9 Korean Dining Manners and Etiquette to Remember

Politeness is a very important aspect in Korea's culture and there's a ton of emphases placed on sharing meals and drinks with everyone on the dining table. Although some of the older traditions have relaxed in recent years, there are some Korean table manners and etiquette still in effect today.

You'll soon find out that the Korean dining etiquette isn't all that different from what you're used to. Learning a few extra pointers may help you to be a great guest at a Korean table. So here are some table manners you may want to know about:

Wait Your Turn To Be Seated

Wait for the oldest person/people to sit down first before you take your own seat at the dining table. The honored guest, considered to be the oldest person among the group, takes the seat of honor farthest from the door.

Before The Meal and Beginning The Meal

Before you eat, especially when you're dining at someone else's house, it's polite to say that you're looking forward to the meal. In Korean, people say Jalmukesumneda, which means “I will eat well”.

Furthermore, when the meal is about to start, you have to wait for the oldest person/people to lift their spoon or chopsticks first before you start eating. There's no need for you to worry, it won't take that long.

During the Meal

Don't blow your nose when you're in front of the dining table. This act is considered to be extremely rude by the Koreans. If you need to use a tissue and sneeze, simply excuse yourself to another room to do your thing. While this may seem excessive to some cultures, it does help prevent the spread of germs.

Double Dipping

Korean meals served at Gangnam Davao Cafe and Restaurant have a ton of communal side dishes, and you should treat them the same way you would dine in a cocktail party. Make sure that you take enough for yourself while ensuring that there's still enough for others. In addition, try not to touch food if you don't intend to eat it.

Refilling Glasses

Always pour drinks for other people in the table first, especially for the ones who are older than you. If your neighbor's glass is half empty that's when you would customarily refill it. This would also mean that it's your neighbor's job to keep your glass refilled as well. Call it a generous gesture Koreans abide by.

Offers of Alcohol

It's not considered polite to refuse an alcoholic drink when it's offered to you, especially from the elderly. As in any social situation, you should be aware of how much alcohol you consume and how it would affect you.

Accepting Dishes or Drinks

When someone who's your senior pours a drink for you, hold out your cup with both hands to accept. This principle also applies for someone passing you a side dish or something else that's present at the table.

Placement of Utensils on Table

Don't stick your chopsticks straight up into your bowl because that symbolizes a traditional Korean ancestor ceremont. It's not only considered disrespectful, it's also considered a sign of bad luck. When you're done eating, the utensils go back on the table.

Never Waste Your Food

Don't take so much food that you can't even finish, as that is considered wasteful. In the culture of the Koreans, it's respectful for you to clear your plate. So, better you take food that you can consume and not put so much on your plate that can’t eat it at all.

When you're dining in a Korean restaurant or even places that serves Korean dishes such as YakiMix Davao City, it's better that you remember these Korean dining manners and etiquette. It's especially important to remember all of these when you're dining with Koreans.

5 Things You Must Know About Korean Cuisine

Wedged between two ancient civilizations, China on the land side and Japan on the sea, Korea still manages to retain its own unique culture, philosophies and even culinary culture. Korea has made its presence felt in the world of movies, music and even electronics, with food never too far behind.

Here are some facts about Korean dishes like the ones served in restaurants such as Gangnam Davao Café and Restaurant that are worth knowing about:

It's Hot and Spicy

Korean dishes served at home or at restaurants are indeed hot and spicy. Gochujuang is considered one of the important ingredients in most of these dishes. Other popular spices include onions, garlic, scallions, ginger, sesame oil, doenjang (fermented soybean paste) and powdered red pepper.

It's Harmonious

The strong Korean belief is that the concept of eumyangohaeng (yin and yang) is reflected in its food as well, which is nutritionally balanced in terms of colors, textures and flavors. A traditional Korean table includes dishes or garnishes of five different colors to represent the Earth's five basic elements.

The Use of Metal Chopsticks and a Spoon

Korea has been using chopsticks made of metal for more than a thousand years and a spoon for soups and the rice. In addition, Korean chopsticks are shorter than their Chinese counterparts and, unlike Japanese chopsticks, are not pointed at their ends.

Rice Was Used To Pay Taxes

Rice is central to Korean cooking. During ancient times, particularly during the Three Kingdoms period, rice was considered to be so important in the kingdom of Silla that it was used to pay tributes and taxes.

Veggies are Big

Koreans believe that their food is medicine – if you eat well, both your mind and your body will greatly experience a lot of health benefits. Medicinal herbs, such as ginseng and wolfberry, are often used in their cooking. Korean recipes call for lots of veggies and a couple types of wild greens like bracken shoots and Korean bellflower root.

When dining at YakiMix Davao City and other restaurants serving Korean dishes, or even if you're dining with Koreans at home, it helps to remember these facts. It shouldn't come as a surprise to you why Koreans has so much respect for their traditions. Plus, after all, the food is tasty no matter what.

3 Facts About Japanese Food You Should Know

When it comes to food and Japan, the former is considered as a serious business in the latter. Though you may be spending most of your time about the things you should eat, you'll surely be blown away by how much thought goes into the preparation, consumption, and appreciation of Japanese food.

There's indeed a level of obsession with food in Japan that you'll rarely see anywhere else. So if you love eating and enjoy exploring food, culture, and culinary traditions, Japan should be at the top of your world travel bucket list. In case you can’t travel a lot, you could always visit the nearest Japanese restaurant in your area, like Davao White House Restaurant.

Before you dig in, here are some things you should know about Japanese food:

Japanese Cuisine Is One Of Only Three National Food Traditions Recognized by UNESCO

Last December 2013, UNESCO, the United Nation's cultural organization, added traditional Japanese cuisine into its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. That means preserving this way of eating is crucial to the survival of Japanese traditional culture. In addition, it’s only the second national traditional cuisine honored as such, after French cuisine.

Japanese Food is Prepared Carefully Using Seasonal Ingredients and Flavors

Japanese food is as much about the appeal and preparation as it is the food itself. A great deal of thought is poured out into every item being served. While we think of only four seasons, Japanese chefs consider dozens of seasons. Then, they carefully choose ingredients that are in their prime flavors that help represent that specific time.

Infrequent Use of Garlic, Chili Peppers and Oil

Many foods are seared, boiled or eaten raw and minimally seasoned. Umami (a rich flavor profile characteristic of Japanese food) is enhanced with the use of just a handful of ingredients including miso, soy sauce, mushrooms, seaweed, bonito flakes, and bonito broth. When the food is fried (such as tempura) the batter is thin and absorbs very little oil.

Places that serve Japanese dishes like at YakiMix Davao City take pride in making these dishes for a lot of people to enjoy. Remember to savor each bite of those Japanese dishes as well for you to get more out of what you're paying.