BTS, “Parasite,” BLACKPINK, “Squid Game”… What else do you know about Korea?
A small country in the east side of Asia, Korea has rapidly built its reputation with its unique culture and places to go. However, many people worldwide are only familiar with a few concepts, such as the ones I mentioned above.
This has inspired me, as a Korean, to share with you the various aspects and beauty of Korea. I discovered some Korean cultures asserting their influence in the U.S. and thought it would be a wholesome project to introduce them as deeply as I could.
Therefore, there will be a series called “K-Girl in SD” – short for “Korean Girl in San Diego,” named after the song “Englishman in New York” by Sting – every third week of the month, talking about Korean films, art, food, and more.
DO YOU HAVE ‘KIMBAP’ IN STOCK?
In this first chapter, I would like to share a story about food, which is always the best topic to talk about.
I was surprised when I first heard the news that Kimbap is becoming popular in the U.S. Trader Joe’s started selling Korean Kimbap in their frozen section this August, and they sold out very quickly. TJ even limited customers to buying one per person.
There are numerous videos reviewing and rating TJ’s Kimbap on social media such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Some of the reviewers look excited since it is their first time trying Kimbap. You can also find videos from Koreans living in the U.S., and they are surprised that Kimbap is frozen – we usually store Kimbap at room temperature.
There might be some readers who are out of the loop and wondering what kind of food Kimbap is. The compound of “Kim” (seaweed) and “Bap” (rice) is a seaweed rice roll with various other ingredients. First, flatten rice on the seaweed then add ingredients according to your taste, and finally roll it up. For the ingredients, there are some basics such as omelette-style egg, danmuji (pickled radish), carrot, spinach, and eomook (fishcake). For the main ingredient, you can choose between bulgogi, tuna mayo, kimchi, cheese, etc.
KIMBAP IS NOT A ‘KOREAN STYLE SUSHI ROLL’
So far, Kimbap hasn’t been a widely recognized dish when it comes to talking about Korean cuisine. When people from other countries ask me, “What is your comfort food from your home country?” I used to answer Kimbap. However, most of them didn’t know what it was, except for a few who were interested in Korean culture. Bulgogi or Bibimbap has been exposed to the media a lot in the past decade, but Kimbap hasn’t been shown as much as them.
With its less familiar name, Kimbap is often mistakenly described as a Korean-style sushi roll or Futomaki, but they are not the same. While Sushi uses vinegar-based rice and raw seafood, Kimbap is made with sesame oil-based rice and stir-fried ingredients.
This kind of misunderstanding makes sense, considering that Japanese culture had a head start in spreading to Americans long before Korean culture gained prominence. I notice this in daily life; Japanese or Chinese restaurants are more easily found on the streets compared to Korean cuisine. Additionally, the world market size of Korean food has been estimated only at grades 13~15th by the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, according to research by SBS.
However, there has been a positive shift. With the growing popularity of K-Dramas, many people have found an interest in Korean food and are exploring new tastes. Dishes like Tteokbokki, Korean-style fried chicken, and even Kimbap have come to the forefront of this culinary exploration.
KIMBAP, THE NOSTALGIA FOR KOREANS
Kimbap holds a special meaning for Koreans, evoking memories of childhood. As an easy-to-eat food, it is a common lunch choice for school field trips. We used to share and compare each other’s Kimbap, and the classmate who brought the prettiest Kimbap was the most popular kid in the class that day.
A few months ago, the NYC government shared a video on its Instagram account (@nycgov) of a Korean girl enjoying Kimbap for lunch at school. Although what she had was just some rice with a seaweed snack, slightly different from traditional Kimbap, the comments turned into a huge public sphere.
Koreans who migrated more than a decade ago shared stories of being mocked and bullied due to the unfamiliar smell of sesame oil in Kimbap when they brought it to school. They expressed surprise at the change in atmosphere and found comfort in supporting each other.
People from other countries also had their own stories. Some mentioned that the pieces of Kimbap they tried, brought by their classmate, were amazing, while others were touched by the mutual comfort exchanged among Koreans.
DREAMING OF THE GLOBAL PALATE TO BE COLORFUL
Enjoying entirely new food from the other side of the world can be challenging. What’s popular in one country may not be accepted in others, and certain spices can be difficult for non-locals to try.
Changes will be gradual. I hope for an opportunity for Korean cuisine to become more familiar in other countries, contributing to a more diverse global palate. This would also be grateful to Koreans living abroad, making it easier for them to find their nostalgic foods.
If you are tempted to try Korean food beyond Kimbap, look for Korean markets near you. You will experience a whole new world there.
Kyungmin Min is an international intern from South Korea.
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