Maangchi's Korean food and cooking forum » Tag: newbie - Recent Posts

CafeGirl on "Hello from NC!!"

CafeGirl — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:45:54 +0000

Hi everyone! My name is Hannah; I'm new on maangchi and am LOVING it! I love Korea and enjoy trying their different cultural ways, including their cooking. I have yet to actually GO to Korea, but I'd *love* to one day. I suppose I could call myself a writer, though I haven't published a book yet. I'm currently working on a couple of books, one of which is called 'Cafe', and thus the reason for my user name. ^_^ I love to draw picture of people, and have been told that I'm actually very good at it, though I've never taken lessons. I'm currently learning the Korean language, so if anyone has any tips for me, that'd be great. I'm a Christian and devoted to Christ. If you'd like to check out my blog, you can find it on my profile. Thanks, everyone! - hannah

mokpochica on "Newbie with many questions about the art of Korean cooking."

mokpochica — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 02:27:25 +0000

I do think cooking is an art--and a science too :) I think you would really like the drama Dae Jang Geum (or Jewel in the Palace). It is on dramafever.com and it is largely about cooking as an art. It is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, Korean drama. I had eaten a lot of Korean food before I ever made it. Are you familiar with Korean food at all? I think if I were starting to learn how to cook it from scratch, I would start with cooking several different side dishes, because it gives you a feel for the ingredients that are used in much of Korean cooking and most are quite simple to make. Some of my easy favorites on this site are the spinach side dish, soybean sprout side dish, tofu side dish, kongjorim side dish, jangjorim (a beef and egg side dish), the egg side dishes and of course kimchi (I use maangchi's mak kimchi recipe). Just about my favorite Korean meal is paek pan, which is where you get tons of side dishes with rice and a delicious soup.

crissyloveskoreanfood on "newbie"

crissyloveskoreanfood — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:45:53 +0000

hello! I'm from the Philippines! I love to cook and Korean cuisine is one of my favorites. I started cooking Korean foods by myself through recipe books and videos like in this blog. There are so many Koreans in the Philippines that's why it's so easy to find the right ingredients for cooking. Happy and Healthy cooking and eating to everybody!!!

samyoowell on "Newbie with many questions about the art of Korean cooking."

samyoowell — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:00:31 +0000

i learned to cook from my grandma and she would tell me a lot of things about the way you prepare certain dishes, the way things are cut, color matching etc so i definietely view cooking as an art. i will sometimes watch some of my friends prepare korean food and think to my head "uh, there is a process in preparing these foods".

samyoowell on "Newbie with many questions about the art of Korean cooking."

samyoowell — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:59:59 +0000

Patricio on "Newbie with many questions about the art of Korean cooking."

Patricio — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 22:17:21 +0000

Hi Sambauge, Although I have loved to eat Korean food occasionally since I was a kid, I started out Korean cooking as a newbie, as we all do I suppose. And yes, I view cooking as somewhat as an art, in that I believe balancing flavors, textures, layers, etc., and the presentation of the food are all important in the making of the dish. The passion you put into a dish is important. Are you in San Juan? There's got to be an Asian grocery there for sure. I did a quick Google search and it seems like there are at least 1 or 2 in SJ. If not you can get stuff shipped to you via the internet. Here's my recommendations for you (an unprofessional opinion since I'm a newbie, but this works for me): Always have these things on hand in your kitchen - low salt soy sauce (Korean pref.) sweet mirin white cooking wine (Korean pref.) cabbage Kimchi Korean red pepper powder Korean red pepper flakes sesame oil roasted sesame seeds green onions green peppers (mild Korean ones are the best, but I have used jalapenos) seasoned laver (seaweed) corn syrup rice vinegar garlic sugar Pretty basic, but you can make a LOT of basic Korean dishes with just this stuff and some beef and rice or what not, and then as your skills grow you can expand from there. I also recommend, in addition to reading this website, that you get this cookbook asap: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Korean-Cuisine-Recipes-Restaurants/dp/0978541804/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292191967&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Korean-Cuisine-Recipes-Restaurants/dp/0978541804/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292191967&sr=1-1</a> I use this 4-5 times a week, can't say enough about it. BTW, I love PRn music. I have made many dishes, Korean and otherise, while listening to PRn salsa, merengue, reggaeton, bomba, plena, jibaro, etc. It's the best. Enjoy your cooking adventures!

