don't grow several different varieties of things like onions, carrots, corn, potatoes, etc.

They understand "diversity" with relation to fungus, like mushrooms, as today their are several different varieties to choose from.

It's so very slow to change...

I'm British and even I think the food here is shit, that must be saying something.

Just how dare you Jack.  The cheek of the Roxby.  Us Brits are all over the good food.  Cornish pasties and fish and chips, and pies.  Oh, the pies.  Did you eat all the pies Jack?  Is that it?

I've become sooooo defensive about British food since living here. I will sing the praises of every single British dish to any Korean that dare tell me our food is bad. Even if, and sometimes especially if, I think that food is bad myself. 

Who doesn't know how to use chopsticks?

Did you never eat Chinese food as a child?

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.

Which part was wrong?

I have two choices: Digital certificate and phone. N/A or error message.

I do wish Korea would learn to fillet their fish.

I've been to 38 countries, used to be a food critic, and Korean food is easily in my top 5 cuisines, its fantastic. The moaners are all fat yanks who if they can't fry something and shove it in their face whole they aint happy.

I've been to 38 countries, used to be a food critic, and Korean food is easily in my top 5 cuisines, its fantastic. The moaners are all fat yanks who if they can't fry something and shove it in their face whole they aint happy.

I am legitimately curious to which countries you've been to, to arrive at this conclusion. I don't think I've been to 38 countries, but I don't believe I'd put Korean food in my top five. I'd also split some of the countries which I've been to into more than one group. For example China and Thailand get more than one group. Many others would, but I have not been, only eaten the food.

Now I'm beginning to think this is a troll post.

If I was to make fun, I'd guess your top five are:

Scottish
Irish
Welsh
English
Korean

I'm worried what I have wrote will bring on a lot of nationalistic food bragging. I cannot say I don't do this, on occasion.

Also, if you have trouble with chopsticks, most places do keep forks for when kids or tourists are eating.

ummm .... it's not the chopstick use i struggle with. read my post again. clearly no-one struggles with a spoon.

but you know, if you struggle with reading comprehension i am an English teacher, and would be more than happy to give you some lessons. my usual price is 50k per hour, but i'll give you the special 'intellectually challenged' discount i give to my kids with Down Syndrome etc.

I've been to 38 countries, used to be a food critic, and Korean food is easily in my top 5 cuisines, its fantastic. The moaners are all fat yanks who if they can't fry something and shove it in their face whole they aint happy.

I am legitimately curious to which countries you've been to, to arrive at this conclusion. I don't think I've been to 38 countries, but I don't believe I'd put Korean food in my top five. I'd also split some of the countries which I've been to into more than one group. For example China and Thailand get more than one group. Many others would, but I have not been, only eaten the food.

Now I'm beginning to think this is a troll post.

If I was to make fun, I'd guess your top five are:

Scottish
Irish
Welsh
English
Korean

I'm worried what I have wrote will bring on a lot of nationalistic food bragging. I cannot say I don't do this, on occasion.

No trolling here sir. English, admit our traditional food isn't great, not varied enough. Luckily you can eat well in England on other cuisines. Much like USA really. I would really struggle to place a definite top five, but my favourites are probably:
1) Thai
2) Italian
2) Japanese
4) Korean
5) Indian

Of course this is probably influenced by the fact I spent a good amount of time in all these countries. Also spent a good amount of time in all of South America, but found the cuisine to be a little disappointing. Of course there are some exceptions. Brazilian stews, Argentinian steaks, Pacific coast Cheviche, Chilean Chorillana. On the whole though, I found SA food to be a little too bland for my tastes.

I've been to 38 countries, used to be a food critic, and Korean food is easily in my top 5 cuisines, its fantastic. The moaners are all fat yanks who if they can't fry something and shove it in their face whole they aint happy.

Nope.

Canadian of French/Irish ancestry.  Mother was a home-ec teacher, her mom was a farm-wife.

My paternal grandfather was a cook.

My first wife was a chef.

I'll put my own cooking up against yours "Iron Chef" style any day.

I've been to 38 countries, used to be a food critic, and Korean food is easily in my top 5 cuisines, its fantastic. The moaners are all fat yanks who if they can't fry something and shove it in their face whole they aint happy.

It's good to know you enjoy Korean food, but nothing more can really be stated from your experience, as it is unique to you.

Very curious to know what your 38 countries were for Korean to be in your top 5.  That's amazing.

You must have never visited: Thailand, Turkey, Mexico, the U.S., Greece, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Morocco, Venezuela...

If you have, then it's just you.

You know what they say about "food critics" ;)

I've been to 38 countries, used to be a food critic, and Korean food is easily in my top 5 cuisines, its fantastic. The moaners are all fat yanks who if they can't fry something and shove it in their face whole they aint happy.

It's good to know you enjoy Korean food, but nothing more can really be stated from your experience, as it is unique to you.

Very curious to know what your 38 countries were for Korean to be in your top 5.  That's amazing.

You must have never visited: Thailand, Turkey, Mexico, the U.S., Greece, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Morocco, Venezuela...

If you have, then it's just you.

You know what they say about "food critics" ;)

Now I want Vietnamese food... Or Greek food... Or....

 Damn you!

Also, if you have trouble with chopsticks, most places do keep forks for when kids or tourists are eating.

ummm .... it's not the chopstick use i struggle with. read my post again. clearly no-one struggles with a spoon.

but you know, if you struggle with reading comprehension i am an English teacher, and would be more than happy to give you some lessons. my usual price is 50k per hour,  but i'll give you the special 'intellectually challenged' discount i give to my kids with Down Syndrome etc.

That made me laugh out loud