Korea 2012 Guest Post – Elizabeth White

Guest Post by Liz White:

Bagel, salad, wrap. Hello!

My name is Elizabeth White and those three foods were what my diet has consisted of from last year, until now. This trip is my first time ever out of the country, and the food here is wildly different from what I am used to.

Whether it be kim chi or bibimbop, I was definitley not prepared for the complete change in diet. But this change in diet was totally worth it. Our trip started off with a traditional Korean meal consisting of a variety of diffent dishes, and of course, a lot of kim chi with our good friends Brother Anthony and Professor Park. Although I was not expecting a dish of anchovies and raw oysters, I have to admit that was one of the most delicious meals I have had here. Growing up in a suburban area of Pennsylvania, I have never really eaten anything off the beaten track, so i have to admit, I was a bit shocked when these dishes were placed in front of me. Luckily I was able to suck it up and take that first bite and from then on, there was no turning back.

Another delicious meal we ate was Korean barbecue. We literally got to cook the meat or clams and muscles ourselves on a stove placed in the center of the table. It was superb.

We were provided with many different side dishes such as sesame leaves and seasonings, and got to customize our meal. Delicious doesn’t begin to describe it.

Unfortunately I spent most of the night after this meal vomiting, but I think that the fact that I was so sick and can still sing the praises of this meal is a testament of it’s amazingness in itself. Although as I write this my stomach is churning and threatening to release it’s contents, I still smile in pure bliss when I reminisce on the delicious food we have eaten on this trip. Hopefully my stomach toughens up on this trip because when we return to Seoul, this restaurant is definitely one that I hope to revisit. Signing off with a tumultuous yet overjoyed tummy,

Elizabeth White