In Korea, a cold winter wind is a sign of many things, but one thing is for sure: Mu (무, Korean radishes) are getting sweeter and tastier, and it’s finally the right season for oysters again.
Tagmain dish
Recipe: Tangpyeongchae, mung bean jelly salad
It’s not a well-known fact that tangpyeongchae (탕평채, mung bean jelly salad) is a traditional food for Ipchun (입춘), the first day of spring.
Recipe: Meonggae bibimbap
There are all kinds of bibimbap, but meonggae (멍게, sea pineapple) bibimbap in particular makes a great lunch for sleepy spring days.
Recipe: Jukkumi sukhoe (parboiled webfoot octopus)
Sukhoe (숙회) refers to a dish of meat, fish or vegetables that are gently parboiled.
Recipe: Jeonbok sul-jjim (abalone steamed in wine)
If you eat abalone as hwae (or sashimi), it tends to be very cartilaginous and crunchy—a texture that not everyone can get on board with. But steaming turns abalone into one of the most tender, juicy pieces of meat you’ll ever eat.
Recipe: Deodeok gui (grilled deodeok)
This version of deodeok gui is based on my mom’s recipe.