I was born and raised in Korea. I lived there until I was 25, then moved to New York and later settled in Seattle, where I live now. My family is still in Korea, and I go back to visit at least once every year or two. That’s part of what makes this blog different from a lot of “guide to Korea” content: it isn’t based on one trip, or on memories that stopped updating years ago. It comes from a place I keep going back to, and keep learning from.
I started Curious Daybook because I kept explaining the same things to friends, coworkers, and neighbors here in the US — what ssamjang actually is, why bibimbap needs to be mixed instead of eaten in layers, why age works differently in Korea. Usually the question came up because someone had seen a K-drama or a food video and wanted to know more. I noticed a gap between what most guides say about Korean food and what actually happens at the table, at a holiday gathering, or on the street in Korea. That’s the gap I wanted to fill, since I’ve lived on both sides of it.
On Curious Daybook, you’ll find three kinds of posts, starting with Korean food.
Food — what to order, how to eat it, and what’s actually in the sauce. You won’t find recipes that send you on a special grocery trip, just honest explanations of dishes you’ll actually run into, the way people actually eat them. This is where most of the site lives right now, so it’s the best place to start if you’re new to Korean food.
Culture — the customs, holidays, and daily habits that explain what you’re seeing, whether that’s in a K-drama, on a trip, or at a Korean restaurant nearby. I’m adding to this section slowly, one post at a time.
Travel — practical, beginner-friendly guides for getting around and knowing what to expect on a first trip. I still navigate Seoul myself every time I visit family, so these guides come from recent experience, not old memories. More of this is coming as the site grows.
I’m Amy. I write and edit every post here myself, based on 25 years of living in Korea and the outside perspective I’ve picked up from seeing it through American eyes since. If you have a question about something I’ve written, or a topic you’d like me to cover, visit the Contact page — it’s the fastest way to reach me.
Welcome to Curious Daybook 