Korean traditions, combined with parties and gatherings, include the preparation of dishes that hold historical significance for Korean culture. Each traditional holiday features special foods that are rich in cultural meaning and evoke a sense of nostalgia for families. Along with honouring ancestral customs, making and sharing these delicious dishes highlights the value of togetherness and remembrance. From hearty soups to sweet rice cakes, these special foods are a feast for both body and soul. Exploring these dishes offers insight into Korean culture and reveals how food connects individuals to their roots. Every meal symbolises values, history, and the celebration of life itself—beyond just the flavours.
Miyeokguk (Birthday Seaweed Soup)
With deep roots in Korean culture, miyeokguk holds a special place in birthday celebrations. Rich in calcium and iodine, this nutritious seaweed soup is traditionally served to new mothers to aid recovery after childbirth. This association with birth and renewal has made miyeokguk a symbol of life and rebirth, which is why it's customary to eat it on birthdays.
To make the soup, dried miyeok (wakame seaweed) is soaked until softened, then cooked with sesame oil, garlic, and often meat or seafood for added flavor. Served alongside rice, this clear, savoury broth and tender seaweed bring warmth and connection, reminding Koreans of maternal care and the nurturing that accompanies each birthday.
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Patjuk (Red Bean Porridge for Dongji)
On Dongji, the winter solstice and longest night of the year, Koreans enjoy patjuk, a hearty red bean porridge. This dish has both practical and symbolic significance in Korean culture: its warmth helps ward off the cold, and its red colour is believed to repel negative energy. Floating rice balls, or saealsim, symbolise fresh beginnings and hope for the coming year. Preparing patjuk is a labour of love, with red beans simmered into a smooth, thick porridge. Served hot, it embodies the spirit of Dongji, bringing families together to celebrate seasonal change and offer comfort as the year turns.
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Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup for Sambok)
During Sambok, the three hottest days of summer, Koreans enjoy Samgyetang, a nourishing ginseng chicken soup. Following the principle of "yi yeol chi yeol" (fight heat with heat), this dish helps people stay strong and energised. A whole young chicken is filled with glutinous rice, ginseng, jujubes, and garlic, then simmered until tender. Each ingredient serves a purpose: ginseng boosts immunity, garlic promotes health, and jujubes enrich the blood. Together, they create a restorative meal that combats summer fatigue and reinforces family bonds, celebrating health and resilience through a meal shared with loved ones.
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Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup For Seollal)
Seollal, the Lunar New Year, is incomplete without a bowl of tteokguk—a soup made with oval rice cake slices in a clear broth. The coin-like shape of the rice cakes symbolises good fortune, while their white colour represents purity and fresh beginnings. Eating tteokguk is also a symbolic way to mark a new year of age in Korean tradition. The soup, typically made with beef or anchovy broth and garnished with green onions, eggs, and seaweed, balances savoury broth and chewy rice cakes. This dish strengthens family connections, grounding the New Year celebrations in both tradition and heritage.
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Songpyeon (Rice Cakes for Chuseok)
During Chuseok, the Korean harvest festival, songpyeon rice cakes symbolise gratitude for the year’s abundance. These half-moon-shaped cakes, linked to the lunar cycle, are filled with honey, mung beans, chestnuts, or sesame seeds. Making songpyeon is often a family event, with multiple generations gathering to shape and fill each rice cake, reinforcing bonds. Traditionally steamed on pine needles, songpyeon carries a soft, fragrant aroma and symbolises growth and prosperity, with each family member adding their unique touch. Sharing songpyeon during Chuseok fosters appreciation, unity, and warmth among family members.
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Each traditional Korean dish carries unique significance, woven into the fabric of cultural celebrations. These foods not only satisfy the palate but also embody heritage, nurture family ties, and commemorate meaningful occasions. Savouring these dishes is an homage to the customs and stories they hold, honouring both the flavours and the tradition in every bite.