Hooray for Hangeul Day (“Korean Alphabet Day”)!

8:00 am

Hooray for Hangeul Day (“Korean Alphabet Day”)!

You may wonder why there is a national holiday to commemorate a language. But it’s really so much more than just looking at letters. Hangeul, as it’s known today, has a checkered and tenuous history. It is a reflection of what the Korean people have endured. So the celebration isn’t so much about a language, but the cultural identity and lasting fortitude of the people. (Do you have South Korea’s anthem playing in your head now? Yeah, me neither. But if I knew it, I would! I did when I was little.)

So let’s learn about this “reflection” and what it means…. [Read more…]

Easy Recipe for Pajeon (Korean Green Onion Pancake)

8:00 am

Here is an Easy Recipe for Pajeon (Korean Green Onion Pancake)

Okay I admit it. I don’t actually cook much.

My cooking style has been described as “reheating” as opposed to “cooking.”

Don’t judge! I know I’m not alone in letting my microwave do the “cooking.” 😉

Furthermore, I hate to waste. How many times have you followed some complicated recipe only to have a bunch of left over ingredients you didn’t know what to do with afterwards?

But don’t get me wrong. I do actually like to cook. Since I’m usually too short on time to cook anything complicated I like simple recipes. I like recipes that generally fulfill three criteria:

First, it must have a minimal number of ingredients. Waste not, want not!

Second, it must require minimal prep time. Although I love Korean food, the prep time for a lot of things is ridiculous!

And third, the ingredients required must be easy to acquire.

This easy recipe for pajeon meets all three criteria. When I say this is an “easy” recipe, I mean it!

You probably have the ingredients for pajeon already in the fridge and pantry. So you don’t have to make a special trip to the store for it. Although you might need to have a clean bowl or two. 😆 [Read more…]

How to Do the Formal Korean Bow

8:00 am

How to Do the Formal Korean Bow

Koreans do the formal bow on Seollal (New Year’s Day), Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), and at Jesa (honoring ancestral spirits). There may be other times, but these are the biggies.

I’m going to over this whole formal Korean bowing situation because it will inevitably come up since this is the week of Chuseok. (Hopefully you haven’t missed your shot. Sorry I didn’t post it earlier.)

After reading this, you’ll knock your family’s (or better yet, your significant other’s family’s) socks off with your bowing prowess! Well, okay they probably won’t even notice. But hey, at least you won’t be awkward about it.

Don’t Embarrass Yourself

My relatives busted on my sister last year when she went to Seoul during Chuseok. We didn’t know that women are supposed to already have their hands on their forehead before beginning to lower themselves. She got the chastising of a lifetime from an overly nitpicking aunt. Apparently, we had been doing it wrong all our lives! [Read more…]

How to Make Rice Like an Asian

8:00 am

How to Make Rice Like an Asian

Do you know how to make rice like an Asian? I’ll share the quick (and easy?) methods that have been passed down through many generations and over many different Asian cultures.

Asians Use Their Hand for Cooking Measurements

Were you taught by your mom to use your hand as a measurement for cooking? I was and it was only much later that I found out that others were too!

Apparently, this is a common thing among Asians. Whether it’s for cooking rice or measuring vegetables and meat, you can use your hand to take a quick measure of things.

[Read more…]

South Korean National Foundation Day

2:32 pm

South Korean National Foundation Day

What Is South Korean National Foundation Day?

It’s basically exactly what it sounds like. It is the day that is regarded as the founding of the Korean nation. In Korea, it’s called “Gaecheonjeol,” which basically means “Opening of Heaven Celebration.”

The “Opening of Heaven” refers to a Korean legend where a man was thought to have been born from a god and a woman (who was previously a bear). This man (really a demi-god) would become the first leader of the Korean people. It is said that he created a rule of law and gave them skills in crafts and agriculture. (Apparently, he was quite the renaissance man.) Thus the founding of the first organized kingdom of Korea (Gojoseon Kingdom or Ancient Joseon) is attributed to Dangun, which is why this day may also be referred to as Dangun Day.

As such, National Foundation Day is a day of national pride in the traditions and achievements of the Korean people. [Read more…]