Introduction
The food debate in Korean society frequently emerges when friends and colleagues gather to dine. These debates stem from a variety of cultural, situational, and experiential influences that shape individual culinary preferences. In Korea, two notable culinary controversies persist the ongoing debate over sweet and sour pork sauce and the perilla leaf controversy, which continue to stir discussion without resolution.
Food Debate in America
Take the United States, for instance. There’s a debate over whether to put ketchup on hot dogs. Apparently, not putting ketchup on hot dogs is attributed to the East Coast, or is it a Chicago thing? Or does it vary based on age? Regardless, the debate persists.
Another food item that stirs controversy is the iconic Oreo cookie with its sweet cream filling. The debate? Do you split apart Oreo cookies or bite right into them? Some meticulously split the Oreo, scrape off the filling, and then savor each half separately. Others dive right in for a full bite.
Lastly, there’s the ultimate, ongoing controversy: Coke or Pepsi? While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, it’s a topic that always sparks debate among soda drinkers.
Dipper or Pourer? The Biggest Food Debate in Korean Society
Food debates continue to be a topic of discussion in Korea. One such food debate in Korean society revolves around sweet and sour pork, known as “tangsuyuk,” sparking heated arguments among food enthusiasts. The debate revolves around whether to pour the sweet and sour sauce over the pork (referred to as “bumeok”) or to eat it with the sauce on the side for dipping (known as “gikmeok”). This topic continues to spark debates both online and offline.
Traditionally, when dining at a Chinese restaurant, sweet and sour pork is served with the sauce poured over the fried pork pieces or stir-fried according to the restaurant’s recipe. However, with the rise of delivery services in the 1990s, the practice of packaging the sauce and fries separately became common to prevent sogginess during delivery. This has led to a divide between those who prefer the traditional sauce integrated with the dish and those who prefer to dip the pork into the sauce.
Opinions on the Food Debate
The food debate in Korean society gained attention on the Facebook page “Humanities Bullshit,” managed by critic Kyung-soo Kim. A post parodying a sentence from Albert Camus’s work “The Myth of Sisyphus,” titled “Sweet or Spicy – Sweet and Sour Pork and Truths,” became a hot topic for a while. The post suggested that the act of pouring sauce over sweet and sour pork and claiming it to be the only correct way to eat it reflects a form of totalitarianism, likening it to the actions of historical dictators like Hitler and Stalin. This perspective emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity in food preferences and rejecting rigid notions of culinary correctness.
In his book “Master’s Cooking,” Yeon-bok Lee, a renowned Chinese food chef in Korea, addressed the difference between fried and dipped pork, stating that there are batters that absorb the sauce well and others that do not get soggy from the sauce, allowing for natural enjoyment according to the frying method. However, despite such expert opinions, this debate persists and can be considered a common occurrence when discussing sweet and sour pork.
Public Opinion Poll on the Food Debate
A public opinion poll conducted by Hankook Research in July 2022 shed some light on this matter. The results indicated that 60% of respondents favored dipping meat, 22% preferred poured sauce, and 18% had similar preferences for both methods. Both men and women leaned towards dipping meat, with 56% of men and 63% of women expressing this preference. Furthermore, across all age groups, more than half preferred dipping meat: 54% of those aged 18 to 29, 59% of those in their 30s, 61% of those in their 40s, 63% of those in their 50s, and 60% of those aged 60 or older. These findings underscore the widespread preference for dipping meat when enjoying sweet and sour pork in Korea.
Resolving the Food Debate in Korean Society
When it comes to resolving the debate over how to enjoy sweet and sour pork, there are several solutions that people employ. One approach is to defer to the host of the meal, a superior, or the person paying for the food, as following their opinion can help minimize disputes. In situations where decisions need to be made collectively, such as when sharing a common budget, majority voting is often used. Additionally, some may opt for lighthearted methods like flipping a coin to decide.
Another practical solution is to prepare empty bowls when ordering delivery. If additional bowls aren’t available, one can request to separate the sweet and sour pork. By dividing the dish into separate bowls and pouring the sauce accordingly, everyone can customize their sweet and sour pork. However, this method may be challenging if obtaining separate bowls is difficult.
Alternatively, if separate bowls are unavailable, individuals can portion out their desired amount of sweet and sour pork into the sauce bowl and dip the remaining pork pieces into it. While this may satisfy some, others may find it less appealing due to concerns about compromising the sauce’s neatness.
Mr. Yi-ho Song, an office worker who devised a solution for this issue, emphasizes that his creation—a bowl for sweet and sour pork—is meant to ensure enjoyment for all without offending.
Mr. Song shares that he enjoys experimenting with new ideas and often ponders how to address the sweet and sour pork dilemma when dining with friends. His inspiration for the bowl struck him while riding the city bus home from work, prompting him to sketch out his concept and begin production. Ultimately, his creation aims to provide a practical and inclusive solution to the ongoing debate surrounding sweet and sour pork.
The Second Biggest Food Debate: The Perilla Leaf Debate
The perilla leaf debate is a hot food topic in Korean society, igniting heated discussions on the proper etiquette of handling this dish, especially during meals with lovers and same-sex friends. Perilla leaf is a vegetable commonly served alongside lettuce when eating grilled pork belly in Korea. It is often marinated in soy sauce. Perilla leaf is a popular banchan, or side dish, commonly served alongside main dishes in Korean cuisine. Its characteristic of sticking together often leads diners to help each other separate the leaves while eating together.
However, controversy arises when a lover openly helps a same-sex friend separate the perilla leaf when dining together. This action has sparked online debates, with concerns about whether such assistance indicates feelings beyond friendship, potentially crossing relationship boundaries.
The Source of the Controversy
The source of this controversy seems to stem from a real-life incident involving the couple, singer Sa-yeon Noh, and her husband, singer Moo-song Lee. During a meal with a female junior, Sa-yeon Noh expressed frustration when she noticed her husband helping the junior to separate the perilla leaves using his chopsticks. This incident, along with similar anecdotes shared on past entertainment programs like “Happy Together” in 2010 and “Knowing Brothers” in February 2018, has contributed to the widespread discussion and trend surrounding this topic.
Opinions on the Controversy
In May 2022, BTS’s V expressed his clear opposition to the perilla leaf controversy during the ‘BTS MBTI Lab 2 video on the ‘BANGTAN TV’ YouTube channel, firmly stating “no.” Meanwhile, Jungkook suggested avoiding perilla leaves altogether in such situations.
Jong-won Paik, on his YouTube channel, voiced his stance on this food debate in Korean society. “It’s not appropriate to consume all of the leaves just because you’re unable to separate them. It’s better to assist in separating them to ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy them,” he stated. He stressed the responsibility of sharing, as it aligns with his role as a chef.
Girls’ Generation members had varying reactions to the controversy. During the first episode of JTBC’s entertainment program ‘So Si Tam Tam‘ aired on July 5, 2022, Yoona expressed a positive view, stating that it’s acceptable for her boyfriend to help her friend separate perilla leaves during meals.
Conclusion
These food debates in Korean society highlight the diversity of opinions we come across in life. Despite differences in perspectives, it underscores the importance of acknowledging varying tastes and opinions, making small concessions, and embracing different approaches. Such debates, rather than being seen as conflicts, can add enjoyment and vibrancy to life, enriching our experiences. Bon appetit!
