Good Eats: Chicken, Korean BBQ, Hearty Meats and Sweet Treats

It's impossible to come to Korea without trying the many foods it has to offer. From the famous Korean barbecue to the sweet shaved ice, I want to share the many amazing eats and treats I've had so far. I will even share some cultural/tips on how to eat some of these foods. 

Breakfast/Brunch:

One of the first meals I have had being in Korea was breakfast at Waffle It Up in Sinchon. A very cute place for a quick sweet treat in the morning. It is also very filling with dollops of whipped cream and ice cream. A lot of students get waffles for breakfast as it is pretty popular from what I have seen.

Korean BBQ:

Korean BBQ is a CLASSIC and it cannot be missed while spending your time in Korea. When eating at a BBQ place, you usually sit at a circular table or regular table with a long tube in the middle along with a grill. The long tube ventilates the smoke. In some cases, the waiter cooks your meat, but the majority of the time, you are cooking your food. Normally, the eldest person cooks the meat for others. You have these side dishes called banchan (반찬). There's kimchi, radishes, sauces, raw garlic, and a basket or bowl of lettuce/perilla leaves, and peppers. I always prefer samgyeopsal (삼겹살) when eating Korean BBQ, but you can also order beef, other types of pork, and even pig's skin!

It is very common to drink while eating, especially drinking soju (소주) or somaek (소맥), which is a combination of beer and soju. When drinking, the youngest person in the group (maknae: 막내) pours the drinks for everyone else. No one is supposed to pour their own drink. You also have to hold your cup/pour with two hands as a sign of respect. When cheering, you would either say "jjan" (짠) or "gonbae" (건배). The younger members of the group would drink away from the eldest person as, again, a sign of respect. It is also common to drink a lot in this setting, meaning that you shouldn't reject a drink from someone who is older or in a higher position than you. If you already drink a lot, it shouldn't be too much of a problem! 

Chicken:

Chicken is wildly popular throughout Korea. I definitely have had my fair share of chicken, and I still continue to do so. Some of the places I have been to were Mom's Touch, Kyochon (Sinchon), and Chicken and Beer (Hongdae). Kyochon was the first place I went with the friends I met at Waffle It Up. High-quality chicken that tastes amazing with beer.

Mom's Touch is more of a fast-food place with amazing chicken sandwiches, and if you want more than just a sandwich, get a set that comes with a basket of chicken. Warning: be prepared to get full rather quickly unless you haven't eaten in a day.

Chicken and Beer in Hongdae has been one of my favorite chicken places so far. It has delicious boneless fried and seasoned chicken that is to die for. Again, it is amazing with beer.

Pizza:

Have you ever had sweet potatoes or potatoes on your pizza before? I have not until I visited Yeonnam-dong (literally next to Hongdae) for the first time and went to a place called Baekstreet (or Backstreet). There, my friends and I ordered the cheeseburger and french fries pizza. Well, it had french fries and hamburger meat with peppers on it, and it came in a large size. You would most likely need 4 people to finish this properly.

Another pizza place that I have been to is called Maddux Pizza in Itaewon. This pizza place has a variety of flavors from the regular pepperoni and cheese pizzas to mac and cheese and chorizo pizzas. We had those specific slices plus Hawaiian and spinach and artichoke. I highly recommend the chorizo and spinach artichoke if you enjoy savory flavors. 

Jokbal - 족발 (Pig's Feet):

In Hongdae, there is a place that serves all-you-can-eat jokbal. It is a self-serve restaurant that you can order your food at your table through a tablet, and continue to add on when you eat. The jokbal melts in your mouth, and it's almost too good to eat. It's amazing by itself, but it also tastes great in a lettuce wrap (if you want some greens in your system). 

Patbingsu (Shaved Ice):

Lastly, the beautiful-looking dessert called patbingsu (팥빙수) is a must-try. They come in several flavors, but the most common ones have been strawberry and apple mango cheese. The shaved ice is at the bottom of the bowl while the toppings pile up. It comes with condensed milk, and that is for the shaved ice when the toppings are mostly eaten. It could be sweetness overload, but if you have a major sweet tooth, this is perfect for you. My personal favorite has been the mango cheese. Sweet and savory can never go wrong.

By trying out these foods, you'll truly have the taste of Korea linger with you for a long time. Do not miss out on the opportunity to eat these wonderful meats and sweet treats!