In Korea, Dongji (winter solstice) is one of the solar terms celebrated in December. Although it’s usually December 22nd or 23rd, it’s December 21st this year. It has the longest night and the shortest day of the year. On Dongji, it is the Korean custom to eat patjuk (red bean porridge). Because there is a saying that you have to eat patjuk to truly become a year older, Dongji is also called “Little Seollal (New Year’s Day that Koreans officially turn a year older).” But what started this tradition of eating patjuk?
Since ancient times, Koreans believed that red color repels evil spirits and prevents infectious diseases. Pat (red beans) is one of the most popular red foods and was thought to have the power to exorcise ghosts.
Patjuk is prepared by boiling red beans and cooking rice in that broth. It includes large and round rice cakes called saealsim (literally “bird’s egg dumplings”) because they are almost as big as bird eggs. Patjuk is a very nutritious dish: it is rich in protein, vitamins, and calcium, and it helps alleviate fatigue and lose weight. It’s also effective for symptoms of anemia and indigestion.
Depending on the region, Koreans add sugar or salt to patjuk. It’s sometimes replaced with other red bean dishes such as patkalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup with red beans) or sirutteok (red bean rice cake).
How about trying some patjuk on this year’s longest night? We wish everyone good luck in the new year!
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