Thank you so much everyone for your wonderful (and truthful) comments. I really appreciate them.
It seems like it will be quite different to anywhere that I have been before, and it would be certainly worth visiting at least once. I hadn't realised that it was so mountainous, and also it being not tropical would make it completely different to my previous travels.
Thanks again - happy travels, everyone!
I have to disagree with #8 on his point. Yes, there are Christians and Buddhists, but this doesn't really have much of an effect on much on day-to-day life. Christianity is new to Korea (it's only become widespread in the past few decades). The sense of community is a large reason many people belong to churches; it's not just about religious conviction. For most people, religion is a secondary part of their life. Korea is roughly split 1/3 Christian, 1/3 Buddhist and 1/3 non-religious. (Though the reports are always conflicting somewhat). Apart from members of more conservative sects of Christianity (SDA, JW, Moonies, cults and the other door-knockers) and the clergy/monks, religion doesn't play a huge role in people's lives. It's not like S. Asia where there's neighborhoods inhabited specifically by members of one religion or anything like that.
Korea is homogenous. As I mentioned, it's something that's a point of pride. It's intentionally preserved. You will be hard-pressed to find an honest Korean or foreign resident who says otherwise.
It is correct that not many Western tourists come here. Most of the tourists are from Japan and China, as well as a handful from other Asian countries. For most of these tourists, it's a shopping trip and for things like K-Pop and K-Dramas (concerts, going to places made famous in dramas, studio tours etc.).
We have done that (American married to a Japanese), but we also enjoy the food and culture. We have been to Korea perhaps 12 times over the last 16 years.
Western tourists skip over it because other countries in Asia have better food, better scenery, a friendlier outward appearance (smiling Thais, for example), better architecture, a rougher feel etc.
Hmm, better food? I would say Korean food uses a lot of vegetables and in some ways it is a lot more like interesting than Japanese (which tends to be blander). There is also some great scenery in some areas, Cheju for instance.
If I were a tourist, I would not come back here. The downside of Korea is the serious lack of diversity. This is a country that prides itself on homogeneity (read: lack of diversity). I'm not making this up; this literally is a point of pride to many Koreans. Koreans, by and large, view themselves as pure and homogenous.
Japan is similar in that sense. I haven't ever felt bored returning to Korea, though some of our past trips were also stop overs for 2-3 days on our way to Europe.
There's a great level of sameness to the cities. The same boring, borderline-Soviet architecture. Sometimes cities will have cool little areas, but there's not the range in character in cities that you'd find in a lot of other countries.
Tokyo especially has been accused of the same problem. I think both cities (Seoul and Tokyo) have exceptions in certain areas. Throughout both countries there are interesting traditional buildings as well.
The same is true for the food. It's true that there's nothing like Korean food. And it can be tasty. But it seriously lacks diversity and innovation; so much of it is smothered in pepper flakes, pepper paste, garlic and sesame.
Have to politely disagree here. Depends on the dishes, though granted kimchi does feature in a lot of the dishes. Japan likewise uses a lot of dashi.
It lacks outstanding freshness (even if the ingredients are fresh; they're hidden by the seasoning, not enhanced by it.
Again, disagree. Depends on the area. Have you traveled to many areas in S. Korea?
Most Koreans I've encountered truly believe Korean food is the most delicious in the world and that it is inherently better than other cuisines,despite little to no exposure to other cuisines. Frankly, it's viewed as better because it is Korean. Thus, you get something that is unique,but there is no urge to innovate and improve.
You get this same opinion expressed by some Japanese, though some do have some exposure to other cuisines, but this may be Japanese versions of other cuisines (in other words, they have mostly sampled other cuisines in Japan).
My recommendation: I would go check it out, it definitely has places of interest. Reasonably priced too and fairly easy to get around.
