The list of authentic Korean restaurants in Barcelona (according to Koreans themselves)

BarcelonaHow do we know we're in an authentic Korean restaurant? How can we avoid being passed off as a fat beast, now that it's so fashionable? Eunhye Choi, vice consul of the Republic of Korea in Barcelona, was kind enough to speak with me to give me some answers. The Korean population in Catalonia is tiny, around 1,140 people, but the impact of Korean tourism is enormous. In 2023, 340,000 Koreans visited Spain, and the vast majority, 75%, chose Barcelona. Why are they so interested? There are many reasons, but one of them is football. Barça, in short. That's why Barcelona has more direct connections than Madrid. Furthermore, it should be noted that pre-pandemic figures have not yet recovered. When Koreans leave their country, they often miss their cuisine. So it's common for kimchi, this wonderful fermented cabbage they eat with meals, to be confiscated at the airport. Since they miss its umami-filled flavors, when they travel they seek out authentic restaurants so they can kill the worm while they're away from home (even if it's just for a few days). So a first clue to knowing you're in a 100% Korean restaurant is to check if there are Korean people around you.

In France, there are more Korean restaurants run by Chinese than by Koreans, Ms. Choi tells me. So the consulate supported an initiative that listed authentic Korean restaurants in Barcelona and gave them a seal they can display on the door or in a visible place inside. "Authentic Korean Restaurant," it says. So, to know if a Korean restaurant is genuine and follows traditional recipes, just look for this seal. Beyond that, we look for other clues.

First, you have to check if the letters are Hangul, the Korean alphabet, not Chinese. She tells me they've had to go to supposedly Korean restaurants and not be understood. This litmus test won't be easy for most Catalans, of course. It's also necessary to pay attention to the iconography. If there's a cat waving its paw to attract fortune, you'll have to be suspicious, since it's not an element of their culture. Chopsticks are also a clue (though not definitive). In Korean restaurants, they are usually made of metal. Also the drinking cup. Makgeolli (rice wine) is usually metallic. In any case, the list they've compiled is excellent and doesn't require us to search for genuine experiences with precision.

List of good practices

An example is Kamasot, where they have a delicious jang to accompany boiled pork with herbs. The jang It is a UNESCO intangible heritage site and consists of pastes made from fermented soybeans. A process unique in the world and one that defines Korean cuisine. No meal is complete without the use of these condiments, which can be seen in the courtyards of Korean homes, resting for a year in beautiful brown ceramic containers. It's an image that once you see it, you won't forget it. There is a version with red pepper (gotxujang), which is somewhat spicy and deeply addictive. The jang It's a key part of their diet and is made to share with all their friends and neighbors. So are fermented vegetables, like the famous cabbage that has given rise to the most well-known version of kimchi. Vice Consul Choi tells me that it was the Japanese who introduced the red pepper spicy in the 16th century. And also that Korea is one of the countries where the most vegetables are consumed.

Back to the list. I find basically all my favorite Korean restaurants, like Hanki, Kangnam, Hana, and Gayagum. Some of the ones we've talked about here: like the modern restaurant Pocha, or the Modu and its bibimpab, wave Seoul Nadri barbecueAnd also many places to discover. Let's list them: Koryo, Obba Corea BBQ, MAT NA, Seoul, Soban, KimchiMama, Casa MOON, Little Corea, Podonamu, Hanin, Cobab, and Kocina. We're getting busy. Welcome.