Korean Food

I'm living in Korea at the moment.  Lots of things are very clearly labelled xxKcal so it's not too bad trying to calculate calorie intake on packaged goods.  When it comes to prepared meals- in restaurants and school lunch (which is delicious but a diet nightmare as it is COMPULSORY and gets a big frown if anything is wasted) - it is really hard to estimate or even find a guide online. 

Does anyone know of any rough calorie guides to Korean type meals?

The culture of pretty/thin here is hugely relevant when we are all trying to lose a few pounds, hopefully because we know that we would be healthier/fitter if we did.  Still, it's hard not to be influenced by this mad desire to fit some kind of impossible ideal and want to be thinner just to meet a stereotype.   I came here aged 47 (48 in Korean) and with the intention of being a teacher.   So far as I know my contract did not stipulate that I needed to be a 25 year old supermodel or I wouldn't have bothered... yet within days I was told what I should dress like and that I should wear more make-up for work!  My 'fitness' was remarked upon in subtle ways too, and though I'm no gym-babe I'm not exactly a couch potato either.  In Britain it would be so rude to overtly mention any of these things.

I have found it quite enlightening to hear all of your comments, ranging from attitudes towards Korean food to Korean plastic surgery.  It should give us all a chance to reflect on how we feel about our bodies, why, and what we are willing to sacrifice to change it.  It certainly makes me think.  Throw in cultural attitudes to women over 40 and you have enough material to ponder for a PhD.

And before anyone gets all defensive, I want to say I love Korean culture and in many ways feel much happier here than I have in many countries I've lived in, but nowhere is perfect.  It's a chance to compare and contrast and I'm really happy to hear everyone's opinions and experiences.

I live in U.S., but I LOVE soon tofu soup (soondubu ?) with seafood. Can anyone estimate calories in restaurant one?

I was thinking 12oz silken tofu around 200 Cal, Broth around 50Cal, 1 tbs of oil 120Cal, seafood 100Cal, 1 egg 80 Cal, + 50 cal for mushrooms and random veggies?

Does this sound about right?

Thanks

UD

The website I use says 204cals for 300g of soup plus rice if you eat that. 

The link doesn't work on my computer but it might just be me -- this website links to a Korean food calorie guideline chart.

http://www.kissmykimchi.com/2008/08/count-tho se-calories.html

Does it work for you?

That site has been down for about six months. 

Ah, well that explains why the link won't open.

Theatrelily - I found the menu with estimated calories in my school lunch room!  Thank you for putting me on the trail - it is in a totally obvious place and I should have noticed before, but it's so easy to just blur all the 'foreign' stuff into the background.

 And yes, every day they estimate around 800 calories.  I'm not sure what they consider an average portion - everyone seems to get a different amount and I think they have been piling it on mine, probably as they seem happy that I love most of what I'm served.  Still it's not been too hard to let them know that a little less is better and I just ditch the fatty meat, the hotdogs, the spam and anything else that looks like it is just wasted calories.

Things are looking good so far, though I'm still in that manic first few weeks when I'm losing quickly but probably due to initial enthusiasm.

Hope all you other Korea dwellers are doing well.