I haven't been to Japan, so I can't comment. Though, I do think it is a bit unfair to only compare to one country. My point is that there's lots of destinations in Asia and how Korea figures in to that. Not to pontificate, but I do have a solid background in food (university-level) and have been to a fair number of countries in the eastern half of Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China/HK/Taiwan and more). Food of course will always ultimately be personal taste. But, I can tell you, the people I know who have solid backgrounds in food almost all come to the conclusion that Korean food is unimaginative, repetitive and perpetually covered in that trio of red pepper, garlic and sesame.
"Hmm, better food? I would say Korean food uses a lot of vegetables and in some ways it is a lot more like interesting than Japanese (which tends to be blander). There is also some great scenery in some areas, Cheju for instance."
Korean food does use a lot of vegetables. But, I honestly don't see what's interesting. There is kimchi which is, more often than not, a small variation on the same (aside from mul and baek kimchi). Other than that, there's not very much other than boiling and covering in sauce or adding into a red pepper-strewn soup.
Jeju is not bad. it's just not that particularly amazing. It's fine as a domestic tourism destination (personally, I find it a bit cheesy, but so be it). It just really can't compete to draw in international tourists on its scenery alone. If it were, you'd see Westerners flocking in, not just the Japanese and Chinese on Hallyu trips.
"Tokyo especially has been accused of the same problem. I think both cities (Seoul and Tokyo) have exceptions in certain areas. Throughout both countries there are interesting traditional buildings as well."
Traditional buildings? Sure, there's the occasional temple (almost always rebuilt) and palace (always rebuilt). The Japanese pretty much demolished this country, unfortunately. And, through no fault of their own, Korea really lacks authentic traditional architecture as a result. Due to the way Korea developed, aesthetics were not really a concern. Traveling through the country, you'll see farms with ugly, blue, cost-effective warehouses/barns, clear plastic sheeting covering crops and so on. I think this country has the potential to be pretty, it's just that in so many places it's spoiled (there are some exceptions, though)
"Have to politely disagree here. Depends on the dishes, though granted kimchi does feature in a lot of the dishes. Japan likewise uses a lot of dashi."
It's not smothered in the pepper-sesame-garlic trinity? Even some (more open-minded) Koreans will admit this.
"It lacks outstanding freshness (even if the ingredients are fresh; they're hidden by the seasoning, not enhanced by it.
Again, disagree. Depends on the area. Have you traveled to many areas in S. Korea?"
Yes, I have. I have eaten Korean food countless of times, and in different locations. Pickling (kimchi), or covering in fermented pepper paste is very common. Even steamed broccoli is dipped in pepper sauce. Couple that with boiling to death other ingredients, it gets kind of depressing. It's like the stereotypical bad British food. Sometimes, things are served without any of the holy trinity. In that case, it's rarely seasoned at all and is just bland (this is intentional; it provides a break from the incredibly salty foods on the table. Koreans have very high sodium consumption levels). There's not much of a concept of seasoning food just little bit to enhance the natural flavors of the ingredient.
I still say come to Korea, though. It's unique :).
#13, where people get in trouble when talking about food is comparing things where there is no basis of comparison. Korean cuisine is unique, and I don't compare it to other cuisines anymore than I compare fried chicken with bouillabaisse. If you have a taste for it, then it is great on its own terms, and making these qualitative statements is useless and misleading.
Since this is a travel board, I will assume that most people will be there only for a few weeks at most, but probably a lot less. I can safely say that Korea was one of my most deliriously delicious travel experiences, and we enjoyed it so much we giggled with delight.
However, I realize that it is a very exotic cuisine for a Western palate, with its reliance on fermented products and its lack of reliance on sugar. I believe I have already mentioned upthread that, if banchan is served, the typical array of flavors in one meal alone could easily eclipse what you would find in a single meal anywhere else.
In terms of Western travel, not a lot of people go there because they don't know anything about it. Anyplace that is that intensely mountainous and has so much dramatic coastline will eventually pull in more tourists, but consciousness about Korea and its food is only beginning in the US. I am just now seeing Korean restaurants spring up in unlikely places, and there will come a time when it
is not such an unknown quantity.
