By Honorary Reporter Monthi Rosselini from Indonesia

Photos = Monthi Rosselini

I recently had my son try seven Korean dishes for the first time. Children can be finicky when given food they've never eaten, but I thought that having him try other cuisines could help him learn about foreign cultures and make him a more adventurous eater.

Here is how my son responded to this challenge.

Tteokbokki

Cylinder-shaped rice cake covered in sweet and spicy sauce

Son's response: What is this? They look like sausages but are chewy and too spicy. I can't eat all of them, but if dipped in sweet sauce, I'd probably eat them all.

Noodles in non-spicy black bean sauce.
Son's response: Wow, this is so tasty and delicious. 

Breaded and deep-fried corndog with mozzarella cheese filling
Son's response: I love this, especially the cheese inside. Yummy!

Dried seaweed roll filled with steamed white rice and ingredients like kimchi, meat and vegetables 
Son's response: It has too many vegetables for me. I prefer it with only meat inside.

Deep-fried chicken covered in sweet and spicy sauce; dubbed Korea's version of popcorn chicken but with a richer flavor
Son's response: I like the crispy chicken and it's also very sweet. Nice!

Fish cake 
Son's response: I don't like it.

Instant noodles served with kimchi, meat, egg, mushroom and vegetables
Son's response: The noodles are delicious but I cannot explain how the kimchi and vegetables taste.

Verdict

So among the seven Korean dishes he tried, my son chose jjajangmyeon as his favorite. And I agree with him as I consider the dish one of Korea's best enjoyed by both children and adults. The black bean sauce gives the noodles a rich flavor. So it's no wonder why jjajangmyeon is considered a true favorite of the Korean people.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.