18+ Korean Chuseok Foods You Must Try
Chuseok, often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is a significant holiday where traditional foods play a central role. Celebrate and honor this cherished tradition with these classic recipes.
What is chuseok?
Chuseok (추석), also known as Hangawi (한가위), is one of Korea’s most important holidays, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. Often referred to as Korea’s “Thanksgiving Day” or “Mid-Autumn Festival,” Chuseok is a time to give thanks for the fall harvest.
During Chuseok, families gather to honor their ancestors through rituals like Charye (차례), where they offer food and drink to express their gratitude. Another cherished chuseok tradition is making Songpyeon, crescent-shaped rice cakes filled with sweet fillings, often prepared together by family members.
The chuseok holiday also includes special activities like ganggangsullae (강강수월래), a traditional circle dance, and making wishes under the full moon.
Food is central to the celebration, with dishes like Namul (vegetable dishes), Jeon (savory pancakes), and Injeolmi (rice cake dessert) taking center stage. These customs, along with the joy of sharing stories and meals with loved ones, make Chuseok a time of deep cultural significance and togetherness.
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.
Authentic Korean Beef Bulgogi with Sliced Steak
Ultimate Korean beef bulgogi recipe with a delicious homemade bulgogi sauce! Thinly sliced steak is perfectly marinated and quickly seared for tender, juicy bites. Ideal for an authentic Korean BBQ at home.
Songpyeon (Korean Chuseok Rice Cake)
Songpyeon is a Korean rice cake filled with sweet fillings and naturally colored. It's an essential treat for Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving celebration. Makes 32 rice cakes.
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 Tteokgalbi (Korean Beef Patties)
Tteokgalbi are Korean beef patties made from minced short rib meat, broiled in the oven, and brushed with a soy-honey glaze. This easy recipe is perfect for special occasions and makes an impressive dish for someone special.
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 Sweet Rice Cake)
Injeolmi is a chewy, sticky Korean sweet rice cake with a mochi-like texture. This quick microwave recipe lets you enjoy this delicious treat in just 10 minutes.
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 (Korean Short Rib Soup)
Galbitang is a Korean short rib soup with tender beef and aromatic vegetables in a rich, clear broth. This recipe offers Instant Pot or stovetop options. For the best flavor, prepare it a day ahead.
Korean Beef Radish Soup (Sogogi Muguk)
Korean Beef Radish Soup (Sogogi Mu Guk)—a mild, comforting broth with tender beef and sweet Korean radish. Simple to make, it’s perfect with rice and kimchi for a cozy meal.
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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