South Korea

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Korean cuisine}}
[[File:Dolsot-bibimbap.jpg|thumb|[[Bibimbap]]]]
Korean cuisine, ''hanguk yori'' (한국요리; 韓國料理), or ''hansik'' (한식; 韓食), has evolved through centuries of social and political change. Ingredients and dishes vary by province. There are many significant regional dishes that have proliferated in different variations across the country in the present day. The [[Korean royal court cuisine]] once brought all of the unique regional specialties together for the royal family. Meals consumed both by the royal family and ordinary citizens have been regulated by a unique culture of etiquette.

Korean cuisine is largely based on [[rice]], [[noodle]]s, [[tofu]], vegetables, fish and meats. Traditional meals are noted for the number of side dishes, ''[[banchan]]'' (반찬), which accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. Every meal is accompanied by numerous banchan. ''[[Kimchi]]'' (김치), a fermented, usually spicy vegetable dish is commonly served at every meal and is one of the best known dishes. Korean cuisine usually involves heavy seasoning with [[sesame oil]], ''[[doenjang]]'' (된장, a type of [[fermented bean paste|fermented soybean paste]]), [[soy sauce]], salt, garlic, ginger, and ''[[gochujang]]'' (고추장, a hot pepper paste). Other well-known dishes are ''[[bulgogi]]'' (불고기), grilled marinated beef; ''[[gimbap]]'' (김밥); and ''[[tteokbokki]]'' (떡볶이), a spicy snack consisting of rice cake seasoned with gochujang or a spicy chili paste.

Soups are also a common part of a meal and are served as part of the main course rather than at the beginning or the end of the meal. Soups known as ''[[guk]]'' (국) are often made with meats, shellfish and vegetables. Similar to guk, ''tang'' (탕; 湯) has less water and is more often served in restaurants. Another type is ''[[jjigae]]'' (찌개), a [[stew]] that is typically heavily seasoned with chili pepper and served boiling hot.

Popular [[Korean alcoholic drinks]] include ''[[Soju]]'', ''[[Makgeolli]]'' and ''[[Bokbunja ju]]''. Korea is unique among East Asian countries in its use of metal [[chopsticks]]. Metal chopsticks have been discovered in Goguryeo archaeological sites.<ref>[http://article.joins.com/news/blognews/article.asp?listid=12803159 재미있는 동양3국의 젓가락 문화비교] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619140049/http://article.joins.com/news/blognews/article.asp?listid=12803159 |date=19 June 2018 }}. Article.joins.com (19 May 2012). Retrieved 5 October 2016.</ref>