Okdongsik Seogyo

eenomsiki

“The Future of Korean Food Culture” As the number of single-person households continues, the media often speaks of the 'single meal' culture as a new social phenomenon. In Korean society, where learning should be eaten together, going to a dinner party becomes a social exchange, and the saying “let’s eat once” is considered a greeting, even though eating alone has become commonplace, it is still a culture that feels unfamiliar. However, until modernization in Korea, the basic culture of eating alone was the dining table for one person. Often, when we hear the word 'Korean food', we think of a sentimental image where everyone gathers and eats together, but it is said that our ancestors, who were taboo on talking while eating, were contrary to our conventional wisdom. In other words, 'Gyeomsang', which the older generation calls tradition, was actually a culture that did not have deep roots in Korea. The meaning of 'communication' is given to modern Korean food culture. Until a few years ago, 'Single-bap' was not so proud and accepted as shameful because of this notion. It is in the same vein that there were pictures of returning students eating alone, or a unique restaurant where you eat with strangers. Now, coming back, when I posted this place in the story, I mentioned 'the future of Korean food culture'. What comes to mind when you hear the word 'Gukbap Restaurant'? Tables for 2 or 4 are evenly distributed in the store, and there will be a stereotyped image of serving ladies walking around and serving hot and hearty soup. However, Okdongsik here is like a ramen restaurant, with all the bar seating surrounding the narrow cooking space. As if they had distanced themselves even before the distance, the staff responds only to what is necessary without saying anything, and silence continues only for meals in the store. A place where you can eat alone and focus on food without anyone disturbing you. There is no reason to refuse the menus if you find it difficult to see or go alone. From time to time, fast food restaurants and cafes have single seats, and recently, Jokbal restaurants and pizzerias are also making single-person menus and bar seats. Is it just because of my mood that it feels not far from the day when a one-person Korean restaurant and a one-person meat restaurant appear? The future of Korean food culture may actually lie in the self-contained culture of our ancestors.