Blog Post #7 - Compare and Contrast: Two Places

  Different points between South and North Korea's cuisine

  Like everybody know it, Korea divided to South Korea and North Korea. Because their root is identical, so there two countries have almost same cuisine and food cultures. And plus, my mother’s parents’ side came from North Korea side in the Korean War, so I heard about North Korea’s foods since I was young, for theses reasons I choose the topic “Comparing and finding different points between South Korea and North Korea”.  

  First, like every cultures, South prefer strong seasoning and North is opposite side that is such as plain food. It can see by Korean traditional food Kimchi. South style Kimschi includes so many spicy seasonings, strong salted fishs and these are used for characteristic taste of each South cities. And the other side Kimchi includes various vegetables, light salted fishs and its taste is freshing, light and little sweet. Also it is better for health than South side Kimchi because of light taste.

  Next point is about food storage. Look at large, North side almost uses fermentation method and South side prefer making on the spot. Cause of these things is climate. For example, North Korea climate is most cold, so they started storage method for decreasing time of staying at outside. On the other hand, South side has milde climate than North so South side people could enjoy fresh taste of ingredient then, this way was developed and holded as making on the spot culture.

  Last is the New Year food. Every South Korean eat Tteokguk in the New Year however accoriding to my grandmother, North Korean eat Tteokguk with Wonton or Wontonguk only so, in the New Year my familiy eat Tteok- Wontonguk. I don’t know why this custome was divided but I think that is interesting.

  Through these different points, we can know about climate and area be able to make life syle that includes food and cuisine. Not only North and South side but also only in South side has various different things of cuisine and food in each cities such as Seoul and Busan. I think these points are enjoyed elements in Journey or live.