Interested in learning more about making your own maesil-cheong? Here is a guide from expats living in Korea that will help you make your own at home. Our Journey with Maesil-Cheong Maesil-cheong (매실청), also known as maesilaek (매실액) was an ingredient that I never expected would capture the hearts of two rednecks here in Korea. … Read more
As a person with histamine issues, I can’t go hard on the Korean convenience store snacks. Thankfully, the traditional markets have some wonderful snacking alternatives. The maemil snacks (메밀과자), or Korean Buckwheat Crackers, remain one of my favorites for a wide variety of reasons. Let’s dive in. Explore Korean Culture Through Food Incorporating 메밀과자 into … Read more
Trying to find gluten-free ingredients in South Korea? Noodles are a staple in Korean cuisine, but many traditional varieties are made from wheat containing gluten. Fortunately, several gluten-free noodle alternatives in South Korean grocery stores and specialty shops. Whether you’re craving traditional Korean dishes or looking to explore international flavors, here’s a list of gluten-free … Read more
Do you want to learn more about gochujang? What is its history, how it’s made, and what is it used for? Recently South of Seoul volunteers had the great privilege of helping host a Traditional Market Vendor Visit at the Songtan Market in Pyeongtaek-si. The evening included a brief lecture on the history of gochujang, … Read more
Interest in vegan food continues to grow across South Korea. This prompted new and old organizations to start programs to certify products as vegan. Here is more information on one such organization, the Korea Agency of Veng Certification and Services which created a Certified Vegan label in Korea. Some Companies Cerifying Food Vegan in Korea … Read more
Looking for a quick cheat sheet for finding accidentally vegan items in Korea? You came to the right place. Here is a quick list of keywords and tools you need to use when reading Korean food labels. The Struggle to Shop for Vegan Food in Korea Good news! Vegan staples such as produce, rice, beans, … Read more
Looking for a home in or near Pyeongtaek-si? Understanding your rental options in the area of Pyeontaek may feel frustrating due to the different types of rental systems, competitive market, language barrier, cultural differences, and so much more. In this article, we will dig deeper into the rental systems in Pyeongtaek. This will include how … Read more
Navigating the aisles of a South Korean grocery store can be an adventure, especially if you’re not familiar with the language or the art of decoding nutrition labels on Korean food packaging. Understanding these labels can be a game-changer when it comes to making informed food choices. Before we continue, it’s important to note that … Read more
Want to learn more about making jang for kimjang? The following post is one of a series that seeks to capture aspects of this verbal tradition in English. The following post focuses on the sauce or ‘jang’. The information is for international families who wish to start their own community kimjang or English-speaking Koreans living … Read more
Would you like to participate in a traditional family-style Kimjang? (FYI, if you love cooking and Korean food the answer is, “YES!”) Then, sign up immediately for this 2-day traditional cooking event at the Songtan Traditional Market. Come learn how families work together to prepare their kimchi for the year. This is an all-inclusive event that includes snacks, … Read more
