Gwangju Writes: Hansik

Hansik

By Cata Lee

Korea’s food that’s called hansik makes you curious, doesn’t it? Shall we start with tteokbokki? Rice cakes – chewy and spicy. Sip a bit of fish cake soup. Be careful! It’s hot, woop woop! Still, my favorite of them all, tuna kimbap in my bowl! Dip it in the spicy sauce; the flavors you come across…

As for lunch, it’s bibimbap: rice, veggies, and an egg on top. When you mix them, add some flavor: sesame oil and you can savor! Wait, you forgot the best of all: chili paste completes the bowl.

For a snack, haemul pajeon: pancake, seafood, scallion. Enjoy it with makgeolli and you’ll fall in love, you’ll see! When it’s poured, you hear it bubble; In a bowl? It’s worth the trouble, because when you taste that wine the sun will begin to shine.

You’ll feel that your heart expands… Remember: Receive it with two hands!

And for dinner? Smells so nice!

Korean barbecue, to be precise.

Samgyeopsal or galbi? Both! And kimchi jjigae in a pot. Take some lettuce, sesame leaf, add some garlic, kimchi, beef, wrap it up and shove it in! Now the chewing may begin. Thrilled? Here, have some soju! And the taste? Divine, I told you! Patience, let me cook the meat! And our tour is now complete!

Oh, I didn’t speak of breakfast yet? Let’s have some cold noodles before I forget. Does it feel fresh, like it’s cleaning you up? So, first thing tomorrow you’ll start with some bap; That’s rice and a traditional Korean meal with a soup and side dishes your soul will heal. It might sound simple and plain, but you’ll see that banchan and kimchies will be so many! And you’ll feel the hard work of woori omeoni, whose hands cooked it all, so you’ll be happy.

All this being said, I wish you goodnight! Enjoy all the food, the schedule was tight. What? Tomorrow again?! Well, there is also gukbap and fried chicken, japchae, kalguksu, samgyetang, bulgogi, budaejjigae, jjimdak, mandu, dakgalbi… Omo! We have to go to so many matjip… Pass me the soju, let’s have one more sip! Geonbae! Ahhhhh!

*Dedicated to Sun Yong and my Korean family, who took me in and fed me nice meals, and to all Korean people who bought me delicious food and treated me as a guest. 감사합니다! 잘 먹었습니다! (Thank you! I ate well!)

The Author

Cata Lee is a Korean culture supporter and a community builder. She helps Korean companies find the right expats to promote Korean culture, tourism, events, and products too. Cata lived in Korea for four years and loves Korean food. She would go for tteokbokki anytime. @cosmospolitana