![[Facts about Korean culture] About nutrition and drinking](https://img.truvvle.com/?src=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWFnZXMuaGl2ZS5ibG9nL3AvMjRycVg5cEc3WnhZRUNTZ0tkRE5SNWZRbWZIcW9iZm9qMjlOZjVkQllkVWpWUXFTNVQ4SmdVd3hjY1plYm9COVM5a1NNTmlqaFd5ZFlLRDFYc2U1U0tpcFBGVVI1WE54SmdIYlpOZFdEekZKV0JwaGROaGhER3BFUFlaQnlSNFdYdHBITmhYY2NGcnpTTVlhbmRYR1ZpdTF4OUFjSHVTWlNSbVVYTVNGa0xKeURxQ1NxeTdCaFNITlduNEFUd0ZXdG5mZ3JjVjlxQ2FuOGlnbjdWdFY5Q0JjY1k1cFdQLz9mb3JtYXQ9bWF0Y2gmd2lkdGg9MjAwMCZoZWlnaHQ9ODAwJm1vZGU9Y292ZXI&width=3840)
"The East is a delicate matter" ... Surely many of you have heard this phrase. So why do not we look behind the veil of the culture of the east, or rather South Korea, and prepare ourselves to communicate with South Koreans.
The first time, when I first came to Korea, I had a so-called culture shock. She did not understand the language and ordered lunch at a cafe, poking her finger at the menu on the menu, and then for a long time picking a spoon in a cup, trying to understand what this “miracle dish” was made of.
Incidentally, the first trip to a local cafe near the university was also not without incident. Arriving in Korea in the evening we, poor students, came to the cafe. Tired ... out of the way. Gave us a menu. We read the read (I still managed to learn the alphabet before the arrival), but I could only guess what is what. They decided to try their luck and asked the waitress (women aged 40-50) what kind of dishes they are. After half an hour of diligent explanation, followed by violent gestures, the woman asked us something. And in her eyes flashed a glimmer of hope that we still understood her. And we decided not to torture the poor woman anymore, and just poked our fingers into different dishes. Writing down the order, she sometimes looked at us suspiciously and asked again. Obviously something was wrong with this dish ... we thought. Well, what to do?
Sample menu in a typical Korean cafe
Before we bring the main dishes, they brought us several small plates with salads and snacks. The plates were the size of a palm. At first we were scared that maybe this is what we ordered. But then we were brought both hot and cold dishes. Then another thought flashed through our heads: What if we were misunderstood and brought something superfluous, and we could not pay it off! and asked for the bill ... and were surprised! It turns out that in Korea, almost all cafes serve several salads. And you can eat them in unlimited quantities, i.e. Having eaten, say, a plate of kimchi, you can ask for more. And we got used to the fact that in our countries each salad must be ordered separately, and if you want more, you will have to shell out more. So, in Korea, lunch costs an average of $ 5-10. And the bill in a cafe is usually paid at the exit. You can bring the bill to the table, but to pay, you need to go to the checkout. Except, expensive restaurants.
Coffee, tea, desserts in Korean cafes are not served. Although, in some cafes at the exit is a machine with free 3-in-1 coffee. But tea in a cafe in general is very rare. Koreans drink tea mostly only at home, and in most cases this is some kind of herbal tea or corn tea. Even in coffee shops, 90% of Koreans choose coffee, rather than tea or something. Koreans are unrealistic coffee lovers. Usually, having lunch, they go for a cup of coffee. And for the day they drink more than 2-3 cups of coffee. Although I would say not a cup, but a cup of coffee. In Korean cuisine, there are such dishes that are served in one large saucepan on the table. And they all eat together from this saucepan. For many foreigners, this is something of a fantasy. After all, one thing pizza is all together, and another thing in one cup with a spoon to be picked together. Large common saucepan By the way, portions in Korean cafes are far from small . I remember that my girlfriends and I once ate a portion of the soup the three of us ate and did not eat. Although, local girls eat, let's say, a lot. But at the same time they manage to stay thin. 90% of billboards are cafes Live Tentacles Well, talking about the characteristics of food, it is impossible to get past the topic of alcohol. The beginning of the student festival, after which the whole university smells of Soju Ready to Blog & Earn? With TravelFeed, easily start your own travel blog and earn as you go. It's the smart platform for travelers who want to profit from their passion. Create a free account Even at the university, it is customary to drink 1-2 times a semester together with teachers. More precisely, it is called "corporate", but in fact it is just another reason to drink. And here the law of hierarchy works. In Korea, this is strictly. If the teacher poured you a glass, then you want it or not, drink. Also in companies: if the senior officer offered a drink, the refusal may be perceived as a sign of disrespect. If we, drinking a glass, make all sorts of clever speeches, then in Korea they drink while playing games . And here the Korean fantasy deserves the Nobel Prize. “Alcoholic games” (this is how they are translated from Korean) cannot be counted on the fingers. And moreover, they come up with new games almost every day. In Korea, it’s not customary to update your glass yourself . If, for example, you drink together, then pour soju (Korean vodka), you should each other and nothing else. If you drink with seniors, then you need to turn away to the side, cover the glass with one hand so that the senior does not see, and then empty your glass. So you show your respect for the elder. Don't Forget: Get Travel Health Insurance! To make your trip a worry-free experience, TravelFeed recommends SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. It provides comprehensive health coverage while you travel, so you can focus on exploring, not the unexpected. Get a quote here If you have any questions about Korea don't hesitate to contact me here or via instagram More articles about my travel adventures you can find here Original versions
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Travel Resources for your trip to South Korea
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Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to South Korea.
Accomodation: Explore the best places to stay in South Korea on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.
Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.
Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.
Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!
Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.
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