#14, I know we're not going to agree. I'll simply say that I'm not alone in my assessment. I know tons of non-Koreans who, after eating Korean food 3 or 4 times, notice the pattern of chili-garlic-sesame. You're right that Korean food is unique (I made that point myself). That doesn't mean it can't be criticized nor does it mean that it's lack of variety can't be compared to the other cuisines of the world.
Also, Korean food does use a lot of sugar. It may not be immediately recognized it under all the salt and chili pepper. Know how those bokkeum dishes have that glossy sheen? It's corn or rice syrup. Even lots of modern gochujang has sugar processed into it. There may not be as much sugar as some other cuisines, but it is an integral part of modern Korea cuisine. Many kinds of kimchi, bulgogi, bokkeum dishes, bbq, muchim, kimbap, ddeokbokki etc. have sugar
"the typical array of flavors in one meal alone could easily eclipse what you would find in a single meal anywhere else. "
Most people would disagree. Even most foreigners I know here who like Korean food would agree with me. Those that like it tend to acknowledge Korean food's sameness; they're just content to eat that narrow range of flavors. That's their own preference and they like it. Not gonna stop them. As I said, it can be tasty. It's good for the occasional meal for most people.
Lastly, I would say that Korea has had enough chance for exposure. Sometimes people just aren't interested. Not everybody can be popular.
I still say people ought to come to Korea to check it out, though. Make your own conclusions. :)
Most all the soups and stews that Korean cuisine is famous for have no added sweetening. If gochujang paste is used, that would be the only source in the vast majority of recipes; the paste used in the kitchen is not sweet compared to the squeeze bottle that can be used at the table by the customer. I have some in my cupboard right now and if you do not add sweetener the dish will likely come out sour spicy. 'Guk', 'tang', jigae', and 'Jeongol' are only sometime sweetened. Contrast that to the amount of palm sugar used consistently in Thai cuisine. Or brown sugar in Vietnamese stir-fry. These are used almost without fail. In addition, sweet ingredients like carrots and fruit are not typical in Korea. I am surprised that anyone thinks Korean food is sweetened like Thai, Viet, or Chinese food which are all sweetened regularly.
Again, Korean food is set apart as a distinct cuisine. I definitely see where it is an acquired taste, but one worth acquiring. There is enough deliciousness to go around, and there are many examples of people who fall in love with the cuisine.
I am sorry that is not true in your situation.
Guys, I'm glad you enjoyed your banter about food. Personally, I'm not the slightest bit interested in food, especially when I'm travelling. I just don't get it.
#17, "I'm not the slightest bit interested in food" certainly applies to many people, hence the existence of Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
However, the illogical part is "especially when I travel" If you are traveling for new and different experiences (as opposed to traveling for business), then meals are a damn important and ultimately necessary facet of life that sets cultures apart. You choose to ignore it. Ultimately, you have to eat, so I don't get the attitude, though I certainly understand the idea that some people put zero emphasis on what they are eating.
Personally, I use seeking out good and unique food as an excuse to visit neighborhoods I might never see otherwise, so not only do I get to have eat some fantastic food, but I get the travel that goes long with it.
shelemm, I'm sure that a 'foodie' would never understand how a non-foodie feels about food, but there's plenty of us non-foodies out there, and there is way too much emphasis on food in the western world at the moment.
I haven't visited a Burger King or KFC for at least 5 years (and then it was only because I was stuck in a small airport with no other choice - it was probably the worst meal of my life). I eat very healthy, mostly fruit and vegetables from my local farmers market, but eating is not important to me. Being healthy is, though.
And I love to visit different neighbourhoods on my travels, and when I'm at home too. I just don't use food as an 'excuse' to go there - I go because I want to explore. Sometimes I find something to eat while I'm there, too.
I'm happy to partake of food from different cultures, but cultures are more than just food - they are also made up of values, ideas, beliefs, art, ways of looking at events, rituals, traditions, dress, ceremonies, dance, textiles, attitudes towards other people and the world, and much more. Food is the easy part of it, and I always always always eat the local food.
I bet you've never got so involved in what you're doing that you forgotten to eat a main meal, have you? Different strokes, different folks.
All the best on your travels.