A Cup of Korea

Image source:  pixabay When Americans talk about Korea, the first things that usually come up are food or K-dramas. But once the conversation goes a little deeper, something else almost always comes up. “How does everything seem so easy there?” Not fancy. Not luxurious. Just… easier. It’s not about having more things. It’s about everyday life feeling smoother, with fewer small obstacles. You don’t have to think as much. You don’t have to plan every detail. A lot of daily problems solve themselves before they even feel like problems. That’s the kind of convenience many Americans notice when they see Korea through travel videos, vlogs, or personal experiences. Almost Everything Is Cashless One of the first things Americans notice is how normal credit card use is in Korea. And it’s not just for big purchases. People use cards for coffee, snacks, transit, convenience store items, and very small amounts. Nobody hesitates. Nobody apologizes for using a card. It’s just part of daily...

  Image source:  Pexels If you’ve ever tried Korean fried chicken after growing up with American fried chicken, you probably had the same reaction I did: Wait… why does this feel so different? It looks familiar. It’s still chicken. It’s still fried. But from the first bite, something feels noticeably off—in a good way. Korean fried chicken has been showing up more and more in the U.S. You see it in K-dramas, on social media, and now in many cities through dedicated chicken spots and Korean restaurants. A lot of Americans recognize it, but many aren’t quite sure why it stands out. It’s not just a trend or better seasoning. The difference goes deeper than that. It’s Not Just Fried — It’s Double-Fried Image source:  Pexels One of the biggest differences is how it’s cooked. Korean fried chicken is usually double-fried . The first fry cooks the chicken through. The second fry removes excess moisture and creates an incredibly thin, crisp crust. That’s why Korean fried chic...

  Image source:  Pexels I don’t know if everyone notices this, but I’ve started paying more attention to ramen packages lately. Some look Korean. Some sound Korean. And some feel… almost Korean. It wasn’t something I planned to think about. It started after I watched a short news segment not long ago. The story itself wasn’t dramatic or alarming, but it stayed in my head longer than I expected. It mentioned how Korean ramen has become so popular that products designed to look Korean are starting to blur the lines for consumers. The more I thought about it, the more I realized this wasn’t really about ramen. It was about what happens when something becomes popular very quickly. When Popularity Grows, Similar Things Start to Appear This kind of thing doesn’t only happen with food. It happens whenever something gains attention fast. Once people start paying attention, similar versions naturally begin to show up. Some are inspired by the original. Some try to get close. And ...

Image source: Pixabay The first time Americans eat at a Korean restaurant, there’s usually a moment of hesitation. Food arrives, but instead of one plate per person, everything is placed in the middle of the table. A bubbling stew, several side dishes, maybe one main dish meant for everyone. Someone almost always asks, “So… do we all eat from this?” That reaction makes sense. In the U.S., food is very personal. You order your own dish, your plate is clearly yours, and sharing is optional. In Korea, meals often look different—but not always in the way people imagine. Sharing Is Common, but Not in One Single Way It’s true that Korean meals are often ordered for the table rather than for each person. Many dishes are designed to be shared, especially stews, grilled meats, and side dishes. The idea is that everyone eats together, from the same selection of food. But that doesn’t mean Koreans always eat directly from the same dish in every situation. How food is shared depends a lot on w...

  Image source: Pixabay There’s something about kimbap that just feels like home. Some people call it "Korean sushi," but honestly, that doesn't feel right to most Koreans. Kimbap is its own thing—flavorful, comforting, and endlessly customizable. I’ve enjoyed kimbap in so many ways—at school picnics, on road trips, as a quick breakfast, or even just because I had leftover rice in the fridge. It’s one of those foods that feels both special and everyday.

  These days, it’s not so surprising to see Korean food on the shelves at Costco — but it still makes me smile every time. From frozen dumplings to banana milk, here’s a roundup of popular Korean products you can find at many Costco locations in the U.S.

  Image source: Pixabay Every summer, I find myself craving one particular dish— naengmyeon , or Korean cold noodles. There’s just something about slurping up icy noodles that makes the heat a little more bearable. 😅 Growing up, naengmyeon always meant two choices : ❄️ Mul-naengmyeon (물냉면) – the cold broth version 🔥 Bibim-naengmyeon (비빔냉면) – the spicy mixed version