Q. I have to eat out while on a diet; from a Korean medicine doctor's perspective, what menus would you recommend?

To be honest, even as a practitioner, I often find myself hesitating in front of a menu during a busy clinic day, wondering, 'Is this okay to eat?' Having gone through a lot of trial and error myself, let me provide some realistic guidance. First, I recommend whole-food-based meals such as shabu-shabu, ssam-bap (vegetable wraps), or grilled fish. These options are low in oil and high in vegetables, which helps discharge 'Dameum' (痰飮, an accumulation of abnormal fluids/phlegm in the body). The biggest advantages are that they are easy to digest and minimize blood sugar spikes. Conversely, you should avoid overly spicy, salty, or stimulating foods, as well as flour-based noodle dishes. These foods tend to create 'Eohyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis or stagnant blood) in the body and cause swelling. While delicious, they are the primary culprits in disrupting your diet progress. The most critical factor, however, is your own physical state. For those with a 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency) constitution—characterized by poor digestive power—eating cold salad-based meals can lead to upset stomachs and a loss of energy. For such individuals, warm soups or steamed dishes are a much better choice. Ultimately, the core issue is not just 'what to eat,' but 'what my body is currently capable of digesting.' If you feel unusually heavy or experience indigestion after eating out, it may be a signal that the food is incompatible with your current constitution. It is helpful to track and check specifically which foods cause your body to react this way.