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Gochugaru, or Korean chili powder, is one of the most important seasonings in Korean cooking. Koreans dry chili peppers, grind them into powder, and use them in kimchi, stews, seasoned vegetables, stir-fried dishes, and sauces. But why did Koreans turn chili peppers into powder instead of using them only fresh? In this post, we'll look at how gochugaru became part of Korean food culture, why it is connected with kimjang, and how Korean families still use and store it today. Coarse, medium, and fine Korean gochugaru used in everyday cooking. A Question That Started on My Rooftop Garden In a previous post, I wrote about the Korean chili peppers growing on our rooftop garden. This year, we planted chili peppers again, and as I picked them little by little, I noticed something interesting. Fresh green chilies are wonderful when dipped in ssamjang , but in everyday Korean cooking, we often use far more chili powder than fresh chilies. That made me wonder: why did K...

Korea has many kinds of edible seaweed, including gim (laver), dasima (kelp), and parae (green laver). Yet the seaweed most closely connected with childbirth, birthdays, and family meals is miyeok . Miyeok , often called sea mustard in English, contains dietary fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, and iodine. So why did Koreans choose miyeok in particular, and why do they still eat seaweed soup on birthdays today? In this post, we’ll look at what makes miyeok special, its nutritional value, and how Koreans use it in everyday cooking. Why Was Miyeok Chosen Among So Many Seaweeds? • It has long been connected with postpartum recovery. • It contains iron and various minerals. • It becomes soft, warm, and gentle when cooked as soup. • It later became connected with Korean birthday culture. As we talked about in the previous post, Korea has many different kinds of seaweed. Gim , or laver, is often eaten with rice. Dasima , or kelp, is commonly used to make broth. P...

In Korea, eating seaweed soup ( miyeok-guk ) after childbirth has been a long-standing tradition for generations. Even today, many new mothers spend their recovery period eating seaweed soup every day in postpartum care centers. What began as a recovery meal for mothers has gradually become a dish that symbolizes birthdays, family, and gratitude. Interestingly, many Koreans avoid eating seaweed soup before important exams or job interviews. Why Do Korean Mothers Eat Seaweed Soup After Childbirth? During the two weeks I spent in a postpartum care center, the dish I saw most often was seaweed soup. There were even days when it appeared at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At the time, it felt completely normal because I had grown up seeing mothers eat seaweed soup after giving birth. However, when I talk with foreign friends, I often hear the same question: "Why do Korean mothers eat seaweed soup after childbirth?" Come to think of it, many K...

A Sanhujoriwon is a Korean postpartum care center where new mothers and newborn babies stay after childbirth. In Korea, many mothers spend about one to three weeks there to rest, recover, receive newborn care support, learn about breastfeeding, and eat carefully prepared postpartum meals. It may sound unfamiliar to people from other countries, but in Korea, it has become a very common part of the childbirth experience. Of course, not every mother chooses a postpartum care center. Some mothers recover at home with the help of a postpartum caregiver or family members. 1. Another Stage Begins After Childbirth After carrying a baby for ten long months, many Korean mothers face another stage after giving birth: the postpartum care center, or Sanhujoriwon . When I tell foreign friends that many Korean mothers stay in a separate facility for about two weeks after childbirth, they are usually surprised. But in Korea, postpartum care centers have become so familiar that many familie...

Pregnancy in Korea often comes with many small but meaningful preparations. From regular hospital checkups and Taegyo to baby nicknames, prenatal insurance, postpartum care centers, and maternity photos, the journey can feel quite detailed and organized. These customs are not strict rules for every family, but they show how many Korean parents begin welcoming a new baby even before birth. Preparing for a New Life, the Korean Way In Korea, pregnancy often marks the beginning of many preparations. Hospital checkups, Taegyo, birth planning, baby items, maternity photos, and postpartum care all become part of the journey. Some of these customs may feel unfamiliar to people from other countries, but for many Korean parents, they are a natural part of waiting for a baby. Of course, not everyone walks the same path. Some people become pregnant easily, while others wait for a long time before finally hearing the news. In my case, it took many years to meet my children. My firs...

In Korea, a baby’s story often begins even before birth. Many Korean families talk about Taemong (胎夢, birth dreams) and Taemyeong (胎名, baby nicknames) while waiting for a baby. These traditions are not strict rules, but they are still a familiar and meaningful part of Korean pregnancy and family culture. What Are Taemong (胎夢) and Taemyeong (胎名)? Taemong means a birth dream or pregnancy dream. It is a dream that some Koreans believe may be connected to the birth of a child. The dream may be dreamed by the mother, but it can also be dreamed by the father, grandparents, relatives, or even a close friend. Taemyeong means a temporary name or nickname used for a baby before birth. Parents often choose names like “Lucky,” “Healthy,” “Blessing,” or “Love” to express their hopes for the baby. For many Korean families, these customs are less about predicting the future and more about sharing love, hope, and excitement while waiting for the baby. 1. In Korea, Pregnancy Ne...