Banchan

Asian Cuisine in San Diego is undeniably liked by all. I feel as though everyone has had their fair share of Korean meals, but have you ever wondered how it came to be, and the main differences that set it apart from Chinese, Vietnamese or even Japanese food?

The first thing you should notice is the colors. Korean’s adhere to an arrangement of colors in their meals: red, blue, yellow, white and black. This directly correlates to the five elements: fire, wood, earth, metal, and water. In their philosophy to follow these rules, they don’t believe one color or element is superior, and in doing so, you need to please the full palate without thinking one is better: spicy, salty, bitter, sweet, sour. This can be seen through their insistence of banchan: which is their many side dishes, which ensure symmetry for your meal. Through war, which brought an emphasis on preservation (kimchee), and their affinity for grilling meats (this is why only Korean’s have metal chopsticks), they strive for balance through freshness and hitting all food groups in one sitting.

With this meal, I hope it opens your eyes to the central part of peace: harmony. Sometimes moments in your life are sour, maybe some moments have even expired. At times, life can be like trying to swallow a fucking Popeye’s biscuit without water. But if you really savor every morsel and focus on what’s important, the good and the bad, you’ll realize that everyone else is just trying to eat too. Yesterday may have left a bad taste in your mouth, but today is a new bite.

Thank you again for participating in my mystery meal.