7 Seollal Foods You Should Try in Korea

Even successful modern Korean culture, Seollal (설날, Korean New Year) is 1 of nan astir important accepted festivals successful Korea, commemorating nan first time of nan lunar calendar. The root of Seollal has a agelong history, which besides consists of a assortment of accepted Seollal food. Let’s publication connected to find retired what immoderate Seollal foods are and wherever you tin effort them retired successful Seoul!

Food for nan King

In humanities Korean culture, nan earliest Seollal celebrations were recorded during nan aged kingdom, Silla (신라) dynasty, and subsequently successful nan play of Goryeo (고려) and Joseon (조선) dynasty. Do you cognize that location are circumstantial meals only catered to nan Royal family and aristocrats? Hanjeongsik (한정식) is simply a accepted Korean-style afloat people repast consisting of up to 30 dishes each time. This royal cuisine is mostly made up of rice, seafood and vegetables, though nutrient specified arsenic beef and chickenhearted is prepared arsenic well. 

The main dishes usually person earthy fish, shelled crabs, Bulgogi (불고기, grilled meat), and Jeon (전, Korean pancake). The atom served is called nan Patbab (팥밥, a substance of rice, beans and nuts), which has galore nutritional properties. Along pinch nan main dishes, Guk (국, soup) will besides beryllium included, aliases sometimes Jjigae (찌개, stew). The broth of Jjigae is overmuch thicker than that of a soup. On nan side, Banchan (반찬, broadside dishes) travel successful a wide variety. 

Banchan, though placed connected nan broadside to complement nan main dishes, they are prepared and presented successful accordance pinch a strict norm referred to arsenic nan accuracy of nan Yin, nan and nan superior 5 elements. The value of nan harmony betwixt nan 5 mentation methods (grilled, boiled, steamed, fried, aliases salted) arsenic good arsenic 5 position colors (red, blue, green, white, aliases black) is highly weighted successful Hanjeongsik. No uncertainty that nan agelong history of Hanjeongsik played an power complete really Koreans hole festive Seollal nutrient successful modern days.

Iconic Seollal food 

Let’s spot immoderate Seollal nutrient that has been passed down from history!    

Tteokguk (떡국, Rice barroom soup)

Tteokguk (떡국) is simply a accepted Korean crockery that is made pinch a nutrient broth, usually beef aliases anchovy, that consists of tteok (떡, atom cakes). You tin besides adhd eggs, meat, aliases seaweed to elevate nan taste. The whiteness of nan crockery symbolizes a clean, caller commencement to nan caller twelvemonth and nan round, oval style of nan tteok resembles coins which bring bully luck successful nan caller year. In caller years, Manduguk (만두국, dumplings soup) besides became different crockery action erstwhile preparing Seollal food. Following a akin recipe, Mandu (만두, dumplings) are later added to nan soup. Below are immoderate restaurants we recommend!

• Saebom Tteokguk Guksu (새봄떡국국수) 62-15 Chungjeongno 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 충정로1가 62-15)
• Myeongdong Kalguksu (명동칼국수) 16 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 남대문로 16)

Mandu (만두, Dumplings)

Mandu (만두) are Korean dumplings made pinch flour-based mixed and filled pinch a substance of meat, tofu, and vegetables. Depending connected one’s taste, nan fillings tin besides see seafood aliases different ingredients. Mandu tin beryllium steamed, boiled, pan-fried, aliases deep-fried. The style of Mandu resembles a fortunate pouch that symbolizes bully fortune. By sharing Mandu arsenic a Seollal food pinch nan full family, it is said you stock this bully luck starring to bully luck and prosperity. Try these delicious mandu astatine nan restaurants below!

• Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자) 29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동10길 29)  
• Chang Hwa Dang (창화당) 23 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 수표로28길 23)

Bulgogi (불고기, Grilled meat)

Bulgogi (불고기), erstwhile virtually translated, intends “fire meat” successful which thin, marinated slices of nutrient are grilled. Often eaten together pinch Banchan. Bulgogi is usually beef but successful astir restaurants, pork is besides available. Vegetables and nutrient are mixed pinch nan typical bulgogi sauce, and past grilled together connected a basking sizzling pan. Ready to beryllium overwhelmed pinch nan aroma coming from grilling bulgogi? Check retired nan restaurants below!

• Daewang Gochujang Bulgogi (대왕고추장불고기) 34-6 Jandari-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 잔다리로6길 34-6)
• Kongbul Sinchon (콩불 신촌점) 35 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서울 서대문구 연세로 35)

Galbi-jjim (갈비찜, Braised short ribs)

Galbi-jjim (갈비찜) is braised beef short ribs wherever Galbi indicates nan trim of nutrient and Jjim intends a method of cooking – braising. The nutrient is braised till tender wherever it will autumn disconnected nan bony easily! Historically, nutrient was often a awesome of societal status, hence enjoying nutrient for nan caller twelvemonth was a motion of abundance to come. However, successful modern Korean society, meat, particularly beef, is wide enjoyed arsenic a Seollal nutrient and is simply a awesome of health, arsenic beef is simply a bully root of macromolecule and different nutrients. Visit nan restaurants beneath to bask your “meat falling disconnected its bones” meal experience!

• Siksin Spicy Galbi-jjim (식신매운갈비찜) 105-ho, 68 World Cup Buk-ro 5-Gil, 104, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 월드컵북로5길 68 광남벨라스2차아파트상가 104,105호
• Sosinisso (소신이쏘) 19 Yonsei-ro 5-ga (gil) 1-cheung, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서울 서대문구 연세로5가길 19 1층) 

Traditional Seollal desserts

Enjoying dessert is nan cleanable measurement to extremity a meal. Let’s besides return a look astatine immoderate Seollal desserts!

Yaksik (약식, Sweet atom pinch nuts and fruits)

Originally from nan Joseon era, Yaksik (약식), is simply a saccharine dessert made from steaming glutinous rice. Afterwards, jujubes and type nuts are mixed pinch oil, soy sauce, and honey. Yak (약) really intends medicine and Yaksik earns its sanction because it is made pinch various patient ingredients, making it worthy of being considered a medicinal food.

Sujeonggwa (수정과, Cinnamon ginger punch)

Sujeonggwa (수정과) is simply a dessert portion made by simmering cinnamon, ginger, sugar, and water. Sujeonggwa is simply a non-alcoholic portion that has a somewhat spicy sensation owed to nan ginger and a saccharine sensation from nan cinnamon. This comforting cinnamon ginger punch is known to assistance digestion, particularly erstwhile enjoying delicious Seollal food. 

Sikhye (식혜, Rice punch)

Sikhye (식혜), is besides different accepted portion that is made pinch malted barley and rice. It was said that Sikhye was regularly served to royalty to thief digestion arsenic it contains dietary fibre and antioxidants. Unlike Sujeonggwa, it does not person nan spicy kick, making it a saccharine and cleanable dessert aft enjoying each nan hearty and yummy Seollal food.

You decidedly request to effort Seollal food when you sojourn Korea. Be judge to effort them all! For much information, travel nan Go! Go! Hanguk blog and beryllium judge to contact us astir surviving and studying successful Korea!