Kimchi Museum 김치박물관 at COEX Seoul
This past holiday season, I was fortunate to have time to visit a good friend in Seoul. I spent Christmas and New Year’s in this great metropolis. On my short list of things to do, see, and eat – was the Kimchi Museum.
I had visited Seoul once before about 10 years before. And one of the more memorable places that I saw was Kimchi Museum at COEX. COEX is one of the largest indoor malls in Seoul, let alone Asia. With hundreds of stores and restaurants, COEX is great during the cold winters and the sweltering summers.
The Pulmuone Kimchi Museum or the Kimchi Field Museum features the history of kimchi, the making process, and a kimchi recourse center. Located on the bottom floor of COEX, this little museum caters toward inquisitive foreigners and kids about this national dish.
Open since 1986, the museum showcakimchi has a long history with Korean culture. Prior to the 1500′s, the kimchi’s spicy derived from garlic and Chinese ingredients. After the trade route was established with the New World – Mexico, the strong red peppers provided, the current kimchi spiciness that we know today. I found it fascinating about the Latin roots of Korean spices.
Additionally, the museum showcased the many health benefits, the varying dishes, and cultural expansion of kimchi. There were a couple of interactive exhibits to keep the kids busy. The resource center had a library with a small seminar room. There was even a tasting room for a couple of freshly prepared kimchi.
From my understanding of this great pickled dish, kimchi epitomizes Korean cuisine in its heartiness. You won’t find the delicate Chinese flavors nor eye pleasing Japanese fare, but you’ll get full bodied mouth watering BTS excitement with Korean food. At 3000 won, or about USD 3, you can fill a short afternoon at the Kimchi Museum.
Rating 3 Pigs Price Range 1 $/¥/NT
COEX Site Wikipedia Entry Life in Korea
Kimchi Museum 김치박물관 at COEX Seoul B2 Coex Mall 159, Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea www.kimchimuseum.co.kr
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