The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than by talking about food? In today’s episode, we’re exploring Korean holiday foods—from their cultural significance to delicious recipes you can try at home. We’ll also introduce a special winter dish that holds a deep meaning in Korean tradition. Stay tuned!
[Intro Music]
안녕하세요, 여러분! TOPIK & Beyond에 오신걸 환영합니다. 저는 오늘의 주제가 너무 좋아요: 한국의 명절 음식. I’m so excited to share today’s topic with you: Korean holiday foods.
The holidays in Korea are a time for connection, gratitude, and of course—delicious food. Food plays such an important role in Korean celebrations, and each dish has its own cultural and historical significance.
예를 들어, 설날(Seollal, Lunar New Year)에는 가족이 모여 떡국(tteokguk, rice cake soup)을 먹으며, 새로운 시작과 나이 한 살을 얻는 것을 상징해요. 추석(Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving)에는 조상 제사를 위해 준비한 전(jeon, savory pancakes)과 전통 음식으로 가득 찬 테이블을 볼 수 있어요. 각 명절은 사람들을 하나로 모으는 독특한 맛과 전통을 강조합니다.
Each holiday highlights unique flavors and traditions that bring people together.
But winter in Korea also has its own special treat: 동지팥죽 (dongji patjuk, red bean porridge). Have you heard of it? 들어봤어요? This dish is closely tied to 동지 (Dongji, the Winter Solstice), which is the shortest day and longest night of the year with 팥죽 (red bean porridge)
In Korean tradition, 동지팥죽 is more than just a warm bowl of porridge. The red beans are believed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, while the warm, hearty dish symbolizes bringing light and warmth to the coldest time of the year. Families, friends and neighbors often share it as a way to come together, usually to reflect on the past, and look forward to brighter days ahead but today, I think it’s more about just eating 팥죽.
In today’s episode, we’ll take a closer look at popular Korean holiday dishes like 떡국 and 전, dive into their history and meanings, and even share tips on how you can make them at home. Plus, stick around for our TOPIK Focus segment, where we’ll practice reading comprehension with a fun recipe.
So, let’s talk about two iconic Korean holiday dishes: 떡국 (tteokguk) and 전 (jeon). These are must-haves during Korean celebrations and carry deep cultural meanings that make them so special. And just for info, these are for traditional holiday dishes. It doesn’t really apply to the end-of-year dishes.
떡국 (Tteokguk, Rice Cake Soup)
First up is 떡국 (tteokguk). This is a comforting soup made with 떡 (tteok, rice cakes) sliced thinly and cooked in a savory broth. 제 생각에는요, 간단하고 따뜻하고 맛있는 음식으로 추운 겨울날에 딱 맞는 음식인 것 같아요.
떡국 is traditionally eaten on 설날 (Seollal, Lunar New Year), and it holds a lot of symbolic meaning. Eating 떡국 on Seollal is believed to bring a fresh start, cleanse away the past year, and even add a year to your age. That’s why you might hear adults asking kids '떡국을 몇 그릇 먹었어?!'—'How many bowls of tteokguk have you eaten?' and maybe a 5 years-old kid says “다섯 그릇요! 저 이제 10살이에요!” after eating 5 bowls of 떡국! It’s a playful way to ask your age.
There are many ways to make 떡국. The broth, or 육수 (yuk-su), can be made from 소고기 (beef), 멸치 (anchovies), or even 야채 (vegetables), depending on your taste. Some people like to add 만두 (mandu, dumplings) for extra flavor and texture, turning it into a dish called 떡만두국 (tteok-mandu-guk).
Here are some key vocabulary words for 떡국:
* 떡국 – Rice cake soup
* 떡 – Rice cake
* 육수 – Broth
* 소고기 – Beef
* 달걀 – Egg
* 김 – Seaweed (dried laver)
* 파 – Green onion
* 간장 – Soy sauce
* 소금 – Salt
* 후추 – Black pepper
* 설날 – Lunar New Year
* 한 살 더 먹다 – To gain one more year (in age, culturally linked to 떡국 on Lunar New Year)
* 고명 – Garnish (used to decorate 떡국, e.g., egg strips or seaweed)
Imagine sitting around the table with your family, sipping the warm broth of 떡국, and feeling a sense of renewal for the year ahead. It’s more than a meal—it’s a tradition.
