Fifteen days after the Lunar New Year, the full moon appears in the sky. 🎑 This first full moon of the year is called Jeongwol Daeboreum (정월대보름) in Korean and it has particular significance in traditional culture. 🌕 There are various customs associated with the event and they involve e.g. sharing food, watching the moon... Continue Reading →
Ingredients of Traditional Medicine 한약
Did you ever pass a Korean health food store or a street vendor selling things that are considered natural remedies? When I do, I keep wondering "What is that? Why is it sold here? What is it used for? How is that edible?" 🤔💭 One can argue about whether such components of herbal medicine can... Continue Reading →
What you need to know about seaweed in Korea
Do you love the smell of the sea? 🌊 Or do you dislike that "fishy" smell? 🐟 Any thoughts on seaweed? 🌿 Nori seaweed (gim 김) and other marine organisms on a rock exposed during low tide. Bogil Island (보길도), 2018. Seaweed.... 🤔 Funny name to begin with, right?! Another name for it is algae,... Continue Reading →
Midwinter’s food is vegan: Patjuk 팥죽
It's tiiiiiime!!!! It's THE time of the year again! What time? Christmas time?🎄 Right, Christmas is coming up. ✝️ And so is Hanukkah. 🕎 But before that, we have another important event: Winter Solstice! Now, what is that? Winter solstice is the day that has the longest night of the year. ☃️🌠❄️ And what makes... Continue Reading →
Dessert of the rich and noble: Yakgwa 약과
Once upon a time, there was yakgwa, a noble and beloved treat, which consisted of the following main ingredients: white wheat flouroilhoney Believe it or not, all of these ingredients used to be precious and expensive.💲 So for centuries, yakgwa was enjoyed primarily by members of the upper class and cherished at holidays and other... Continue Reading →