Traditional Winter Foods

Gimjang Kimchi

Kimchi is the quintessential Korean food, and comes in large variety. Wintertime Kimchi-making is known as ‘gimjang’. Gimjang is the preparation and storage of kimchi that will be eaten over the stark winter months. Traditionally, gimjang kimchi was the only vegetable available in the cold winter season when nothing green was to be found. As winter approaches, autumn’s final harvesting consists of gathering the major ingredients for kimchi – Chinese cabbages and radishes. These ingredients to make gimjang kimchi are traditionally prepared by the housewives for their family members to eat during winter. 

The important factor in gimjang is storage. Gimjang kimchi is best when stored at 0℃, with little to no temperature fluctuation for best fermentation. Traditionally, there were designated earth holes in which gimjang kimchi jars were buried, and covered with straw mats for storage in the winter. Today, most Korean households have two refrigerators. One is the typical refrigerator while the other one is a kimchi-exclusive refrigerator, which is also a uniquely Korean electronic product.

Red Been Porridge of Winter Solstice

Winter solstice refers to the day with the fewest daylight hours in the year; therefore the night with the longest duration. This year, winter solstice was on Dec. 22, and from the very next day, daylight started to become longer, slowly chasing away winter as the sun gains its strength. 

Korea’s most important traditional winter solstice event is making and eating red bean paste porridge. The red beans are boiled into porridge and small glutinous rice balls are added, making the red bean paste porridge thick and sweet. Red beans symbolize the chasing away of evil spirits, and the rice balls symbolize new life. Therefore, a delicious bowl of red bean past porridge on winter solstice was believed to chase away all illnesses, and if you eat as many rice balls as your age, it finally means you have aged one year. 

In Korean history, Koreans sprinkled red bean paste porridge around their homes and shared it with their neighbors to chase away evil spirits. Koreans also believed a warm winter solstice meant the coming of diseases and death, and a cold snowy winter solstice meant a prosperous New Year. 

Although the winter solstice is not a major Korean holiday like Chuseok or Seollal, Korean families do get together to enjoy a sweet bowl of red bean paste porridge and wish for a healthy and prosperous New Year. Lately, many porridge restaurants have opened, so you can enjoy the red bean paste porridge any time of the year. It usually costs around ￦5,000 ~ ￦8,000. How about enjoying a filling bowl of the sweet red bean paste porridge to wish for a healthy and prosperous New Year?

Manduguk(Dumpling Soup)

Manduguk (dumpling soup) is a delicacy that warms the body and mind, and is enjoyed by almost all Koreans during the cold winter. Beautifully prepared dumplings are filled with minced beef and vegetables, then added to a hot broth along with sliced rice cakes and boiled to perfection. Although traditionally the dumplings are made of pork and beef, these days, pheasant meat, is added to the dumplings to make Pheasant Manduguk. The pink and yellowish dumpling soup is made naturally with vegetables. Although eaten throughout all the four seasons, Manduguk is especially delicious in winter and is traditionally served on New Year’s Day. It is especially tasty when enjoyed with gimjang kimchi (kimchi prepared during winter) or cold mulkimchi (watery kimchi). Manduguk usually costs about 4,000 won to 7000 won per bowl depending on the region and the restaurant.

Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup) on Lunar New Year’s Day

Tteokguk is normally enjoyed in Lunar New Year’s Day. On New Years morning, the whole family gathers around to have tteokguk together. Eating tteokguk, they make New Year’s resolutions while wishing each other a healthy and rewarding New Year. Lately, tteokguk is often enjoyed on Solar New Year’s Day. Of course you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy tteokguk. Many people enjoy the food routinely as a seasonal delicacy during the winter.

To make tteokguk, first slice up garaetteok (long, white cylinder-shaped tteok) thinly and then put the pieces into soup stock seasoned with a pinch of salt or a drop of soy sauce. Garaetteok is sliced into different shapesaccording to each region in Korea. These days, sliced garaetteok is widely enjoyed in a range of soups including manduguk (dumpling soup) or ramyeon (ramen).

