The dilemma of Korean food
A few days ago, we were having lunch after a Sunday worship service at a Korean church, when a discussion sprang up about the taste and health benefits of Korean food. Discussions like that are not uncommon to us on Sunday afternoons, but this day, my Nigerian friend asked a particularly interesting question. The question was: When Koreans cook, do they cook with the intention of making the food healthy, or making it delicious? At first, it seemed like a random question my young friend usually drops. But upon reflection, I found that there were other layers to this question that needed to be explored. The Koreans on the dining table wrestled with this dilemma, including a university professor and a pastor who had served as a missionary in Africa for over 10 years. As they did, I began sharing my own experience on the subject. Like many other foreigners, getting used to Korean food wasn’t a piece of cake. I had just arrived from my country, with the taste of the delicious recipes my mom used to make still lingering on my tongue and with no prior knowledge about Korean dishes. Everythi
