Everyday Korean: Episode 51. 입에 맞아요? Does it suit your taste?

Everyday Korean

Episode 51 입에 맞아요?

Does it suit your taste?

By Harsh Kumar Mishra

The Conversation

네하: 오늘 한국에 온 지 일년 됐어요.

Neha: Today, it’s been one year since I came to Korea.

정민: 우와! 벌써 1년? 시간이 참 빠르네.

Jeongmin: Wow! It’s one year already? Time flies so fast.

네하: 맞아요. 저도 믿을 수 없어요.

Neha: Right. I can’t believe it either.

정민: 이제 한국 음식이 입에 좀 맞아요?

Jeongmin: So, does Korean food suit your taste now?

네하: 그렇죠. 처음에 왔을 때 음식이 입에 맞지 않아서 좀 힘들었어요. Neha: Yeah. When I first came, it was a little difficult because the food didn't suit my taste.

정민: 다행이네요. 네하 씨가 한국 생활에 많이 익숙해져서 보기 좋아요. Jeongmin: That’s good to hear. It’s good that you’ve got used to life in Korea.

네하: 다 언니 덕분이네요. 늘 도와줘서 고마워요. Neha: All thanks to you. Thank you for always helping me out.

The Author

Harsh Kumar Mishra is a linguist and Korean language educator. He teaches Korean with TOPIKGUIDE.com and LEARNKOREAN.in.

Grammar Points

V~은/ㄴ 지

This grammar point is attached to a verb stem and expresses “it has been (some amount of time) since that activity took place.” If the verb stem ends in a vowel, add “~ㄴ 지,” and if it ends in a consonant (patchim), add “~은 지.”

Ex: 고등학교를 졸업한 지 3년 됐어요.

It’s been 3 years since I graduated from high school.

한국을 떠난 지 4개월 됐어요.

It’s been 4 months since I left Korea.

입에 맞다

This isn’t a grammar point but rather a commonly used Korean language idiom that means “to suit one’s taste.” It’s frequently used with foods suiting someone’s taste but can also be used to express work one likes.

Ex: 저는 매운 음식이 입에 맞아요.

I like spicy food. (Spicy food suites my taste.)

회사 일이 입에 맞아요?

Do you like your (office) work?

Vocabulary

벌써 already 빠르다 to be fast 음식 food 믿다 to believe 처음 first time 힘들다 to be difficult 생활 life 익숙해지다 to become familiar with 도와주다 to help

Feeling Earthy

By Melline Galani

Korean coffee culture has ascended in a great way, with visitors now being able to choose from a multitude of trendy cafes, each equipped with fancy decorations and matching menus. Whether you want a cappuccino or just want to sit back and relax in a pleasant atmosphere, the wide offering satisfies even the most demanding tastes.

For all of us living in Gwangju and its suburbs, Mudeung Mountain is not only the closest and most accessible hiking destination but also a recreational one. As a Gwangju resident, I often find myself driving to the mountain just to admire the scenery, take a breath of fresh air, eat something appetizing, or just take a walk in the woods. On one of my journeys, I discovered what is now the main attraction of the mountain: Café Earthy! It is located just a two-minute drive from the Chungjangsa (충장사) shrine or a ten-minute walk from the bus stop with the same name, on the left side. Its huge garden is among the attractions one can experience there. I would argue Café Earthy is basically a small park in itself rather than a mere coffee shop.

The main building has two floors, wide windows, and simple but beautiful decorations. There is another glass building situated near the main one and a lot of tables situated all over the garden. During winter, some of the outside tables are covered with a special vinyl and transformed into heated igloos for those who still want to enjoy having coffee outside in a glamping-like environment. In summer, the shade of the trees not only protects against the sun’s rays but also provides coolness. Hence the place is always filled with visitors despite the season, time of day, or weather.

Nowadays, Café Earthy is very popular and a must-see destination. Being a pet-friendly place (in the garden only), one will see many cute dogs playing joyously outside together with children. During nighttime when the lights are on, it transforms into a magic place perfect for taking Instagramable pictures.

The menu covers a variety of beverages from coffee to ades, teas, smoothies, and other special drinks. However, the price range for drinks is between 5,000 and 8,000 won. In my case, I found the cappuccino there to be tasty. They also serve desserts, and my favorite, which is also their signature dish, is the fruit waffle. The prices for desserts vary from 7,000 to 15,000 won. It is a bit pricey, but compared to other expensive coffee shops I have visited in the area, I would say their taste is the best.

For those who want to combine a relaxing time over coffee with outdoor activities, there are trails nearby that lead to other villages in the area. The coffee shop is also a popular destination for a romantic date.

Visiting Café Earthy is a healing experience. As their slogan says, “Incorporate Nature” into your coffeedrinking experience, or just relax in a beautifully fresh environment.

Photographs by Melline Galani.

w

Café Earthy (카페얼씨)

Address: 939 Geumgok-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju 광주 북구 금곡동 939 Operating Hours: 10:00–21:00 (daily) Phone: 062-266-2006 Instagram: @cafe__earthy

The Author

Melline Galani is a Romanian enthusiast, born and raised in the capital city of Bucharest, and now living in Gwangju. She likes new challenges, learning interesting things, and is incurably optimistic. She loves living life to its fullest and spending a relaxing time at Café Earthy. Instagram: @melligalanis