[Study Abroad in Korea Memo] Are University Cafeterias in Korea Delicious?

One of the things I looked forward to while attending the language school was the cafeteria. It was an oasis for budget-conscious international students, where you could enjoy various home-cooked Korean meals at a low price. In this post, I'll introduce the cafeteria situation at Soongsil University, where I studied.

There are three main places at Soongsil University where you can eat cafeteria food.

First, the Student Union Building (학생회관). Here, there is a "Snack Corner (스넥코너)" where you can eat bunsik (flour-based foods) like tteokbokki and ramen, and a "Student Cafeteria (학생식당)" where you can choose from three daily set menus.

Next is the Electronic Engineering Building (전자관), where language school classes are held. Here, there is a buffet-style cafeteria called the "Electronic Engineering Building Cafeteria (전산관 카페테리아)" that offers a variety of side dishes.

And then, located on the 2nd floor of the Shinyang Hall (신양관) is the "Dodam Cafeteria (도담식당)." They serve bibimbap and daily specials for lunch, and since they are open until 6:30 PM, you can also have dinner there after class.

The Student Union Building also houses a cafe called "TOUR de Cafe," where you can have a sandwich or bread for a change of pace.

Among these, the one I visited most often was the "Student Cafeteria (학생식당)" in the Student Union Building. They offer three types of menus every day.

The three types are: "Ttukbaegi (뚝배기)," which serves piping hot jjigae or soup in an earthenware pot; "Deopbap (덮밥)," which is a stir-fry served over rice; and "Western-style (양식)," which ranges from tonkatsu to pasta.

The Ttukbaegi is particularly popular, and on cold days or when the menu is a favorite, there can be long lines.

The video uploaded by Soongsil University provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the cafeteria.

You choose your menu from the three options and purchase a meal ticket. You then scan the barcode on your ticket at each respective counter to receive your meal.

It always made me happy when the ajumma serving the food would hand it over saying, "Masitge deuseyo (Enjoy your meal)." I would reply with "Kamsahamnida" as I took the tray.

The side dishes, kimchi and danmuji (pickled radish), are self-serve. Since I ate kimchi every day, I once found myself unconsciously serving kimchi even on a day when I was having cream pasta, which made me doubt my own taste buds.

That's how much kimchi is a part of daily life in Korea. The same goes for danmuji; eating it between spicy or rich-flavored dishes helps reset your palate. It's especially indispensable when eating jajangmyeon.

There is also a water dispenser where you can help yourself to water, but the cups are made of very thin paper and don't stand on their own. It's a very Korean style—just drink quickly on the spot and throw it away.

Top 3 Most Delicious Cafeteria Meals

Here, I will introduce the cafeteria meals that I personally liked. I don't remember the names of the dishes clearly, so please try to imagine the taste from the photos.

1st Place: Something like Yukgaejang <Student Cafeteria>

Especially on cold days, I find myself craving spicy, savory soup. I've come to love Yukgaejang and Doenjang-jjigae so much that just looking at the photos makes me want to eat them (to the point where I almost book a flight to Korea).

2nd Place: Sal-guksu (Pho) <Dodam Cafeteria>

2nd place is surprisingly Sal-guksu (Pho). In Korea, 'Sal-guksu' (rice noodles), which is a Korean-style arrangement of Pho originating from Vietnam, is popular.

Many Vietnamese people live in Korea, and after Japanese students, my classmates were mostly Vietnamese. (There are so many cute ones!)

The chicken-based broth with a hint of lemon is refreshing. Among the many strongly flavored Korean dishes, the refreshing Sal-guksu was soothing.

3rd Place: Something like Seolleongtang <Student Cafeteria>

It looks white and unidentifiable in the photo, but it is a beef bone soup called 'Seolleongtang'. In the cafeteria, it only contains small pieces of beef, but when you eat it at a restaurant, it comes with tender, slow-cooked meat, which is the best. It is one of the dishes I have come to love since coming to Korea.

Served on the side is 'Dotori-muk'. It is made by solidifying acorn starch. The taste is... well, neither good nor bad, I suppose.

Extra Edition: Shocking Cream Pasta

There were also some shocking dishes. The one that surprised me the most was the cream pasta. What is on top of this pasta is... green chili peppers.

This pasta is spicy. Even though it's a white sauce. It's a combination that's hard to imagine in Japan. I removed the green chili peppers on top, but the pasta sauce itself was spicy, so there was nothing I could do about it.

Western food also has a different twist compared to Japan, so please give it a try. The Korean-style 'tonkatsu' also has a sweet sauce, which is addictive in its own way.

Experience 'Korean Food' at the Cafeteria

Korea and Japan. Not only are the seasonings and cooking methods different, but dining etiquette is also different. You shouldn't hold your bowl while eating, and chopsticks should be placed vertically, not horizontally. I wasn't used to it at first, but I learned it naturally while eating at the cafeteria.

I used to eat rice with chopsticks at first, but gradually I started using a spoon. When eating soup, you don't need to switch utensils, so it's very convenient.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Learning about a country's culture through its food while living there is one of the joys of the experience.

The cafeteria is a reliable ally that supports international students. It is an important place where you can experience Korean seasoning and the differences in food culture compared to Japan.

Soongsil University's cafeteria is open to the public, so if you want to get a taste of what it's like to be a Korean student, please be sure to visit at least once.

<Casual Diary>