Ogokbap (Five-grain Rice) of Jeongwol Daeboreum (Jan. 15th by lunar calendar)

Ogokbap Ricea special festive food for Jeongwoldaeboreum, refers to cooked white rice mixed with five grains including glutinous rice, glutinous millet, red beans, glutinous kaoliang, and black beans. Depending on the region, 2 or 3 grains out of the five are interchangeable. As it is largely deemed to be much healthier to add grains when cooking white so these days, people routinely add one or two other grains. There are other festive foods to enjoy on Jeongwoldaeboreum. Traditionally, people enjoy dried wild vegetables from the previous year steamed and seasoned or simply stirred. Or they have ‘bureom’ (a range of nuts including pine nuts, chestnuts, walnuts, and peanuts) and wish for good luck for the whole year.

Korea is one of the few countries in the world to have continued as a one nation with the same language since its earliest history. For centuries people inhabiting the small peninsula have maintained their uniqueness and culture.

Korea’s unity was broken in the 1950′s by the civil war that lasted for three years and left the country divided into two parts North and South. The division, a strip of land that stretches form coast to coast and separates into two parts what historically had been one nation is called Demilitarized Zone.

Once the war ended the divided country choose different political ideology and form of government. South Korea, which is also known as the Republic of Korea, chose democratic form of government. North Korea known as Democratic People’s Republic of Korea adapt communism as a political ideology.

Korean Languge

The Korean language devised in the middle of 15th century. The creation of its own language brought a significant break from the overpowering Chinese influence on Korean Peninsula. At first Koreans writing system had been based on Chinese characters, however in the 1400s a 24 Hangul characters was created.

The same language is used in both part of Korea, however South Koreans refer to the language as Hangungmal or Hangugeo, while speakers in North Korea refer to the language as Chosonmal or Chosono.

In terms of religion, South Korea officially has no religion, and over 50% of the population does not have faith preferences. However, the other half are divided into Buddhists, and Christian of whom around 7 percents are Catholic. There are still Confucian influences in the society. Koreans in addition believe in spirits. Ancient Koreans worshiped spirits of their ancestors and spirits that represent nature such as mountains. According to legend every Korean village has a mountain spirit called sonang. The head of a village performs rituals to please the spirits, and also ask them for sings to predict the future. One of the rituals involves burning paper. If the ashes of the paper rise above the flames, the village will have a prosperous year. Once the ashes settle to the ground, the future year will be filled with problems and difficulties.

Tigers for Korean are holly animals that represent the mountain gods. These powerful cats were honored for their beauty and bravery. Tiger, which also symbolize good luck, is so important for Korean that when South Korea hosted the 1988 Olympic Games, tiger was chosen as the game mascot. Unfortunately, believe that tiger posses a great power nearly brought the animals to extinction. Since tiger bones are used in traditional medicine, hunters have killed many of the animals to supply the bone demand.

Korea has food for all occasions; the cuisine uses many spices that give Korean’s food its characteristic flavor. Rice as well as kimchi is the basic food eaten at every meal. Kimchi is one of the typical Korean foods; an average Korean eats about 40 ponds of the fermented Napa cabbage each year.

Nowadays Korea, South Korea is taking a leading role in developing Asia. This country expends its interaction on the global market, economies and cultural linkages. South Korea’s fast economic growth helped the country to get established among Asian Tigers. Korean people were able to well balance tradition and modern technology. South Koreans are proud of their culture, heritage and pass them on their children.

Learning about foreign, exotic cultures expands our horizons. It helps us to understand and appreciate the differences among nations. Being able to communicate in Korean will open a whole new world; will enable you to understand the culture better. If you are looking for more information or translation services, please visit Korean to English Translation Service

The traditional culture of Korea is historically shared by North Korea and South Korea Nevertheless, the current political separation of the north and the south of the peninsula results in some regional variance in the Korean culture.The different aspects of Korean culture, society, and customs can be observed by taking an in-depth look into Life in Korea.

Oriental Astrology : Oriental astrology assigns twelve animals according to the year of ones birth. It is opposite to Western astrology which goes by the month of ones birth. Koreans have firm belief that ones animal determines ones personality and fate. Each year holds different things in store for each animal.

