From K-Culture to K-Food!
Knowing Korean culture makes Korean food even more delicious.
Horongi, Korea’s long-time friend, introduces the traditional customs, seasonal celebrations, folk games, and food culture of Korea. In the appendix, Korean Food Hunting, we’ve also selected popular Korean dishes that locals enjoy every day, along with combinations that help visitors experience Korean flavors even more deliciously.
This is Horongi’s Delicious Korea, a book full of excitement?so delightful it makes your shoulders dance and your mouth water.
Part 1 ? Joyful Korea: What Day Is It Today?
Since ancient times, Koreans?whose main livelihood was farming?held rituals to honor the spirits of heaven and earth during important moments of the year: when planting seeds, weeding the fields, harvesting crops, and storing grain. These were times to give thanks, celebrate, and enjoy delicious food together.
The biggest celebrations at the beginning of the year were Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Jeongwol Daeboreum (Great Full Moon Festival). In spring came Yeongdeungje and Samjinnal; in summer, Dano, Yudu, and Boknal; in autumn, Chuseok and Baekjung; and in winter, Dongji.
On Jeongwol Daeboreum, people played jwi-bulnori (fire-spinning), ate five-grain rice, aged vegetables, nuts, and “ear-cleansing wine.”
On Dano in May, they rode swings and ate hwajeon (flower pancakes).
During Chuseok, they enjoyed yut-nori, jegichagi, and top-spinning while eating songpyeon, japchae, and colorful vegetable dishes.
On Dongji, families cooked red bean porridge with rice dumplings to ward off misfortune, prayed for happiness, and prepared for the coming new year.
Part 2 ? Exciting Korea: Fun Folk Games
Korea has four distinct seasons, and the environment changes dramatically throughout the year?bright sunshine can suddenly turn into storms, and the land may become blanketed with snow. People adapted by changing their clothes, preparing for the cold, and finding joy in every season.
Korean folk games reflect the same spirit. As the seasons changed, people sought enjoyment in harmony with nature. Before and during busy farming seasons, they took short breaks to uplift their spirits, and after the harvest, they celebrated with gratitude to heaven and their ancestors.
Even during the long, quiet winter?the agricultural off-season?people spent time enjoying various folk games while longing for the first sprouts of spring. From New Year’s Day to New Year’s Eve, the sounds of jing, janggu, and kkwaenggwari could be heard throughout the country.
Part 3 ? Delicious Korea: Regional Food Culture Across the Land
Because Korea’s geography and climate vary from region to region, a rich variety of local cuisines developed over time.
In the northern regions, flavors are lighter and milder, with fewer dishes served in larger portions.
In the southern regions, food tends to be saltier and spicier, with a greater number of dishes served in smaller portions.
These diverse regional flavors came together to create royal court cuisine, often considered the pinnacle of Korean food culture. Good food nurtures health and vitality, and Korea’s regional dishes are full of mouthwatering stories waiting to be told.
Appendix ? Korean Food Hunting: A Festival of Happy Flavors
These days, many visitors from around the world are coming to Korea. In cities and palace grounds, it’s easy to spot more foreigners than Koreans. They enjoy Korean music, movies, and food, and they are often moved by Koreans’ strong sense of order, safety, and manners.
People say that 99% of travel enjoyment comes from food. Encountering a new culture abroad is exciting, but if the local food doesn’t suit one’s taste, even the most meaningful trip can become difficult.
In the past, some foreigners avoided Koreans because of the smell of kimchi. So imagine how they felt about strongly scented dishes like cheonggukjang or hong-eo-jjim!
But today, foreigners love kimchi and doenjang?symbols of Korean fermented foods?and have even grown fond of many traditional Korean health foods.
For visitors who have fallen in love with Korean culture, we introduce several popular food pairings that will help them enjoy Korean cuisine even more. These dishes are common throughout the country and can be found almost anywhere in Korea.
