During the World Cup in 1994, my primary school teacher thought it would be a good idea to assign me and my classmates with a challenge: to bring in a traditional dish of food from a nation competing in the tournament.
My wish of getting Italy and making pizza was swiftly crushed when I was assigned South Korea, leaving me baffled on the walk home as to what exactly I was going to cook. So with a little help from mum and dad firing up our dial-up internet, I managed to create what was essentially chicken doused in chilli flakes. I even thought I was being exotic when I sprinkled sesame seeds over it, but that didn’t stop half my class from screaming in pain thanks to the overdose of spice.
But that was where my relationship with South Korea ended, until one morning while on the way into work, my cabbie took a detour to avoid the traffic and without knowing, drove me straight past the Korean Cultural Centre. Yes, our capital has a building dedicated to all things (South) Korean, so I had to check it out.
The centre opened in March this year and was installed by our own Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, quite simply, to promote Korea. The moment I walk in, I’m greeted by our tour guide, Yangji, who takes me straight to the first port of call on my visit – the photo booth. The touch-screen TV in front of me allows me to select a background – all Korean themed of course – write my name, which is then translated, before being printed out and popped into a brown paper frame as a memento.
Next stop is another picture opportunity, but this time I get to try on, digitally at least, a vast selection of traditional dress, including noblemen’s attire, royal robes and also a guard’s uniform. Right next to the photo screen is a rack containing plenty of traditional dress. So, naturally I try one on and instantly feel “at one” with Korean ancestry. I’m then shown to the men’s room of a typical house from around 650 years ago, called a hanok. Here I’m told about how this space was used for the man of the house to study, relax and be away from the rest of the family.
Next door is a low-level table where I sit and hear about the traditional ways of drinking tea, before moving into the family room. Each stage of the house is an intriguing insight into centuries-old Korean living.
Still dressed in the traditional clobber, I step into the modern-day Korea zone to check out the latest technology, music and other popular trends from the country. Apart from the mass of books, magazines and DVDs, there is a sound booth waiting for me to test my vocal skills. And if you’ve heard me sing in English, you’ll be glad you aren’t here now to wince at my Korean. So I have a quick warble before being ushered off by a giggling Yangji to have a photo with Psy, the famed singer of Gangnam Style. Obviously he isn’t here, but the screen that doubles as a front door to a house is where we find him. I ring the doorbell and he appears ready for a selfie. Adjacent to this is a virtual reality headset, which immerses you in a number of experiences, such as being underwater with a blue whale. This is one of the highlights of the day, and leaves us feeling completely removed from the tour.
Yangji then shows me the performance room where the centre organises exhibitions, shows and weekly movie nights. But my attention is drawn to a glass door that leads to another space, covered in dishes with a funky light projection on them. This is the cookery classroom that not only offers lessons in Korean cuisine, but allows you to check out the vast display of snacks and drinks from the country; the packaging and ingredients are colourful to say the least.
On the second floor and now on the last part of the tour, I’m introduced to musical instruments that have been used for hundreds of years. Here, I’m taught the basics in drumming. My skills are on par with my singing. This is also where taekwondo is taught, something we think we will come back for another day.
The Korean Cultural Centre is both bizarre and brilliant at the same time. It is educational and entertaining, a little like learning how much chilli other nationalities can handle…
Free tour. Open Sun-Thu, 9am-6pm. Korean Cultural Center, Building 5, twofour54 Campus, Khalifa Park (02 491 67227).
Four to try
Culture in the capital
Qasr Al Hosn
This building downtown offers arguably the best insight into Emirati history. The fort was built in the 18th century and now hosts exhibitions, talks and cultural experiences for visitors. It has a massive festival once a year, usually in February.
Hamdan Street, www.qasralhosnfestival.ae.
Heritage Village
Traditional aspects of Bedouin life, including a camp fire with coffee pots, a goats’ hair tent, a falaj irrigation system and even a camel all feature. There are also workshops and craft lessons available.
Marina breakwater, opposite Marina Mall, www.torath.ae.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Apart from being dazzled by the beauty of this building, let the knowledgeable staff here teach you incredible facts and figures on the mosque’s domes, capacity, chandeliers and more.
www.szgmc.ae.
Pearl diving
Okay, this may be at Yas Waterworld, but it’s a great introduction to pearl diving, an important profession for previous Emirati generations. Guests get to dive for their own oyster, and once you’ve collected one from the depths, you’ll be shown how to properly open the shell and be taught more about the pearls within. You get to take them home as a memento, too.
Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, www.yaswaterworld.com.
