What Foods to Eat in Korea when you're Sick
Feeling under the weather in Korea? Korea is not only famous for their delicious food but also for their restorative and medicinal qualities too! Here are a few to try out:
Juk
Are you ill to the point you don’t want to eat anything too heavy or too flavourful? Then ‘Juk’ will be perfect for any circumstance! ‘Juk’ or rice porridge is very popular to eat in Korea and it comes in many different varieties. In Korea it is often eaten after a heavy meal like Korean BBQ, as a delicacy, as a snack , as a comfort food, or even when someone is sick. ‘Juk can be quite bland so Koreans often add some shrimp jeot (Korean condiment) or eaten alongside with different varieties of Kimchi.
Due to its soft and moist texture it is easily digestible making it not only good food for sick people, but also for babies and the elderly. To add more of some restorative and medicinal qualities, Koreans like to add ginseng making it a power boosting meal.
Kongnamulguk
Did you have a long night of downing bottles of beer and soju? Then Kong Na Mul Kuk is just what to need to fight those horrid hangovers. KongNaMulKuk is a broth is mostly made up of bean sprouts, anchovies and other seasonings! It is cheap, extremely easy to make, and packed full of nutrition.
The roots of the bean sprouts contain a special chemical called asparagines which helps get over hangovers very quickly. KongNaMulKuk is not only useful for hangovers but also colds! The bean sprouts are rich in vitamin C, which boosts your immune system. Advice? Throw away those pricey supplements and learn how to make KongNaMulKuk. A pack of bean sprouts can be bought for about 1000 won (about $1). Cheap!!
Insam
InSam or Ginseng is a fleshy root herb used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for various illnesses. The older the root the more potent it will be.
The Ginseng has the ability to boost the nervous and immune system, strengthens and builds muscles, prevents stress, promotes brain activity, treat stomach disorders, prevents vomiting and nausea, enhances memory, strengthens lungs, can make you more resistant to sickness like cold and flu, treat postmenopausal symptoms in women, treat diabetes, infections, headaches, and cancer.
With its long list of medicinal qualities it is to no surprise that Ginseng are sold at a high price. The Red Ginseng (older, and heated Ginseng) are of even higher quality than normal ginseng and is sold at a much higher price.
Warning: Due to its strong potent action, it is not recommended for those suffering from high blood pressure. Also avoid drinking during the night as you might suffer from insomnia.
Samgyetang
Samgyetang is a bowl of hot broth with a whole chicken which is stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, jujube, ginkgo nut, and garlic.
During the Korean Summer people sweat a lot to cool down the body. However by losing this internal heat, your appetite reduces and become more energyless. By eating this extremely nutritious dish it replenishes the lost internal warmth in the body, hence giving people an energy boost. There is a saying in Korea that by fighting the heat you must fight it with heat as well. This is called ‘yi yeol chi yeol’ (이열치열). Samgyetang also has ginseng and other stamina enhancing ingredients stuffed inside making it a restorative and energy boosting meal.
Usually if you visit a Samgyetang restaurant there will usually be two types to choose from. There is the ‘standard’ Samgyetang and the ‘Imperial Samgyetang’. Because the ‘Imperial Samgyetang’ contains seven medicinal herbs it will cost slightly more (about 3-4000 won more). Are you extremely sick? Make recovery more fun by visiting one of these restaurants for some miracle healing.
YooJacha
YooJaCha or Citron Tea is made by thinly slicing YooJa fruit and combining it with honey or sugar. It is then preserved in jars and can be taken out from the refrigerator anytime to use. To prepare scoop a table spoon of the prepared mixture (should be in jelly form), put it into a cup and add hot water. Kaboom! Easy peasy!
So when do you actually drink this? This tea is actually beneficial for colds, headaches, and child as it is packed with Vitamin C hence, this can also prevent colds and fatigue in the future! YooJaCha can also bring down fevers, soothe inflammation of throats and coughs, treat alcohol poisoning and aid digestion. Drink up everyone, ill or not!
