[Sportschosun Jang Jong-ho] NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, who visited Korea for the first time in seven months, kept a packed schedule during his five-day, four-night trip.
He met with major business leaders in Korea to discuss cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), and also took part in a wide range of events, including throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a professional baseball game, appearing on a variety show, and visiting company sites.
He also drew widespread attention by visiting samgyeopsal and chicken restaurants with corporate leaders and enjoying 'Samso' — samgyeopsal plus soju and beer — as well as 'Chimaek' — chicken and beer.
◇ Korea's soul food, samgyeopsal: its traditional medicine benefits and cautions
The samgyeopsal they enjoyed is one of the staple dishes at company dinners for office workers. It is also considered the cut of meat most loved by Koreans, regardless of age or gender. Crisped on the outside for texture, it offers the rich flavor of fat and abundant juices that make it especially satisfying.
Although fatty samgyeopsal is often assumed to be unhealthy, it has several nutritional benefits. It is rich in B vitamins and protein, which help relieve fatigue and support blood circulation. It also contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid needed to produce serotonin, which can help improve mood. In addition, it includes unsaturated fats that support cardiovascular health, so moderate consumption may have positive effects.
In traditional Korean medicine, pork is also regarded as a nourishing food that benefits health. It is seen not merely as a source of protein, but as a food that replenishes the body's depleted fluids and energy. The classic Donguibogam records that pork is good for helping weak people gain weight and replenishing yin energy. The Compendium of Materia Medica says it softens the stomach, replenishes bodily fluids, and strengthens the muscles.
That said, it is important to remember that pork is considered a cooling food. People with weak digestion may reduce the burden by eating it with warming vegetables such as lettuce, onions, and garlic. Lettuce, in particular, also helps reduce the toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene, which is naturally produced when meat is grilled. Benzo[a]pyrene, generated during high-heat grilling or cooking, is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.
It is also common to pair samgyeopsal with soju or beer, but caution is needed here as well. Eating greasy food and alcohol together can place a significant burden on the liver. Traditional Korean medicine includes the concept that the liver governs the tendons. This means the liver is responsible for the health of muscles and ligaments. Excessive drinking and high-fat foods can weaken liver function, interfere with the recovery of muscles and ligaments, and trigger pain in the lower back, neck, knees, and other spine and joint areas. The body aches and muscle and joint pain that appear the day after heavy drinking are also linked to this.
◇ Jensen Huang's love of chicken: 'two chickens a day' and the harmony with salad and green onions
Huang also showed his affection for chicken, reportedly eating it twice a day. Just before meeting with the heads of major Korean companies, he appeared at a professional baseball game to throw the ceremonial first pitch and drew laughter from the crowd with the remark, "Nothing is better than Chimaek."
Chicken can either promote health or contribute to disease depending on how it is prepared. Chicken is a classic high-protein food. It is rich in essential amino acids that make up muscles, skin, and immune cells, while its fat content is relatively low. Chicken breast, in particular, is popular among people managing their weight or doing strength training because it is high in protein and low in saturated fat.
However, these nutritional advantages can change significantly depending on how it is cooked. When chicken is deep-fried, its calorie and fat content rises sharply. One study found that 10% to 15% of the oil used for frying chicken is absorbed into the meat. A thick batter or a lower frying temperature leads to even greater oil absorption, which is considered a major reason for the higher fat content of fried chicken.
In traditional Korean medicine, chicken is interpreted as a food with strong warming and oily properties, in addition to its original nourishing effects. In particular, eating too much chicken is believed to cause damp-heat to accumulate in the body. Damp-heat refers to a condition in which unnecessary heat and waste materials stagnate inside the body. Traditional Korean medicine explains that if this state continues, it can lead to indigestion, bloating, bad breath, skin problems, and fatigue.
So how can chicken be enjoyed in a healthier way? The easiest method is to eat it with vegetables. Green onions, in particular, are considered an excellent match for chicken. They are rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, and antioxidants, helping balance nutrients that may be lacking when eating greasy food. The popularity of Padak, or chicken topped with sliced green onions, comes from this. Eating vegetables rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, such as broccoli and tomatoes, is also helpful.
◇ Beer, which Jensen Huang enjoyed, can raise the risk of gout if consumed excessively
Beer, which Huang commonly paired with his meals during his activities in Korea, also requires caution because it can be a major cause of gout. The Korean word for gout uses the characters for pain and wind. The name suggests a disease so painful that even a breeze can hurt. In traditional Korean medicine, gout is also called baekhoyeokjeolpung, meaning that the pain feels as if a white tiger is biting through the joints. Even the name itself conveys the intense suffering caused by the condition.
Gout is a disease in which uric acid, one of the body's waste products, is not properly eliminated. It accumulates around the joints and causes inflammation in surrounding tissues. It most often occurs in the big toe joint. The pain is severe, and the joint becomes red and swollen. In serious cases, even the slightest touch can be painful and make walking difficult.
Gout is closely linked to uric acid levels in the body. Uric acid is produced when purines are broken down, then circulates in the blood before being excreted through urine and stool. However, the risk of gout rises if uric acid is overproduced through the consumption of beer and other foods high in purines, or if kidney problems prevent uric acid from being properly eliminated. Gout has the characteristic of pain temporarily easing over time. But if left untreated, it can lead to chronic pain and joint deformity, making treatment much more difficult. Early and appropriate care is therefore important.
In traditional Korean medicine, gout is treated with herbal prescriptions, acupuncture, and pharmacopuncture, with a focus on lowering uric acid levels in the body. First, herbal medicine is used to help uric acid be excreted more smoothly. Then acupuncture is applied to points such as Daejuhyeol, Shinju acupoint, and Quchi to relieve pain. Pharmacopuncture, which uses purified herbal ingredients made safe for the human body, helps reduce inflammation around the joints.
Even when enjoying Samso and Chimaek, controlling the amount and frequency is also important for preventing gout. Eating high-fat foods and alcohol together can raise uric acid levels in the body and increase the risk of gout. Beer, in particular, contains more purines than other alcoholic drinks, so it is best to reduce consumption as much as possible. If drinking is unavoidable, it is advisable to avoid heavy drinking. After company dinners, it is also important to drink plenty of water and increase vegetable intake so that uric acid accumulated in the body can be eliminated more smoothly.
Jinho Lee, director of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, said, "Samgyeopsal and chicken are foods that provide protein and various nutrients, but excessive consumption with alcohol can raise the risk of various health problems, including gout, obesity, and fatty liver. At company dinners, it is important to control alcohol intake, eat plenty of vegetables, and maintain healthy eating habits through regular exercise and adequate hydration."
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