Korean Buddhism : Buddhism was originated in India over 2,600 years ago. This religion was introduced to Korea by the travelers around the fourth century A.D. Since that time, Buddhism has greatly influenced Korean society, culture, and the arts.

Traditional Alcohol : Korea has created unique alcohols using rice malt.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) : The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the symbol of the ideological dispute between North and South Korea and poignant reminder of the Korean War (1950-53), winds 155 miles across the Korean Peninsula. An uneasy truce continues between the antagonists, but no peace treaty has ever been signed. Review the Korean War and the various parts of the DMZ.

Taekwondo : Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific of Korean traditional martial arts. This modern sport has gained an international reputation and has been included among the official sports in the Olympic Games.

Rice Cakes (Deok) : Korean traditional cakes have great importance on many occasions of happiness and sorrow. These cakes have long been shared among neighbors and friends on these special occasions.The cake shape, content, and color vary from one region to another.

Samulnori basically means “four instruments” and refers to the four instruments (kwaengwari, jing, janggu, buk) played by the musicians. It has roots in Buddhist and folk music. However, the style has changed through the years and evolved in different ways. Samulnori is the name of the traditional musical group. This group has great contributions in reviving interest in Korean traditional arts.

Traditional Patterns and Symbols : Korean people traditionally adapted to and found meaning in the order of nature. They have created beautiful and diverse patterns in order to teach the hidden meanings of nature to their children. They also want their children to believe nature as law and order in their daily lives.These patterns can be found in every aspect of Korean life, from the Taegeuk in the national flag to the animal designs on chopsticks in restaurants. Many symbols are similar to the Chinese characters for luck, fortune, longevity, and fertility.

Traditional Tools and Utensils : Many Korean traditional tools and utensils look very similar to those found in other agricultural societies: stone mills for grinding grains into powder, weaving looms for making clothes, and measuring tools for dispensing agricultural products. Korea also has many tools and utensils made from bamboo and straw.

Kimchi- Most people think Kimchi as Korea’s firey hot and red food .Kimchi has many nutrients. Over the years, Koreans have created many types of foods from kimchi.

Child’s First Birthday (Tol) The death rate for children in Korea was extremely high in the last few years. A great number of children were failed to survive the first year of life.As a result, the first birthday marked a major milestone in a child’s life. The ceremony of the Tol celebrates the child’s life with praying for longevity, preparation of special food to be shared with family members and neighbors, and a special event which is supposed to foretell the child’s future.

Traditional Marriage : Marriage in Korea like any other culture represents one of the major stages of ones life. Ceremonies vary according to the region where they are performed and the social status of the participants. However,they all follow the same basic format.

Traditional Clothing : Korean traditional clothing is both brilliant in its bright colorings and subdued in its flowing lines and the way it hides the body shape. During national holidays and festive occasions, the colorful national costume hanbok is worn. The designs and colors of the various forms represent the rich culture and society of traditional Korea.

Festivals of the lunar calendar : The Korean lunar calendar is divided into 24 turning points (jeolgi), each lasting about 15 days. Traditional festivals are still celebrated according to the lunar calendar. The biggest of which is the New Year’s Day (gujeong). Other important festivals include the first full moon (jeongwol daeboreum), the spring festival (dano) and the harvest festival (chuseok). Older generations still celebrate their birthdays according to the lunar calendar.

For more information about Korea Culture visit: http://korea.ixs.net/general-info/korea-culture/index.aspx

We explore the culture of Korea in Boston. Korean food is known for being healthy and chock full of complex flavors. But the cuisine flies a bit under the radar, so well give you a crash course in what to try. Well also meet three women of Korean ancestry who are helping lead the Boston Symphony Orchestra to new heights. And well visit the classroom of a highly-respected taekwondo master and talk to Boston College psychology professor Ramsay Liem, who has directed a traveling exhibition and co-produced an upcoming documentary about the psychological aftermath of the Korean War.

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Have you been dreaming about a trip to East Asia? If yes, South Korea and Seoul must be on your list.

