5 Traditional Korean Dishes That Carry Special Meanings

Korean culture is full of symbols, deep meanings, and a connection between food and tradition. Therefore, specific types of foods in Korean culture that are served on special occasions have attached symbols. 

In this article, we’ll explore 5 traditional Korean foods that have special meanings and explain how they affect the lives of modern Korean people. 

1. Tteokguk

Since rice is one of the most common ingredients in Korean cuisine, you probably won’t be surprised that it plays a major role in traditional dishes. However, Tteokguk is much more than just a dish made with rice. This rice cake soup is a part of the Lunar New Year celebrations for one reason — it signifies the beginning of a fresh, prosperous year. Another symbolic meaning of this dish is becoming one year older. Therefore, if you want to ask someone about their age, you can just ask how many Tteokguk dishes they have eaten in their life.

Interestingly, New Year’s celebrations aren’t the only occasion when this dish plays an important role. People in the entertainment industry have associated Tteokguk with luck as well. As a result, today you might even notice the symbols of this dish on popular slot games like Starburts that are available on online gambling platforms.

2. Boknal

You might be surprised but sometimes Korean people serve the entire chicken in a boiling hot soup. But this doesn’t happen often. Usually, the hottest days of the year are the time when Korean people cook this unusual dish called Boknal. Specifically, Bonkal represents the three hottest days according to the lunar calendar. The purpose of creating this soup, which is also known as Samgyetang, is to balance the body by consuming something warm. This is also related to a traditional belief called ‘Yi Yeol Chi Yeol’, which means relieving heat with heat.

3. Janchi Guksu

Janchi guksu is one of the most popular Korean foods. At first glance, you might think that it’s a simple Korean noodle dish but actually, it has a symbolic meaning, especially during celebrations. In fact, Korean people tend to prepare this dish during wedding days in order to wish good luck to a new couple. 

The literal translation of the word “Janchi” is a banquet, which ideally reflects the nature of the celebration related to this dish. However, you should know that if you want to try Janchi Gusku, it’s perfectly possible without attending a traditional wedding. As a matter of fact, this Korean dish is widely served even without weddings.

4. Patjuk

If you feel like you’re haunted by ghosts or trapped by evil spirits, this Korean dish might be your solution. The thing is, Korean people believe that Patjuk, a traditional red bean porridge, has protective powers against evil spirits. Such interpretation might be related to the fact that the color red in Korean is considered a powerful symbol of protection. In particular, locals often use the color red or dress in red when they want to protect themselves and their families from evil spirits. The most common type of cooking patjuk is during cold winter days.

5. Yeot

Finally, if you ever wished to find a simple way to pass your exams, this traditional Korean candy might help you to do so more easily than you could have imagined. Yeot is a similar candy to taffy as it’s made from hardened syrup. The reason why it’s associated with good luck during exams is that it sounds almost like the Korean word for “to stick.” As a result, students often believe that eating this candy during their exams will help them achieve their goals. 

However, be careful and don’t confuse the word Yeot with the phrase ‘eat Yeot’, as it’s been a common insult in Korea since the 2014’s World Cup, where people throw Yeot to the national team. That was because of the frustration after losing all the games in the tournament for the first time in 16 years.

Final Thoughts

Now you already know that Korean food is much more than just a great selection of ingredients. Many traditional dishes have meaningful symbols behind them and are related to health, wealth, or harmony. And the most exciting part is that these 5 foods are only a small part of numerous Korean dishes that are enjoyed in everyday life as a way to express cultural traditions. That’s why you should keep exploring and find the one that’s the most suitable for your goals and lifestyle.