There are some for whom coming to Korea marks a new start in life. For the lucky few, the move provides the ideal opportunity to get out from behind the desk, lose some weight and finally get round to being the person they want to be.

Then there are the rest of us. Those who quickly realise that no matter how far we go, breaking old habits doesn't come easy. For us, Korea offers not salvation, but a myriad of new temptations with which to satiate our wicked vices.

For this weeks WTF? Files, I've compiled what I consider to be the 5 best reasons for getting fat in Korea. This won't help you be a better person, but it might help you be more discerning about how you go about the business of your ruin.

At 5 is the french-fry covered hot dog on a stick. This calorific menace is available from street vendors all over the country and tastes great. It also solves the problem of whether to eat your fries or hotdog first and leaves you one hand free for your beer/chocolate milk/cup of lard. Korean ingenuity at its finest!

At 4 is sam gyup sal. Translated as "three layers of fat" sam gyup sal cuts straight to the heart of what pork should all about: fat, fat and more fat. Ever peered down through the grill at the drip tray after having just eaten a bunch of the stuff? Don't.

At 3 is Korean fried chicken. Anyone whose ever been to a Kindergarten birthday party or a baseball match should be familiar with the pure greatness of (the other) KFC. Whether slathered in hot sauce (like the above) or eaten simply on its own, this stuff is simply amazing.

At 2 the cheese doncass. Short of sprinkling it with broken glass or lacing it with arsenic, stuffing a deep fried pork cutlet with cheap processed cheese is pretty much the only way of making it more unhealthy. Bang one of these for lunch and it will provide you ballast for the rest of the day. Heavy on the stomach and the conscience, this nevertheless tastes great.

And finally, at 1, The almighty roti bun. Although a Singaporean invention, Roti buns have taken off massively here and most neighbourhoods are home to at least one of the Roti family (Pappa Roti, Roti Mum, Roti boy etc.) Not much tops biting through that soft coffee crust to reveal the rich buttery resevoir within.

Of course you could just enjoy all the above in moderation, but wheres the fun in that?

Can you think of anything to add to my list? Please to do so below.

Alternatively, read more WTF? Files or visit my Street Food blog.

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