Samgyeopsal, slices of pork belly that Koreans are particularly fond of, goes well with apples. (image:U.S. Army Korea)
SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – Koreans, being highly health conscious, are especially interested in pairing foods that go well together and avoiding foods that might not be healthy when eaten together. Koreans are also very aware of eating food that matches the season. If you are in Korea this winter, you might be interested in matching winter foods that amplify each other’s health benefits.
Some good matches include red beans and aged ambers; mackerel and green vegetables; cocklebur and pork; mandarins and broccoli; citrons and beef; and bonnet bellflower roots (deodeok) with black sesame. Samgyeopsal, slices of pork belly that Koreans are particularly fond of, goes well with apples. Samgyeopsal is high in sodium, but apples can help to regulate salt in our body.
Ill-matched foods include winter radishes and cucumbers. Radishes are rich in vitamin C, however, when eaten with cucumbers, the vitamin C is destroyed. There are also bad food pairings for certain body conditions. Eggs are to be avoided when suffering from diarrhea, while coffee, almonds and walnuts should be avoided when you have a fever.
Famous winter food in Korea includes cabbages, anglerfish, pollack, cockles, tiger prawns, oysters, sole, citrons, pomegranate, apples, mandarins and hallabong, a Jeju island specialty that is a cross between an orange and a mandarin.
By J.W. Choi (summerchoi@koreabizwire.com)
