In Korea, be you young or old, rich or poor, or male or female; the universally adored food is pork belly BBQ with side dishes of kimchi, fresh leaves for wrapping, and a chilled shot of soju to wash it all down.   Many foreign visitors that I have met think that samgyeopsal is just bacon (or rashers in England) and they believe this meat to be very low grade. After all, statistics from the US Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) suggest that people in the lower-income bracket tend to suffer from obesity more often than the rich. I have even seen some foreign guests cut off the fat off pork belly and throw it away. In Korea, this is a definite “No-no.” 
I usually explain to such guests that Korean pork is much different from pork in other countries. The taste, the marbling, the smell, and texture of the meat are all quite different. Plus, the thick cuts of pork belly are neither salt cured nor seasoned. In addition, the pork belly is usually cooked on a cast iron hot plate or a s...

The food that should be on every table in Korea is a bowl of hot rice. Rice is the centerpiece of the meal. Throughout history, the simple bowl of grains has been the driving force behind the economy and the reason for, and the cause of revolutions and social change.  When Korea tried to open up trade agreements to other countries, rice was a battle cry for farmers to protest the agreements. Ultimately, they were able to put restrictions on the amount of foreign imports allowed. Plus it maintained the Korean perception that Korean rice is unique and preferable to other nation’s rice. Korean rice is a short grained rice that is sticky. Korean short grained rice seems stickier and has a poppy bite compared to other nations’ rice that I have tried. It definitely has more bite than a jasmine, basmati, or Chinese long grain rice. I would say it has a chew that is similar to risotto.  The flavor of the rice is bright and with a clean aroma. The rice goes very well with Korean foods ...

The first job I had when I was 15 years old was as a dishwasher at a pancake restaurant. Since then I have run a catering business, been a barista and a bartender. I have worked as a teacher, a marketer and a business owner. So at 35 why am I washing dishes? I don't know really, but I can tell you washing dishes does give perspective. I am not better than my employees nor my cook. I am the same and I do what needs to be done as part of a team. Sure, that is what I tell myself. But seriously, why am I washing dishes? In my time I have also built several successful businesses for my employers and now I am the main owner of this somewhat successful pizza shop. I guess it is because it needs to get done. If I can do this well then I can do other things well and hopefully people will respect me. The dishes keep on coming though and I am like, "haven't I made it yet?" I started the restaurant because I wanted to try it. The business plan seemed right and I had the extra mon...

Korea, it's hot outside. I mean today it was a toast 27 C degrees (80  F). I was our at one of the public pools by mangwon and I was melting and cooking in the sun. Seriously, I was dying. All I wanted to do was crawl into a freezer and shut the door.  First of all, Korean pools are madhouses. I mean it's like Lord of the Flies out there. Sure it is a public pool but you have to fight for space and respect among the elements. The smart Koreans get there early and they bring their own tents. I mean lots of tents. There are umbrellas there to shade those that aren't into "glamping" however, those with tents will take the umbrellas and use them to shade their shaded tents. You'll see families with a little compound of a large tent with three tents over the tent to keep them from getting burned. Korea, seriously, give the umbrellas that didn't bring tents. Share a little. Don't worry, North Korea is contained. The IMF is passed. Also, those working at the ...