What Makes Korean Cuisine Distinct?

I was once asked what it is about Korean food that makes it distinct from Japanese and Chinese cuisine, with which it shares many similarities. I may be biased, but simply put, I think Korean food has an emotional pull that is quite uniquely addictive.

There is very often a depth of flavour not found in other cuisines - perhaps due to extensive use of stimulating ingredients such as garlic, ginger, chilli and spring onion, as well as many fermented and salted flavourings: soy sauce, soy bean paste, chilli paste, salted shrimp and anchovy extract, to name a few. Combined with fresh vegetables, meats and seafood, they make an impact on your palate that will have you coming back for more.

Any cuisine prepared with real understanding and love cannot but succeed in delivering pleasure - even to the most reticent of diners.