Bananas, Bread & BBQ: My food adventures in Korea

I’ve always had a weird relationship with food. For me, eating has always been more about routine rather than adventure, so I don’t explore much with food. I keep it simple—so simple that I can order from the kids’ menu. Fine dining? Definitely not for me

On one of my first weekends in Korea, I decided to try Korean BBQ (KBBQ). My TikTok had been flooded with videos of it, and it actually looked appealing, even for someone like me. I thought, “Well, this isn’t very different from a braai—tjoppies op die kole.” To my surprise, it was very different. From cutting the meat into small pieces with scissors to the endless sides that came with it, the experience was unique. I indulged and embraced it, but let’s just say my stomach didn’t—later that evening, I paid the price. Safe to say, my stomach needed some time to adjust to Korean flavours. Since then, I haven’t explored too much more with local cuisine. For me, Korean food is definitely an acquired taste.

One thing you notice quickly in Korea is how common it is to eat out. Restaurants are busy every day of the week, and after-work dinners are a big part of the culture. Eating out is also relatively affordable, especially local cuisine. Families here eat out three to four times a week. Back home in South Africa, eating out for most is more of a luxury—it can be expensive, especially for families—so we don’t do it as often.

Another reason eating out is so popular here: kitchens. Most people live in apartments, and the standard setup is a two-plate stove and a single sink. Compare that to South Africa, where apartments usually come with four-plate stoves, double sinks, and plenty of counter space. Cooking big family meals in Korea just isn’t practical, so restaurants fill that gap. And then there’s work culture. Koreans are hardworking and often put in long hours, so convenience is everything. That’s why ready meals at convenience stores are so popular—you can grab a hot meal 24/7.

After experimenting with takeout, I decided it would be better for me and my wallet (Western food can be expensive) to cook at home. That meant going to the grocery store. And wow, what an overwhelming experience. Korean supermarkets are HUGE. You can find everything in one place, from food and household items to camping gear and even live fish. Think Checkers Hyper ×3—that’s your typical grocery store here. The layouts are different, and all the aisle signs are in Hangul (Korean). So there I was, wandering through every aisle, trying to find basics. I definitely clocked my step count that day.

On top of that, there’s product availability. I’ve had to find alternatives for the brands that I used back home, and it’s been a lot of trial and error. Add to that the translating—every product, every label, because everything is written in Hangul. Grocery shopping has become a workout, a puzzle, and a language lesson all at once.

Groceries here also feel expensive—especially for a South African. I still find myself converting Korean won into rand, even though I probably shouldn’t. During my first week, I picked up my favourite fruit, bananas and a loaf of bread (a staple back home), and it came to R94! The bread was equivalent to half a loaf in SA. I was flabbergasted.

Something else I’ve found interesting: many products display calorie counts on the front of the packaging. Imagine grabbing a ready meal and the first thing you see is “560 kcal.” It’s bold, unavoidable, and makes you think twice. Back home, calories are usually hidden in fine print on the back—more of a technical detail than a warning. It’s just one more way food in Korea has made me stop and think. 

Living in Korea has once again shown me that food is so much more than just eating—it’s culture, lifestyle, and even infrastructure. From small kitchens to long workdays, from affordable restaurant meals to calorie-conscious packaging, everything about food here reflects how people live. For someone like me, who eats to survive rather than to explore, it’s been both challenging and eye-opening.