Not only did I feel like I was in a traditional Korean home, but since it was so small and intimate, I could really feel how much love goes into preparing the food.
Later, I tried hotteok at an outdoor food market called Namdaemun Market. Hotteok is a sweet pancake. It's made of dough and in the center, there is usually brown sugar filling with seeds or nuts. However, there is also a type of hotteok that has a savory filling. While I tried both, I absolutely loved the sweet hotteok. Not only did the brown sugar syrup melt in my mouth, but it tasted unlike anything I had tried before. While many people compare it to a pancake, I wouldn't. The best way I can describe it is as a pan-fried piece of bread.
While I tried many dishes, these two were by far my absolute favorites!
Whenever I ate, I always felt very thankful and grateful. In Korea, it is very common for families and individuals to own small restaurants. Hence, when I would go eat, I would always converse with the owner of the restaurant or someone who made the food. Not only would they engage with me and ask how it tasted, but they were always so happy to see a foreigner enjoy Korean food.
The food is prepared in various ways, but as in most cultures, preparing the food is an integral part of the Korean culture. For instance, kimchi is a very famous dish in Korea. Not only has it grown in popularity around the world, but it has come to become a symbol of Korea. Kimchi is a side dish which is usually eaten alongside other foods like meat or stews.
