• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.356-370
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to examine the Western perspective on the food and food culture of Modern Times in Korea (from the late of Joseon Dynasty until Japanese colonial era). Literature and written records were analyzed. This analysis revealed that the heart of the mill in this period involved rice, and that a common beverage was sungnyung made from boiled scorched rice (in contrast to tea as the common beverage in Japan or China). The most important subsidiary food in Joseon was vegetables, especially Kimchi. Westerners viewed Kimchi as a smell symbolizing Joseon and their meal times. Even though both Kimchi and cheese are fermented food, just like Westerners could not stand the smell of Kimchi, Koreans viewed the smell of cheese unpleasant. Westerners viewed German sauerkraut as Western food counterpart to Kimchi, as sauerkraut is also fermented food made of cabbage. Regarding the eating of dog meat in Joseon, most Westerners viewed it as brutal; however some interpreted it as a difference in food culture. In addition, the eating of raw fish and its intestines felt crude to Westerners. The biggest difference between Joseon's food and Western food was that Joseon had no dairy products and no sugar. The most highly preferred fruit for Westerners was the persimmon, and ginseng was already widely recognized and recorded as a medicinal plant. Joseon's desserts were also favorably evaluated. In contrast, the excessive gluttony, heavy drinking, and unsanitary conditions in Joseon were problems pointed out in many records.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.203-217
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• 2022

The influence of the social changes on the food and nutritional status of Korean during the late period of Joseon Kingdom (1800-1910) was analysed by using old literatures and the records of the Westerners visited Korea during the period. The late period of Joseon can be designated the most poor and miserable period in the history of Korea. The people suffered from the corrupted and incompetent government and social disturbances. The main driving forces to reforming the society at that time were 'Silhak' (Practical Learning), introduction of Catholic church and Donghak movement. The food related literatures written in this period in Korea described the life of upper classes (Yangban) and paid little attention to the life of the poor majority. This paper introduces the food availability and habits of Korean observed by the Westerners visited Korea at that time.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.463-476
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• 2016

Western countries came to Asia aggressively in the early 1900s. Westerners who came to Korea at that time also had a various jobs with diplomats, missionaries, doctors, and so on. Korean diet was curious and shocking to foreigners in the early 1990s, so they made a record of the Korean diet. They thought Korea was peaceful, attractive and rich to eat. Koreans ate mainly rice and kimchi, a variety of grains, vegetables and bibimbap. Korea had a variety of meat and fish, seaweed, and herbs(ginseng). Foreigners said Koreans were greedy for food and ate a lot. Koreans ate basically a bowl of rice(bap), a bowl of soup(kuk), kimchi, soy sauce and other dishes. If Koreans wanted to set a table in abundance, they have meat soup(kuk) with meat and additional fish like as raw fish, dried fish, and boiled or fried fish. Korean people had a jangdokdae with Ongki(Earthen jar) where soy sauce(kanjang), soybean paste(doenjang), red pepper paste(kochujang), pickles (jang-achi) have been fermented. Foreigners felt the smell of lacquer tree and kimchi hung in the air from Korean people. While they were compared it to the smell of western rim cheese burger, they said Korea was a country with nasty smell in the feet. By the records of foreigners in the early 1900s, Korean's diets and image were appeared objectively.