6 Best Seollal Food to Try in Korea

The Korean New Year, also known as Seollal (설날), is fast approaching, and Koreans everywhere are getting ready to welcome it with their families and relatives. Filled with rituals, gift-giving, and games, Seollal is a three-day celebration brimming with joy and fun. Another highlight of the holiday is Seollal food! Here are six traditional Korean Seollal food to give you a glimpse of the mouthwatering dishes! 

Tteokguk, or Korean rice cake soup, is rice cakes sliced into thin oval shapes in beef broth. The oval shape of the rice cake symbolizes old-style Korean coins, which is why the soup is meant to bring riches and prosperity for the new year! Eating a bowl of tteokguk also indicates good health and long life.

Manduguk is a Korean dumpling soup, an alternative to tteokguk Seollal food. In some regions of Korea, it’s preferred to have dumplings (mandu) in the soup as opposed to tteok (rice cake). The mandu are filled with juicy pork and leeks and can be easily found in grocery stores. Just like tteokguk, this Seollal dish symbolizes good health.  

Fried pancakes, known as jeon, are a Seollal staple. They are made of fish, meat, vegetables, or seafood and then coated with wheat flour and egg before deep-frying. Usually served as an appetizer or banchan, these Korean pancakes are loved by many for their savory taste! 

Another Korean Seollal food would be galbi-jjim or braised beef short ribs. Traditionally, it was only eaten during special occasions like Seollal or birthdays. The dish is garnished with chestnuts, gingko nuts, and dates, giving it a sweet and savory taste. Imagine the tender marinated short-ribs juice oozing out in every bite! 

This popular Seollal food is loved in Korea and the entire world! Japchae is made up of sweet potato noodles and vegetables stir-fried in sesame oil. The noodles are said to symbolize a long life. A definite Seollal tradition enjoyed as either a side or main dish. 

Lastly, we have a sweet Seollal drink to top it all off. Often served as dessert, sikhye is a malt poured onto cooked rice. It has a pleasant malt aftertaste and is also known to help digestion. The perfect end to a delicious meal!

Now that you’ve caught the delicious meals prepared during this special celebration, we hope you feast your heart out with your loved ones!

Have you tried any of this Korean Seollal food before? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!