Lunch Time Variety

The Koreans like their food and most importantly they like their lunch. Our work lunchtime starts at 1200 Hours, but these guys start getting the pangs from 1130 onwards!! You would hardly find a local going to a restaurant alone and another hard fact is that they never ever bring lunch from home. The exceptions prove the rule, but I can tell you finding one such instance would be like hitting the jackpot at the Casino.

The Korean would fix his partner/s for the lunch sojourn much earlier than you could think of. I remember approaching a colleague for a luncheon meet and he had to consult his pocket pc only to give me a date a fortnight later!! That was perhaps an extreme situation but all the same I am mentally prepared these days.

There are two countries in the world where if a survey is done, they will emerge to have the highest density of restaurants both per capita and geographical area. The two countries undoubtedly would be Korea and Japan and perhaps they would tie for the top position.

The segmentation of restaurants is extremely market friendly. I have never seen so many regular restaurants specializing in such depth until I experienced these countries. The other day I had visited a restaurant in Incheon that serves a type of Pork Soup accompanied with Rice and other spices (Sungde-goong-baap). It had 100 covers and that’s the only item they serve. Nearby there is another one that specializes only in Fried Rice or Ramen (noodles). Some serve only Rice Cakes and all combinations and variations possible based on the same. Then there are the barbecue restaurants where all types of meat will be roasted/grilled/charred in front of you on your table for your consumption. A beer or two along with it and that’s seventh heaven (specifically the Samgyopsal)!!!

The Korean dishes are also quite elaborate. The other day I had ordered for a Chicken soup with vegetables. It was the Sangetan (I hope I got it right) but that was only one part. The hot soup with copious amount of chicken and vegetables arrived on the table. But along with it arrived two types of Kimchis (pickled vegetable), green chillies, lettuce with mayonnaise, chilly flavored soy sauce, a bowl of rice (baap), some other unknown leaves, whooof!!!! I get confused regularly not only with what to pick up, mix and match. My taste buds are really put to test to try and distinguish the different subtle flavours while savouring the complete experience inside my mouth.

The Food Courts around are great and I enjoy the one beside Bandi and Luni (Jongno Tower, Jongaak Station). The spread is excellent, the prices competitive and that’s where a lot of my colleagues frequent for their choice meals.

So if you have the inclination, its time you go for the elaborate lunchtime variety!! Sphere: Related Content