Rejoice Korean New Yr’s Day (Seollal) with a pleasant round-up of Korean New Yr meals recipes which are as wealthy in custom and that means as they’re in taste! Should you’re wanting so as to add a Korean twist to your New Yr’s Day celebration, you’ve come to the fitting place. I’ve fastidiously chosen over 15 iconic dishes that households throughout Korea take pleasure in on this big day.
Whether or not you wish to immerse your self within the festive world of Seollal delicacies or just discover a brand new cultural expertise, these recipes will make your celebration really particular.
What’s Seollal?
Seollal, or Korean Lunar New Yr, is considered one of Korea’s most cherished holidays. It’s extra than simply welcoming the yr forward—it’s a time for household reunions, paying respect to ancestors, sharing meals, and passing down traditions. As a toddler, my favourite half about New Yr’s Day was positively receiving reward cash from all of the kinfolk I met. 🙂
Some dishes ready throughout this celebration carry cultural and symbolic significance, making the shared desk much more significant. Should you’re serious about exploring extra in regards to the traditions and customs related to this big day, verify this article.
Save the date! This yr, Seollal falls on January 29, 2025, marking the beginning of the Lunar New Yr.
Methods to Say “Pleased New Yr” in Korean
To greet somebody, say Saehae Bok Mani Badeuseyo (새해 복 많이 받으세요), which suggests, “Wishing you plenty of luck within the new yr!”
Now, let’s discover some must-try Korean New Yr dishes that convey good luck, prosperity, and smiles to each desk.
Record of Seollal Meals
1. Tteokguk (떡국, Korean Rice Cake Soup)
A heat, savory soup made with thinly sliced rice desserts, Tteokguk is a must-eat dish on Korean New Yr’s Day. Consuming it symbolizes getting older, welcoming success, and wishing for wealth within the coming yr. The oval form of the rice desserts resembles previous Korean cash, including a layer of symbolic that means tied to prosperity and riches. [Get the recipe: Tteokguk]
2. Manduguk (만둣국, Korean Dumpling Soup)
A hearty different to tteokguk in style in northern Korea. This comforting soup options mushy dumplings crammed with savory meat or greens. My mother makes her personal model, referred to as “Tteok Manduguk”, by including rice desserts to the combo, making the dish much more filling and satisfying. It’s a scrumptious mix that mixes the perfect of each traditions. [Get the recipe: Mandu Guk]
3. Kimchi Mandu (김치만두, Kimchi Dumplings)
Many households make their very own mandu (dumplings) so as to add to the soups talked about above. My household’s model has at all times been kimchi pork mandu, and I’ve to say the zingy kimchi taste goes so nicely with the meat. [Get the recipe: Kimchi Mandu]
4. Gematsal Jeon (게맛살전, Crab Stick Omelettes)
Jeon (전) is a beloved Korean pancake historically served throughout festive holidays and celebrations. Whereas there are various varieties, these heart-shaped crab jeons are a artistic and fashionable twist that’s capturing consideration. Made with crab sticks and formed into charming designs, they create a enjoyable, fashionable aptitude to the desk whereas staying rooted within the festive spirit. [Get the recipe: Crab Jeon]
5. Pyogo Beoseot-Jeon (표고 버섯전, Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms)
Filled with floor meat, these savory shiitake mushrooms supply a protein-packed tackle a beloved jeon recipe. They’re completely hearty and satisfying, making them each nutritious and extremely filling. [Get the recipe: Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms]
6. Hobak Jeon (호박전, Pan Fried Zucchini)
This pan-fried Korean zucchini is a straightforward but flavorful aspect dish, cherished for its tender texture and delicate savory style. A staple throughout festive seasons, it’s fast and simple to organize, making it an ideal complement to wealthy principal programs whereas including steadiness with its delicate appeal. [Get the recipe: Hobak Jeon]
7. Bindaettok (빈대떡, Mung Bean Pancake)
Bindaetteok is a conventional Korean pancake constructed from mung beans. Crisp on the skin and nutty, savory on the within, it’s a dish wealthy in taste and heritage, usually served throughout ancestral rites as a significant a part of Korean custom. [Get the recipe: Bindaetteok]
8. Sanjeok (산적, Meat and Vegetable Skewers)
Korean skewers, referred to as Sanjeok, pair colourful greens and thinly sliced, marinated meat for a visually putting and satisfying dish. Usually served throughout celebratory events, these skewers are frivolously coated in flour, dipped in an egg wash, and pan-fried to perfection. Simply customizable, they are often tailor-made to go well with any palate, making them a festive favourite. [Get the recipe: Sanjeok]
9. Bulgogi (불고기, Korean BBQ Beef)
I don’t find out about different Korean households, however rising up, we at all times had bulgogi at our New Yr’s Day breakfast desk. This iconic marinated beef dish, with its signature candy and savory flavors, turned a well-loved a part of festive meals. Although usually related to Korean BBQ, bulgogi is extremely versatile, making a wonderful aspect dish or principal course for any celebration. [Get the recipe: Bulgogi]
10. Galbi Jjim (갈비찜, Korean Braised Brief Ribs)
Galbi Jjim, a Korean braised quick rib dish, is the last word consolation meals and a real festive showstopper. The tender quick ribs are slow-cooked to perfection, coated in a sticky, candy, salty, and nutty sauce infused with sesame and honey—completely addictive with each chunk! Take a look at the standard recipe for Galbi Jjim or attempt the Immediate Pot Galbi Jjim model to take pleasure in all of the unbelievable flavors in much less time.
