I was born in Seoul, Korea on American soil. I didn't get to stay there long. My mom, who was Korean, didn't stay long either. I haven't gotten a chance to get to know more about the Korean culture and the foods. I have just recently started cooking and wanted to eat more Korean! I noticed some of the food I really enjoy, I don't want to eat a lot because of the sodium/salt and fat like bulgogi. I also try to stay away from too much rice.
Are there any recommendations for me?
Stay away from rice? Thats like blasphemy in Korea! It is going to be hard to stay away from rice because it is the main stable of Korea. I would say the average Korean diet probably consists of 50% rice. They eat it with every meal including breakfast!
Your post really interested me because I have viewed Korean food as much healthier option over western food. If you look at a typical Korean meal it is much more balanced and contains a large variety of vegetables. What you have to remember is with a Korean meal there is a lot of banchan served with a main dish or two which the whole table typically shares. Whereas in America we order bulgogi and you get a mound of beef to eat on your own...that same amount of meat would be enough for a Korean family to share; They would be eating a lot of banchan and chigae/tang/soup and other dishes.
Bulgogi is not anymore "fatty" than any other beef product. It is much healthier than any hamburger from a restaurant. Maybe the bulgogi you have been exposed too used a poorer quality of beef, but you can buy better quality cuts of beef. For example if you want to spend the money you can buy sirloin or NY strip and use that for your bulgogi. The fattiness of bulgogi comes from the type of beef you are using. It shouldnt be any more "fatty" than your typical steak.
For salt, my first recommendation would be to change out what type of soy sauce you are using. The average soy sauce has a lot of salt. You can buy low salt soy sauce. However, I don't use soy sauce in many recipes (bulgogi being the big exception for the marinade)
As for food recommendations:
Bibimbop - There are many variations but primarily have rice and vegetables with a little beef, and maybe egg.
sunduboo
vegetable pancake?
Any of the numerous banchan - mostly vegetable based, and usually serve several different types with a bowl of rice as a meal or in combination with a "main dish"
What amazed me during my traveling to Korea was no matter how much I ate I lost weight. Believe me, I engorged myself on awesome Korean food and still lost weight.
Even funnier was how much the Korean girls can eat! Im a 190-200lbs Korean/American guy (I don't get out-eaten often). I had meals on several occasions with little Korean girls who were about 100 lbs. Sadly, these girls could easily out eat me!! Every meal, I always ended up waiting while they would clean out the pots/pans/plates!
Lasty, I think the average Seoulite and Korean gets more exercise than the American. They have an awesome subway system, however you have to walk to/from the subway station. So that probably helps?
As for the rice, I meant I want to refrain from eating too much, not avoid it at all costs. :p Less, smaller portions.
I understand that Bulgogi isn't anymore fatty than other beef. I used it as an example as my favorite food that I eat on special occasion and what I feel could add poundage if I ate it often.
The soy sauce, I have the lightest soy sauce I could find.
I appreciate your tips about those regardless. :)
And thank you for your recommendations. I just recently saw the video on how to make vegetable pancake. It looks delicious!
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