Hello, everyone!
This is the “A Guide to Life in the US” blog, where we share small tips for immigrant life in America. This is already our fifth story!
Today, I want to talk about a topic that many immigrants can relate to:
“When you miss Korean food in the US.”
1. The Taste of Home, K-Food Restaurant Trends: Where ‘Fusion’ Meets ‘Tradition’
Before coming to the US, I thought Korean food was only known for things like “Kimchi-jjigae” and “Bulgogi.” But I was so surprised when I got here! You can easily find Korean restaurants not just in big cities like New York and LA, but also in smaller towns. In some places, K-Food has even become as commonplace as hamburgers or pizza.
There are two major trends shaping Korean restaurants in the US today:
- K-Fusion:
- This trend reinterprets classic Korean flavors to better suit the American palate.
- Examples include kimchi tacos, bulgogi burgers, and tteokbokki ramen.
- These restaurants often have a “hip” vibe and are popular with younger generations, offering a casual dining experience.
- Authentic K-Food:
- These spots focus on recreating the exact flavors you’d find in Korea.
- Examples include specialty restaurants for galbi, naengmyeon, sundubu-jjigae, and gamjatang.
- You can find most of these in Korean towns, and they serve as a nostalgic reminder of home for Koreans.
Tip: If there’s no Korean town in your area, try checking near college campuses.
You might be surprised to find delicious hidden Korean restaurants in places with a large population of Korean students.
2. Making Your Own K-Food: A Guide to Korean Grocery Stores
No matter how great dining out is, nothing beats a home-cooked meal.
Want to buy ingredients and cook your own Korean food?
Don’t worry! Korean grocery stores are very well established in the US.
H Mart:
- This is the most well-known Korean grocery chain. It has numerous locations all over the US.
- They sell a wide variety of Korean foods, from kimchi and fermented pastes to frozen foods and instant noodles—they have everything!
- They also have great fresh produce and meat sections, making it the most convenient place to get ingredients for Korean dishes.
Other Regional Marts:
- There are many other Korean grocery stores like Zion Market and Galleria Market.
- They might be smaller than H Mart, but you can have fun discovering regional specialties or unique fresh ingredients.
Online Shopping Tip:
- If there are no Korean grocery stores near you, shopping online is a great option.
- H Mart has an online store, and you can also find some Korean groceries on Amazon Fresh.
3. “Must-Buys” for Immigrants! 4 Recommended Grocery Items
When you first walk into a Korean grocery store, it can be overwhelming.
Here are some “must-have” items strongly recommended by immigrants
who’ve been here for a while.
1. Kimchi:
You can find Korean brands like Jongga and Bibigo, as well as kimchi made fresh in the store.
2. Gochugaru & Fermented Pastes:
Gochugaru (red pepper powder), gochujang (red pepper paste), doenjang (soybean paste), and ganjang (soy sauce) are the absolute basics of Korean cooking.
Stocking up on large containers is a great idea.
3. Instant Noodles:
The shelves are full of familiar brands like Shin Ramyun, Chapagetti, and Buldak!
It’s an unwritten rule to buy a variety and keep them stocked.
4. Frozen Foods:
Mandu (dumplings), tteok (rice cakes), eomuk (fish cakes), and hotteok (sweet pancakes) are all frozen items that are lifesavers for a quick and easy meal.
That’s all for today’s story.
Adjusting to life in the US can be tough, especially when you miss Korean food.
But I hope you can find comfort in discovering familiar tastes and enjoying the pleasure of cooking your own meals.
We’ll be back with a more useful topic next time. Stay tuned!
리뷰 인사이트 
댓글 남기기