Tis study was an attempt to systematically analyze the characteristics of modern Korean food styling using the menu image photos of the Michelin Guide Seoul 2020 restaurants. The first sampling was conducted on the 27th of March 2020 and the second on the 27th of October 2020. A collection of images on the web and 442 photographic cases obtained by a search through theoretical background literature and research papers were studied by a qualitative analysis method. First, the food styling contents were analyzed and based on that, the food styling characteristics of the menus of 11 restaurants in Korea including the contemporary restaurants were considered. The analysis revealed several aspects of Korean food styling. First, food styling appeared to have three major characteristics: color, shape, and container styling. Color styling was further subdivided into single color/similar color, color contrast, source type, and accent color type. The shape/formative styling was classified into figure type, shape type, accessory type, and garnish type, and container styling was categorized as container color type, container shape type, and container material type. Second, the modern Korean food color styling characteristics of Michelin restaurants were categorized in the order of monochromatic/similar type, sauce type, accent color type, and color contrast. In the formative styling category, it was categorized in the order of shape type, small piece type, garnish/garnish type, and figure type. In container styling, container material type and formative type accounted for the major portion of the category. The food styling characteristics of the modern Korean menu were systematized and image examples were presented visually. Please use it as food styling educational material or personal food styling skill.
The purpose of this study is to examine the Western perspective on the food and food culture of Modern Times in Korea (from the late of Joseon Dynasty until Japanese colonial era). Literature and written records were analyzed. This analysis revealed that the heart of the mill in this period involved rice, and that a common beverage was sungnyung made from boiled scorched rice (in contrast to tea as the common beverage in Japan or China). The most important subsidiary food in Joseon was vegetables, especially Kimchi. Westerners viewed Kimchi as a smell symbolizing Joseon and their meal times. Even though both Kimchi and cheese are fermented food, just like Westerners could not stand the smell of Kimchi, Koreans viewed the smell of cheese unpleasant. Westerners viewed German sauerkraut as Western food counterpart to Kimchi, as sauerkraut is also fermented food made of cabbage. Regarding the eating of dog meat in Joseon, most Westerners viewed it as brutal; however some interpreted it as a difference in food culture. In addition, the eating of raw fish and its intestines felt crude to Westerners. The biggest difference between Joseon's food and Western food was that Joseon had no dairy products and no sugar. The most highly preferred fruit for Westerners was the persimmon, and ginseng was already widely recognized and recorded as a medicinal plant. Joseon's desserts were also favorably evaluated. In contrast, the excessive gluttony, heavy drinking, and unsanitary conditions in Joseon were problems pointed out in many records.
This study examined food sharing characteristics revealed in the modern Korean society by both interpreting phenomena and analyzing literature. Diet was said to be the least influenced by western modernization in Korea. Concerning this matter, one of the important explanations to be considered would be a strong influence of 'the first settlement effect' in culture, as reviewed elsewhere. Sharing food means not only sharing food itself but also sharing communal solidarity. The latter was strongly emphasized in Korean food culture due to his own historical grounding. Some examples revealed in current Korea included sometimes too much generous treat when eating out, even saliva allowed food sharing, too much food provision, and too many restaurants. 'Dutch treat' observed in many occasions of food sharing in Korea was also viewed as a product of historical experience, which was related to the degree of traits of feudalism in modern societies as feudalism was based on a sort of a give and take contract. The association of the degree of traits of feudalism and communal solidarity was explored by comparing so called different meal treat manners between Koreans and Japanese, that is, more generous attitude among the former. The concept of communal solidarity was also examined with respect to Koreans' side dish sharing behaviors which sometimes accompanied seemingly insanitary saliva sharing. In addition, provision of too much food was analyzed by relating this manner to a traditional 'hand over dining table' custom. Traditionally, food on a dining table was not supposed to be only for those sitting on the table. Even though the 'hand over dining table' was no longer well preserved at present time, its cultural traits appeared to be well prevailed in the modern Korean society. Finally, an increase of restaurants as well as an increase of eating out occasions were postulated with respect to the notion that restaurants were the places for ascertaining communal solidarity while sharing foods. The above analyses suggest the importance of the influence of sharing originated from his/her own historical grounding for better understanding of modern Korean food culture.
This study examined 'traditional' and 'modern' food use in Korean adults. Using a 24 hour recall method, trained interviewers assessed dietary intakes of 240 subjects aged 20's to 50's living in Seoul. Depending on the cultural characteristics of foods, 495 different kinds of foods eaten by the subjects were classified into 6 (Korean, Western, Eastern, modified Korean, modofied Western, modified Eeatern) types. The foods were also divided into 3 ('main dish', 'side dish', 'others') categories. Based on these categories, the dietary intakes of the subjects were analyzed in terms of proportionate frequencies of individual food items. The most frequenctly eaten food was the Korean food (67.68%), followed by the Western (22.61%), modified Eatern (2.31%), modified Western (1.65%), and modified Korean (1.36%) foods. Regarding the main dish category, the Korean food received the highest proportion due to the Korean's frequent intake of rice. Korean style foods were the most frequenctly consumed side dish (43.97% of total food consumption). In particular, kimchi consisted of 27.4% of the foods consumed as a side dish. In the 'others' category, Western style foods obtained the highest proportion owing to coffee consumption. The results of the study indicates some methodological problems and suggests a need for further studies.