My First Bite of Korea: A Food Adventure I’ll Never Forget

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When I first learnt about Korea, all what am after is what we the Korean food be like, how tasty it was. I had seen it so many times in K-dramas actors happily eating steaming bowls of noodles or spicy dishes that made them sweat but smile. But trust me, watching is one thing but eating is a my goal.

My first Korean meal was tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). I thought, is it really spicy It looks like red pasta.” then I try it. The first bite was sweet, chewy, and… oh wow, here comes the fire in my mouth felt like, it was auditioning for a fire-breathing dragon role. But it a weirdo, but I loved it. The spice made my heart beat faster, and I couldn’t stop eating. The ajumma (older lady) at the stall saw me sweating and laughed, saying, “처음이야?” (“First time?”). I nodded, and she gave me a free fish cake soup to cool my mouth.

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Then I tried kimchi. I had heard about it a thousand times, but this was my first real taste. At first, the sourness surprised me like a pickle that had gone to dance school. But after a few bites, I started to understand why Koreans eat it with almost everything. i don't imagine tasting like that.

The funniest moment was with samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly). My friend told me to wrap it in lettuce with garlic, sauce, and rice. I didn’t fold it properly, and the whole thing exploded in my mouth like a food party gone wrong. My friend laughed so hard she almost dropped her chopsticks. But it was delicious too.

I was officially addicted and I love it. The food is not just about taste it’s also a fun filled, sharing, and sometimes laughing at yourself when you eat it wrong. There’s a saying, “밥 먹었어요?” (“Have you eaten?”) which Koreans use as a friendly greeting. Now I understand why food here is love.

Do I want more? Absolutely 100% yes. Next time, though, I will be ready with more water… and maybe a fire extinguisher. Very funny.

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