Special Foods Eaten on Korean Holidays
In Korea, July 26th is a “Bok-nal” or lucky day.
This date also marks the middle of Korea’s hottest time, of summer.
Accordingly, Koreans enjoy Samgyetang ? ginseng chicken soup ? on this day to fight summer fatigue.
As surprising as it sounds, the soup’s ginseng and chicken ingredients energize our body because they transfer warm energy to our digestive organs.
On a hot day, this added heat balances out the body’s inside and outside temperature and restores our energy levels.
During the mid-autumn Chuseok holiday, Koreans enjoy rice cakes called songpyeon.
The sweet’s half-moon shape is a symbol of the Silla Dynasty and a happy future.
On Dongji, the shortest day of winter, Koreans traditionally eat patjuk, or red bean porridge, as protection against evil spirits.
Then, to celebrate the Lunar New Year, Koreans eat tteokguk, or rice cake soup.
Its white color is said to represent birth and new beginnings.