Culture Project Topic: Korean Street Food
My culture project topic is Korean street food. I chose this topic because although Korean culture has numerous important aspects, I wanted to focus a little bit more on a more lighthearted cultural concept. Street food is sold all over Korea and many foodies are attracted to Korea because of the many different food selections. In my presentation, I not only want to talk about the many types of Korean street food, but I also want to talk about the etiquette that should be used when trying to purchase street food. I am getting the majority of my information from numerous Korean food blogs, as well as Youtube channels that specialize in Korean street food. I look forward to presenting!
Korean Table Manners
In Korean culture politeness is extremely important and it translates into almost every aspect of Korean life, especially table etiquette. Here are a few standard rules for Korean table manners.
1. WAIT TO BE SEATED
- When you are dining with others, you should wait for your seniors or the eldest person you are dining with to sit down first before you take a seat. Also the honored guest, usually the oldest person at the table, sits in the seat farthest from the door.
2. BEFORE YOU BEGIN
- It is polite to say that you are looking forward to the meal in a way that indicates that you are grateful for the person that made the food because you are eating well because of them. This is usually expressed as 잘먹뎄습니다 (Jal meokgessuemnida): "I will eat well"
3. BEGINNING THE MEAL
- Wait for the oldest person to pick up their utensils before you start eating
4. DURING THE MEAL
- Do not blow your nose at the table! Excuse yourself and go to another room to do it.
5. DON'T LINGER OR RUSH
- Try to eat at the same pace as everyone at the table, especially the elders. It is more enjoyable for everyone to eat at the same time and finish at the same time.
6. SOUP AND RICE BOWLS
- Don't tilt bowls, keep them on the table at all times.
7. DOUBLE DIPPING
- Take enough for yourself but make sure that everyone else has enough to eat as well. Try not to touch food if you are not going to eat it.
8. REFILLING YOUR GLASS
- Always pour drinks for others first, especially elders. The usual time to refill someone's glass is when it is half empty.
9. OFFERS OF ALCOHOL
- It is considered impolite to refuse an alcoholic beverage that is offered to you, especially when an elder offered it.
10. ACCEPTING DISHES OR DRINKS
- When someone (your senior) offers you a drink, hold out your cup with both hands to accept. You do the same thing when receiving dishes or any other table items.
11. POURING DRINKS
- When you pour a drink for your senior, place your other hand lightly under your pouring hand or under the opposite elbow.
12. PLACEMENT OF UTENSILS ON THE TABLE
- Do not stick chopsticks straight up into your bowl because it resembles traditional ancestor ceremonies and because it is a symbol of bad luck.
13. DON'T WASTE FOOD
- Do not take more food than you can eat because it is considered wasteful. Also, it is polite to clean your plate. (Eat all the food)
14. ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR HOSTS
- It is customary to acknowledge your thanks after the meal
- You usually say 잘 먹었습니다 (Jal meokeossseumnida): "I ate well"
Comments
I like the topic you chose for your cultural project and it is extremely useful to know about the food culture before traveling to Korea! Good table manners are definitely important to know about as each country adopts different ways. I think most of the table manners in Korea are similar to those in China. I never actually paid attention to the subtle differences, but now I had a pretty clear perspective on what I should do and what I should not do when eating in Korea.
I find it very interesting that there are many specific hand motions or gestures one needs to follow at the dining table, especially in regards to respecting elders and waiting for the group. If Korea is more of a collectivist society, it could relate to why even something as small as their table manners have to be group oriented. Do you think these practices are strictly followed in today's day and age?
I like your blog post about Korean street food. And although I have visited Korea before, I did not know that you are not suppose to blow your nose at the table or double dip a dish. I think focusing on street food for the cultural presentation is also a very unique and fun topic.