I am interested in researching Korean food. There are many aspects of Korean food that I wish to learn more about, such as the history of Korean food, where certain foods are eaten (dishes prepared for royalty vs. street food), and the nutritional value of Korean foods. I also know that there are certain dishes associated with specific holidays. For example, all Korean families eat tteokguk (a soup with rice cakes, beef, seaweed, and egg) on New Year’s Day. I want to see if there are any other popular dishes to eat on holidays. Also, if you go to any Korean restaurant, there will be numerous small side dishes that are brought out before the meal. I want to learn how and why this tradition came to be.
The way I order food differs depending on the context. For example, I would order differently if I were in a restaurant than at someone’s house, especially if they were older than me. This relates Korean culture (respect for elders) with language (difference in ordering). Furthermore, since Korean food is very different than American food, there are few direct translations for the words for Korean foods. In English, the words are more of a description of the dish than a translation of the word.
I have included objectives in my learning plan to engage this topic. Task 5 of my learning plan is to learn how to order food at a restaurant and describe food. I love eating at Korean restaurants, but there are only a few dishes I feel comfortable ordering. Korean food is one of the best cuisines in the world and it is a great way to connect the Korean language and culture.
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