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Situated in the North Eastern part of
Asia, Korea forms a natural bridge between China and Japan. Sadly
Korea has known little peace in its history. Until recently it has
been ruled by a succession of kings, feudal lords and conquerors
whether Chinese, Mongolian or Japanese. In the 19th century it was the
center of a struggle between China, Japan and Russia and was finally
annexed by Japan. It is therefore not surprising that its cuisine has
been greatly influenced by both China and Japan. The Koreans
copied a special pot in which a spicy sauce is prepared by using
different ingredients from the Mongolians. The meals are generally
heavier than in other parts of Asia. They specialize in thick soups
and pickled vegetables borrowed from Mongolian cooking.
Korean cuisine include many fish dishes,
fried or roasted, with or without batter. The sea surrounding the
Korean peninsula abound in many species of fish, shellfish and
crustaceans. In summer the Koreans enjoy a great variety of fresh
fruits and vegetables. The influence of American cuisine is noticeable
in the bigger cities of South Korea. |