Living in a foreign country can sometimes be a lonely experience; in times like these, a touch of home can go a long way. In Korea, one can find many such familiar international companies and franchises, but often with a small Korean twist.
Beginning with restaurants, one of the first things I remember noticing was the McDonald’s very close to where I was staying in Seoul. Immediately I wanted to go and try the food they had there to see how it compared to the United States. Entering the store, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the fast food chain I knew from my home country was transformed into a much more refined restaurant in Korea. The menu featured all of the American foods that I knew and loved but also included bulgogi burgers, shrimp burgers, and other Korean-integrated foods. I knew I had to try the new foods, so I ordered a bulgogi and some fries. They were delicious!
Perhaps it was just because I was excited to be in a new country, but the ingredients and seasonings tasted more vibrant and rich than the ones I was used to in the States. With this in mind, I am now looking forward to trying other food chains here in Korea, such as Domino’s, Burger King, and KFC. For those spending time in Korea, trying these familiar chains is a must!
I also got the opportunity to visit another American favorite here: Costco. Known for its wide variety of products and economic prices, it was nice to see that it is just as popular in Korea as in the States. The line just to get into the store was nearly 30 cars long. However, one noticeably different thing was that this Costco had multiple stories, with moving ramps that took customers and their carts up and down the levels.
Walking around the store, one could still find the tasting stations, but this time they offered samples of kimchi stew, potato pancake, and other Korean foods. Shopping further, there were hundreds of products I had never seen in a Costco before, alongside many common snacks that I did recognize. Walking down the various aisles, I saw so many Korean snacks I never even knew existed. During my time here, I hope to try all of them.
But what is the main takeaway of all of this? For me, it is the idea that as a foreigner, you must go into all scenarios with an open mind. Trying new things is the greatest joy of visiting a new country, and it would be a shame to keep to what you already know. That being said, while it is great to experience everything new Korea has to offer, a little taste of home never hurts.
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