What to make of kimchi?

kimchi

 

 

I’ve tried about a million different things since I arrived in Korea and I haven’t had a bad meal yet.

I really  thought I was going to hate kimchi because I don’t really like cabbage and Sauerkraut is one of the most disgusting foods people eat in America.  But it’s actually really good.  I suppose it’s good that I like it considering that at every non-takeout place I’ve been to since I’ve been in Korea, even the places serving Japanese or Chinese food kimchi is served.

People keep asking me to describe it to them but kimchi tastes like kim chi and doesn’t really compare to anything out there.  It’s fairly spicy–the peppers kind of overwhelm the rest of the food.

It’s also the easiest food to eat with chopsticks I’ve ever come across.

Speaking of Kim chi the other day I had kim chichigae, a soup that puts kim chi in a red broth with pork and tofu.  It was delicious.  It will also blow your head off with how spicy it is.  I ate about half of a bowl of it and it was about all i could take for spices.

Koreans are incredibly proud of their food, even to the point of absurdity.  Many Koreans believe that kim chi cures diseases.  While it does appear to be quite healthy notions that it cures aids are even known to float around South Korea.  I know, it seems ridiculous to me too.