Chuseok, Korea's biggest and most important harvest festival, is a time for family reunions, bountiful feasts, and heartfelt celebrations. At the heart of this joyous occasion lies the Chuseok menu, a culinary masterpiece showcasing the rich flavors and traditions of Korean cuisine. From savory delights to sweet treats, the dishes prepared are not merely food, but expressions of gratitude for the harvest and blessings received. This carefully curated spread reflects generations of culinary heritage, passed down through families and cherished for its symbolic significance.
This year, elevate your Chuseok celebration with our detailed guide to preparing four iconic Chuseok dishes. We’ll walk you through each step, from selecting the finest ingredients to achieving the perfect balance of flavors, ensuring your table is adorned with a feast worthy of this special occasion. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will delight your family and immerse you in the heart of Korean tradition.
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Pot
- Kitchen towel
- Colander
- Measuring cups/spoons
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare Cheongpomuk and Bulgogi
- Prepare 400g of Cheongpomuk and slice it lengthwise into approximately 1cm thick pieces.
- Blanch the Cheongpomuk in boiling water until semi-transparent, then immediately soak it in cold water to prevent it from crumbling and losing its firmness.
- Prepare seaweed (seasoned preferred), finely chop chives (optional), and make thin slices of egg yolk (jidan).
- In a bowl, combine the seaweed, sesame oil (2 spoons), salt (2 tsp), chives, and sesame seeds (crushed).
- Prepare 1kg of beef bulgogi. Marinate with your preferred bulgogi seasoning. Drain blood using a kitchen towel.
- Slice one onion (0.5cm thick) and green onion (finger length, sliced lengthwise).
- brewed soy sauce (8 spoons), oyster sauce (2 spoons), brown sugar (2 spoons), corn syrup (2 spoons), cooking wine (4 spoons), pepper powder (1 small spoon), sesame oil (2 spoons), minced garlic (2 spoons), and green onion (white part, 1 cup).
- Combine marinated bulgogi, sliced onions, and green onions. Refrigerate for at least a day for best results.
Step 2. Cook Galbi-jjim (Beef Brisket Stew)
- Prepare 300g beef brisket, cut into large pieces, and soak in sugar water (2 spoons of sugar in 1L of water) for 20 minutes to remove blood.
- Prepare radish (500g) cut into large pieces, kelp (several pieces), and burdock cut into 2-3cm pieces.
- Prepare tofu, pan-fry until golden brown, and cut into pieces.
- In a pot, boil beef brisket in 3L of water, skimming off impurities. Add radish, burdock, and kelp.
- Add soy sauce (1 spoon) and salt (1 spoon) for seasoning. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add tofu and kelp and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Step 3. Prepare Mu-Saengchae (Spicy Radish Salad)
- Prepare dongchimi radish (500g), cucumber , and carrots, all cut into 1cm thick pieces. Marinate in salt (1 spoon), sugar (2 spoons), and vinegar (3 spoons) for about an hour.
- Prepare water parsley (or perilla leaves) and canned golbaengi (2 cans), cut into bite-sized pieces.
- gochujang (2 spoons), yangjo gwanjang (2 spoons), red pepper powder (3 spoons), sugar (1 spoon), vinegar (3 spoons), plum extract (2 spoons, optional), alcohol/mirin (2 spoons), and minced garlic (1 spoon).
- Squeeze excess moisture from the marinated radish, cucumber, and carrots. Combine with golbaengi, water parsley, and seasoning sauce. Add sesame seeds and mix well.
Read more: Instant Pot Chinese Beef Brisket Stew (蘿蔔燜牛腩) - Easy Recipe
Tips
- For the Cheongpomuk, slicing lengthwise makes it more visually appealing.
- Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for a better flavor in the bulgogi marinade.
- Don't add too much soy sauce to the soup, as it will make it cloudy.
- For the golbaengi muchim, squeeze excess moisture from the vegetables for a better texture.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. What is Chuseok?
Chuseok is Korea's major harvest festival, a time for family gatherings and enjoying traditional food.
2. What are some essential Chuseok dishes?
Popular dishes include Songpyeon (rice cakes), Jeon (pancakes), Japchae (glass noodles), and Galbijjim (braised short ribs). The specific dishes can vary by family.
3. Where can I find the ingredients for these dishes?
Most ingredients are available at Asian grocery stores or online retailers. Larger supermarkets may also carry some key items.
So, gather your family, embrace the rich flavors of Korea, and create unforgettable memories around your Chuseok table. This year, your feast will be a testament to culinary tradition and heartfelt celebration. Happy Chuseok!