I live in Vietnam but we have a lot of Koreans in the area I live in and what they eat doesn't seem very healthy. Huge amounts of cheese and grilled meats and very heavy drinking. Is that typical for Koreans in Korea too?
Yes, it's a very unhealthy combo to do frequently. The bovine industry along with a connected global marketplace has made it far more abundant than is healthy.
For example, I heard that samgyupsal is mostly fat that isn't typically consumed for grilling, is really unhealthy as it consists mostly of fat lard with little pork meat. but once you taste it it's hard to put down. Typically, lettuce, garlic, onion, sesame oil and in traditionally green onions shredded with red pepper sprinkled. You take a bit of meat, bathe it in the sesame oil sauce with pepper and salt, wrap it up in lettuce, throw in some fermented bean sauce containing healthy probiotics also found in kimchi, and pop it in your mouth. When you get a bit tired of the grease, you yell "WUN SHUT!" ("one shot") and down what seemingly smells like acetone. There's a euphoria that happens when you combine it with family and friends, it's also a common way to bond with your co-workers and superiors.
Typically a traditional Korean meal consists of rice and banchan, or seasoned side dishes, but most people I know just eat rice and kimchi. Also, Koreans have a huge affinity for Pho and vietnamese cuisine because it feels familiar.
Writing about samgyupsal has gotten me salivating lol....
"My mind is telling me no, but my body....my body is telling me YES"
- R. Kelly
