Ringing In 2013 South Korea Style
Written
by: Geunjin Kim (from RPA's Seoul, South Korea Office)
How do you spend the last month of 2012? While
December is always very busy with appointments, meeting friends and having
parties (as we shared in our last RPA blog post about Bonenkai in Japan), in South Korea, we have our own diverse year-end party celebrations.
Enjoying concerts, theatre and musical events
is very popular – especially among the women in their 20s here, with many restaurants
satisfying both EYE and MOUTH with performances and wonderful meals. Great with
me – killing two birds with one stone!
Apart from
crowded downtown Seoul, more and more people are leaving the big city to venture
countryside. Renting guest houses or cottages (also known as “pensions”) is
popular among people who prefer staying with family or friends very quietly,
often without alcohol!
And finally, as
in many parts of the world now, Apps are often helpful to check what kinds of
foods are served – and at what price – before booking a restaurant reservation
during this busy celebration period. Below are typical meals for year-end party
celebrations in South Korea. If you get the chance to try any, I’m sure you’d love
them!
*Kimchi Sam-kyup-sal (Pork Belly with Kimchi)
Sam-kyup-sal (pork
belly) has been rated as the most delicious
Korean food among foreigners … followed closely by Kimchi. So, with this dish,
the best foods meet each other! Can you imagine how it tastes?
 |
| Pork Belly (with Kimchi to support it!) |
Korean
Pancake and Makgeolli
Makgeolli, known as “Korean
rice wine”, is a milky-colored alcoholic beverage with a touch of sweetness. Rainy
days this time of year make Korean people recall Makgeolli with Korean pancakes.
Easy to prepare, you can cook Korean pancakes yourself (personally, I recommend
adding ingredients like seafood, oysters or Kimchi). This dish is really
healthy and a good late-night meal option.
 |
| Korean Pancake |
Jokbal
Jokbal, tender and chewy, is a
dish made of pigs’ feet. It tastes very good with soy or spicy sauce – as well
as chilled vegetables. Jokbal is a perfect food to share as it tastes
different, depending on which part people try. For added convenience, Jokbal is
also available by delivery.
 |
| Jokbal |
So, while you may not be able to get to the South Korean countryside or take in some theatre in Seoul, you may want to consider some Korean food as options for celebrating your own year-end!
