$10 vs $120 Korean PC Bang Food!!

Key Concepts

PC Bong (Internet Cafe), Gaming Culture in Korea, Korean Cuisine, Esports, Food Trends in PC Bongs, Cost Comparison of PC Bongs, PC Bong Economics, Korean BBQ, Instant Noodles, Fusion Cuisine, Honey Butter Flavor, Social Aspects of PC Bongs, Decline of PC Bong Culture.

PC Bong Definition and Overview

The video explores the phenomenon of PC Bongs (PC방), which are Korean internet cafes. "PC" stands for computer, and "Bong" means room. Seoul has over 20,000 PC Bongs. The video contrasts two PC Bongs: a budget-friendly one costing $10 for a full day and a high-end one that can reach $120 per day.

PC Bong 9: A Budget-Friendly PC Bong

Exterior and Services

PC Bong 9 advertises gaming, food, and online access. Computer usage costs $1 per hour.

Food Selection

The PC Bong offers water, coffee, snacks, and a kitchen area with a cooler containing meat. Roasted meats can be ordered to the computer. The kitchen includes an oven and a ramen section with induction ovens. A soda fountain provides Mountain Dew, Pepsi, and "Tams" soda.

Ordering System

Customers order food from their computers using an online menu. The menu includes churros, duck boki with cheese, fried chicken, chicken skin, and mandu (dumplings). The PC Bong is known for its barbecued meats.

Initial Food Order and Review

The initial order includes a cheese corn dog, Wong Galby chicken (king short rib chicken), and cheese don kasu dkoki (fried pork cutlet with rice cake). The total cost is 17,500 won. The reviewer notes the evolution of PC Bong food from kimbap and cup noodles to meat and melted cheeses.

• Cheese Corn Dog: Described as "knife" (nice).
• Wong Galby Chicken: Spicy, sweet, and tangy, typically used with beef but works well with chicken.
• Cheese Don Kasu Dkoki: Fried pork cutlet filled with cheese, served with duck boki in gochu jang sauce. Crunchy, porky, and cheesy.

Second Food Order and Preparation

The second order includes pork belly, moksal (pork neck), and nakji bokbab (octopus fried rice), totaling 29,000 won. The owner, John, prepares the food in a small kitchen, managing over 30 menu items.

• Pork Belly and Pork Neck: The owner weighs the meat precisely and cooks it in an air fryer.
• Egg Rice: Two eggs are cracked into a container with oil and soy sauce, then cooked by "Chef Mike." The reviewer praises the food quality and consistency.

Interview with Jimmy Kim (PC Bong Expert)

Jimmy Kim explains that people are interested in PC Bongs due to nostalgic memories. Young people enjoy playing video games side-by-side. PC Bongs offer affordable entertainment, costing about $1 per hour with cheap food. He notes that the Korean barbecue is unique to this PC Bong.

Food Review with Jimmy Kim

• Egg Rice: Tastes like caramel due to the rich butter and savory soy sauce.
• Nakji Bokbab: Spicy with gochu jang. The octopus is chopped into small pieces. Jimmy notes the difference between the microwave fried rice and the freshly cooked barbecue.
• Pork Belly: Crispy and chewy with a good flavor. Jimmy suggests grilling on a pan for more oil and flavor but acknowledges the air fryer is cleaner. The pork neck is drier but seasoned well.

Base Camp: An Expensive PC Bong

Overview and Atmosphere

Base Camp is a high-end PC Bong owned by an esports team. Renting the largest private room costs $12.88 per hour. The PC Bong is well-lit and modern, offering both PC and console games (Xbox, PS5, Nintendo Switch).

Amenities

The PC Bong features a caffeine bar with Red Bulls, lattes, and espresso shots. It includes a competition area for esports teams, high-end computer parts, and air filtering technology. The private room has a couch, two computers, a large flat-screen TV, and an air filter.

Food Ordering System

The ordering system is similar to the previous location. The menu highlights favorite foods of esports team members.

Initial Food Order and Review

The initial order includes chicken and waffles, honey butter French fries, and cone cheese fried mandu.

• Cone Cheese Fried Mandu: Tastes like processed cheese and onion, with a chemical flavor.
• Honey Butter French Fries: The sauce is confusing, lacking a clear identity. The reviewer notes that honey butter was a popular flavor in Korea but may have been overused here.
• Chicken and Waffles: The reviewer creates his own version by combining waffle bites, chicken strips, and syrup. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the combination is delicious.

Interview with Jimmy Kim (Continued)

Jimmy Kim notes that Base Camp has 234 PCs and high-end gaming gear. The PC Bong is owned by the popular esports team T1. Esports team members are considered sex symbols and popular athletes in Korea. Young people aspire to become professional gamers.

Second Food Order and Review

The second order includes pounded rice cakes with sausages, oversaucogi with egg (marinated beef), and cream noodles.

• Pounded Rice Cakes with Sausages: A classic Korean combination.
• Oversaucogi with Egg: Thinly sliced, marinated beef with a sweet and savory bulgogi sauce.
• Cream Noodles: Instant noodles jazzed up with green chilies and beef flavor. Jimmy Kim adds cheese and egg to his noodles.

Decline of PC Bong Culture

Jimmy Kim explains that PC Bong culture is declining due to increased home PC ownership and internet access. Operating PC Bongs solely on PC rentals is difficult, leading to the emphasis on food sales.

Conclusion

The video provides a detailed look into the PC Bong culture in Korea, highlighting the evolution of food offerings, the social aspects of gaming, and the economic challenges faced by these establishments. While PC Bongs are becoming less essential for gaming due to increased home access, they continue to thrive by offering a social space and a diverse food menu, ranging from traditional Korean dishes to fusion creations. The video contrasts a budget-friendly PC Bong with a high-end one, showcasing the range of experiences available.