sambauge on "Newbie with many questions about the art of Korean cooking."

sambauge — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:56:58 +0000

Hello! I'm a newbie to Korean cooking. Actually, I don't know how to cook any Korean dish yet. However, my desire to learn is so great that by this time next year I hope to be able to host my own special Korean dinner parties. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York then moved to Puerto Rico where I had to learn Spanish and the likes. I had always been a diet freak until I had my 1st child. That's when the love for eating took over. I believe eating is not just something to survive. Eating should be passionate. I mean, eating should affect all the senses, what with the colors, forms, different tastes, smells and textures it's not just about survival. I am not an obese person for those who may wonder. I just think cooking is an art. A few months ago I began to view Korean Drama series and was surprised at all the effort put into their dishes. That made me curious to try them. Unlucky so far, I hope this site can teach me how to make the dishes so I can taste them at last. Did anyone start out as a newbie? Does anyone else view cooking as an art? Well, I can take all the help available. Especially, where can I buy the Korean ingredients and have them shipped to me since in P.R. I have not been able to find a store that sells them. Thank you!

annabanana on "Hello Maangchi!"

annabanana — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 05:14:12 +0000

I should add that the smoothies are blended in a blender. I have a Vita-Mix - it is higher-priced, but worth every dollar.

annabanana on "Hello Maangchi!"

annabanana — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 05:09:34 +0000

Miren, I have heard of the health benefits of kimchi (esp. fermented) and some other Korean foods... Have you heard of green smoothies? It is basically fresh greens, fruit, and water. My favourite recipe for beginners: Spinach, frozen mango, and banana with no water. They've been incredibly healing for me - I have eczema, for my dad who had a stroke, and apparently others with a myriad of other ailments. Google it! Perhaps it is something you may want to try. Wishing you health. Anna

Sky on "Hello Maangchi!"

Sky — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:43:24 +0000

Hello Miren. I will pray for you even though I'm not a religious person. I will do that from bottom of my heart. No worry.. you will be fine. We are here for you. Lots of garlic and green onion but less salt and sugar will improve your health. Cheers! Hopefully I can see you here at (Maangchi on Facebook) as well: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/maangchi/posts/127936527265115#" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/maangchi/posts/127936527265115#</a>!/maangchi

jimin on "Hello Maangchi!"

jimin — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:08:23 +0000

<a href="http://www.koreanrestaurantguide.com/health/health_0.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.koreanrestaurantguide.com/health/health_0.htm</a> Hello Miren, I too was moved by your short but very impactful introduction. I saw this post a while back and thought that you might find the information useful. All the best and be well. Jimin

mirenski on "Hello Maangchi!"

mirenski — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:39:50 +0000

Thank you, Maangchi! Uni and I promised to keep in touch even when she's already in Korea. I intend to beat cancer so when I'm better, maybe I can visit Uni in Seoul. Oh, btw, I made doenjang jiggae today and it was a hit with my family. My parents, like me, haven't really been completely introduced to Korean food, but the doenjang jiggae was great, even if I slightly overcooked the potatoes. ^_^ ♥ Miren

Maangchi on "Hello Maangchi!"

Maangchi — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 02:58:05 +0000

Miren, I feel emotional while reading your post. Uni introduced Korean food to you and now she is going back to Korea. You are fighting against cancer. I can imagine how you feel! I hope you get better soon and beat cancer! Me and all of my readers are praying for you!

mirenski on "Hello Maangchi!"

mirenski — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:05:42 +0000

Hello Maangchi! Korean food was introduced to me recently by my Korean friend Uni. She told me to try Korean food for my health. I have cancer and Uni thinks the health benefits of Korean food will really help my condition. I hope you can share more vegetable and seafood recipes because I don't eat meat. It's too bad my friend Uni is going back to Seoul very soon. Uni inspired me to learn more and more about Korean food. I really like your site. I'm really interested to learn about Korean food. Thank you! Miren ♥

wannabe on "Hello from Los Angeles, California"

wannabe — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:21:28 +0000

My handle is Wannabe coz I wanna know lots about the recipes Maangchi is sharing at her site. I am a Filipino homemaker and I'm always online finding recipes of food that my wife & I wish to eat, as well as learn how they're made. I was sent here by my wife so I can also post any questions regarding things that I wish to understand as I go page by page here. I'm mostly a home boy while my wife works to support us both. I hope I can find all the answers to my question through Maangchi, as well as with the others that registered here.