The other day, we found a Korean Grocery Store, WooSung Oriental Market…the inside was just like Emart with the aisles of pepper paste and seaweed and smilie Koreans wondering how we could read the Korean on the packaging. The store said it was Oriental, but 3/4 was all Korean and the rest was a mix of Chinese and Thai.

If you notice…those of you who know..my whole outfit… courtesy of Time Zone …downtown Gwangju, Korea!

We bought the goods to make our own homemade bibimbop…for about 3 x’s the price that you pay in Korea. A bottle of Makali was $8 where in Korea it is closer to $2. Shawn and Tiffany came over to feast on Gimbap, Kimchi, Sprouts and Bibimbop with us. We picked up one Korean pear and some Peppero for dessert.

The food tasted scrumptious and we can’t wait to try another dish. Mashiesoyo!

Q: Where can you find authentic Korean food in Orlando Florida? A: Orlando has a small but solid Korean food scene. Our top recommendations are Shin Jung Korean Restaurant off Colonial Drive, Seoul Garden in Maitland and Korean House in Longwood. Shin Jung felt the most authentic to our time living in Gwangju — great food and a warm atmosphere that took us straight back.

Q: Where can you buy Korean groceries in Orlando? A: WooSung Oriental Market in Orlando is the closest thing to a Korean Emart we have found in the US. About three quarters of the store is Korean products — pepper paste, seaweed, gimbap ingredients, makali and more. Prices are higher than Korea but if you are craving the real thing it is absolutely worth the trip.

Q: What is bibimbap and how do you make it at home? A: Bibimbap is a classic Korean rice bowl topped with seasoned vegetables, a fried egg and gochujang pepper paste mixed together at the table. It is one of the most beloved and versatile dishes in Korean cuisine and surprisingly achievable at home with ingredients from a Korean grocery store.

Q: What is makali and where can you find it in the US? A: Makali is a traditional Korean rice wine — milky white, slightly sweet and fizzy with a low alcohol content. It is one of Korea’s most beloved traditional drinks and pairs beautifully with Korean BBQ and spicy food. In the US you can find it at Korean grocery stores though be prepared to pay significantly more than the $2 bottles we were used to in Korea.

Q: What Korean dishes should you try if you are new to Korean food? A: Start with bibimbap for a gentle introduction then work your way to kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), samgyeopsal (Korean BBQ pork belly), gimbap (Korean rice rolls) and sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew). Each one is more delicious than the last and together they represent the heart of Korean home cooking.