As the title of the thread says, I am headed to Korea (Seoul/Incheon region) next week on business to visit one of our client's engine research labs and production facility to get familiarized with their new common rail diesel engine management electronics and aftertreatment technology. It should prove to be a fun trip even though I really hate long flights.
For those that have been to South Korea, keeping in mind that I will probably on have one full day to myself, do you have any recommendations regarding foods to try (not to try), places to go, etc?
Headed to S. Korea
It's going to be COOOOLLLLLDDDDD. Luckily, there are about a zillion cheapo leather jacket joints. That and custom tailored suits. Man, I love that stuff.
Food?
I always try something local (mom & pop joint). What's that stuff? The fermented cabbage? I tried it once thinking it was something else, it wasn't bad. Dog, too.
Just watch out for some of the cute girlies. They aren't so "girlie" if you know what I mean.
Food?
I always try something local (mom & pop joint). What's that stuff? The fermented cabbage? I tried it once thinking it was something else, it wasn't bad. Dog, too.
Just watch out for some of the cute girlies. They aren't so "girlie" if you know what I mean.
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stuartinmn
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It's been 17 years since I was there, but I remember being in Kimpo airport in Seoul (I made a connection there on my way to Taiwan.) There was a big glassed in room for smokers at one end of the terminal that apparently had zero ventilation - all the people inside were only visible from about the knees down, everything above that was solid smoke. 
The flight over was something else, too - the whole back end of the plane was filled with Korean businessmen, and they drank and smoked up a storm the whole way over from Seattle. It sounded (and smelled) like a frat party back there.
It is a hell of a long flight, I hope they let you fly business class.
The flight over was something else, too - the whole back end of the plane was filled with Korean businessmen, and they drank and smoked up a storm the whole way over from Seattle. It sounded (and smelled) like a frat party back there.
It is a hell of a long flight, I hope they let you fly business class.
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mooseheadm5
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Most Korean food is palatable to foreigners. If you like seafood and pork, any stew or soup will likely taste good to you (but it may ba a little spicy.) My favorites dishes are:
Kalbi- a marinated beef short rib that is grilled and served on the bones.
Bulgogi- marinated ribeye sliced thin and cooked with onions
Mandu- dumplings
Kimchi- an aquired taste- spicy pickled cabbage or radish
Bibimbap- a dish typically served in a stone bowl that is heated. Comes with veggies, rice, sometimes beef, and a hot sauce on the side.
Most meals are served with pickles and veggies on the side, like kimchi, wilted spinach, toasted seaweed (the stuff on the outside of sushi, though that really isn't seaweed) and other stuff. I have never been there, but I know Seoul is very westernized, so you should have no trouble on your own. Like all big cities, guard your money and passport.
Kalbi- a marinated beef short rib that is grilled and served on the bones.
Bulgogi- marinated ribeye sliced thin and cooked with onions
Mandu- dumplings
Kimchi- an aquired taste- spicy pickled cabbage or radish
Bibimbap- a dish typically served in a stone bowl that is heated. Comes with veggies, rice, sometimes beef, and a hot sauce on the side.
Most meals are served with pickles and veggies on the side, like kimchi, wilted spinach, toasted seaweed (the stuff on the outside of sushi, though that really isn't seaweed) and other stuff. I have never been there, but I know Seoul is very westernized, so you should have no trouble on your own. Like all big cities, guard your money and passport.
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mooseheadm5
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You joke around all the damn time, now you go serious on me. My best friend is asian and he thought it was hilarious....mooseheadm5 wrote:WTF are you talking about? You should probably remove that post if you have no worthwhile input.Scottinva wrote:ignorant comment
Last edited by Scottinva on Feb 01, 2010 3:57 PM, edited 1 time in total.
Disclaimer, I've never been to S. Korea, but I have some half-Korean relatives who know how to cook. I'm a big fan of Korean food, and thrilled that I live within walking distance of a Korean-owned Asian market.
I wholeheartedly recommend kalbi, bulgogi and bibimbap. Of those three, only the last one is even the slightest bit "challenging" to the western palate. If you like spice, great, you can find it in spades in Korean cuisine. And kimchee, which is really more fermented than pickled, is just a generic term for spicy preserved vegetables (almost always including some cabbage) and is served with every meal as a condiment/side. I tend to hate things that get their sour taste from lactic acid fermentation, but when done right, spicy kimchee can be incredible.
I wholeheartedly recommend kalbi, bulgogi and bibimbap. Of those three, only the last one is even the slightest bit "challenging" to the western palate. If you like spice, great, you can find it in spades in Korean cuisine. And kimchee, which is really more fermented than pickled, is just a generic term for spicy preserved vegetables (almost always including some cabbage) and is served with every meal as a condiment/side. I tend to hate things that get their sour taste from lactic acid fermentation, but when done right, spicy kimchee can be incredible.
