Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Tradition/ Food: 미역국 (Seaweed Soup)

Owh its March 5!! Big day for me!! Wee ^^ What does it mean big day for me? Some people might think "big day" can be engagement day or wedding day?? ㅋㅋㅋWell I'm NOT talking about those!ㅋㅋ It's my birthday!! Thank God that I'm still alive! ^^ I'm happy for that however yes I'm little bit unhappy too as I'm getting older. ㅠㅠ

Compared to my boyfriend, I'm way out older than him!ㅠㅠ However he always told me that he sees me younger than himself!ㅋㅋ. I guess you guys must feel little bit annoyed by that statement??ㅋㅋㅋ When I was in Korea, supposedly I should look after him as I'm older but we changed our roles!ㅋㅋ He's the one that always look after me!!ㅋㅋㅋ

Lets' back to our topic, what is the relation between seaweed soup and my birthday??O-o We always hear about having a cake during birthday is a MUST right? However for Korean, there is other special tradition for them. During birthday, they will eat 미역국(miyeokguk) (seaweed soup). I'm curious about this so I make some research.ㅋㅋ

Why Korean eat seaweed soup during their birthday?? According to their tradition, long time ago pregnant women will eat seaweed soup for about a month as preparatory for giving birth. This is because seaweed is high in iodine and calcium, beneficial for uterine contraction as well in milk production. Due to this, having seaweed soup during birthday is kind of significant or a reminder to children not to forget the pain of childbirth as well to appreciate how their mother taking care of themselves.

Apart from eating seaweed soup before giving birth, mothers normally will eat it after giving birth too as it is believe that seaweed soup will help to nourish blood production. As seaweed soup is the first meal for mothers it is also first meal to children as they get it through breast feeding.

Since my boyfriend is not here, I will NOT get 미역국 from him.ㅠㅠ Maybe in future??ㅋㅋ Honestly I'm NOT a fan of seaweed though ㅋㅋ. This is because we were not use to eat seaweed here so I'm not into it. However while I'm in Korea, I still remember one of my Korean friend told me to finish my 미역국 as its good for me. Even I'm showing him my cheeky face for NOT having it I was failed!! I just eat half of it! ㅋㅋ

With my boyfriend I managed to escape! ㅋㅋㅋ Whenever there is seaweed he will finish it for me! ㅋㅋThere is one case where an owner of the shop were extremely happy to see us together (me and my boyfriend), she put dried seaweed on my plate! I was like!!! @_@!!! At last my boyfriend took that rice portion (rice that already with seaweed on top) ㅋㅋㅋ




p/s: For this birthday, my wish are about health and having stronger relationship with my love and family! ^^

Sources: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/AK/AK_EN_1_4_9_2.jsp
             http://morningcalmadness.blogspot.com/2011/03/birthday-seaweed-soup.html

Photo Credit: hiddenboston.com

4 comments:

  1. You are a really good writer. I think, for writing like you, it must need a deeper understanding of the culture. Even though you are a foreigner in terms of Korea, but I guess, you are better than me. lo
    Happy Birthday! I hope I'm not late.

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  2. Hehehe Thank You ^^, as a foreigner before writing any entry about different culture, country need to study a lot as well asking around so that I won't give wrong information lol! Thanks for keep rooting for me ^^ Really appreciate it ^^. Nah,its not too late, still March 5 here heheh ^^

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  3. This is a nice article! Thanks for siting my blog post as one of your sources! I hope you had a very happy birthday! : )

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  4. Thank You ^^, yes welcome, I don't wanna simply put others work without giving credit to them :) Yes had a great birthday! ^^ Thanks for reading my pieces, keep it up! ^^

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