Episode: South Korea

Presenter: Melissa King

When you think of theme parks usually you think of junk food, wild rides and probably sheer exhaustion but in the middle of the peninsula is a theme park of a completely different nature.

It is a much healthier and more relaxed experience and it is a journey for the senses. Sangsoo Herb Land is just that; a herbal wonderland, filled with over 500 hundred kinds of different herbs from all over the world. It is about getting to know the plants and their magical properties through touch, taste and smell.

It is not foreign for us to use the leaves of herbs in our cooking or when making tea, but here, it is the flowers that take centre stage.

For instance, heliotrope flowers are said to induce a calming affect. If you have a sore throat then honeysuckle is the way to go. To increase blood circulation use Cherry Sage. Best of all, good old garden variety Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana cv.) are said to have an anti-ageing affect.

It is not unusual to see violas or nasturtiums in your salad bowl but a palette of about 40 different flowers and sprouts forms the basis of Sangsoo?s famous flower rice dish. By adding a little bit of red pepper paste, soy sauce, pork and rice it makes the perfect combination.

It is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds; it is colourful, spicy, incredibly nutritious and really good.

Sangsoo Herb Land

http://en.sangsooherb.com/index.asp