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전 (Jeon, Korean Pancakes)
Next, we have 전 (jeon), or Korean savory pancakes. If 떡국 is all about starting fresh, 전 is all about variety and abundance.
전 is a dish made by coating ingredients like 해물 (seafood), 야채 (vegetables), or even 김치 in a light batter and pan-frying them until golden. 바삭바삭하고, 풍미있고, 맛있어요. It’s crispy, savory, and absolutely delicious.
전 is a key part of holiday feasts, especially during 차례 (charye), the ancestral rituals performed during 설날 (Seollal) and 추석 (Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving). Each family might prepare several types of 전, symbolizing abundance and sharing.
Two popular types of 전 are:
1. 해물파전 (haemul pajeon): A seafood and green onion pancake, filled with shrimp, squid, or clams.
2. 김치전 (kimchi jeon): A tangy, spicy pancake made with well-fermented kimchi.
Here’s some vocabulary related to 전:
* 부침개 (buchimgae): A general term for pan-fried dishes, often used interchangeably with 전.
* 해물 (haemul): Seafood.
* 파 (pa): Green onion.
* 동그랑땡 – Small, round meat or seafood patties
* 김치전 – Kimchi pancake
* 해물파전 – Seafood and green onion pancake
* 감자전 – Potato pancake
* 호박전 – Zucchini pancake
* 고추전 – Stuffed chili pancake
* 부치다 – To fry (specifically for making pancakes)
* 반죽 – Batter
* 밀가루 – Wheat flour
* 계란 – Egg
* 기름 – Cooking oil
* 프라이팬 – Frying pan
* 뒤집다 – To flip (while frying pancakes)
* 노릇노릇 – Golden-brown (used to describe the perfect color of cooked 전)
* 바삭바삭 – crispy
* 간장 양념장 – Soy sauce dipping sauce
Making 전 at home is easy and fun. All you need is some batter—called 부침가루 (buchim-garu, pancake mix)—and your favorite ingredients. Mix, fry, and enjoy!
동지팥죽 (Dongji Patjuk)
Finally, let’s talk about 동지팥죽, or red bean porridge, which is closely tied to 동지 (Dongji, the Winter Solstice). This dish is traditionally eaten on the longest night of the year, a time when Koreans believed that evil spirits were most active.
The key ingredient, 팥 (pat, red beans), has deep symbolic meaning. In Korean tradition, the color red is associated with 보호 (bo-ho, protection) and is thought to drive away 나쁜 기운 (nappeun giun, bad energy). By making and sharing 동지팥죽, families believed they could ward off evil spirits and ensure safety and harmony.
There’s also a communal aspect to 동지팥죽. It’s not just about eating the porridge; it’s about making it together and sharing it with neighbors and loved ones, symbolizing 온기 (on-gi, warmth) and 정 (jeong, affection) during the coldest days of the year.
Let’s look at some vocabulary related to 동지팥죽:
* 죽 – Porridge
* 동지 – Winter solstice
* 새알심 – Glutinous rice balls (small chewy balls added to 팥죽)
* 찹쌀가루 – Glutinous rice flour
* 설탕 – Sugar
* 소금 – Salt
* 물 – Water
* 삶다 – To boil (used for cooking red beans)
* 으깨다 – To mash (used for mashing red beans for a smoother texture)
* 겨울 – Winter
* 풍습 – Custom or tradition
* 액운 – Bad luck (eating 팥죽 is believed to ward off bad luck)
* 귀신 쫓기 – Driving away evil spirits
* 보양식 – Nutritious food (팥죽 is considered healthy and warming)
* 가족 모임 – Family gathering
* 한해의 시작 – Start of the new year (linked to the significance of 동지)
So, these dishes—떡국, 전, and 동지팥죽—are perfect examples of how food in Korean culture is more than just nourishment. It’s a way to express values like prosperity, abundance, protection, and togetherness.
