While in seouL: BIBIMBAP

bibimbap ("dolsat" or hot bowl) is my favorite dish of all time, long before I set foot in South Korea.

Something about the raw egg, the way the rice stays crispy on the edges and the delightful mix of different flavors, textures and spices in a single dish, all while staying sizzling hot the whole time. delights my tastebuds and my tum. I can't get enough!

This awesome dish was from a restaurant called Gogung Insadong in Insadong's Ssamziegil Mall. The variation, called Jeonju Bibimbap, was served with red and white kimchi (below) and barley water instead of tap water, which took some getting used to but really grew on me.

I did try this octopus variation while at Gwangjang Traditional Market. It was...interesting. Octopus is hugely popular in Korea, along with multiple free side dishes like kimchi or rice cakes (collectively called banchan).

I took the occasional break from bibimbap to sample other cuisine, such as the city's famous "KFC" ("Korean fried chicken) and this spicy tofu soup with Chilsung (7up) while in Myeongdong.

Koreanair even served a cute bibimbap dish on the plane!