Korean Fast Food

Have you still do not eat?

We snapped this picture on the streets of Hongdae. Korean advertisements tend to take a very creative approach to the English language.

Oh So Delicious Korean Fast Food

When we arrived in Korea our knowledge of Korean food was very basic. Aside from kimchi, we weren't very familiar with Korean cuisine. Kimchi is the most popular Korean side dish. It is fermented cabbage covered in fish oil, chili pepper paste, vinegar, and garlic – amazingly healthy and equally delicious.

Kimchi is one of the world's healthiest foods.

We survived our first night in Hongseong eating cookies my Mum had made and drinking milk we found in the fridge. The next afternoon, the staff from Josh's school took us out for a delicious meal called bulgogi (fire meat). This is marinated beef you wrap in lettuce and eat with an array of lovely side dishes. Everything was ordered for us and we ate happily.

We weren't in the mood to go grocery shopping and cook meals at home considering we had just started new jobs and were trying to knock jet-lag. The first attempts we made at going to restaurants were not very successful. Our results varied from being served some very shoddy radish soup to being refused service due to our lack of Korean language skills.

If we had only known about the simple, easy, inexpensive, and -most importantly- delicious Korean fast foods our first few weeks could have been even better. Here is a brief introduction to my 3 favourite Korean fast foods.

1.Kimbap (or Gimbap)  김밥

To the untrained eye this may simply look like California Rolls or some other variety of sushi. It is not. Kimbap is the Korean alternative to the burger. Only, it is healthier. It is a square piece of dried seaweed (gim) rolled up with rice and strips of carrot, fried egg, pickled radish, sesame leafs, sesame oil, and salt. You can also choose an additional ingredient. For example, cheese (meaning they will add a slice of orange processed cheese –I'm not a fan), chicken (a piece of chicken nugget is added, odeng (steamed fish cake is added), or even spam (you get the idea –once again- not a fan). My favourite type of kimbap, and probably the most popular variety, is chamchi (tuna) kimbap. Although I am bothered by the bad press tuna gets for being radioactive and laden with mercury, I cannot help but eat this several times a week. It is simply delicious and can be found at most any convenience store or snack food joint. So good. This delightful food will set you back a mere 2500 won (under 2.50 CAD). If you are intimidated by restaurants when you first arrive in Korea, kimbap is the way to go. You can find it almost anywhere and its texture & taste make it universally popular.

2.Bimbimbap 비빔밥

This Bibimbap was served with ground beef on top. A pleasant surprise.

If Kimbap is the classic burger of Korean fast food then Bimbimbap is the double quarter pounder . . . with cheese. Bimbimbap means mixed rice. It is a bowl of rice topped with an egg, sauteed and seasoned fresh veggies, and -perhaps the most important ingredient- chili pepper paste. This is what gives it heat and flavour. There are different varieties of bimbimbap. Some like it room temperature and some like it hot. I am one of the latter. Where room temperature bimbimbap is great, hot bibimbap is incredible. We love this dish so much we have it on a tri-weekly basis.

3. Kimchi Jigae 김치찌개

Your eyes are not deceiving you. Kimchi Jigae is served boiling hot.

Although Kimchi Jigae may be a bit more of a stretch for a new ex-pat learning to appreciate Korean food, you will soon find yourself wanting it all the time. I learned about Kimchi Jigae when I asked my conversation class “What is your favourite food”. With my prior description of kimchi, this dish may not seem very appetizing, but once you try it you will be coming back for more. This jigae (soup) consists of boiled Kimchi, small pieces of pork, and rice. For some inexplicable reason this combination is irresistible.

A Feast Fit For a King 

This entire meal set us back 14000 won, which is just under 14 dollars CAD. Along with our kimbap, bibimbap, and kimchi jigae we were also served 2 bottomless bowls of hot broth and six different all-you-can-eat pickled side dishes. 

Korean fast food is where it's at.