What I learned:
We visited a Korean restaurant called Kim’s Bap with my Finnish partner Miro and other Korean friends. The owner told us that it’s the only Korean-owned restaurant in Tampere. We ordered gimbap, bibimbap, and tteokbokki, and Miro also tried sikhye, a traditional Korean sweet rice drink.
During the meal, my partner learned about Korean dining customs, especially the culture of sharing dishes instead of having separate plates. He said it felt very friendly and new to him.
What I taught:
I explained Korean eating manners — for example:
- Saying “잘 먹겠습니다” before eating and “잘 먹었습니다” after finishing.
- Using chopsticks carefully and not sticking them upright in rice (a cultural taboo).
- Sharing dishes together and eating from the same plates.
Reflection:
Introducing Korean food culture made me proud. My partner found the sharing culture interesting and said it created a warm, family-like feeling. We both agreed that food is a great way to connect different cultures.
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