18wheeler_vanrekt

Recently had the good fortune to fly 4 segments of Asiana Business Class (on a mix of A350, 777-200, and A330) on my way to and from Hong Kong to run the half marathon. However, I was surprised that on all 4 segments, the Korean option was Bibimbap. And only bibimbap. While there were 2-3 Western options each time... It's easy to execute in the air and is relatively healthy and not too heavy, but unremarkable enough that I only got it on my first of 4 flights.

So I wanted to hear from the Asiana frequent flyers; do you get tired of bibimbap usually being the only Korean option? If not, what is it about the dish that makes you order it consistently on your flights? I am just surprised that there are such vibrant options across Korean cuisine and Asiana doesn't seem to mix it up

corbomite

Asiana won't mix it up because bibimbap on a plane has somehow become a symbol to native Koreans as the last meal before the symbolic death and rebirth that occurs when they have to go somewhere where Korean food is not widely available.

truncated

Hmm that's odd — it's usually bibimbap on flights into ICN and ssambap for flights departing ICN — has something changed recently?

slimjin

Regardless, I find it baffling that there are literally only two options ever, and that everyone thinks this is fine and normal.

Jimgotkp

That's all we need. Bibimbap, ssambap, and ramen.

vinx

This is not to defend for OZ, but I have flown other same routes for many years (QF & CX to HKG, TG to BKK, SQ to SiN, NH to HND). They always serving same meals with same options.

mikesaidyes

This is the best thing I've seen on FT re: Korea in all my years.

That being said - I complained to the FA (in Korean) on KE yesterday when my "Morning Calm member seat" (aka not available for others to pre-select) actually meant that I got served literally last on the first meal. And GOD after 3 weeks in America, I was craving bibimbap SO BAD and instead I got some cold cat food "beef pasta." I mean I wasn't angry but gah I was SO DISAPPOINTED. My poor Korean bf his face just sunk when he heard that there was no bibimbap. But in true Korean fashion, several FAs came over to apologize, they gave us TONS of snacks in the middle and we got served first during second service.

Gasolin

To be fair, now days you have Korean food / groceries a bit everywhere... so the death doesn't have to be that bad. Unless you go to Buenos Aires or Istanbul!

soy

is this really any different than the eternal option of omelet for breakfast, on almost every morning flight?

slimjin

That's fair - do you mean on OZ, or on all airlines? I don't really know about OZ's morning menu, so I'll assume you mean that in general, on many airlines, the breakfast option is always an omelet. The differences I see are that (1) the breakfast option isn't literally always an omelet (perhaps on OZ it is, but again I don't know enough to comment). It *often* is the option on many airlines, but it's not literally 100%, whereas bibimbap is literally 100% always the Korean dinner option on OZ. And (2), the more puzzling reason to me is that Korean food is very diverse, and many airlines try to showcase the diversity of their country's cuisine a bit on J menus. It frustrates me just because it seems like a lost opportunity. Some variety - even within Korean cuisine - would make flying OZ J a bit more interesting, at least to me.

vinx

Are we talking about breakfast for J only?

Paella747

No. I just wish they'd have an old lady in the galley making ttoekpoekki as well.......

corbomite

I would be totally behind this if it is of the blow-off-your-... spicy

s0ssos

Obviously you were not in California-America.

Yes, so if tey are flying to SFO or LAX, why bother with bibimbap?

Especially the disgusting bibimbap they serve on the plane. It isn't even dolsot!

vinx

That would be against safety hazard