Korea, Spammed

Spam: we all know it and we all hate it, that useless junk mail clogging our inboxes. Have you, though, ever thought about where the word 'spam' comes from? Interestingly enough, the name actually comes from that 1970 Monty Python skit SPAM. Do you remember the spam song? I have clear memories of my cousins singing this annoying song over and over again “SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, lovely SPAM!  Wonderful SPAM!”, in the play, this song was drowning out other conversation in the pub, thus 'spamming' the conversation. And voila, the word spam enters the electronic world, unwelcomed. Thanks for a great word, nerds.

Korea had themselves an unexpected introduction to the world of spam. This time, though, the spam I'm referring to is not the electronic spam, but the canned meat Spam. The stuff you see in a grocery store and wonder 'how does that stuff pass food and safety regulations?' The stuff you've watched someone eat an entire can of, on a dare of course, and then you were genuinely concerned for their health. Yes, that spam. Spam is so popular in South Korea that is actually a very respected hostess gift to both give and receive. On Valentines Day one can even find heart shaped boxes full of spam.

 But how did this American made, shameful meat become so popular in such an untouched foreign culture? Well during the Korean War where food was scarce and meat was rare, Koreans often turned to the food rations left over by the American Army. Because spam had such a long shelf life, it was ofter sent to troops overseas and became a popular food on base. Despite it being commonly found on base, the Americans still could rarely stomach the stuff and it was often leftover. At the time, food was so scarce in Korea, that the Koreans couldn't be as picky as the soldiers for their proteins and took their rations of spam, mixed it with their own recipes to create a few surprisingly palatable outcomes. Here are two spammed foods that are actually worth a try:

Gimbap: Literally meaning 'seaweed rice', gimbap is the Korean version of sushi. It is a handroll made with seaweed, rice, veggies, and, you guessed it, spam! It is especially yummy with tuna. Gimbap shops are amongst the most common in Korea and you can find a roll for around $2.50 at almost any street corner.

Budae Jjigae: literally meaning 'army stew', this is a soup that perfectly symbolizes the mix of Korean tradition with the effects of scarce means and desperate measures. This soup mixes hot dogs, sausages and of course, spam with the traditional Korean tastes of red chili paste and kimchi. Yummy! This is often eaten with rice. It is easily found at most places where Jjigae is bought for about $5.

Due do it's popularity, Spam apparently tastes better in Korea than in other counties worldwide, as it is apparently made with better ingredients, although this is a taste test I don't plan on trying any time soon. I can though, now cross 'eat spam and enjoy it' off the ol' bucket list.