【Korean New Year Customs】Ten Must-Try Traditional Dishes for Celebrating Lunar New Year in Korea!

When it's time to celebrate Lunar New Year, Koreans go all out for this special occasion. Known as "설날" (pronounced: Seollal) in Korea, this holiday is one of the country's three biggest celebrations. Each year, families come together to prepare a lavish spread of ritual foods and traditional dishes, sharing blessings and hopes with one another through their meals. Today, Kinnso is excited to share with you the top ten traditional dishes that you simply must try when celebrating the New Year in Korea!

(Image source: @Korea Tourism Organization)

When it comes to celebrating the New Year in Korea, tteokguk is the star of the show, much like how dumplings are for the Chinese. There's a charming belief among Koreans that enjoying a bowl of tteokguk will add a year to your life, making it an essential part of the festivities. The white rice cake slices in the soup symbolize purity, and their round shape stands for completeness. The broth, usually made by simmering beef or chicken bones, is rich and flavorful. To top it off, tteokguk is adorned with shredded egg, seaweed, and green onions, which not only make it look more appetizing but also represent wishes for prosperity in the year ahead.

Japchae is a must-have dish for Korean celebrations, especially during the New Year. This delightful stir-fry features an array of colorful vegetables and sweet potato noodles. Key ingredients include carrots, spinach, onions, mushrooms, and glass noodles, all perfectly seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. The vibrant colors of the dish symbolize the harmonious balance of the five elements, bringing prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead. Whether served hot or cold, Japchae is an essential and delicious addition to any Korean New Year feast.

If you're celebrating the Korean New Year, you can't miss out on Jeon, the beloved Korean pancakes. These tasty treats come in several varieties, with kimchi pancakes, seafood pancakes, and chive pancakes being the crowd favorites. Fried to a perfect golden brown, Jeon symbolizes prosperity and good fortune for the coming year. Making them is quite simple: mix up a batter with your choice of ingredients, then fry until both sides are deliciously crispy and golden. Don’t forget to serve them with a special soy dipping sauce for that extra burst of flavor. They're a festive and mouth-watering delight!

Galbijjim is a beloved Korean dish that’s especially popular during New Year celebrations. This hearty meal, made with top-quality beef short ribs, is slow-cooked to perfection with radish, red dates, and ginkgo nuts, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful meat. While it takes a bit of time to prepare, Galbijjim is worth the effort as it symbolizes "prosperity" and a successful year ahead, making it a perfect dish to share with honored guests.

During the Korean New Year, you can't miss out on the delicious array of seasoned vegetables known as Namul. This delightful side dish typically features ingredients like bellflower root, fernbrake, and spinach, all brought to life with a mix of soy sauce, minced garlic, and sesame oil. The light and refreshing flavors of Namul perfectly complement the richer dishes on the table, making it a symbol of a fresh and healthy start to the new year.

If you're looking to indulge in a traditional Korean New Year feast, Sanjeok is a must-try. This dish, which once graced royal tables, features small skewers of beef, pork, or chicken. Each skewer is dipped in a delicate egg batter and fried to golden perfection. The crispy exterior isn't just delicious—it also symbolizes wealth and good fortune, making it a cherished addition to the New Year's spread.

Ever tried Sujeonggwa? It's a delightful traditional Korean drink that's perfect for the New Year. Made with cinnamon, ginger, and dried jujubes, this sweet punch is not only great for digestion but also warms you up on those cold winter days. Definitely a must-try during the festive season!

When it comes to Korean dumplings, or 만두 (mandu), you're in for a treat! These tasty morsels are usually stuffed with a delightful mix of pork, tofu, and chives. Unlike their Chinese counterparts, Korean dumplings boast a unique shape. During the New Year celebrations, you can enjoy them either pan-fried to crispy perfection or added to a comforting bowl of rice cake soup. Plus, there's a charming tradition behind them—eating dumplings is said to bring good luck for the year ahead!

Yakgwa is a classic Korean dessert crafted from flour and honey, known for its delicate and lovely presentation. This delicious treat has a gentle touch of cinnamon and represents a year brimming with sweetness and joy. To celebrate the New Year, Koreans make yakgwa to share with their loved ones.

Ever tried Sikhye? This delightful Korean drink is made from fermented glutinous rice, giving it a unique, refreshing sweetness that's perfect for aiding digestion. Sipping on sikhye during the New Year isn't just tasty—it's a way to toast to a sweet and prosperous year ahead!

When it comes to celebrating the Korean New Year, the traditional foods are not just tasty, but they also carry the warm wishes of the Korean people for the upcoming year. These delightful dishes offer a wonderful glimpse into Korean culinary traditions. I hope this article inspires you to bring a genuine Korean New Year vibe into your home!