'Can't I cook in my own home?' Food odor complaint divides Korean apartment residents

A request asking apartment dwellers to be considerate of strong cooking smells in the evenings has triggered an online debate in South Korea about the extent to which neighbors should accommodate each other in shared living spaces. The dispute started after a photo of a note posted inside an apartment's elevator was shared on the social media platform Threads on Tuesday.

The writer of the notice politely asked for everyone's understanding, explaining that recently strong cooking odors had been infiltrating their home in the evenings, causing significant discomfort. The problem seemed to be most severe around 8 p.m., when smells from dishes like cheonggukjang, a strong fermented soybean stew, and grilled meats were wafting in through the balcony and windows.

The writer noted that the odors were so intense that it was difficult to even open windows for ventilation in living rooms and bedrooms. While the writer sought neighbors to exercise a bit more caution when cooking in terms of ventilation and odor control, another resident who viewed the notice took issue with the suggestion, arguing that living in modern times meant they were accustomed to different living arrangements.