World-renowned chef, author and Emmy winning television personality Anthony Bourdain visits Los Angeles' Koreatown in the next episode of "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," airing Sunday, April 21, at 9 p.m. ET. Follow the show on Twitter and Facebook.

Roy Choi created a brave new world of gastronomy almost single-handedly with his Los Angeles-based Kogi BBQ taco truck.

A Korean-American who grew up on the fringes of Mexican and hip hop culture, Choi's food reflects a new American idea of natural fusion - culinary influences that grew up next to and with each other.

In this episode of "Parts Unknown," Anthony Bourdain examines the meeting point of Asian, Latino, Mexican and even Bangladeshi culture in modern L.A. Koreatown.
FULL POST

Hieu Huynh is a writer producer at CNN On-Air Promotions. She is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

I could have taken the easy way out and made reservations for a nice Italian dinner, or even Japanese teppanyaki for a safe, fun entertaining evening. But this was no ordinary group - these were co-workers.

All week, I fretted about whether or not they would enjoy it; I wanted them to have a food experience they'd never forget.

When Judgment Day finally arrived, we met at one of Los Angeles' top destinations for All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) Korean barbecue, Tahoe Galbi, located in Koreatown.

Welcome to the world of Korean barbecue, where the cooking rests in your hands.
FULL POST

5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.

Korean-born, American-raised Marja Vongerichten fell in love with the food of her birthplace all over again after spending a year traveling - and eating - through Korea.

Not only did she reconnect with the ancestry and culinary traditions she left behind, she also learned important life lessons like how to properly slurp noodles, pour drinks for your elders and fry chicken in true Korean style.

The Kimchi Chronicles: Korean Cooking for an American Kitchen - a companion to her Public Television Series of the same name - follows that journey, and is a delectable introduction to the cuisine of her homeland; an introduction she'd like you to make as well.

Five Commonly Asked Questions About Korean Food: Marja Vongerichten
FULL POST

World-renowned chef, author and Emmy winning television personality Anthony Bourdain visits Los Angeles' Koreatown in the next episode of "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," airing Sunday, April 21, at 9 p.m. ET. Follow the show on Twitter and Facebook. This story ran in 2011, and we're sharing it again as Bourdain explores the role of food in the Korean community.

Sitting over a steaming bowl of bibimbap, Helen Kim Ho recalled her father's cardinal rule when it came to food.

"He didn't feel like he'd had a good meal unless it made him sweat," Ho said as she held a chunk of the mixed rice between chopsticks over her bowl and waited for it to cool.

Piping hot dishes with an extra spicy kick are staples of Korean cuisine that transport the first-generation Korean American to her parents' kitchen. While her heart may be linked to the traditions of her family, her palate has been tempered by nearly a lifetime in the United States.

"I love Korean food but I feel just as much at home with American food," said Ho, whose family moved to the United States when she was three.
FULL POST

From the Global Public Square blog:

Barbecued dog and steamed paws?

These and so much more were to be had at this weekend's dog meat festival near Seoul.

Alas, it was not to be.

Animal rights activists put up such a stink that the organizers, from the Korea Dog Farmers' Association, said there was no way they could go through with the event.

FULL POST

A spike in napa cabbage prices has South Koreans sweating over their national side dish, kimchi.

Many Koreans eat the spicy fermented cabbage dish every day, and a weather-driven crop shortage has forced them to cut back or pay much more. The price of napa cabbage, a key ingredient in kimchi, has climbed fourfold.

"Restaurants are charging for extra kimchi now. They're charging 2000 won for a refill. A meal generally costs 5000 won," said Joe McPherson, founding editor of ZenKimchi.com, which features the Korean Food Journal.

Koreans have taken to jokingly calling the side dish "geum-chi," substituting in the Korean word for gold.

CNN World has the FULL STORY