Korean food. Doo you like it?

I absolutely became enamored with Korean food during my two years in Korea. The sophistication of Korean cullinary culture was surprising given the small size of Korea and the relative lack of variety in Korean cuisine here in the US. When one thinks of Korean food in the US, it's usually Korean BBQ or Kimchi. Thanks to my time in Korea (and my co-teacher's encouraging of my development of a childlike curiosity for all things Korean), I've been priviliged with having experienced the pleasures of things like Samgyetang and Gimchijjim. I really have to say that Korean food in Korea tastes so much better than Korean food in the West - here in SoCal it's fattened and MSG'ed to the point of heart attack level. I don't recall seeing ANY Korean BBQ places in Jeju or Gyeongnam drenching meat completely in soy sauce and rubbing entire sticks of BUTTER onto the grill!

Regarding other foods, I have to say that I don't see the hype behind Jeonju Bibimbap - Jinju Bibimbap is where it's at. Seems a bit awkward at first having raw beef Jinju style with mountain vegetables, but I find the blend much to my liking. Then again, I'm biased towards western Gyeongnam...