18+ Korean Chuseok Foods You Must Try
Chuseok food is at the core of Korea’s chuseok festival. Celebrate the Korean “Thanksgiving Day” with these 18 traditional Korean Chuseok recipes.
Happy Chuseok!
Also known as Hangawi (한가위), Chuseok (추석) is a traditional Korean holiday for expressing appreciation for the fall harvest. Chuseok falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar and often described as the Korean “Thanksgiving Day” or “Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Chuseok Tradition
It is a day of celebration of the year’s harvest, during which families and close relatives gather together to perform ancestral rituals and share family stories. Families give thanks and offer tributes to their ancestors for their blessings.
Another great tradition is making a wish during the full moon (보름달), a much-anticipated event.
Just like any other major Korean holiday, food plays a great role in the Chuseok festival. Families spend a great deal of time preparing Korean traditional dishes with newly harvested grains.
You will find many traditional Korean chuseok foods when you visit a Korean household during the holiday. Namul (나물, three color vegetable salad) and Songpyeon (송편, rice cakes filled with sweet fillings) are perhaps the most iconic Chuseok foods as well as the Injeolmi (quick rice cake dessert).
Along with them, here are 15 other traditional Chuseok recipes you must know and try.
18+ Korean Chuseok Foods
Easy Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles Stir-Fry)
Make japchae, Korean glass noodle stir-fry, the easy way with this simple recipe. Enjoy chewy sweet potato noodles, colorful veggies, and tender meat for an authentic Korean japchae taste.
Classic Bulgogi Recipe (Korean BBQ Beef)
Cook authentic Korean Bulgogi at home: Follow this step-by-step recipe, choose the best beef cut, marinate, and cook to perfection. Plus, serving & storage tips!
Songpyeon (Korean Chuseok Rice Cake)
Learn how to make Songpyeon with this easy recipe! These Korean half-moon-shaped rice cakes are essential for your Chuseok celebration. Elevate the festive spirit by incorporating natural food powders for colorful Songpyeon. Explore a range of delightful sweet fillings and learn traditional steaming techniques for a perfect batch! Makes 4 batches (32 pieces)
Best Galbi Jjim (Korean Braised Short Ribs)
Indulge in Galbi Jjim, a Korean braised short ribs dish, slow-cooked to tender perfection in a rich savory sauce. This recipe showcases succulent beef with a medley of vegetables, ideal for any family dinner or special occasion.
Easy Korean Beef Patties (Tteokgalbi)
Celebrate a special occasion or holiday with Korean beef patties (Tteokgalbi). The patties are conveniently broiled in an oven, then brushed with soy honey glaze.
Korean Meat Tofu Patties (Wanja-jeon)
Korean meat tofu patties (wanja-jeon) are a traditional Korean Chuseok dish, but they are also great for a lunchbox as well. You can use ground pork, beef, chicken, or mixture of any. Makes 3 dozen mini patties.
Korean Sweet Rice with Dried Fruit and Nuts (Yakshik)
Korean sweet rice cake (yakshik) is made with sticky rice, jujube, chestnut, and other nuts. An instant pot makes this authentic recipe extremely easy and quick to prepare. It also serves as a good breakfast or snack.
Easy Sikhye (Sweet Korean Rice Drink)
Sikhye is a sweet, non-alcoholic Korean rice drink made with malted barley and rice. With this simple recipe, you can make it at home using an Instant Pot or rice cooker.
Injeolmi (Quick Korean Rice Cake Dessert)
Learn how to make Injeolmi a chewy and nutty mochi-style Korean rice cake dessert, in just 15 minutes. This quick microwave recipe makes it an easy dessert!
Ultimate LA Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs)
Make the best LA Galbi at home with this proven recipe. The two-step marination ensures juicy, tender Korean BBQ ribs with unbeatable flavor. Learn different cooking methods for perfect galbi every time. Tested for perfection!
Easy Yukjeon (Korean Beef Pancakes)
Easy and quick recipe for Yukjeon, a popular Korean beef pancake (Jeon)! With its melt-in-your-mouth texture, this dish is perfect for special occasions and dinner gatherings.
Sujeonggwa (Korean Cinnamon Drink)
Sujeonggwa is a Korean cinnamon drink made with cinnamon, ginger, and brown sugar, known for its unique and delicious taste.
Galbitang Recipe (Korean Short Rib Soup)
Galbitang is a hearty Korean short rib soup made with aromatic vegetables. Cook this galbitang recipe in an instant pot or over the stovetop. Making it a day in advance is recommended to achieve a clean taste in the broth.
Korean Beef Radish Soup (Sogogi Muguk)
Korean beef radish soup is a comforting soup that is often served in winter time in Korea. It's worth to look for Korean radish to get the mellow flavor of the soup. Gluten-free!
Perilla Leaves Dumplings with Pork (Kkaennip-jeon)
This Korean pork dumpling recipe is using perilla leaves (kkaennip) as a dumpling wrapper, coated with flour and egg, then pan-fried.
Beef and Rice Cake Skewers (Sanjeok)
Sanjeok is Korean beef and rice cake skewers and it's a traditional holiday food in Korea. Strips of beef are marinated with a quick and simple bulgogi sauce and cooked together with rice cakes and green onion.
Nabak Kimchi (Korean Water Kimchi)
Nabak kimchi is a mild Korean water kimchi made with cabbage and other vegetables. It doesn't require fish sauce and uses very little chili flakes. It's a great vegan and vegetarian kimchi and refreshingly tasty.
Korean Mung Bean Pancakes (Bindaetteok)
Bindaetteok (Korean mung bean pancakes) are made with ground pork, mung bean puree, mung bean sprouts, and kimchi. There's no added flour in the recipe, which makes this savory snack a wonderful gluten-free dish!
And there you have it – 18+ Korean Chuseok Foods that you can enjoy with your loved ones during Korean Thanksgiving holiday! Happy Chuseok!
18+ Korean Chuseok Foods: Easy Yukjeon (Korean Beef Pancakes)
Easy and quick recipe for Yukjeon, a popular Korean beef pancake (Jeon)! With its melt-in-your-mouth texture, this dish is perfect for special occasions and dinner gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2/3 lb (300 g) Thin beef sirloin slices, 1/8-inch thick
- salt and pepper, to season lightly
- 1/2 cup rice flour, or plain wheat flour
- 4 eggs, beaten well
- 2-4 tbsp oil
Pairing Suggestions – Optional
- simple dipping sauce, see recipe below
- Korean green onion salad (Pa Muchim)
- onion. and red pepper slices, radish sprouts, to make beef-vegetable rolls
Simple Dipping Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Korean mustard (yeongeoja), or dijon mustard
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Set your skillet over medium-low heat and add some oil.
- Coat and Cook: First, coat the beef slices in flour. Then, dip them in beaten eggs. Place each slice in the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes before flipping. Cook for another minute or until each side is a light golden brown. If they brown too quickly, lower the heat.Note: For extra flair, consider adding a piece of crown daisy while pan-frying. This is optional but adds a nice garnish.
- Serving Yukjeon: Arrange your cooked Yukjeon on a platter with Korean green onion salad or your simple dipping sauce. Enjoy immediately for the best taste experience. For elegant Presentation, stuff the beef pancake with crisp salad veggies like onion, pepper, and radish sprouts. Roll it up and serve with the dipping sauce
Calories: 241kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 208mg, Sodium: 714mg, Potassium: 365mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 238IU, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 2mg
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