Learn KOREAN by Topic ┃#3 한국 음식점

 

 

Learn KOREAN by Topic ┃#3 한국 음식점

 

 

 

 

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Learn KOREAN by Topic ┃#3 한국 음식점

 

First, I left my dormitory to take a walk around the university. I was excited to explore the school that I would be attending for a year starting next week. However, since I just arrived in Korea, I have no idea about the things around and what the campus looks like. So, I decided to grab lunch at a nearby restaurant and take a walk around the university.

 

Due to its proximity to the university, there are numerous restaurants available for the students. Hankuk University attracts a significant number of exchange and international students, therefore there seem to be plenty of Japanese, Chinese, and Western restaurants besides Korean ones.

 

Regrettably, I believe that there aren't any Mexican restaurants around the school. However, I found some Mexican restaurants when I looked on Google Maps, so I plan to visit them at a later time. As this is my first day in Korea, I will try Korean cuisine today.

 

 

 

When I checked the time, it was already 2:30 PM. In Korea, lunchtime usually lasts from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Since I was past lunchtime, the restaurant wasn't crowded. I decided to go to a Samgyetang restaurant since I thought it would be okay to go anywhere. Before coming to Korea, I read a guidebook that said Samgyetang is also a traditional Korean dish made with chicken, rice, and ginseng. It seemed to be delicious, so I took a sit without hesitation.

 

 

 

 

However, as soon as I sat down, I was surprised. The menu was only in Korean, and there were so many words I didn't understand. I felt like a true foreigner in Korea. Fortunately, there weren't many items on the menu, and each dish had a picture and price, so I was able to order.

 

However, I wasn't sure how to call the waiter. In Korean restaurants, there's usually a buzzer on each table, but I didn't see one here. So, I raised my hand and made eye contact with the waiter. He came over, and I pointed to the menu item I wanted to order and said, "Give me this, please." Later, I found out he had asked me, "Are you ready to order?" Luckily, the order went smoothly.

 

While waiting for my food, I observed how Korean restaurants were different. Interestingly, in Korean restaurants, waiters bring water and cups for free right after customers take seats. Unlike in China and Japan, stainless steel spoons and chopsticks are used in Korea.

 

 

 

 

In China and Japan, spoons and chopsticks are mostly made of plastic or wood. Stainless steel has its pros and cons. It's heavier and more slippery when using chopsticks, but it's easier to control them hygienically. Also, in Korea, employees are not usually tipped unless there are special circumstances.

 

The Samgyetang that I ordered arrived quickly. Koreans are known for their fast service, and looks like it is true. The dish looked just like the picture on the menu, with chicken cooked in hot broth and rice inside. It was my first time trying it, and it was delicious. It's a dish that I can have alone, so I could come back and enjoy it anytime.

 

Although it was a hot meal, I ate it quickly since I was hungry. I had to pay at the register, but in Korea, most people use credit cards instead of cash, so I paid with my card. At the end, the waitress asked me a question, but I didn't understand.

 

She had asked me, "Do you want receipt?" I realized that what I had studied from books in Mexico and the expressions used in daily life are different. I feel I needed to study hard. Now that I'm full, I'm going to go outside and explore the university.

 

 

▶ Download the original text in Korean 🇰🇷📝

【PDF】Korean Podcast for Beginners┃Ep3. 한국 음식점.pdf

0.53MB

 

📢 The translations are for the purpose of comprehension only (not exhaustive version).

 

 

 

 

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Learn KOREAN by Topic┃#4 한국 대학교

Learn KOREAN by Topic┃#4 한국 대학교

 

 

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