Taking it step by step - Asia and Russia (country by country) South Korea

Growing up in Iowa, I was convinced that we were a accent neutral state.  Other places had he accent, we had the accent they used for national television.  Okay, maybe we used funky words like davenport for sofa or couch and pop for soda, but I felt confident that we were the place to be from for public speaking.  Then I moved and I was informed that I had an accent. On top of that people kept confusing Iowa with Idaho and Ohio.  Really? I mean come on, Iowa is different than any other place on earth and a pretty cool place to live.  I still claim Iowa as my home even though I haven't lived there since I was 17. 

I have discovered that the same thing happens with other countries let alone states or regions across the world. You say Asian food and people think Chinese.  You talk about Russia and it is vodka.  Europe is a little better but what do you really know about the difference between German and Lithuanian food? 

Since I started this blog I have realized that there a lot of basics to learn from every country.  Today it is South Korea's turn.  Korea was one country up to about 50 years ago, so the difference are really more regional than country based (Like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles).  One difference though is that North Korea meals usually include cold noodles.

So what are some of the cool food basics you can pick up from South Korea? 

• It has been influenced by other countries just like ours, from other countries like China, Japan and Portugal. 
•  Korean food is unique in its flavours, they use their very own red pepper paste called gochujang, and also use soy bean pastes, fish sauces, fruit, soy sauce and sesame oil.
• Banchan are side dishes served in small bowls and every meal can include anywhere from 2 to 12 sides that range from vegetables to meat to seafood.
• Food is served all at the same time and not in courses.
• Rice is the backbone of almost every Korean meal. On rare occasions, noodles will replace the rice, but the vast majority of the time, every person eats a bowl of rice with their meal.
• Typically, each person will also have their own bowl of soup or stew.
• The main dish or dishes, which can be meat, seafood, or tofu will all be served family-style in the middle of the table. Sometimes a large stew will replace the main dish and will be served family-style at the table.
• Everything, including meat and poultry, is cut into bite-sized pieces so there is no need for a knife.
• Many Korean meat dishes are braised or marinated for a long time for a tender flesh.
• The main dish will be hot while the side dished will be cool or room temperature.

So tonight it is family style with several simple sides and one crock-pot dish in the middle.  Do not going to worry about being fancy and there will be rice and some easy soup made from broth and left over chicken and veggies.  On the table there will be soy sauce and sesame oil in the dishes and hot sauce that can be added as wanted.  The one new side for the night will be something with tofu.

 Maybe not a huge leap into South Korean food, but dip your toe into the water, you may be swimming before you know it.

For simple Korean recipes visit: http://www.easykoreanfood.com/