Korean Food	http://www.hoyaenglish.com

Of the three basic elements of life ― house, clothing and food ― the change in dietary habits has most significantly affected Koreans.

Rice still remains the staple of most Koreans, but among the younger generations, many prefer Western-style food.

Rice has been usually accompanied by various side dishes, mostly seasoned vegetables, soup, pot stew, and meat.

A traditional Korean  meal is not complete without kimchi, a mixture of various pickled vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, radish, green onion and cucumber. Certain types of kimchi are made spicy with the addition of red chili pepper powder, while others are prepared without red chili peppers or are soaked in a tasty liquid. However, garlic is always used in kimchi to add to its flavor.

In late November or early December, Korean families used to prepare enough kimchi to last the long winter. The kimchi was stored in large clay jars partially buried to maintain temperature and retain flavor.

In modern Korea, housewives often don't have time to make kimchi or the outdoor space needed to store large amounts. But kimchi is still a vital part of the Korean lifestyle: companies making the fermented dish and others selling special kimchi refrigerators enjoy brisk sales.

Baechu Kimchi (left) and Bulgogi, Korea's most popular beef dish (right)In addition to kimchi, doenjang (soybean paste), with its anti-cancer attributes, has attracted the attention of modern-day nutritionists. Koreans used to make doenjang at home by boiling yellow beans, drying them in the shade, soaking them in salty water, and fermenting them in sunlight. However, only a few families go through this process anymore; the majority buy factory-made doenjang.

Among meat dishes, seasoned bulgogi (usually beef) and galbi (beef or pork ribs) are the most favored by both Koreans and foreigners.

What Where to Eat

South Korea is known for the international depth of its restaurants, with Western cuisine such as French and Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Contemporary being well-represented here, the city has long been known for the variety and quality of its c restaurants as well. Seoul provides a number of restaurants to food lovers in Seoul. Whether you want a fine dining experience or simple food, Seoul has restaurant to cater to your budget.

The Restaurants offer a wide array of delectable dishes and sumptuous spread along with world class drinks and cocktails. So try the specialties and delight your senses like no other dining experience you have had before. The menu is varied, simple and uncomplicated and gives you the opportunity to choose from.

- Italian Restaurants generally offer a wide range of pastas and wood oven baked pizzas. The Napoletana, diable and quatro staggione are recommended. You can also try the the beef carpaccio, the pan-fried mushrooms and the mushroom soup, the gnocchi, the penne arrabiata, the rib-eye steak and the salmon. Both hot and cold beverages are available in this restaurant. Some of the Italian Restaurants are La Tavola Restaurant, Sortino Italian Restaurant.

- Thai Restaurants provide delicious Thai food dishes such as tom yum gung, tom kha gai, red and green curry, pad thai, and chicken with cashew are famous. Thai restaurants are Buddha's Belly Restaurant, Khaosan Restaurant.

- Korean Restaurants provide delectable Korean course meals like salad, sliced boiled pork (Bossam), (Japchae), (Naengchae), and Steamed Pollack with Spicy Seasoning (Bugeojjim) come with it. Desserts include rice cakes and tea. Korean Restaurant like Woori-Ga Restaurant, Soran Restaurant are famous in South Africa.

- Contemporary Restaurant offers dishes like pide" or breads and pizzas; "kebabs" or roasted meats; "sote," meat, vegetable and rice dishes; "kofte" or meat balls; "pilav," fried rice dishes; and "tatli," Turkish desserts. Contemporary restaurants are Marrakech Nights Restaurant, Santorini Restaurant.

- Indian Restaurants in South Korea include Wazwan Restaurant, Usmania Restaurant. American restaurants include Gecko's Garden Restaurant, Flying Pan Restaurant. Chinese Restaurants in South Korea are YOU JIN MAK KOOK SOO Restaurant and Bonji Restaurant. Kanpai Restaurant, Tani Nomadic Bistro Restaurant are two famous Japanese Restaurants in South Korea. French Restaurants include La Cigale Restaurant,
Paris Grill Restaurant.