Arirang Restaurant

Arirang is a Korean folk song, often considered the unofficial national anthem of Korea. Pronunciation is AH-Re-Ang. Arirang Korean Restaurant brings the culinary history of Korean food to the Tampa area. This history has been affected by the Korean Peninsula's climate (hot, humid summers and very cold winters), and the proximity to neighbors China and Japan. Western influence also had an impact with the Portuguese introduction of chili pepper to Korea in the 17th century. Korean food stands out from other cuisines with the many side dishes (banchan) that are served during meals. The number of side dishes can range anywhere from 2 to 12. When you eat a Korean meal, your various side dishes will come to you before your meal in small bowls and can be anything from vegetables, to meat, to seafood prepared in any number of ways. Korean dishes are all served at the same time, so there are no separate courses like with Western cuisines. When most people think of Korea food, they think of kimchi, Korea's staple side dish which, along with rice, accompanies almost every meal. Although it is an acquired taste, many long-term foreigners also find themselves missing the flavor of kimchi if they have too many meals without it. While many Korean dishes are unfamiliar at first, they are not really that different from some Western foods. Kimchee (or gimchi) is a traditional fermented Korean side dish made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. It is often described as spicy or sour. In traditional preparation, kimchi was often allowed to ferment underground in jars for months at a time. It is Korea's national dish and there are hundreds of varieties made with a main vegetable ingredient such as Napa cabbage, radish, scallion, or cucumber. Korean dishes that have kimchi include kimchi stew, kimchi jjigae, kimchi pancake, kimchijeon, kimchi soup, kimchiguk, kimchi fried rice, kimchi bokkeumbap. There is a strong relationship between food and health in Korean culture, and Koreans have viewed food as both preventive medicine and sickness remedies for thousands of years. The food also tastes great and provides an enjoyable eating adventure. Not this great food has come to Tampa, FL. If you have visited Korea in the past or been stationed in the military on the Korean Peninsula, then you have experienced this fine food. Come in on any day and find tasty lunch specials! Misook's specialties have freshly made pumpkin or white rice with beef and vegetable porridge (changes every other day), house salad (with homemade Oriental dressing), pork rib steamed dish, 6 different Korean side dishes, and cinnamon tea for dessert.