Seoul, the capitol and the largest city, is unqestionably the political, economic and cultural center of South Korea. The bustling metoroplies, located on the banks of Han River, offers historical sites, great restaurants and irresistable nightlife.

Once you set foot in Seoul you must visit a few of the „Five Grand Palaces.” Personally, I found Geyongbokgung, an impressive palace complex the most intersting. This royal residence, which had been built under the Joseon Dynesty, was almost entirely destroyed during the Japanese invasion and occupation of Korea. You will need to dedicate one day to visit this “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven,” the former seat of monarchs, that also is a home to National Folk Museum and National Palace Museum.

Deoksugung Palace, the smallest of Seoul’s palaces is located near the City Hall Station. The name Deokungung means “Palace of virtue and longevity.” This former residence of Wolsandaegun, a brother of King Seongjong, is famous for its elegant stone-wall road and a number of western style buildings that add to the uniqueness of the surrounding scenery. The highlight of your visit may be the Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony, which is held three times a day in front of the Daehanmun Gate.

In close proximity to Gyeongbokgung palace lies an interesting medley of stores located on Insa-dong Street. Insa-dong, with its countless alleys branching out from the main street, is a favorite shopping spot among tourists. Traditional Korean paintings, calligraphy, pottery, antique bookstores and restaurants are here in abundance. This lively place is worth visiting even if you do not intend to make a purchase.

Another traditional street market is located next to the “Great South Gate.” Namdaemun market is the longest-running market in South Korea. This place has a flea market character and flavour; therefore, being able to bargain is crucial if you want to purchase souvenirs.

If the franticness and rush of Seoul overwhelms you, remember that the city is bordered by mountains. The natural scenery, with singing birds, may relive your stress and encourage you to reflect on yourself and on the life in the bustling city spreading itself out in front of your eyes.

Are you interested in more facts about Korea? Do you need a document to be translated from Korean to English? If yes, visit Korean Translation.

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When Koreans sit down to a traditional meal, they relax on a clean paper floor. The meal comes to them on a low table. Usually food is served in a nearly arranged collection of small metal bowls. Generally used is pair of chopsticks and a flat soupspoon. Foreigners may be surprised to find that Koreans will often eat a bowl of rice and may be have an extra helping even though dishes remain unfinished. Don’t let this preference for rice bother you; to Koreans, rice – not meat – is considered to be the main dish of meal. In fact, one of the most common street greetings Bam mogossoyo? Mean, “Have you eaten rice?” If you run out of a particular item, the lady of the house will bring more. When you have had enough to eat, place your chopsticks and soupspoon to the right of your bowl; do not leave them stuck in the rice or resting on any of the bowls. A dish of sliced and chilled fruit is usually served as a dessert. Depending on the season, muskmelon, strawberries, apples, pears and watermelon are among the fresh and sweet selections. At major celebrations, special steamed rice cakes are presented as a tasty style treat. 

Usually in Korean the host pays for everything and if you are ever invited out for a drinking session or meal with Korean friends, you will it difficult to pay the bill or even contribute towards it. For Visitor the same applies even if it is you that doing the inviting. All manner of tricks will be used to beat you to the cashier will be ordered not to accept your money.

Ingredients: For the Broth: 3 Cups Water, 1 pack of Dried Anchovy(6 Dried anchovies), 6 Kelps (1 x 2 inch) Main : 1/4 Cup Beef, 2 Dried Shiitake mushrooms, 1/3 Cup Potato, 1/3 Cup Zucchini, 1/3 Cup Onion, 1/2 Tofu, 1 Green Onion, 1 Hot green Pepper, 1/2 Red Hot Pepper For Beef & Mushrooms: 1 Tbsp Soup Soy Sauce, 1/2 Tbsp Garlic, 1 tsp Sugar, 1 tsp Sesame Oil, 1 Pinch Black Pepper, For Soup: 2 Tbsp Soybean Paste, 1 Tbsp Red Pepper Paste, 1/2 Tbsp Red Pepper Powder Yield: 2~3 Poeple Music Title : 길 / 아시나요 Artist : 영턱스 클럽 Thanks PinkMartinsSF for your request again !!! I hope you like this. *^______^*
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