Korean food is spicy, blending the distinct flavors of garlic, ginger, soy or oyster sauce, bell pepper, sesame and onions. Characteristic of this are the popular Korean dishes such as pulgoki or Korean barbecue. Kimchi, a pickled dish whose basic ingredient is the cabbage, turnip or cucumber, is an important staple in Korean dining, and probably eaten everyday of the year, at every meal.
Another important staple is rice (bap), which can be substituted with bean curd (duboo).
Koreans use chopsticks to eat their side dishes. But foreigners need not do the same if it's too much of a challenge; a spoon and fork will do just as well. Koreans eat their rice and soup with a spoon anyway. If guests must use chopstick, just be careful not to stick the chopsticks into the rice as this is a symbol of death.
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