[HanCinema's Digest] Food Lovers' Lane

Korea's microwavable meal industry is warming up as new technologies emerge, learn how to make 'gul tteokguk' (oyster rice cake soup) on Korean Bapsang, foodie friends vlog their way through Korea's oldest traditional market, and Hahna Yoon reveals delightful "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants in Gwanghwamun Jip on Lonely Planet.

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"Food industry eyes microwavable packaging technology"

For international travellers, South Korea's food and the culture/tradition behind the cuisine is one of the top experiences they look forward to. But a recent news report suggests that while foreign visitors are flocking to restaurants, more and more Koreans are reaching for microwave meals, or 'home meal replacement (HMR) products. This is in part due to the emergence of better packaging technology and greater competition in the industry. Last year, Korea's home meal market increased by 7.7%. The Korea Herald's Kim Da-sol has more...

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"Gul Tteokguk (Oyster Rice Cake Soup)"

It's traditional to eat Tteokguk during one's New Year celebrations, writes Hyosun Ro, owner of Korean Bapsang ("A Korean mom's home cooking"), "to welcome a bright, prosperous new year". Normally a beef broth is used, but in this recipe, Hyosun replaces the beef with oysters; "The strong briny flavor of the oysters plays off quite well with the soft, starchy rice cakes!" Here you'll find clear, step-by-step instructions, as well as a plenty of photographs of her culinary creation to keep you on track and inspired.

...READ ON KOREAN BAPSANG

"KOREAN STREET FOOD - Namdaemun Market Street Food Tour in SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA"

"Chasing Plate" is video blog by two foodie friends, Thomas and Sheena. Their channel is dedicated to "searching out the best street food, local delicacies in markets and restaurants". In this recent 17-minute video on YouTube, Thomas and Sheena explore one of Korea's largest and oldest traditional markets, Namdaemun Market, Seoul, in search of Korea's best street food. The duo tries many popular dishes, including hotteok (Korean pancake), mind, and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).

...WATCH ON YOUTUBE

"Diving into South Korea's hole-in-the-wall restaurants"

When travellers to South Korea are polled and asked what they most look forward to, the country's cuisine always features at or near the top of the list. There are a lot of great guides out there, but often finding out where locals eat is the best guide one can have. In this post on Lonely Planet, Hahna Yoon takes us to some of the best "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants in Gwanghwamun Jip. "Too often, these are missed by visitors, though they represent some of the country's best and most authentic eating".

...READ ON LONELY PLANET