“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” – Mahatma Gandhi
An innumerable list of lessons reveal themselves while living in a foreign place and Korea has offered so many of them. Standing above the rest is one thing important to us all: mealtime. This country’s eating style fascinates me, and perhaps that’s thanks to the years of opportunities to witness it in action.
Because everyone eats and here, it’s usually at the same time whether lunch or dinner. One way to define a culture is to watch its people eat. And they eat here. One particular dish quite commonly used for cultural engagement is Dak Galbi (Dalk Galbi to those craving a more precise translation).
But there’s a catch: eat with a friend.
Korean style
Why? Because Koreans don’t like to eat alone. I’ve proposed this idea to friends, students, and always receive a strange look. Eating with family, friends, whoever is better than solitude. And when together, they don’t typically order separate dishes. The meal gets eaten like a family, no matter your relationship with the person. As one.
One would be hard-pressed to find a Korean restaurant and not find groups of people inside. Kinship and relations are truly important here and with that, sharing. But less spoken, sharing is an instinct here. And share until nothing is left. Nothing makes that sentiment clearer than during mealtime.
That’s why having a friend along for dinner or lunch is a must, not because company is always best. Koreans mostly don’t talk when eating and that can seem strange for those of us who love to chat over a meal. I love (and hate!) the vocal energy that these people bring to the table in almost every situation but that disappears when eating. When food reaches the table, it’s business time.
Dak Galbi
Another reason to bring a friend to dinner is that many restaurants prefer (if not require) a two person minimum, with menus specifically mentioning that orders begin for two. Korean restaurants are changing and while people love their big menus full of variety, the best places specialize in one dish or just a couple, smartly centered around one animal or main ingredient.
Pork and beef barbecue are cultural icons that everyone knows but thankfully, there’s a chicken option that separates itself from the rest. Dak galbi has worked its way into the mainstream and for good reason. Simply put, it’s marinated and boneless chicken but stopping there would grossly undersell this beautiful meal.
The delicious stir-fry players come in to help Dak Galbi pack a punch and leave one wanting for more not out of dissatisfaction but with an overly happy palate. Cabbage, sweet potatoes, tteok (rice cakes), and occasionally quail eggs all rise to the occasion to make this more than a dinner experience. Korean staples make up the sauce: Red pepper paste, sesame oil, and soy sauce with sugar added to taste, and neutralize the heat that remains around your lips after leaving the restaurant.
Satisfaction (and some responsibility) Guaranteed
Eating dak galbi is just part of the experience because you are partially responsible for cooking it beforehand. Of course the restauranteurs will come back and check up and even cook to perfection if business is slow enough.
Sitting down in a dak galbi restaurant is almost as special as getting a chance to watch the people themselves having an enjoyable meal. Korean food is definitely unique and gaining strength outside its borders. Dak galbi’s initially overwhelming spiciness might hold milder palates back but give it some time. It grows on you. You’ll want it again.
The Korean Wave continues to spread throughout the world and dak galbi may find its way into popular cuisine circles but that dining experience is worth a visit to the source. I tried to bring it home and while visiting family, produced an almost equally delicious version of dak galbi over a stove. But it wasn’t the same as watching it cook while sitting at a table and having some drinks in Korea. Nothing else can reproduce that. I promise.
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Read about our trip to the source of Dak Galbi here.
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Mmm I love Dakgalbi, had some last night in fact! I also find it weird that no one talks when they eat, eating together should be a social thing!
It’s something that my wife comments on about her school as well. People aren’t really chatting like we do when they eat. It’s definitely different here I feel. Of course, the chatting goes down when the soju bottles come out:) Thanks for stopping by!
How interesting! Though I know that the Korean culture has always been very family centered, I never knew that about the two person minimum in Korean restaurants. Wonder what that says about us Americans…where most often they charge extra to split an entree! The Dak Galbi
looks delicious:)
Wow! I didn’t realize they do that when you split an entree. I wonder if that’s for Koreans, lol. But no, I love this style of eating. It’s way more intimate than say, ordering your own thing and having no connection with the person sitting across from you other than what’s coming out of your mouth. Here, you share the meal and have a closer moment. It’s going to be strange coming back home. That’s for sure.
Btw, Jacquie. I’ve tried to click on links when you posted recently and I keep getting an error message upon opening.
I love dak galbi! And yes, I get these minimum 2 to order in Korea all the time so sometimes my menu is slightly restricted when I go solo there too…:)
What a feast! Oh, and I like the new “face” of your blog. It looks great. 🙂
it looks delicious – I am always worried with Korean food though, as I have an allergy – a we talking peanuts?
Thanks for the comment and also, for the great question. I was honestly not sure about the peanut thing so scope out a recipe or two. It seems that they don’t use peanuts in it and if so, it’d be a not-so-normal dalk galbi recipe. Here’s a sample one I found: http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/dakgalbi
Thanks Duke. I’ve been to Korean restaurants just once or twice and had to be careful with all the sauces, but generally apart from the spice I love the taste of a Korean BBQ and this kind of food.