Intro Journal: Bites Abroad

               Hey everyone, I’m Jordan Huff. Some of you might know me as Jordan the Intern. I’m a senior at Elon University and I work as a marketing intern with Elon Dining. A lot of what I do on campus revolves around food. I help create content, manage menus, promote events, and think about how dining experiences are communicated to students. Food has become something I work with every day, not just something I eat.

               This trip was a three-week study abroad experience in South Korea and Japan. I spent one week in South Korea, primarily in Seoul with time in Busan, followed by two weeks traveling through Japan, including stops in Osaka, Kyoto, Nagano, Hiroshima, and Tokyo. Throughout the trip, I explored a wide range of food environments alongside each location, from street food and markets to cafes and sit-down meals. Food became a consistent part of how I experienced each place, offering a way to understand local culture, daily routines, and regional differences. This journal documents the locations I visited, the foods I tried, and the dining experiences that stood out to me along the way.

Journal Entry 1:

First Food Experiences in Seoul

               Getting to South Korea after such a long flight felt unreal. After thirteen hours of travel, food was the first real way I connected with where I was. Almost immediately, everything felt new. The streets looked different, the smells were stronger, and I felt wide awake even though my body was exhausted.

               One of the first areas I explored was Insadong. It is known for its cultural feel, souvenir shops, street food, and art. Walking through the streets felt slower and more traditional compared to other parts of the city. It was a good introduction to Seoul. While there, I had a beef rib stew made with soy sauce and braised short ribs. The beef was extremely tender and full of flavor. One thing that surprised me was the rice cake noodle in the dish. The texture was chewy and very different from what I am used to, but it worked well with the broth and meat.

               After spending some time walking around and looking at shops, I went to Myeongdong Night Market. It was only a short walk away but felt completely different. The area was packed with people and vendors selling all kinds of food. The energy was intense but exciting. One of the first things that caught my attention was a whole grilled squid. Watching it cook over an open flame made it impossible to ignore. Trying it was a little intimidating at first, but it tasted smoky and slightly spicy. You could really taste the fire. It felt bold and very fitting for my first night.

               Later, I tried fluffy pancakes topped with Nutella and strawberries. They were soft, creamy, and sweet. It was a good contrast to the savory street food earlier. This first set of food experiences made me realize how central food is to everyday life in Seoul. It also made me excited for everything still ahead.

Journal Entry 2:

Cafes and Learning to Cook Korean Food

               Spending time in Seoul made it clear that cafe culture is a huge part of daily life. One place that stood out was Belief Coffee Roasters, a hidden cafe with a large seating area, especially downstairs. It felt calm and welcoming. I ordered a vanilla latte and a strawberry tiramisu. The latte was easily one of the best I have ever had. It was smooth and not overly sweet. The strawberry tiramisu was light and refreshing and did not feel heavy at all. Sitting there with friends and trying different drinks made the experience feel relaxed and comfortable.

               Later, I took part in a Korean cooking class, which gave me a deeper understanding of the food I had been eating. We made japchae and kimbap. Japchae is a glass noodle dish with vegetables like carrots, onions, and mushrooms. Each ingredient is cooked separately before being combined. That process showed how much care goes into a dish that often looks simple. Kimbap was also really fun to make. Rolling the rice, vegetables, and fillings together took more patience than I expected. My roll included ham, eggs, and imitation crab.

               Cooking these dishes myself made the food feel more personal. It helped me understand Korean food as something meant to be shared and enjoyed together. It was not just about taste but also about the process and the care behind it.

Journal Entry 3:

Barbecue, Markets, and Nightlife

               Trying Korean barbecue for the first time was a highlight of my time in South Korea. Sitting around the table and cooking the meat together made the meal feel very social. The meal started with banchan, which are small side dishes served with the main food. They added variety and balance and made every bite different. Cutting the steak with scissors and cooking it at the table felt interactive and fun. As the Elon Dining intern, I liked getting to cook the meat myself. The steak tasted even better because of that.

               I also spent time exploring a food market in Busan. Markets feel like the heart of a city. They are loud, busy, and full of life. One of the most memorable things I tried there was kimchi dumplings. I had never seen them before. They were savory, slightly spicy, and had a strong kimchi flavor that really stood out.

