Learn Korean Korean Food and Dining 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is '삼겹살' (samgyeopsal)?
- Spicy beef stew
- Grilled pork belly (Correct answer)
- Steamed fish cake
- Fried chicken with sauce
Correct answer: Grilled pork belly
'삼겹살' literally means 'three-layer flesh' (삼=three, 겹=layer, 살=flesh/meat) referring to the fat and meat layers of grilled pork belly.
Question 2: The Korean word '반찬' (banchan) refers to what?
- The main course of a Korean meal
- Small side dishes served alongside rice (Correct answer)
- A type of Korean dessert
- A spicy dipping sauce
Correct answer: Small side dishes served alongside rice
'반찬' (banchan) are the small side dishes — kimchi, seasoned vegetables, fish cakes — served free with every Korean meal.
Question 3: What does the Korean adjective '맵다' (maepda) mean?
- Sweet
- Sour
- Spicy/hot (Correct answer)
- Salty
Correct answer: Spicy/hot
'맵다' (maepda) means 'spicy' or 'hot' in terms of heat from peppers, a crucial word for adjusting Korean food to your taste.
Question 4: What is '냉면' (naengmyeon)?
- Hot udon noodle soup
- Cold buckwheat or starch noodles in broth or sauce (Correct answer)
- Stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables
- Thick rice cake noodles in spicy broth
Correct answer: Cold buckwheat or starch noodles in broth or sauce
'냉면' (naengmyeon) means 'cold noodles' (냉=cold, 면=noodles) and is a dish of thin buckwheat noodles served cold in broth or a spicy sauce.
Question 5: The phrase '맵지 않게 해주세요' (maepji aneunke haejuseyo) means what when ordering food?
- Please make it extra spicy
- Please make it not spicy (Correct answer)
- Please make it less salty
- Please bring it quickly
Correct answer: Please make it not spicy
'맵지 않게 해주세요' uses the negative form of 맵다 (spicy) to politely request that the dish be prepared without spiciness.
Question 6: What is '된장찌개' (doenjang jjigae)?
- A spicy kimchi and pork stew
- A fermented soybean paste stew with tofu and vegetables (Correct answer)
- A clear clam soup with green onions
- A sweet red bean porridge
Correct answer: A fermented soybean paste stew with tofu and vegetables
'된장찌개' is a hearty stew made with doenjang (fermented soybean paste), tofu, zucchini, and mushrooms — a staple of Korean home cooking.
Question 7: What does '물 주세요' (mul juseyo) mean in a restaurant setting?
- Please bring the menu
- Please give me water (Correct answer)
- The food is too watery
- Please wipe the table
Correct answer: Please give me water
'물' (mul) means water, and '주세요' (juseyo) is the polite form of 'please give me,' so together it means 'Please give me water.'
