School lunch

Dear Mom and Dad,

     I'm sure you've heard in the news about the whole national school lunch debate etc, etc.  Well, I thought I'd add my 2 cents and show some pictures of my school lunches here.  I eat my lunch at school and I will say it is quite good.  At least, if you like Korean food or trying new things, which I do.  Maybe it's not for everyone and that's fine, but the lunches here are filling and satisfying.  You don't go hungry, if you eat.  And, at least in elementary school, you can get seconds.  In middle school you serve yourself most things and so you take what you want the first time.  Although there are some who definitely head back when their favorites are served.  ^^

     That being said, there is this one observation.  The amount of food that is thrown away really is staggering.  Students, usually in the middle school, (and teachers) who take (or are served) massive amounts of food and can't finish it, or (because of certain expectations) take food that they really don't want just to avoid comment, cause an enormous amount of waste.  However, there is never any complaint about not getting enough to eat.  And the majority of the food is cooked on site, or purchased fresh/freshly made.  Also, most of the rice is not just plain rice but often has other grains mixed in.  Black or brown rice, beans, barley and other grains are most common.

   All lunches consist of rice, soup, and kimchi of some kind, plus three or four 반찬- banchan, or side dishes.    Delish!!  Ok, here goes some pictures!

top left clw: spicy pork, spinach with seaweed, kimchi, apple,samgyetang (chicken and ginger soup) and rice

top left clw: samgyup (pork belly) spicy eggplant, kimchi, soy sauce boiled potatoes, spicy radish and bean sprout soup, rice

top left clw: spicy stewed fish with radish, smoked duck, kimchi, sugared tomato, squash leaf and tofu soup, rice

top left clw: galbi (pork rib) spicy steamed broccoli, kimchi, boiled potato, spicy nakji (octopus) and radish soup, rice