Press
ZenKimchi featured in the media
More than you imagine about Seoul
Harper’s Bazaar, Korea (September 2010) [Link]
Even though the weather was hot and humid, Joe soldiered on with a smile. With that kind of appearance, he looked generous. We almost called him “Joe Ajosshi” because he was so friendly looking. Joe McPherson is famous as a Korean food blogger, starting in 2004 as the founding editor of the ZenKimchi Korean Journal. Some foreigners don’t know about Korean food. He introduces it to them. He is a kind of “waygyogwan,” or diplomat. He claims that samgyetang is “boring” food and that Korean food is about burning fire. He is also one of the only fans of gobchang in the world. He is a poetic gourmet in his critiques of food. But he says, “I’m not a critic. I’m only a person who writes about food. I’m a Korean food enthusiast.” He’s also sorry about the demise of Pimatgol street and is worried that Korean peasant food might die out. Joe McPherson reminds us to think of what we could lose. And he is a definite friend we want beside us.
Today’s Blog
Arirang TV (August 2010)
Sarang Haeyo Korea 사랑해요 코리아 (“I Love You, Korea”)
SBS TV (June 28, 2010)
Foreign Powerbloggers as Korean Food Missionaries
Weekly Chosun (April 28, 2010) [Link]
Foreign foodies flock to Web
JoongAng Daily (February 23, 2010) [Link]
Joe McPherson on Seollal and Korean Cuisine
Seoul Scene with Matt Kelley, KBS World Radio (February 12, 2010) [Link]
Seoul Food & Living, Expats in Korea
Peter Greenberg Worldwide radio show (December 7, 2009) [Link]
ZenKimchi Dining: Dinner decisions with less stress
Matt Lamers, The Korea Herald (September 2, 2009)
McPherson said readers frequently e-mail him asking for restaurant advice in Seoul. “The scene here changes so quickly, and I honestly don’t have the means and time to root out the coolest restaurants. A site where others could submit their reviews with a consistent, clean format, I felt, would be more helpful than having people depend on my narrow replies on what I thought was good.” [Link]
Cast an Ear to This…
Bhamika Bhudia, Groove Magazine (August 2009) [Link]
Foreign Foodies Generate Strong Following
Ines Min, Korea Times (July 28, 2009)
In an effort to cater more to the domestic audiences of the food blog community, McPherson launched a new restaurant review Web site (ZenKimchi.com/Dining) in May that focuses on ratings, directions and other factors practical to a South Korean resident. Although the majority of the reviews are for Seoul, there are also listings in Busan, Anyang, Suwon and other satellite cities. Food bloggers and readers across the nation are welcome to contribute.
“We’ve developed friendships and it’s all because of the food blogging,” McPherson said while laughing. “The whole blogging community has become a little bit of a clique… like the nerd clique where anyone can come in.” [Link]
Arirang Today
Arirang TV (June 3, 2009)
Segment about the globalization of Korean food.
30분 다큐 (30-minute Docu)
KBS (May 18, 2009)
Episode about foreigners appreciating the health aspects of Korean food. [Link to first segment]
Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern: South Korea
The Travel Channel, Discovery Networks (April 21, 2009)
ZenKimchi’s Eun Jeong Lee is featured, along with friends. Joe McPherson and Eun Jeong were consultants for the “Bizarre Foods” episode in Korea, which included suggesting foods and restaurants, scouting locations, translating names, finding talent to go on camera and actually performing in the show itself. [Link]
Korea Now
Arirang TV (August 2008)
Koreans Share Their Secret for Chicken With a Crunch
Julia Moksin, The New York Times (Feb. 7, 2007)
WHEN Joe McPherson moved to Seoul in 2002, he thought he was leaving fried chicken behind. “I grew up watching Popeyes training videos,” Mr. McPherson said. His father managed a Popeyes franchise near Atlanta and fried chicken was a constant presence in his life. [Link]
The Weird, Wild and, Ultimately, Sublime
Matt Gross, The New York Times (July 20, 2008)
Like most Korean food, it comes in massive quantities and is meant to be eaten by large groups of friends (mine included Joe McPherson, who blogs about food at ZenKimchi.com), who pour one another beer and soju and snip the long noodles with scissors. [Link]
This American Life in Korea
Moon Gwang-lip, JoongAng Daily (July 9, 2008)
McPherson claims it is the first English-language Web site about Korean food.
That, McPherson said, is the reason he was contacted by a Hong Kong-based magazine, which asked him to be a judge for an Asian restaurant guide to be published this autumn. “The Miele Guide,” seeking to become the Asian version of the Michelin and Zagat guides, will publish a list of restaurants throughout the region based on recommendation from 84 judges. McPherson is one of a half dozen judges for Korean restaurants. [Link]
Korea – Sweet home away from home
Park Hye-yun, Korea AgraFood (July 2008)
Joe admits that, unlike in America, Korean foods are a cuisine of extremes. [Link]
Guest writer, contributor or judge for the following:
10 Magazine
Dining Editor [Link]
JoongAng Daily
“Beat the buffet rush, and cook at home with friends” (December 24, 2009) [Link]
edible QUEENS
“Feasting on Flushing: Two chefs eat their way from Chengdu to Seoul without ever leaving the borough” (Fall 2009) [Link]
Joe DiStefano
Contributed information on Korean dishes.
Newsweek Korea
‘시골 밥상’ 예찬 (July 9, 2009) [Link]
Korea Up Close
Craig White (2007) [Link]
Contributed a piece on Korean food.
The Miele Guide
Ate Media Pte Ltd (2008) [Link]
One of a handful of judges, and the only non-Korean judge, for Korea.
Outlanders
Scott Burgeson (2008)
Contributed two stories.
SEOUL Magazine
“Seoul Food” [Link]
The Korea Herald
“Joe McPherson on Food” [Link]