By James | September 3, 2009
도토리 키 재기
Do-to-ri ki jae-gi
도토리: Acorn
키: Height
재다: To measure/gauge/survey/weigh, and many others
Adding it all up: ‘Like measuring the height of acorns.”
This is used either when you’re trying to compare ‘apples to oranges,’ or when you are trying to compare two things that are so similar that the differences aren’t even really worth mentioning- like [...]
By James | September 2, 2009
급히 먹는 밥이 목에 멘다.
or
빨리 먹으면 체한다.
geup-hi meog-neun bap i mok-e men-da.
급히: hastily
먹는: eaten (as adjective)
밥: rice
목: throat
메다: to choked; stopped up.
In other words, the hastily eaten rice chokes the throat. Or the English proverb that’s usually chosen as an equivalent is: ‘Haste makes waste.’
By James | August 28, 2009
개밥에도토리
kaebap e dotori.
The truth is that I don’t really understand this expression. I’m going to try and get an explanation for it when we start Korean class again on Monday. According to the Naver dictionary, and a few other online sources, it means, ‘an outcast,’ or ‘an ostracized person.’ The literal translation is what I’m [...]
By James | August 27, 2009
밥 먹여 주나?
bap meogyeo juna?
Will the rice fill me up? Or maybe, it won’t fill me up. Apparently, Koreans say this when they are opposing or questioning something that will not benefit them.
By James | August 26, 2009
I’m going to see how many rice proverbs I can find, so here’s another:
배고픈 놈이 이밥 조밥 가리랴.
bae go peun nom i ibap jobap karirya.
Something like: ‘It surely won’t do for a hungry fellow to be picky about this rice or that rice.”
In other words, ‘beggars can’t be choosers,” or, “any port in a storm.”
By James | August 20, 2009
So this is yet another proverb involving ddeok (떡), or rice cakes. Rice cakes are often eaten on special occasions, and at important times of the year. Traditionally, one of the most important times of the year in Korea is when the ancestral rites are performed. I would like to say I have learned something [...]
Well we did make it to White Spot last week, and it did not disappoint. In fact, I was surprised to find that not only was the Triple O sauce a near perfect copy, but the burger patty itself – which normally at Whitespot sort of plays second fiddle to the Triple O sauce anyways [...]
Posted in food | Also tagged White spot |
By James | April 14, 2009
After a late night-out last night with some friends, I decided to spend the day at home and try my hand at a couple new Korean dishes. One was a Spicy Beef Soup called Yukgaejang (윸개장), and the second was a spicy, stir-fried fish cake dish called omukboekkeum (어뭌볶음). That’s the other exciting thing! I’ve [...]
Posted in food | Also tagged Cooking, Kimchi |
By James | March 16, 2009
It goes without saying that side dishes are extremely important in Korean meals. In fact, you never eat a meal without some kind of side dish. They even serve pizza with a side of bread and butter pickles. Sometimes it seems like they almost eclipse the main dish in quantity and importance.
A student made [...]
Posted in food | Tagged food |
By James | December 25, 2008
Well Christmas in Korea has already come and gone! Merry Christmas! I guess at least one of us was good this year, because when we woke up this morning, there was a beautiful two-toned green Cuckoo-brand rice-cooker, under the Charlie Brown Christmas tree (thanks Rachelle)! I feel very lucky, Charlotte must have been good. One [...]
