Culinary Delights and delicacies in South Korea

by plrpro on December 23, 2009

Snuggled between the nations of Japan and China is the lesser-known country of South Korea.  Though often overlooked as a destination spot in the region, this area of Southeast Asia is a wonderful place to go to. 

founded in 1948 when it separated from its sister nation, North Korea, the Republic of Korea changed into a democratic state at the end of World War II.  In 1950, the North attacked the South, causing the Korean War until the 2 sides signed a truce in 1953.  Both the North and the South have similar, long-time customs, but South Korea has changed into a modern, worldwide industrial leader that Western culture has heavily influenced over the last half-century. 

South Korea is home to approximately 48 million folks of whom about 12,000,000 live in and around the capital and largest city of Seoul.  The land area is 38,463 square miles, slightly larger than the state of Indiana.  The climate of the area is really mild all year and residents enjoy all four seasons.  The landscape of Korea is mostly mountainous and covered with lush forests in the rural areas, but you can also find rice fields, the country?s staple crop, in numerous of the valleys. 

Top Attractions

Many attractions in the country are sure to lure a variety of travelers.  One of the most renowned is Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.  While the situation of the palace is over 600 years of age, the actual buildings had been rebuilt a number of times due to invasions and antagonistic takeovers.  The present buildings house both the nation’s Museum of Korea and the national people Museum.  Once home to kings and rulers, the palace is rich with history, cultural artifacts and architecture, and enjoys a large number of visitors yearly. 

Those intrigued by the history and culture of the country should also check out the Korean folk town found near Seoul.  See what life was like for Koreans in the Chosun period ( from the 1700s up until 1910 ) in this 243-acre hamlet.  Observe and engage with residents as you come across them in normal Korean dress, but don’t be fooled.  These people are not hired actors.  Plenty of the residents of the hamlet essentially live there!  Enjoy music, shows, and authentic foods from a long lost but not forgotten chapter in Korean history. 

the most well liked attraction in South Korea is the Demilitarized area, or DMZ, in Panmunjom.  Set at the 38th parallel, this area is where the democratic South borders the communist North.  Here you’ll witness rhetoric from both sides of the border.  See what the North wants visitors to see as a stable, booming economy, complete with complicated buildings and roads, but in reality is a sluggish, repressed society, as shown by the South.  Many South Koreans have family and friends still living in the North that they had no contact with for over 50 years.  Travel and communication between sides is restricted and the hope is that, one day, an end point to dictatorial rule will open up the border once more.

On South Koreas west coast, in the city of Incheon, you can visit the Incheon Landing Operation memorial Hall.  This site is a memorial to General Douglas MacArthurs combat operation that led to the liberation of Seoul during the Korean War.  There are also a variety of entertainments and maritime attractions in the area for visitors to enjoy. 

Some festivals that visitors should consider in their itinerary include the Chunhyang festival, the Nankye conventional Music festival, and the celebration of Buddhas birthday.  The Chunhyang festival occurs yearly in Namwon.  Chunyang is the Korean equivalent of the story of Romeo and Juliet.  Many visitors come to this festival in the beginning of May to experience Korean dance, music, and parades.  The Miss Chunyang festival is held on the last day of the holiday.  The Nankye Traditional Music festival is a party of Nankye, a Korean composer who is claimed to have created Chosun Dynasty Korean Music.  This type of music is a beautiful ensemble of strings, winds and percussion that produce a sound unique to Korean culture.  This event is held yearly in Yongdong in September.  The party of Buddhas birthday is held in May all over the country.  Many Buddhist temples hold festivals and parades on this vacation that is celebrated by many Koreans, regardless of religion. 

Culinary pleasures

While traveling in South Korea, visitors can enjoy a selection of culinary delights.  Most dishes are spicier than most Western palates are used to, however.  The favourite of most travelers is pulgogi.  This is a normal Korean dish that consists of drenched slices of meat with rice and vegetables that is then wrapped in a leaf of lettuce.  Along with rice, another basic food of Korean culture is kimchi.  This side dish is usually served with every meal.  Kimchi is a mixture of fermented plants, usually cabbage, and is particularly hot and spicy.  Since it is eaten frequently, there are many variations of kimchi to choose from.  For those less adventuresome, many Western eateries have made their way to Seoul and surrounding cities, so those who need to experience the culture but cannot handle spicy foods, there’s sometimes a McDonalds or a KFC round the corner.

If you enjoy traveling and would like to read more on some of the most famous places in the world, visit famouswonders.com and also check out Sokkuram facts.

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