It's Korean and it's hot
We unravel the secrets of the increasingly popular Korean cuisine.
It’s Oriental, it’s sumptuous and it’s becoming popular with well-travelled Indians. With Korean food attracting the attention of foodies, we went on a journey to discover what constitutes Korean cuisine, which eating traditions and customs still continue, and why this cuisine is touted as the next big thing in India.
Privacy: The Koreans are very fierce about their privacy while eating—hence, the private dining rooms. At the same time they are very family-oriented and often two separate tables get joined for a meal.
Ingredients: It’s spicy, exotic and very special. Korean cuisine is characterised by a wide variety of meat and fish dishes along with wild greens and vegetables. Various fermented and preserved foods, such as kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage) and jeotgal (seafood fermented in salt) are notable for their specific flavours and high nutritional values. The food is usually seasoned with sesame oil, fermented soya bean paste, soya sauce, salt, ginger, garlic and red chilli paste.
Starters: Starters are often provided free by traditional Korean restaurants and there are a dozen starters at least. These also keep getting refilled—and they are filling. The most famous is the kimchi (usually pickled Chinese cabbage, but also, sometimes, radish). The Korean pancake is another popular starter.
The drink: Koreans traditionally drink boiled barley water with their meals, which is refrigerated before being served.
The main course: Among the main courses, barbecue meats are popular and most Korean restaurants serve beef, mutton, chicken and pork. Among seafoods, octopus, squid, prawns, crab, snail and the like are preferred—usually alive and kept in hot broth just before being consumed. Where this is not possible, fresh seafood is procured. Samgyepal, or grilled pork belly, served with vegetables is a hot favourite as are Korean buckwheat noodles, which is used in combination with side dishes. Jabchaebap is a mixture of glass noodles with rice and there is a bean paste soup called miso to go with this. The vegetables used along with the main course include eggplants, celery, sesame leaf, pumpkin leaf, lotus stem and radish. Other popular dishes include Pulgoki (barbecued pork strips seasoned with garlic, which you eat with kimchi wrapped in lettuce) and je yuk dap bap (pork dish served with rice).
Eating traditions: Traditional Korean meals are notable for the number of side dishes or banchan that accompany the steamed rice. The cuisine varies seasonally, and during winter, traditionally relies on kimchi and other pickled vegetables.
Look who’s eating: In Chennai, the Korean joints are mostly frequented by Korean clientele—employees of Hyundai Motor Company whose families are located in the city—and other expatriates. In Delhi, Korean food is becoming a rage with the rich and famous. It’s also popular among foreigners residing in Delhi and tourists from Japan, China, Australia, Germany and Russia.
(BOX)TRY THIS
Kimchi Jjigae (Stew with rice)
Kimchi Jjigae is the most popular stew in Korea, and has many varieties. You can make it with beef, tofu, tuna, or just veggies like squash, onion and carrot.
Ingredients: 1 cup kimchi, 16 oz pork belly 2 green onions 1/2 pack tofu or tuna 2 hot green chillies, chopped 2 tbsp gochoojang (Korean chilli paste) 1 tbsp gochoogaroo (Korean chilli powder) 2 tbsp minced garlic 1 tsp soya sauce 3 cups of water; salt and pepper
Directions: Put a pot on the stove and heat. Add pork belly (or chicken as a substitute) and sauté for a minute. Add the Korean chilli paste and cook until the meat becomes white. Pour water. Add kimchi. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Add soya sauce, Korean chilli powder and garlic. Cook for 20 minutes. Add chillies, green onions, salt and pepper. Cook for another minute. Serve with rice.
(BOX)KOREAN RESTAURANTS
K2 MGF Plaza, 3rd Floor MG Road, Delhi
Phone: 0124-4379151
Dinner for two Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000
Kyungbokgong Hotel Number 10, Chamiers Road Teynampet, near Nandanam Signal, Chennai
Phone: 044-42113346-47
Dinner for two Rs 650-Rs 1,000