11. Tteokgalbi (떡갈비, Korean Beef Patties)
Tteokgalbi is a conventional Korean dish that includes tender beef patties marinated in a candy and savory glaze. Cherished for its juicy texture and wealthy taste, it’s a in style addition to festive gatherings, including an additional layer of heat and pleasure to the celebration. [Get the recipe: Tteokgalbi]
12. Japchae (잡채, Korean Glass Noodle Stir Fry)
Japchae is a conventional Korean dish that brings collectively chewy glass noodles and colourful greens, frivolously seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. Recognized for its satisfying texture and superb taste, Japchae is usually served throughout festive events, making it a timeless favourite on any desk. [Get the recipe: Japchae]
13. Samsaek Namul (삼색 나물)
Samsaek Namul refers to a few forms of aspect dishes constructed from greens, herbs, or edible greens. Historically, these dishes are positioned on the charye (차례) desk throughout ancestral rites to honor and pay respect to ancestors.
Whereas “samsaek” is usually interpreted at the moment as dishes of three colours, it initially referred to a few various kinds of aspect dishes, no matter their coloration. The commonest mixture contains:
Different aspect dishes, similar to [Bean Sprout Salad], sautéed radish, or stir-fried shiitake mushrooms, will also be used as substitutes.
One vital custom to bear in mind is that inexperienced onions and garlic are usually not utilized in these aspect dishes for ancestral rites, as they’re believed to push back the spirits of ancestors.
14. Kimchi (김치)
You’ll be able to’t speak about one of the crucial vital meals of the yr with out mentioning kimchi!
On New Yr’s Day, you’ll doubtless see quite a lot of kimchi on the desk, from basic Napa Cabbage Kimchi to milder choices like Baek Kimchi (white kimchi), refreshing Dongchimi (radish water kimchi), and tangy Nabak Kimchi (spicy water kimchi).
Most of those kimchi varieties are ready through the early winter months, when cabbage and radish are at their peak. This seasonal timing makes the flavors much more vibrant and scrumptious!
15. Creamy Fruit Salad (과일 샐러드)
A nostalgic dish mixing fruits like apples, mandarin oranges, and persimmons with peanuts, hard-boiled quail eggs, and a creamy dressing. It’s each candy and savory—a artistic deal with from my childhood recollections and as soon as a festive staple, although maybe much less so at the moment. [Get the recipe: Creamy Fruit Salad]
16. Yaksik (약식, Korean Candy Rice with Dried Fruit and Nuts)
Sticky rice sweetened with honey and tossed with chestnuts, jujubes, and pine nuts. Historically eaten on the primary full moon of the lunar new yr, Yaksik stays a festive favourite. [Get the recipe: Yaksik]
17. Sujeonggwa (수정과, Korean Cinnamon Punch)
Sujeonggwa, a preferred dessert drink, is brewed with ginger, cinnamon, and sugar, providing a mildly spiced sweetness. Recognized for aiding digestion, it makes an ideal dessert for particular events. [Get the recipe: Sujeonggwa]
18. Sikhye (식혜, Korean Candy Rice Drink)
Sikhye, vital dessert drink throughout Korean festive holidays, is good and nutty with a novel barley aroma. This conventional punch not solely balances out a wealthy vacation unfold however can be recognized to assist digestion. [Get the recipe: Sikhye]
Honoring Custom Via Meals
Every of those dishes tells a narrative—of household, of historical past, and of wishing well being and wealth within the yr forward. Whether or not you make one or all of those, celebrating Seollal with Korean flavors brings consolation and connection to the desk.
(This publish was initially printed in February 2007 and republished in December 2024 with up to date data.)
Uncover Extra! Should you’re able to take your Korean cooking to the subsequent stage, discover different recipes like Korean BBQ or conventional banchan (aspect dishes). Don’t neglect to toast to the brand new yr together with your favourite Seollal treats.
Pleased cooking, and Saehae Bok Mani Badeuseyo! 🎉
