As a follow-up on last year's post "What you need to know about seaweed" (aka "Seaweed 101"), here is more information about Korea's edible seaweed! In this post, "Diverse delicious seaweeds of Korea's seas" [Can you pronounce this tongue twister? 🤪] or in short "Seaweed 102", you can learn about various other seaweeds in Korean... Continue Reading →
Comparison of common citrus fruits in Korea
Despite the cold of winter, South Korean markets constantly offer edibles. Apart from beans, grains and other dry foods, there is also some fresh produce. The cold temperatures allow the harvest of seafood and seaweed, which would easily spoil in the summer. Winter vegetables such as spinach, cabbage and root vegetables (e.g. radish, sweet potatoes,... Continue Reading →
The many faces of Korean Persimmons 감
No. This is not a tomato. 🍅 No. It's not advisable to use this fruit for classic pasta sauce. 🍝[But go ahead and try if you feel adventurous.]* Even though this fruit has a spherical shape and smooth, shiny skin with deep orange color, it has little kinship with tomatoes. 🚫🍅 It is the fruit... Continue Reading →
Guide to reading Korean letters – Hangeul 한글
So you want to learn Korean? But you don't know where to start? How about starting with the basics: Learn the Korean alphabet, which is called hangeul (한글). Over the past few weeks, there was a daily online class about the Korean alphabet on Instagram (part 1, part 2 and part 3). Since it was... Continue Reading →
Smelly golden balls with gems inside: Ginkgo 은행씨
[⚠️Warning: Graphic language may be included in the text below. Not advised to read when eating or sensitive to unappetizing descriptions. 🤬😱🤢] I have a confession to make. Years ago, I went on a treasure hunt. 🗺 In Germany. The treasure were small, yellow gems. 💎 Those gemstones were enclosed in little pearls. ⚪️ And... Continue Reading →
Learning Korean: Update on language-related posts
It can't be stressed often enough how important language is. In general and in particular. If you are concerned about food, for instance, knowing at least how to read Korean makes you more independent from electronic, internet-based devices (e.g. unreliable translation apps, asking friends or random people on Facebook for help). At the same time,... Continue Reading →
Quarantine in Korea
After traveling to Korea during the ongoing Corona pandemic, the journey was not over yet. It did not feel like I had arrived in Seoul, because I needed to undergo the mandatory quarantine. This is another personal account describing my experience of spending quarantine in Korea. Quarantine certificate received at the airport Quarantine in Korea... Continue Reading →
Traveling to Korea in times of Corona
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, people all over the world are facing great challenges which are the catalysts for many changes across the board. The way we live, work, eat, and celebrate is changing. The way we interact with each other - as individuals, among societies, as well as on international level - has changed.... Continue Reading →
Essential seasonings and spices in Korean
What makes food taste good? Beside quality and handling of the main ingredients, seasonings and spices are key to making food more flavorful. In general, they can increase the taste 👅, add new aromas 👃 and also change the visual appearance of the dish. 👀 If a food is not seasoned well, it is considered... Continue Reading →
Brown, bitter but lovely: Acorn jelly 도토리묵
Can you find a connection between squirrels, Romans and Koreans? Here's one: Acorns. Everyone knows that squirrels are fond of nuts, including those of the oak tree. 🌰🐿 Archaeologists and historians know that also humans have consumed acorns since ancient times. 🌰🏛 Who knew that at present, foods made from acorns are a significant ingredient... Continue Reading →