Next time you enjoy one of these dishes, I hope you’ll think about the rich history and meaning behind each bite!
Now that we’ve explored the meaning behind these dishes, let’s talk about how you can bring these holiday flavors into your own kitchen! While I won’t go into every cooking step here, I’ve made the full recipes for 떡국 (tteokguk), 전 (jeon), and 동지팥죽 (dongji patjuk) available in my email newsletter. If you’re not already subscribed, this is the perfect time to join! Which one are you most excited to try? 떡국? 전? 동지팥죽?
Now, let’s move on to our TOPIK Focus segment for some reading practice!
Welcome to this week’s TOPIK Focus segment! This is where we practice real-life Korean language skills using fun, practical examples tied to our episode’s theme. Today, we’ll do a reading comprehension exercise with a short recipe for 떡국 (tteokguk), the rice cake soup we’ve been talking about.
Don’t worry if you’re just starting out—this is a simple, beginner-friendly recipe. Let’s get started!
Recipe Reading: 떡국 만들기 (How to Make Tteokguk)
I’ll read the recipe step by step in Korean. Listen closely and see how many words or phrases you can recognize.
1. 떡국 떡을 물에 30분 동안 불립니다.
Soak the rice cakes in water for 30 minutes.
2. 국물을 끓입니다. (멸치 육수 또는 소고기 육수)
Boil the broth. (Anchovy broth or beef broth).
3. 떡을 국물에 넣고 끓입니다.
Add the rice cakes to the broth and let it simmer.
4. 대파와 달걀을 추가합니다.
Add green onions and egg.
5. 김가루를 올리고 맛있게 드세요!
Top with seaweed flakes and enjoy!"
Vocabulary Breakdown
Now, let’s go over some of the key vocabulary from the recipe:
1. 떡국 떡 (tteokguk tteok): Rice cakes specifically sliced for making tteokguk.
2. 국물 (gukmul): Broth.
3. 육수 (yuk-su): A type of broth—like 멸치 육수 (myeolchi yuk-su, anchovy broth) or 소고기 육수 (sogogi yuk-su, beef broth).
4. 대파 (dae-pa): Green onion, often used for flavor and garnish.
5. 달걀 (dalgya): Egg.
6. 김가루 (gim-garu): Seaweed flakes, commonly used as a topping.
Recognizing these words will help you follow the steps of the recipe more easily and understand Korean cooking instructions in general.
Now it’s your turn! Can you read through the recipe again and try writing it in your own words? For example, you could write about how you would make tteokguk for your family or friends.
If you’d like feedback, share your version on Instagram using #TOPIKandBeyond and tag @korean.joa. I’ll pick a few to feature in next week’s episode and give you personalized tips!
This is a great way to practice your reading and writing skills in Korean while connecting with the community. I can’t wait to see your creations!
Reading real-world Korean texts like recipes is an excellent and fun way to improve your comprehension and vocabulary. Keep practicing, and you’ll notice progress in no time.
That brings us to the end of today’s episode on Korean holiday foods. We explored some of the most iconic dishes, like 떡국 (tteokguk), the rice cake soup that symbolizes a fresh start during 설날 (Seollal); 전 (jeon), the savory pancakes that bring abundance and flavor to holiday tables; and 동지팥죽 (dongji patjuk), the red bean porridge that warms both body and soul during the 동지 (Dongji, Winter Solstice).
These dishes are not only delicious but also carry deep cultural and historical significance. I hope this episode has inspired you to try making one of these dishes at home.
When you do, I’d love to see your creations! Post your photos or stories on Instagram using #TOPIKandBeyond and tag @korean.joa. I can’t wait to see what you’ve cooked up and hear about your experience.
Thank you so much for tuning in today and learning about these heartwarming Korean traditions with me.
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a review and give us a rating, or even recommend it to your fellow Korean learners. Your feedback means the world to me!
Next week, we’ll be exploring how Korea celebrates Christmas and New Year, including unique customs, fun activities, and of course, more essential Korean phrases. Stay tuned for that—it’s going to be a festive one!
Until then, happy cooking, stay warm, and as always, 즐거운 학습 되세요 !
