IDHOSPITAL

While researching about coming to Korea, whether for surgery or fun, a quick Google search will garner many results. To make life easier for those considering surgeries, a recommended list of food that patients can have, or food that should be avoided will help to make your stay in Korea more pleasant.

Korea has contributed so much to the world in various fields, from advanced technology, fashion, music, pop culture etc. With the rise in the number of people visiting Korea, there are many things to experience in the beautiful city of Seoul. Korean Cuisine known as 한식 (han-shik) is a marriage of unique tastes and smells, from the well-known Kimchi, to the lesser known Gopchang (intestines), there is a flavor profile for everyone. Traditional Korean food consists of 밥 (rice), 국 or 찌개 (soup, stew) and 반찬 (side dishes). Side dishes are usually free re-fills, and offer a wide variety of flavors.

While coming to have surgery at ID Hospital, depending on the surgeries you have had, food choices may be limited. Spicy food should be avoided, as well as hot, greasy or chewy food. Please make sure to follow post-surgery dietary instructions.

Bibimbap (비빔밥): Bibimbab literally means “mixed rice” and this is a versatile dish, consisting of rice, raw and sautéed vegetables and chilli pepper paste. Other variants include meat (pork, beef, tuna etc.) and a fried egg, which you can request to be removed if you are a vegetarian/vegan. The recipe for the chili pepper paste varies, and some may include seafood, so if in doubt you can skip the pepper paste.

Samgyetang (삼계탕): It is a type of ginseng chicken soup usually eaten in summer by Koreans. A young chicken is stuffed with rice, garlic, ginseng and jujube and boiled to make a soup. The soup is served with the whole chicken, which can be pulled apart to eat the rice, and other contents stuffed in the chicken.

Fried Chicken (치킨): Korean fried chicken is very popular, from the extra crunchy to the yangnyeom chicken with the sweet red sauce chicken; there is a variety for everyone. Since it is chewy, patients who have had jaw surgery or facial bone reduction surgeries should not have this at least one month post-surgery. You can try this dish before your surgery!

Gimbap: (김밥): It is made up of rice and other ingredients rolled up in laver seaweed. Rice is the main ingredient, and there are several variations to choose from. Depending on the type of vegetables inside, which may be chewy, jaw surgery patients have to wait to have this a month after surgery. Vegetarian options available for this dish but make sure to ask to have the ham removed.

Gyeran-jjim (계란찜): This is a Korean dish of steamed eggs. It is light and fluffy, so patients can have this dish as it is considered a soft food. Patients are advised to let the eggs cool a little before eating.

Soups, Stews and Porridges

There are many types of soups and stews as it is one part of the staple Korean foods. Korean soups are thin and served at nearly boiling temperatures in a dolsot (stone pot) so one should be cautious and wait for the soup to cool down before eating.

Seolleongtang (설렁탕): It is ox bone soup made of ox bones. It is a local dish of Seoul and is served bland, and salt, pepper etc can be added to it.

Juk (죽): Juk is a type of Korean style porridge. Patients can have juk because it is easy to digest, especially pumpkin juk helps with the swelling.

Soup packets/Porridges and juices can also be consumed after surgery. They are available for sale at the ID Hospital lobby, pharmacies, convenience stores etc. Vegetarian options are available as well.

Excise caution when trying new foods, and if in doubt ask the ID Hospital staff for assistance, on what you can or cannot eat.

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