Pork belly meat Samgyeopsal most favored by foreigners

Samgyeopsal, Korean style barbecued pork belly, was picked as the most favored Korean dish by foreigners [Courtesy of Ungteori]

Pork belly meat Samgyeopsal was picked as the most favored dish in a survey of foreigners conducted through South Korean students studying abroad.

The survey, conducted by Seo Kyoung-duk, a Sungshin University professor, mobilized 501 South Korean students studying at 20 colleges in 13 countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Britain, and Germany.

Samgyeopsal topped the list of most popular Korean dishes, favored by 28.2 percent of foreigners surveyed. Bulgogi, also known as Korean barbecue, was second with 20.8 percent while bibimbap stood third with 15.9 percent.

Bulgogi, also known as Korean-style barbecued (or stewed) marinated beef, is also among the Korean dish most favored by foreigners. [Photo and video by Park Sae-jin]

Samgyeopsal consists of thick, fatty slices of pork belly meat. It is cooked on a grill and typically served with ssamjang (Korean sauce), vegetables, and lettuce leaves to wrap it in. The high popularity of Samgyeopsal in South Korea makes it one of the most expensive parts of pork.

Bibimbap that fascinated Michael Jackson during his visit to South Korea in 1997 is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with sautéed and seasoned vegetables and chili pepper paste along with a raw or fried egg and sliced beef.

The survey found that Tteokboki, a popular Korean stewlike street dish made from soft rice cakes, fish cakes and red chilly sauce, was mentioned as the most favored snack or street food.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com

Pork belly meat Samgyeopsal most favored by foreigners

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