Even the rice is special, you'll often see "purple rice," which is made by mixing white rice with a bit of black rice, giving it a cool color and a nutty taste, and has many benefits like antioxidants!
Yes! Korea is a peninsula with four very distinct seasons, so the food changes with the weather.
The Seasons: In the spring, I even went strawberry picking! Koreans are very proud of their local fruit, and making jam is a way to save that flavor for the rest of the year. For fall and winter, they use a lot of red-bean paste because it helps keep them warm!
The Geography: Because Korea is surrounded by the sea, you see things like the fish-shaped pastries, seafood or seaweed everywhere at almost every meal.
The Culture of Sharing: The "environment" of a Korean restaurant is mostly built for groups. The tables often have stoves built right into them because the food is meant to be cooked and shared together, reflecting how important community is in Korean culture.
