Restaurant owners report increased demand for Korean dishes from non-descendants; see how to behave in these houses
Since 2013, when it joined the family restaurant, the The new Korean Shin La Kwanbased in Bom Retiro, businessman Sae Kim has seen the profile of his clientele change before his eyes. Once formed, essentially, by members of the Korean community, Brazilian customers were progressively arriving, attracted by the growing interest in Korean culture. “People used to come to the restaurant with their cell phones, show me a picture of a soap opera, a Korean movie and ask me ‘what is this?’ Do you have this dish on the menu? ‘”, He remembers.
Although Korean immigration to Brazil, which will turn 60 next year, is not that recent, it has only been a few years since the culture has crossed the borders of the community. It all started with the explosion of the k-pop, Korean pop music, all over the world. “K-pop won over young Brazilians in a way that, before the pandemic, there were performances almost every month by South Korean bands. And that was before BTS exploded. When they first came here for the first time. time, in 2014, they were not yet famous, “explains Korean journalist Yoo Na Kim, author of books on Korean culture such as Young Korea: an almanac on one of the latest Brazilian immigrations (published by Editora SSUA).
Parallel to the K-pop phenomenon, other aspects of Korean culture have strengthened around the world. While Korean cinema has established itself with Parasitea feature film directed by Bong Joon-ho that won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2019, series such as lap 6Netflix was a blockbuster and garnered numerous critical awards, the most recent being the Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama Series for Lee Jung-jae and Best Director for and Hwang Dong-hyuk.
Undoubtedly, all of this has helped to boost the Korean cuisine. “When they see their favorite idol or actor eating a particular dish, fans are also interested in trying it. A recent example is the growing interest in the Korean dish called kimbap (a kind of Korean sushi with vegetables, fish or meat), which gained prominence in Korean soap opera An extraordinary lawyer (Netflix) “, explains the director of the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil (CCCB), Wankuk Kim.
With the pandemic, Korean soap operas, known as k-drama (although, in Brazil, many call these soap operas a drama, this is the correct term) they have gained the spotlight such that the drama about the lawyer who is on the autism spectrum Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin) is in the top 10 of the most watched series in Brazil on the streaming platform since its debut in late June. “Through soap operas, Korean culture, which was restricted to a younger audience, began to reach people of various ages, particularly the 1930s and 1940s. Of the dishes they saw in Korean soap operas,” explains Yoo Na.
With the end of the restraint measures, Sae Kim saw this d-rama crowd fill his New Shin La Kwan. “I usually say Netflix is my best seller (laughs). Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to reach this wider audience,” she says. However, series, movies and drama do not directly affect New Shin La Kwan’s menu, which he focuses on. Korean barbecue prepared at the table. “Our menu is very clean, so that everything comes out in the best possible way. We won’t change our focus, but I always recommend other restaurants that have dishes that people are curious to try,” says Sae Kim.
For those curious to taste Korean flavors, until 9 October, the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil (CCCB) Exhibition Flavors of Korea, where you can get to know (and taste!) some Korean snacks, drinks and industrialized products. “In the same way that Melona ice cream has been approved in Brazil, we believe other Korean products have everything to win the hearts of Brazilians,” says Wankuk Kim. Tips like the jjapaguri (combination of two types of Korean instant noodles, with black soybean paste), which appears in the film Parasitebeyond theamyang lamyeonanother instant noodle that appears in lap 6are present at the exhibition.
And thanks to the Korean community that resides in the capital Sao Paulo, it is possible to find several Korean restaurants in various corners of the city. If you’ve never been to one of these restaurants, check out some tips below to make the most of the experience.
Korean restaurant label
Silverware
At the table of a Korean restaurant you will always find a couple jeotgarak (Korean chopsticks that can be made of metal) along with sutgarak (a spoon with elongated stems). This spoon is not for serving, but for eating. “Unlike Brazilians, who use a knife and fork, we have a habit of eating with a spoon,” explains Yoo Na Kim.
on the plate
Most Korean restaurants have a plate in the center of the table. It is what will come out grilled as the bulgogi, which consists of marinated and grilled meat. The waiter is in charge of lighting the stove and bringing the scraps from the kitchen. Then, with the help of the tongs, put the meat on the plate. In the case of bacon, it usually comes with scissors so you can cut the meat. But be careful not to get lost in the conversation – or sips of soju – and let the protein cook.
bench
All Korean dishes arrive at the table escorted by various side dishes. The amount varies from restaurant to restaurant, but the kimchi, the fermented chard that represents the soul of Korean cuisine, is a must. Most Korean restaurants usually offer replacement for some of the banchans. Just in case, it’s worth asking before asking for more.
How to eat
Usually, along with the proteins to put on the grill, comes a bunch of leaves such as lettuce, which serve as the basis for the dumplings that are made with rice, the meat that comes out of the grill, a little sauce or a some banchan served with proteins. Just make small layers of each of these elements, close it and fill it all in your mouth, without the slightest ceremony.
Bibimbap Dolsot
Based on rice and vegetables, the dish gains complements such as meat, fried egg and a good dollop of gochujang, Korean pepper paste. Served in the dolsot, which is a steaming Korean stone pot, once it reaches the table, it’s up to the diner to mix everything with a spoon and eat. Make sure you try the “queimadinho” at the bottom: the best part for Koreans.
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Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