Yookgaejang
YookgaeJang is spicy beef soup made up of shredded beef, green onions, and other healthy ingredients such as bean sprouts and bracken fern. Due to the healthy ingredients added and spiciness, it helps clear out your sinuses and cleans your liver, making it a great meal when you have a cold or suffering from a hangover.
Steamed Asian Pears and Honey.
By steaming Asian pears for about 15 minutes you can try adding honey with it and eat it with a spoon. This simple method can help heal cough and sore throat symptoms rather than suppressing it. By eating this 2 to 3 times a day you can quickly notice a significant difference in recovery.
Maesilcha
Maesilcha is basically Plum Tea made by marinating plums with honey or sugar and is then diluted with cold water. It is best served chilled during the summer and is often served after a heavy meal. Despite being a cool refreshing drink, it actually treats stomach aches and aids digestion. Experiencing serious cases of indigestion and unpleasant toilet trips? Put the pills away and have a dose of chilled Maesilcha!
Seolleongtang
Seolleongtang is made by simmering parts of bones, head, and meat of an ox for many many many many hours (like literally, a long time). The milky broth is then served in a bowl with noodles or rice (your preference). This broth is packed with amino acids and calcium which helps energize the body and aid digestion. The broth is also very rich in collagen from the bones hence it is also great for your skin.
Gomtang
Gomtang is made by boiling beef brisket, tripe, entrails, and oxtail for many hours. Many people struggle distinguishing between Gomtang and Seolleongtang, but Gomtang is more transparent, oily, and more flavourful. Gomtang is perfect in the Winter when you need to warm up the body, and it is a broth where it gives the body a big energy boost.
Galbitang
Galbitang is a broth made by simmering beef ribs and radish for about 4-5 hours. Nowadays different variations can be made by adding ginseng, jujube, or pine nuts to add more of medicinal qualities. Due to high concentrations of amino acids, vitamins, and iron it is widely recognized for its effects of preventing anemia…
..or you can just eat it just for its awesome taste.
Ogokbap
Ogokbap is a bowl of steamed rice containing 5 types of healthy and nutritional grains. A long time ago Koreans did not eat enough nutritional food during the Winter season as there wasn’t much food available. To prepare for these problems, Koreans used to prepare dried grains before the winter season to increase the nutritional value of their meals. Due to its high nutritional value and low calories it is known as the ‘diet food’ in Korea. Furthermore it is known to reduce high blood pressure and benefits people suffering from diabetes.
Article Source: http://seoulistic.com/korean-food/foods-eat-korea-youre-sick/
Image Source: http://khoedep360.vn/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/06/ginseng-chicken-soup.jpg
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Under the weather (idiom) ~ slightly ill
2. Bland (adj.) ~ having little or no distinctive flavor
3. Restorative (n.) ~ a medicine or other agent that helps to restire health, strength, or conciousness
4. Horrid (adj.) ~ extremely disagreeable
5. Supplement (n.) ~ something added to complete a thing or make up for deficiency
6. Potent (adj.) ~ possessing great strength
7. Insomnia (n.) ~ chronic inability to to fall asleep or remain asleep for an adequate length of time
8. Stamina (n.) ~ physical or oral strength to resist or withstand illness
9. Fatigue (n.) ~ physical or mental weariness caused by exertion
10. Diluted (adj.) ~ reduced in strength or concentration
11. Broth (n.) the water in which fish, meat, or vegetable have been boiled
12. Simmer (v.) ~ to keep a liquid near or just below the boiling point
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Among the food mentioned above, which ones have you tried? Describe them.
2. Do you think the food mentioned in the article are really helpful in getting over simple sickness and in boosting energy? How?
3. When you’re sick do you prefer modern medicines or herbal and traditional medicines? Why?
4. Would you be confident in recommending these dishes to foreigners who are suffering from sickness such as colds and cough? Discuss your answers.
