Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner

Have you had a chance to try Korean food? If so, and if you liked the dishes you ate, you will most likely want to repeat the experience. We believe there is no better opportunity to do so than at New Year’s dinner. Do you want to eat something different at your dinner to say goodbye to 2021? Then you have to add some Korean flavors to your New Year’s Eve meal. So that you can do it, today at Korean Fashion Trends, we present Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner. Knowing a little more about Korean gastronomy, you can buy Korean dishes at the New Year’s dinner but also at any other significant moment. Let’s get to know a little more about Korean food together!

When is the Korean New Year?

Although Koreans celebrate the solar new year as we do in the West, in reality, the biggest New Year’s Eve holiday is in February with the lunar new year called Seollal. If you are interested in knowing more about this holiday, click here. The food they eat on that date is delicious, so you can also integrate it into your Christmas dinner. Yes, even if you don’t celebrate the Seollal. It’s all about tasting and enjoying the flavors of the culture we love so much. Get to know Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner and surprise all your guests with different dishes.

10 Korean Dishes You Can Add To Your New Year’s Eve Dinner

Sikhye

The drink is also essential for any Christmas dinner. Therefore, among the Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner, we have the Sikhye. This is a traditional Korean drink many people enjoy during Korean holidays. It has a sweet taste and barley and nutty smell. It’s also known to help with digestion, so it’s perfect if you end up with a heavy stomach after eating so much for New Year’s Eve dinner.

Tteokguk

Tteokguk is a traditional Korean soup eaten on Korean New Year’s Day. It is a significant part of the Christmas menu because it serves to wish good fortune and wealth for the coming year. Also, the soup has a symbolic meaning of wealth and prosperity because the shape of the rice cake that contains the soup resembles ancient Korean coins. It’s so interesting, right? Without a doubt, Korean cuisine is full of flavors, history, and tradition.

Sujeonggwa

And continuing with another drink in Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner, we have the Sujeonggwa. It is a popular dessert drink in Korea. It has ginger, cinnamon, and some sugar. Thanks to that, it is a sweet drink with a mild ginger flavor. It also helps with digestion and is a perfect dessert for any special occasion, not just New Year.

Matsal jeon heart: a heart-shaped crab omelet

Jeon is a Korean pancake traditionally eaten during Korean holidays, such as New Year’s Eve. Actually, there are many types of jeon, but these heart-shaped crab jeon matsal are the favorite varieties in the country. They have a delicious flavor, and at your New Year’s dinner, you can serve it as a sandwich or snack.

Yaksik

But wait a minute. Not only foods and drinks are important at a New Year’s Eve dinner. Desserts are too! For that reason, among the Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner, we present you the Yaksik. It is Korean sweet rice with dried fruit, walnuts, and honey. It is a bit sweet and has a sticky texture. Also, officially, it is one of the foods that Koreans eat on the first full moon of the lunar new year. However, people drink it during other festive occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, and New Year’s Day. So you can add it to your New Year’s Eve dinner.

Bulgogi

You probably already know that bulgogi is a popular Korean dish if you like Korean food. And not only on the New Year but also on any occasion. That is why we have included it in this list of Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner. Bulgogi is a Korean marinated beef that is sweet and salty at the same time. It is presented as a Korean barbecue, but it is also a great side dish. It can be used as an accompaniment to other dishes.

Kimchi

And who has not heard of kimchi? If you don’t know what it is, you’re not a Korean culture fan. Why? Because it is one of the typical dishes par excellence of Korean cuisine. So it could not be missing in this list of Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner. 

Koreans eat kimchi every day and anytime. But on New Year’s Day, you may see more kimchi than on other days. You can find everything from regular napa cabbage kimchi, kimchi baek, dongchimi, and even kimchi nabak. Most of these kimchis are made in the early winter months. But why? Because that is when cabbage and radish are at their best. Add kimchi to your dinner if you want a Korean meal on your table on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.

Japchae

Japchae is a traditional Korean dish that has glass noodles and mixed vegetables. It is a Korean dish that has a satisfying texture and incredible flavor. Also, people eat it too on festive occasions. It is also a popular appetizer and side dish. Therefore, it is a fabulous option if you want to fill your New Year’s Eve dinner with Korean flavors.

Galbi jjim

Galbi jjim is a Korean dish of braised short ribs. We assure you that it is so delicious. Also, the ribs are covered in a sticky, salty, sweet, and nutty sauce that is addictive. Because of that, it is a plate that is a symbolic dish of the festivities. So it couldn’t be missing from this list of Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner.

Hobak Jeon

And to end this list of Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner, we have the Hobak Jeon. It is a fried Korean zucchini. Also, it works as a basic Korean side dish. It is served during the festive New Years’ season. It has a tasty and delicate flavor.

Korean gastronomy: everything you need to know for your New Year’s Eve dinner is essential if you want to make a different New Year’s Eve dinner. Add Korean flavors to your last dinner of the year and surprise your guests with something completely different from what they are used to. We hope this year has been a good one for everyone. And for those who enjoy Korean Fashion Trends content, we hope you all learned a lot from us about K-Fashion and Korean culture. Let’s toast the new year! And may 2022 be full of joys and many opportunities to learn more about Hallyu. See you in the next blog. Happy Holidays!