This time our Korean Food Fan is Ashwini Raut from Goa, India.
She says that the first time she ever tasted Korean food she was very young and the food was gimbap. Now she makes Korean food on a regular basis. She says: “My mother fears that my kimchi making skills will attract Korean grooms!”
I’m sure she’ll be popular among Korean men! She’s not only pretty but can cook all kinds of Korean food!
What is your name and where do you live?
Hello!! My name is Ashwini Raut. I hail from Goa, a small state which part of India. Goa and Korea seem to have some similar characteristics such as: beaches, a love for spices, and seafood!
Tell me about the first time you ever tasted Korean food. Where were you, and what did you eat?
My cousin got married in South Korea (Jeju island) and the first thing I ate was “gimbap” when we went sightseeing! After that I don’t really remember since I was a little kid at that time but I do remember that I tried many dishes. I was reintroduced to Korean food again when I went to Sweden to study. Swedish food is really bland and I was eager to try something different. The first thing I came across was a Korean Restaurant,”Namkang,” where I had Gamjatang, gyeran mari and of course kimchi!!!
How often do you cook Korean food following my recipes?
Ever since I came back to India from Sweden, I cook Korean food at least once a month. I used your website for the first time when I made kimchi, and refer to it from time to time when cooking.
What are your favorite Korean dishes? Choose 3, please!
- Kimchi – I have developed a craving for kimchi and can have it any time of the day!
- Bibimbap – After a really tiring day, the best thing to eat. Easy to make and really delicious!!
- Ganjang Gejang – Soy sauce crab, although I had it only thrice, I really like the taste of this dish!
What’s your best Korean dish, the one that everybody compliments you on when you make it?
Kimchi!! My mother fears that my kimchi making skills will attract Korean grooms! I have served it to my friends as well and they just loved it, though it took time for them to develop the love!
The first time I ever made kimchi!
This is some duck meat I made in Sweden with available ingredients. I had it with lettuce leaves, rice, gochujang, garlic, and ssamjang!
Japchae made by me. I had to really pester my cousin a lot to send me the glass noodles!
So excited to see a fellow Goan share a love of Korean cuisine~ <3
This is so awesome. I wonder if there is a significant Korean population in Goa? Or, do you have to pester that cousin of yours for most of your Korean ingredients? Cheers, Ashwini=)
Hi!!! The answer to your query is sadly no, but I do have a friend here whose mother is Korean. Korean ingredients are really hard to find in Goa but are available in Mumbai so sometimes I pester my other cousin to send it to me! ;)