Typical Korean Diet

I would like to preface this article about Korean food as such: The information contained herein is based on personal observation and experience and also random bits and pieces culled from the interweb. It is by no means comprehensive or even accurate. I say all this because Koreans take their food very seriously. They are (justifiably) proud of their unique cuisine and I do not wish to offend. Please consider this one foreigner’s guide to what she has seen of Korean food. Enjoy!

Let’s start with the basics. The main ingredients in almost all Korean foods are chili peppers, garlic (I read that Koreans eat more garlic than Italians do), soy (both bean and sauce), salt, ginger and sesame oil. Tofu, chicken, pork and seafood are the most common “proteins.” Beef is very expensive and, therefore, not eaten too often. All meals will be served with kimchi, rice and several vegetables. It should be noted that Koreans typically eat the same foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
So, the flavor of Korean food is unique due to the heavy use of chili peppers and garlic. It tends to be spicy, salty and sweet . Most dishes are boiled, sauteed or barbecued. Only a few are fried. Basically, the meals are well balanced and quite flavorful.