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Kenny Blankenship
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If you wear eye glasses Seoul is a great place to get glasses. There are optometrist on every corner and the quality of lenses is great, and prices are cheap.
You can go in with your own glasses and they can make you a pair quickly without your standard eye test. (they measure your current prescription in your frames)
Food is great, as others point out, be adventures and don’t worry about the smell so much
You might notice small trucks parked in the road during the day, and at night these small trucks turn into circus tents, with great street food and SoJu, the local alcohol similar to vodka, but not really.
I tied being and illegal migrant worker there for 5 mo, teaching English as a Second Language and had a great time, made some money and drank my share of Obee Lagar.
You can go in with your own glasses and they can make you a pair quickly without your standard eye test. (they measure your current prescription in your frames)
Food is great, as others point out, be adventures and don’t worry about the smell so much
You might notice small trucks parked in the road during the day, and at night these small trucks turn into circus tents, with great street food and SoJu, the local alcohol similar to vodka, but not really.
I tied being and illegal migrant worker there for 5 mo, teaching English as a Second Language and had a great time, made some money and drank my share of Obee Lagar.
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Snakeyestx
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Well, being probably the only Korean here... well half atleast, I'd recommend Hamhung style Naengmyeon. Mighty tasty, and nothing in there you'd wonder about.
And a HUUUUGE +1 to Eric for recommending Daeji-gogi, probably my favorite dish. My mom spoils me with it on occasion, and usually with way more than I can eat.
Edit : Mom made a correction.. the dish I'm thinking of is called Daeji-Chigae (it's a stew-like dish) nomnomnom!
And a HUUUUGE +1 to Eric for recommending Daeji-gogi, probably my favorite dish. My mom spoils me with it on occasion, and usually with way more than I can eat.
Edit : Mom made a correction.. the dish I'm thinking of is called Daeji-Chigae (it's a stew-like dish) nomnomnom!
Last edited by Snakeyestx on Feb 01, 2010 10:14 PM, edited 1 time in total.
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mooseheadm5
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Snakeyestx
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Lepsis3942
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Go hang out in the Myeong- Dong District for out of the world food, fun & entertainment.
If your taste run to the wild side, beat feet to Itaewon the street vendors selling food & beer are the best this side of Adana, Turkey.
Find the "OB Cavern" if it still exists, watch your head or you will bang it on the rock outcroppings hanging from above. Owned by the brewery, it is a scale cavern where you go to drink possibly the worst beer since Falstaff while trying to remember which pathway you took to get to your table.
If your taste run to the wild side, beat feet to Itaewon the street vendors selling food & beer are the best this side of Adana, Turkey.
Find the "OB Cavern" if it still exists, watch your head or you will bang it on the rock outcroppings hanging from above. Owned by the brewery, it is a scale cavern where you go to drink possibly the worst beer since Falstaff while trying to remember which pathway you took to get to your table.
don't forget the soju. Just be careful. I will sneak up on your before you know it. i suggest drinking it in small quantities with some fruit punch or pineapple juice.
The dog is great, and the custom tailored suits are of amazing quality. You'll also be able to get some very nice wool blankets for cheap. One thing i missed was playing "guys which girl has a bigger package than you" with my friends from college. lol
oh, and for your day off, bring good walking shoes.
The dog is great, and the custom tailored suits are of amazing quality. You'll also be able to get some very nice wool blankets for cheap. One thing i missed was playing "guys which girl has a bigger package than you" with my friends from college. lol
oh, and for your day off, bring good walking shoes.
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Lepsis3942
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I am visiting Doosan Infracore, which is one of the five largest company in Korea. They are what used to be Daewoo Heavy Industries. They develop all of their own engines and I run all of their US and EU certification programs. I am visiting their labs to be briefed on one of their new products that we will be testing at our lab in the US.
Brad...
I think you will have a blast, not sure if anyone mentioned the shopping district or not... e-ta-won i believe it was. Crazy fun to shop in in Korea, what ever you want they will have or get quickly.
I lived there for 15 months and it was fun.... Just watch out for the taxi drivers or any drivers for that matter. You will get run over with out question if you step out without looking. Pedestrians have no right of way.... If the taxi driver is wearing white gloves don't get in! It will be cold!
Enjoy....
I think you will have a blast, not sure if anyone mentioned the shopping district or not... e-ta-won i believe it was. Crazy fun to shop in in Korea, what ever you want they will have or get quickly.
I lived there for 15 months and it was fun.... Just watch out for the taxi drivers or any drivers for that matter. You will get run over with out question if you step out without looking. Pedestrians have no right of way.... If the taxi driver is wearing white gloves don't get in! It will be cold!
Enjoy....
So it's about 7am on Friday the 12th and I am preparing to return home. It has been a very busy trip with very little time for any kind of sightseeing or shopping but I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I have eating some amazing food and will not soon forget my experience. I will post an update when I return home later Friday evening USA time.
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cvillebimmer
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