한솥밥 먹는 데서 정든다!
In Korea, there is a saying, “Where one eats from the same pot of rice, affection grows.” Over the past few weeks at Taejae, I’ve learned just how true this is. I realized that cooking and eating together is one of the easiest ways to make relationships and share happiness. When you cook, it gives you a chance to interact and exchange knowledge about dishes you’re good at, such as ramen, traditional dishes, or pasta. After cooking, you share the meal, enjoy the delicious food together, and feel satisfied seeing your friends smile as they eat your food.
During the first week of Taejae, I did not want to share meals much because I didn’t know anyone. I usually shared meals with my family and closest friends, so this was a new experience.
However, I started to get to know other students and opened my heart to accept them as a friend, and even more so, as a family. The moment that I shared a meal with many Taejae students was significant because it showed how cooking and eating together can help build new relationships.
It was interesting to find out that although some of Taejae students are Koreans, they still have different cooking styles that reflect their family’s own traditions and culture. For instance, the most popular and simple side dish, Myeolchi Bokkeum (멸치볶음: stir-fried Anchovies), differs from house to house because everyone’s family recipes are all different. The ingredients you can find in that dish are so varied. Some people might put in some cranberries, while others add almonds, or even cashew nuts. However, these differences make our mealtime more diverse and plentiful.
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Through these meals, it seems I am only sharing the flavors and fragrance of ingredients. But actually, I am also sharing my story and culture as well.
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I have enjoyed trying new foods and recipes of Taejae students, although sometimes it can be challenging. For example, I tried celery for the first time here when a friend made fried rice with it. The scent was quite strong, but I enjoyed the new taste.
I also had the chance to share my mother’s gimbap with international students. Many had never tried perilla leaves before, and asked whether the leaves were basil. Fortunately, they loved the taste of gimbap. Through these meals, it seems I am only sharing the flavors and fragrance of ingredients. But actually, I am also sharing my story and culture as well.
One time, I brought a pancake mix and I wanted to share it with others. So, three students and I formed a brunch team. We each brought eggs, bread, milk, and grapes. Two members went out to buy syrup but instead of maple syrup, they surprisingly brought back honey and ice cream!
It was a new experience for me. I had never cooked for others without my mom’s help before. That day, I prepared the pancake mix and scrambled eggs, which reminded me of making big breakfasts for my family. That memory made me open my heart, and I started sharing my life with the students while eating together.
The food was delicious, even the melting ice cream had perfect chemistry with the pancakes (although it was a bit much for breakfast). We were so happy to have brunch in Taejae. We thought it was impossible to have a luxurious meal in a student residence, but we made it happen together!
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In that hour and a half, we became closer by sharing our passion for food and stories about our lives. This was my most memorable moment at Taejae.
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There is a Korean word called “sikgu” (식구: family member). It means family but the literal meaning is ‘people who share a pot of rice’. It takes time to become a sikgu; but if you start to cook together and share meals, it’s a lot easier to get to know each other and eventually become sikgu.
That’s why as a Korean student, I try to reach out first to international students because I know that they might not feel at home here or have their sikgu. Taking a first step closer gives you the opportunity to make a bigger family. You can enjoy cooking and eating by yourself but once you share food with others, you’ll discover a happiness that can’t be compared to eating alone.
We have spent about one month here at Local Stitch as Taejae students, adjusting to our lives, creating routines, and trying to make new friends. For me, Taejae is my first school ever, a new life, and a new experience. This is my first time sharing meals with unfamiliar people. But I believe it is the first step for getting closer. The first step toward becoming a Taejae Sikgu.
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That’s why as a Korean student, I try to reach out first to international students because I know that they might not feel at home here or have their sikgu.
The moment that I shared a meal with many Taejae students was significant because it showed how cooking and eating together can help build new relationships.
<aside> 🔍 SeA is a third cohort student in the School of Innovation Foundations at Taejae University. She is Taejae’s bookworm.
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