포카리스웨트...It's sweat you can drink

In the states and aboard energy and sports drinks have become increasingly popular. Brands like Powerade and Gatorade have also reached Korea, but you can still find exclusive Korean drinks like "Pocari Sweat". Touting itself as an ion replacement supplement much like it's competitors from America, Pocari sweat distinguishes itself from the crowd by being mild and refreshing. The flavor comes across as weak peach juice mixed with your standard energy drink aftertaste; the name however appears to be displeasing to the western ear. Needless to say this product will most likely remain in only Korea.

More Korean drinks to follow....

준비 땅 먹다! Ready set eat!

In Korea there are many social rules and they extend into many aspects of Korean life. It is important to familiarize yourself with many equtitue nuancies so that during your stay you can remain respectful to those around you.
What is abruptly apparent for foreigners coming to Korea is that eating isn't just a necessity it's more of an event when shared with friends and family. There are many rules pertaining to eating in Korea including table manners, speaking, eating, passing and leaving. While there are enough "social rules" to fill a book I will layout some simple ground rules for eating in a tradional Korean restaurant or home.

(1) In traditional Korean restaurants or when you are visiting a Korean family you will most llikely be sitting on the floor, it is polite to remove your shoes at the entrance of the building then take your seat where directed.
(2) In many restaurants in Korea you will be provided with 2 utensils, a spoon and a pair of chopsticks, if you do not see any utensils at your place setting they are most likely in a box to either end of the table (usually at inexpensive restaurants) or they will be given to you by your waiter or host; it is acceptable for you to retrieve them yourself in a cheaper restaurant.
(3) Many restaurants in Korea will serve many side dishes but you are not required to eat them all. It is polite to at least "try" a bit of everything provided especially if you are visiting someones home and they prepared the food themselves. If you run out of a side dish it is okay to ask for more, depending on the restaurant (In most Korean restaurants this is acceptable unless the side dish is expensive like prawns or certain types of fish). This means it is okay to take the last of the kim-chi or onion, but it is polite if you take the last piece to ask for more.
(4) Speaking of kim-chi, it is considered very important in Korea and most restaurants will serve kim-chi with the meal. There are many types of kim-chi and it is easy to recognize. Kim-chi is generally made from onions, cabbage, bok-choy, red pepper, garlic and a brine for more information on Kim-chi go here. If you do not enjoy the taste of kim-chi you may find that living in Korea will be difficult for you because it is so pervasive in the Korean diet.
(5) It is Generally not polite to start eating until the eldest person at the table has started, this is simply a sign of respect, in mixed company this rule can be overlooked but when eating with a family or a group from work it is usually observed.
(6) Rice (밥) Is served with most meals in Korea, you are usually given your own serving of rice in a small metal container. You are expected to finish all of it reregardless of how hungry you are. This custom dates back to rice shortages in Korean history, it is considered wasteful not to finish you rice. This custom is overlooked for many forigners.

For more information on Korean food go here, for Korean restaurants in your area consult your local yellowpages or city directory.

축배 Toast

Street food in Korea is quite inexpensive, there are many restaurants where you can get your fill for under 2 dollars US. Here, my friend Jun-Hyung and I are buying some "toast" or rather fried sandwiches. At this particular toast shop there are many different choices but nothing exceeds 2000 원(won). You can get western toppings like mustard and ketchup but for the adventurous foreigner kiwi flavored spread on a sasausage sasandwich makes for an interesting meal.
The food is nicely prepared in front of you on cast iorn griddles and the staff is usually very acaccommodating to your taste. you are given your "toast" in a folded paper sheet which is quite useful as the "toast" tends to leak. For information on western toast this website may be interesting.

Stranger and stranger

Sometimes you see something that's strange regardless of where you are from. This picture taken in the entertainment district outside of Chung-buk features a man dressed as a popular Japanese cartoon character pikachu. Apparently he was trying to get people to visit a night club. Behind him you can see what appears to be an alligator.

This sort of shock adversitment is popular in Korea, the stranger the better

Mmmm good eatin (맛있은)

Food in Korea is usually delicious, but occasionaly you are introduced to something abit more unfarmilar. This is a traditonal Korean treat freash of the BBQ, 닭 발 (literaily chickens foot) is a treat generaly enjoyed after drinking. This particular chickens foot was slaughtered by my friends father just hours before being cooked and eaten.

진짜 바쁜 삶 (A busy busy life)

Since coming to Korea there is one thing that I have noticed, Korean life is very fast paced! when you come to Korea you should be prepared to do many activities in one day, even if you feel tired or sick, it is important to try to accomplish alot and to do it quickly and efficently. Even a simple activity like going to the supermarket can be just a short stop on a long list of places you have to go before reaching home. Allow yourself alot of time and realize if you are asked to go out you may not be coming back until late at night!