               Another dish I tried was bindetuk, a mung bean pancake. I tried two versions, one with shrimp and one with seafood and scallions. Both were good, but the shrimp one was my favorite. It was crispier and had more of the pan fried texture I was hoping for.

               Later, I went to a hidden speakeasy that had a zodiac theme. Finding the entrance felt like discovering a secret. Walking through a long tunnel and into a mirrored hallway with lights felt surreal. Each drink represented one of the zodiac animals. I chose the rabbit cocktail, which was made with a traditional Korean liquor, plum, yogurt, and blue lemon. It was smooth, refreshing, and slightly tangy. It was a reminder that Korean food and drink culture blends tradition with creativity in unexpected ways.

Journal Entry 4:

Exploring Cafe Culture in South Korea

               Cafe culture in South Korea feels intentional and thoughtful. It is about more than just coffee. One of the first cafes I visited was Susanghan Bagel, also known as Suspicious Bagel. The interior was warm and beautifully decorated. There was plenty of seating and an upstairs balcony where we sat. We tried several bagels, including strawberries and cream, bacon and green onion, and garlic cream cheese. I ordered a butterscotch latte, which paired really well with the savory bagels.

               All three bagels were good, but the strawberries and cream bagel was my favorite. It felt lighter and fresher than the others. It did not feel too heavy, which made it easy to enjoy alongside coffee.

               Another cafe I visited was Sinleedoga, which is located inside a traditional Korean hanok. The cafe opened into a quiet courtyard with a small fire, natural wood, stone details, and soft lighting. It felt calm and peaceful. I tried a green tea bear cake. It was cold and almost ice cream like, which surprised me. The matcha flavor was strong but not too sweet. The presentation made it even more enjoyable.

               The last cafe I explored was Leedorim. This was one of the most visually impressive cafes I have ever been to. Inside, there is a giant moss covered mountain with water dripping down and fog filling the space. It made the cafe feel immersive and cozy at the same time. I ordered a strawberry matcha latte made with fresh strawberry puree. One thing I noticed across all these cafes was the quality of the fruit. The flavors felt brighter and more vibrant than what I am used to at home.

               Spending time in these cafes made me realize how much care goes into creating experiences around food and drink in South Korea. Every place felt designed to make people slow down and enjoy where they are.

Journal Entry 5:

Last Stops in South Korea

               One of the more unexpected food experiences in South Korea came from a rest stop. When I first heard we were stopping there for lunch, I was honestly a little skeptical. I was not sure what to expect, and it felt strange to think a rest stop meal could be memorable. That changed almost immediately once I saw the food options. I ended up getting donkatsu and jaeyok bokkeum, and the meal came with a full spread of sides. There was rice, cabbage salad, pickled daikon, soup, and kimchi, all laid out together.

               The jaeyok bokkeum stood out the most. It is a spicy stir fried pork dish made with gochujang, garlic, onion, and thinly sliced pork. It had a strong kick, but it was balanced well with savory and slightly sweet flavors. It was bold without being overwhelming. That meal completely changed how I think about rest stop food. It felt just as thoughtful and complete as meals I had in restaurants, which says a lot about how seriously food is taken here.

               Our last stop in Korea before flying to Japan was a small cocktail bar called Cobbler. It was tucked away down a quiet alley and set inside a traditional Korean house. Walking in felt calm and intimate. The lighting was low and warm, and the space felt cozy right away. When you sit down, they bring out a small apple cobbler, which immediately sets the tone and makes the experience feel personal.

               There is no menu at this bar. Instead, you talk with the bartender about what you like and what kind of experience you are looking for. I told him I prefer drinks that are not overly sweet. He came back with a strawberry Negroni, which was a twist on the classic cocktail. It ended up being one of the best drinks I had on the entire trip. It kept that traditional Negroni bitterness but added a smooth strawberry note that did not feel sugary. It felt balanced and intentional, and it was the perfect way to end our time in South Korea.

               Leaving Korea the next day was bittersweet. The food alone made the country unforgettable. I tried far more than I expected, from savory dishes that leaned sweeter than what I am used to, to meals that fully embraced heat and spice. Having my first real Korean barbecue experience in Korea is something I will always remember. Even after a full week, it felt like I had only scratched the surface. South Korea left a lasting impression on me, and I know I will be back. As hard as it was to leave, it also felt exciting to turn the page and head into the next chapter of the trip. Next stop was Osaka, Japan.