Things to do at Korea - Kimchi making, Nanta Show, Wear Hanbok

Here are some things to do when you are in Korea:


 

ingredients to make kimchi sauce

the special sauce to make kimchi

1. Join kimchi making class:Kimchi is a must-to-eat starter in every meal in Korean cuisine. A traditional side dish from salted and fermented vegetables (napa cabbage and Korean radishes), the secret lies within the seasonings - chilli powder, scallions, garlic, ginger, and jeotgal. Kimchi health benefits are such as providing 200 strains of good bacteria probiotics that help in the digestion system, boosting immunity, and categorised as one of the best anti-cancer food in the world. 

I joined the simple classes in this Kim and Kimchi academy, where they produce seaweed and kimchi. The paste was set aside earlier, all I need to do is apply the kimchi pasta layer by layer on the cabbage, and then learn how to wrap the cabbage the proper way.

different type of kimchi

Of course, in the end, this kinda tour trip will hope you can buy more seaweeds and fresh kimchi from them to bring back as souvenirs.

2. Rent and wear a hanbok: A Hanbok is a traditional Korean dress during traditional occasions. As I was there, guess only the tourists are more excited to put on Hanbok. Hanbok is characterized by its vibrant colours and simple silk material and simple lines without pockets.

Explore Seoul in traditional hanbok dress for a day. I saw hanbok rental is available almost anywhere within the tourist's popular destinations, so don’t worry if you think you can’t get any hanbok rental shop, such as Insa-dong, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and the surrounding areas. Ask the shop owner or salesperson to recommend the nicest vividly coloured skirt and top matching pairs that befits you. Some including very nice hair accessories as well.

3. Watch Nanta Show: Nanta Show is a South Korean non-verbal comedy live performance created since 1997, the longest running show in Korea (90 minutes). The award-winning (Edinburg Fringe Festival) Nanta show is produced by Song Seung-whan, with humorous storytelling with the synopsis of how the chefs are rushing in preparation for a wedding banquet in 1 hour time without prior notice.
Integrates traditional samulnori rhythm, the performers are truly talents as they play their role as the acrobatics, martial arts and culinary skills, making music beats out of the pots and pans, extremely high culinary skills – knife cutting, juggling the knives, playing with the fire, get stuck in the big garbage bin, hopping and jumping in the kitchen, etc.

Last but not least, transform themselves getting ready for the drum percussions beats with water on the drums and amazing LED lights go along with upbeat Korean folk songs and modern music. There are also engaging moments with the spectators where you will be brought up to the stage by surprise, acting as the bride/ groom and also join their competition in the making of Korea dumplings.

I went to their Nanta Show in Myeongdong Theater. It is amazing to see the stage performers use fully their energy, their positive spirits, body language, international sign language to express the whole Nanta show where the spectators understand the whole show. Strong teamwork and hard work practice is needed whereby their role play and timing were so perfect. Imagine one throw the knife, and the other one couldn’t catch the knife. Can’t imagine how dangerous it is! Kudos to you, Nanta performers!

Somehow, we were told that we are not allowed to do any video shooting, but I did find some other video clips online, as in the whole show. Well, enjoying the real show is always better on screen, but better than nothing!