Authentic Japanese Clothing
Discover South Korean Food and Culture by Pinky McBanon
For a tourist curious to see yet another face of Asia, then South Korea is the place to go. Located in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula in Eastern Asia, South Korea is home to a people who have a strong ethnic identity. Theirs is a society of rigid etiquette, duty and respect, emphasizing the need to maintain harmony at all levels of the hierarchy.
Their ethnic pride can best be shown in the variety of South Korean cuisine. A traditional meal would consist of kimchi, hot soup with fish and/or vegetables floating about, the ever-present rice that is also common to the Chinese and Japanese cultures, and other side dishes. Sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, garlic, pepper flakes and fermented bean paste are common ingredients.
If there is one word to best describe typical South Korean cuisine, it would be “spicy.” Perhaps the most famous spicy dish Koreans are known for is kimchi, fermented cabbage or radish mixed with garlic, salt, chilis and other spices that suit the cook’s taste. Kimchi is served at every meal either as the lone dish or in accompaniment with vegetables, fish or meat. It can be found in soups, pancakes and even pizza toppings. In fact, kimchi is so much of a mainstay in South Korean cuisine that each Korean is reputed to eat an average of forty pounds of kimchi every year!
Apart from kimchi, South Koreans do love their meat. Popular meat dishes include bulgogi (stir-fried marinated meat), grilled hanu beef, yangnyeom tongdak (slow-roasted sweet and sour chicken) and deungsim gui (barbecued steak dipped into sesame seed oil and soya sauce).
But, to ensure a balanced diet, South Koreans also place a high premium on vegetables and seafood. A typical veggie dish would be green vegetables paired with steamed rice and mixed with spicy fermented paste. For seafood dishes, there are haemul jeongol (chili seafood stew of shellfish and octopus and jangeo gui (eel smothered in sweet sauce).
South Korean restaurants can be found on both ends of the spectrum. If you’re broke, you could buy from pojangmachas (street vendors) and shikdangs (little restaurants). If you’re feeling a little pricey, there are elegant and expensive restaurants that serve full-courses. For a backpacking tourist, shell out 6 USD to taste authentic South Korean street food that’s good enough for two people.
Known for its concept of yin and yang, South Korean dress mirrors this trait. Bright colors stand out but are restrained by flowing lines designed to hide the shape of the body. The traditional dress is the hanbok, or shirt and pants, and gwanmo, or the traditional hat. Due to the strong hierarchical system, one’s clothes is a reflection of one’s social status. The common people wear clothes that are not dyed.
South Korean music is heavily influenced by Buddhism, and is thus simple and reflective. Samulnori (four instruments) refer to the four instruments commonly played by musicians. Now, the current trend of South Korean music is in K-Pop, or Korean Pop, which imitates Western music genres while adding a thoroughly Korean twist with choreography and fashion style.
About the Author
Ms. Pinky is a mom of 3 school children. She is a Systems Engineer, a Technology Researcher and an Independent Medical Billing and Coding Consultant. She and her family is well-traveled all over the world! Her blogs and websites focuses on stay-at-home moms, dads and students who wants to work at home, build homebased business http://www.mommyisworkingathome.com.
Visit her Interesting Site on Asian Travels and Destinations. Discover Asia’s Culture and Great Food! at http://www.wheretogoinasia.com.
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Salux Nylon Japanese Beauty Skin Bath Wash Cloth/Towel – Pink $3.36 Japanese Invention Award winner, and patented design. From Japan, this textured, extra long wash towel is softer and more sanitary than loofah, more effective than a washcloth. Product Size: 28cm x 90cm (approx 11 x 35 inches)… |
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Karate Kid Mr Miyagi Daniel Movie Headband $6.99 Karate Kid Movie headband. 2.5 inches x 42 inches…. |
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Mattel Naruto Ninja Head Band $9.99 Mattel Naruto Ninja Head Band… |
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Girls Kids Costume Asian Japanese Geisha Kimono Outfit Girls One Most (7-10) $47.24 Travel to the Far East in this cute kimono! THIS ITEM INCLUDES Butterfly Kimono, Skirt, Belt, Headband… |
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Straw Chinese Hat, Pack of 2 hats $18.95 Great for gardening or just to keep the sun totally off your face. There is a colored tie to secure the hat on your head. Size is about 15.5 inches in diameter. You will receive 2 hats with this purchase. ******Because of the size / weight ratio of these hats orcers received to the following addresses will be sent by US Parcel Post. US Militay addresses, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Alaska, US Virgin Is… |
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Make Your Own Japanese Clothes: Patterns and Ideas for Modern Wear $14.99 Classical elegance. Loose-fitting comfort. Versatility. Functional design. These are just some of the reasons why traditional Japanese clothes have captured the imagination of modern fashion designers and stylish dressers around the world.Making Japanese clothes is surprisingly simple. Patterns consist of virtually all straight lines, and the non-body-conforming shapes require no darts, buttonhole… |
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HeatMax Hand & Body Warmer (40 Count) $26.00 HeatMax HotHands Hand and Body Warmers are larger (4″ x 5″) and designed to last up to 18 hours and provide safe, comfortable warmth in the coldest of temperatures. When placed in pockets, between layers of clothing, these warmers will help you enjoy cold weather activities longer, whether it’s hunting, fishing, working or just being a spectator. Made in the USA. Box of 40 Warmers. Item # HH-1… |
