Thursday, November 19

Table Manners

Being a foreigner in another country really opens one’s eyes. Even just during a simple meal, Geraldine noticed how different the culture is between Singapore and Korea. Having lived in Singapore for the past so many years, she is used to sitting on a chair at the dining table and using both her hands to eat! With either a spoon and chopsticks or a fork and a spoon of course!
In Korea, sometimes there is a choice in the restaurant to sit at the standard table or a low table to eat. Of course, the “more Korean” way is to sit at the low table with cushions for comfort. One grouse that Geraldine has is that you will need to take off your shoes before entering the area with the low tables! Inconvenience aside, imagine the smelly feet! *pinches nose*
Like what they say “When in Rome, do as Romans do”. Geraldine tries her best to merge into the culture here in Korea.

#1 The main dish is right in front of you and the rice goes to the left side of it, like a calefare. You know how Singaporeans are used to having a plate of rice in front of them and the main dishes at the centre of the table. (Think zi-char) Once, Geraldine put her rice in front of her and the dish to the upper corner of the rice like how most soups do, and her Korean friend shifted her food around and told her that is the correct way. Even if the main dish is communal, there will be small plates for everyone around the table and of course, it should be placed right in front of them, with the rice at the side.
#2 When eating, Koreans only use their right hand. Which means at any point in time, only either the spoon or the chopsticks is in use. As a general rule, the spoon is used for rice and soups while the chopsticks is used to pick up the pan-chan (반찬) or side-dishes that Korean cuisine is so famous for. According to Geraldine’s friend, it is because of the perception of left-handers. Left-handers were seen as abnormal or weird in the past, so people avoid using the left hand. Though nowadays, Geraldine notices that the younger generation does not really care. Guess you can’t really just use one utensil when eating a steak.
#3 As much as possible, try not to lift up your rice bowl to eat. To Koreans, eating with the rice bowl lifted up is like eating like a beggar. Geraldine was once told that because the Japanese eat with their rice bowls up, the Koreans think that they eat like beggars. On the contrary, the Japanese think that the Koreans eat like dogs, eating with their plate down there. Of course, there is no right or wrong, just interesting cultural differences.
Anyway, doesn’t that dish in the picture look good? It is called Haejangguk (해장국) or literally “soup to chase a hangover”. It is like a life-saver after a night of soju! There are many different kinds of Haejangguk, but the one in the picture is Ppeo Haejangguk (뼈 해장국). The main ingredients are Pork ribs (뼈 means bone) and Gongnamul (콩나무) or soybean sprouts. Whether or not you have a hangover, it is still a delicious meal to have.

2 comments:

guybrush said...

Thank you. I enjoyed reading this article.

But I'd like to fix a trivial mistake in the spelling. Gongnamul(공나무) is not correct. Congnamul(콩나물) is correct.

GERALDINE said...

Hi guybrush!

Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the correction, I will change it right away!^^