Welcome! I’m George, the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind My Eclectic Bites.
My mission is to share vibrant, everyday recipes inspired by my Korean heritage and a deep curiosity for global cuisines. Through approachable techniques and thoughtful ingredients, I help home cooks bring flavor, variety, and joy to the table, one meal at a time.
Why “My Eclectic Bites”
If I laid out a table of my favorite dishes, you’d find flavors from Korea, Italy, Mexico, the U.S., the Mediterranean, and beyond.
My love for global cuisine blossomed after I moved to the U.S., where I met people from all over the world who introduced me to their food. Exploring different restaurants also opened my eyes (and taste buds!) to so many wonderful cultures and cuisines.
I believe variety brings joy to the kitchen, so My Eclectic Bites felt like the perfect name for a collection of delicious, diverse recipes inspired by flavors from around the world.
What You’ll Find Here:
- Easy, globally inspired meals made with accessible ingredients
- Recipes for two to four people, inspired by cooking for my husband and me
- Health-conscious dishes that never sacrifice flavor
- Budget-friendly ideas inspired by our early years of marriage, when cooking at home helped us save money. Those habits still shape the way I cook today.
- Comforting, home-cooked meals you’ll want to make again and again
- Occasional desserts, treats, and from-scratch recipes when the extra effort is worth it!
My food journey:
I was born and raised in Korea until I was 16, and while my cooking isn’t defined by one cuisine, Korean food will always feel like home.
If I had to choose just one cuisine to eat for the rest of my life, it would be Korean. Not just for the flavors, but for what it represents.
My mom is a fantastic cook, and I was lucky to grow up eating her food every day. To me, Korean food was how she showed love to my sister and me. I think that’s where my love for food began and where I learned to express love through cooking.
But I wasn’t always a good cook. Far from it! When I first moved to the U.S., my meals mostly consisted of fast food, snacks, and convenience foods. In college, I slowly taught myself how to cook, starting with boxed pasta and jarred sauces, just like so many of us do.
After getting married, I became more intentional about cooking for two and started exploring more cuisines. Between 2019 and 2021, I ate exclusively vegetarian meals and learned how to transform my favorite dishes into plant-based versions. That experience taught me to be creative, flexible, and mindful in the kitchen.
I reintroduced meat and seafood in late 2021 and now enjoy a wide variety of foods, especially recreating dishes inspired by different cultures.
I also spent three years working as a cooking class instructor, exploring techniques and flavors from cuisines around the world. That experience continues to shape how I cook, develop recipes, and share what I've learned here on the blog.
Fun Facts About Me:
- “George” is my nickname. It stuck after several people said that my habit of asking a million questions reminded them of Curious George.
- Korean is my first language. English is my second, and according to my husband, I talk in my sleep in both.
- Before pursuing food full-time, I worked as an analytical chemist. Turns out, recipe testing isn’t all that different from lab work!
- I have a holistic nutrition certification and completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT), even though I spend most of savasana daydreaming about what I’m going to eat next.
- I HATE cilantro (yes, I have that gene!), and you won’t find it in any of my recipes. Ever!
- Cooking is my happy place. It's part creative outlet, part therapy, and always a little bit chaotic (in the best way).
Thanks so much for being here. My hope is that the recipes you find on this blog make cooking feel a little easier, a little more joyful, and a lot more delicious, no matter what your day looks like.
If you ever want to say hello, ask a question, or share what you’ve made, I’d truly love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out anytime at [email protected].
Happy cooking!