Happy New Year! (설날)
Posted by Maureen on February 7, 2008
설날 (Sol-Nal) is the first day of the Korean Lunar New Year and it is one of the most important holidays of the year, a celebration of good fortune for the year to come. It is typically spent with your family, and during this holiday season, Seoul will be an empty shell from its former bustle of activity, as the happy Koreans will return to their ancestrial roots.
Traditionally, older adults give their blessings in the form of money to the children of the family in order to wish them the best in the coming year. Children perform a bow of respect to their elders (“새해 복 많이 받으세요” or saehae bokmani badeuseyo) – wishing prosperity to adults.
Hanboks are usually worn during the New Year.
Help celebrate the New Year by serving up a traditional soup called 떡국 (Tteok Guk), or Rice Cake Soup.
Ingredients
1 gallon water
2 ½ pounds flank steak
1 white onion, halved
3 green onions, cut in 3-inch pieces
2 tablespoons toasted ground sesame seed
½ teaspoon black pepper
7 tablespoons Korean soup soy sauce, divided
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/3 cup sliced green onion
Instructions
Throw all in a pot and simmer over low heat until done.
