Unforgettable Things About Korea.

Korea has grown on me in so many ways. I never knew I'm gonna miss even the most trivial things about the country. And like many foreigners who got to live in Korea, I miss eating Korean food. But I wouldn't go as far as saying I miss Kimchi cause the smell of it is freaking seared in my memory and I'm still having nightmares about it. It just repels me and why others horde and manage to keep tons of it sitting in their fridge never fails to confound me. I swear, the smell reeking even from air-tight containers every time I open the fridge in the morning summons my inner-bitch and make me act all schizo.

Other than Kimchi, all the rest serve to add a different appeal that makes life in Korea more alluring and enriching. Say for example the wide array of side dishes served in restaurants. That has got to be one of the most unforgettable thing about Korea. The tiny portions of side dishes they serve are all well thought of and carefully calculated to accentuate the main dish. Not only does it give you a buffet of different taste and texture, but how they present each one of them also give your eyes something to feast on.

After going through the health scare, I started this semi-vegetarian diet to get healthy. But for some reason, veering away from meat makes me think about Galbi more and more. This dish rightfully falls on my list of unforgettable things about Korea. I'm sure everyone knows why Galbi is world famous. It's inarguably delicious and could surely impress anyone who isn't a fan of Korean dishes. So if you know someone who can't stop ranting about how everything in Korea is spicy, bland or plain smelly, take him or her to a Galbi restaurant.


Third on my list is Western Bar in Korea. They call it Western Bar because it serves western liquors and beers from around the world. Whenever I'm having a nightmarish-ly bad day, Chris takes me to our favorite bar. I love it cause it's spacious and they serve free (refillable) side-dishes. They also have this small button at the edge of the table that you could press to call the waiter. It's a far cry from the crampy, dim, and noisy bars I'm used to.

For me, life in Korea is far from fairy tale beginnings or endings. I call it a life-changing and temper-taming adventure laced with pain, joy, and a bit of humor. Sometimes it's blissful, sometimes it's really tiring, and other times it could truly push the limits of your sanity. But the important thing is that I've grown to love it flaws and all. But as far as flaws go, the smell of kimchi still bothers me and I need a few more years to fix it. Have a happy Monday you all!