9 Delicious Korean Food To Help You Celebrate Chuseok

Summer is all but a fading memory with autumn knocking right on our doorstep. With the changing of seasons comes a holiday celebrated by the entire nation of Korea: Chuseok. Also known as Korean Thanksgiving, Chuseok takes place over the course of several days. This year, the Chuseok holiday starts on September 28th and lasts until the 30th.

During this time, work typically stops as millions head down to their hometown, gather with their families, and enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation. They partake in a variety of different activities including traditional games, wear traditional hanbok, and of course, eat lots of delicious food.

Families everywhere busy themselves preparing countless appetizing delicacies that will have anyone leaving the dining table happy and full. As with most celebrations, food is an important component, with recipes passed down over generations.

If you're wondering what's usually served during the Chuseok holiday, check out the list down below!

 

1. Songpyeon

Songpyeon is considered a quintessential Chuseok delicacy. It's a special half-moon rice cake, stuffed with a sweetened sesame seed filling. Presented in a variety of vibrant colors, songpyeon can easily be purchased at a nearby market.

 

2. Japchae

Japchae is a popular dish that's eaten all year round. With glass noodles as the base, it includes a mixture of vegetables and beef. Seasoned with soy sauce and sugar, it is a savory and sweet dish that hits all the right spots.

 

3. Jeon

On the Chuseok table, you can often find a variety of different jeon, otherwise known as Korean pancakes. The assortment of jeon includes variations like nokdujeon (mung bean), gogi wanjajeon (pan-friend meatballs), kkaennip jeon (pan-fried stuffed perilla leaves), and much more! With all the jeon in existence, there's sure to be one that's just to your liking.

 

4. Galbi Jjim

Galbi jjim, or braised short ribs, is heaven-sent. Its smell alone will have you salivating from across the room. When traditionally made, it's typically a process that lasts several days. However, there are recipes that have cut down the cooking time, so you can enjoy a serving of galbi jjim by dinner.

 

5. Muguk

Along with all the delicious beef, there needs to be additional soup to drink on the side. Muguk, or radish soup, is an easy to make dish that you can make in the comfort of your own home. Utilizing Korean radish (mu) as its base, you can include various meats like beef, chicken, or pork for added protein.

 

6. Samsaek Namul

While entrees are important, it's an absolute must to have a lineup of green banchans (side dishes) for a balanced meal. At Chuseok, a typical banchan is the samsaek namul. Translated to three color vegetable side dishes, this simple addition is made up of doraji (bellflower roots), siguemchi (spinach), and gosari (fernbrake).

 

7. Yakgwa

After eating the main course, you can look towards a helping of yakgwa, or Korean honey cookies, for dessert. Yakgwa was primarily reserved for special occasions and considered a remedy, as its ingredients were believed to hold healing properties. Chuseok isn't complete without a helping of sweet, delicious yakgwa.

 

8. Sujeonggwa

The amount of oil and grease from the meat and different varieties of jeon add up throughout the Chuseok holiday. That's why families look towards sujeonggwa, a.k.a. Korean cinnamon tea, to wash it all down. It's a drink known to help digestion, and is usually served at the very end of the meal.

 

9. Sikhye

If you've been to a jjimjilbang, or Korean sauna, you'll know all about sikhye, a traditional Korean rice drink. It is also a popular addition to any Chuseok table. Its sweet taste is reenergizing and the perfect pick-me-up even while preparing for the holiday feast.

Have you tried making any of these before? Do you have any Chuseok plans? Let us know in the comments!