Kimbap 김밥
-similar to a California roll, Kimbap contains rice, egg, carrots, pickled radish (danmuji), a few other kinds of vegetables, and, if you want, tuna. (Rolls with tuna are known as chamchi kimbap)
-this is the perfect snack to grab for the road while traveling or to pack with you to eat while hiking. There are kimbap shops ALL over Korea, and a roll with tuna will usually cost around W2,500 (or just under $2)
-Ben and I just got ambitious and actually started making our own kimbap at home! Not that we need to to save money... but its kinda fun to do! and most of the Koreans are impressed by it.
Kimchi 김치
There are actually many different kinds of kimchi, but this (pictured above) is the most common type. Koreans eat kimchi with every meal.... yes, even breakfast! Kimchi is basically pickled, spiced, fermented cabbage; it smells like it too; and i LOVE it! :)
***I know i have weird food tastes.... but it seriously does grow on you after you've been here a while
Bi bim bap 비빔밥
-served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with vegetables and gochujang (chili pepper paste). An egg or some kind of meat (seafood or beef) are common additions. The ingredients are stirred together thoroughly just before eating. Koreans will tell you if you're doing it wrong.... don't worry.
-costs about W6,000 at any hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurant and is a GREAT cheap meal.
Soju 소주
A Korean liquor made from rice or soybeans... it contains about 20% alcohol and tastes like water-down gin.
Koreans sip it out of shot glasses (don't be fooled by the word "sip"..... Koreans are some of the fastest sippers i have ever seen); once a bottle is opened, it usually leads to the consumption of 2 or 3 or 4 or .... more bottles. It is rude not to sip your drink when someone pours it for you (you never pour for yourself) and it is rude not to fill up someone's glass at the table that is empty.
This leads to a very vicious cycle of drinking!
Bulgogi 불고기
-marinated pieces of beef which you cook yourself at a grill in the center of your table
-is served with many side dishes