Experiencing Korea, 3 Eras

수라상 : The food / meal prepared for the Royal table
typically served through 3 tables
FOR KINGS, there were usually 12 dishes, 2 rice, 2 stews, 3 kimchis, 2 soups, 1 steamed dish
“In principle, the ingredients and cooking methods should not overlap among dishes prepared for surasang.”

The meals were set in the suragan (수라간), a room specifically used for taking meals, with the king seated to the east and the queen to the west.

The 3 Kingdoms

1. Three Kingdoms era (삼국시대)
- Dominated Korean Peninsula & Parts of Manchuria for much of 1st millennium C.E.
- 3 below kingdoms dominated until Silla triumphed over Goguryeo in 668, to start origin north and south separation, beginning with Unified Silla in the South and Balhae in the North.
1. Goguryeo (37 BC - 668 BC)
  1. Founding attributed to King Dongmyeong, responsible for uniting several smaller tribes
  2. Used military conquest to expand territory, and at its peak controlled major regions of modern-day korea, china’s northeastern region, and a bit of Russia
  3. Well organized military, developed cultural stature in arhcitecture, art, & literature
2. Baekje (18 BC - 660 AD)
  1. Founded in Southwest region of korean peninsula, originating from Han Dynasty
  2. Baekje was closely tied to China & adopted various aspects of Chinese culture like Buddhism, confucianism, & other architectural styles
  3. Baekje flourished w maritime trade, developing good relations with Japan and promoting culture exchange accross waters.
  4. The capital of Baekje was Sabi and was a hub for art, education, and technology. Today it is Buyeo
3. Silla (57 BC - 935 AD)
  1. very into fabric
  2. Founded in southeastern region of the peninsula, last of the kingdoms to emerge
  3. Was initially divided into 2 entities, eventually unifying under King Naemul.
  4. Was threatened by neighboring kingdoms & south assistance from Tang Dynasty (China)
  5. With Tang Dynasty Silla defeated Baekje and Goguryeo in a series of wars, establishing Unified Silla Kingdom in 667 CE.
  6. Internal conflicts & unrest led to fall in late 9th century
  7. SIlla was known for vibrant culture, flourishing if Buddhism, creation of fine art, and advancements in tech & education
4. 1. FOOD ———
  2. 1. This era was predominantly an agricultural society
    2. rice was primary activity, millet, barley, wheat, and beans also popular
    3. availability and consumption of different kinds of food defined by social hierarchy
    4. meat, fish, veg for higher class and nobility
    5. mostly rice and vegetables for lower class / commoners
    6. Kings and Nobles hosted lavish feats and banquets
    7. proper table manner, decorum, and rituals were formed
    8. sharing meals & banquets often fostered alliances, treaty negations, and strengethend social bonds
    9. Food techniques predominantly boiling, steaming, stir-frying, fermenting
    10. fermenting was big, so was soy sauce, osybean paste, & kimchi
    11. Food was big in religious ritual & ceremonies
    12. Principles of yin & yang + concept of balancing 5 nature elements were applied to diet for maintaining health & preventing illness
5. 1. FAMOUS FOODS
  2. Japchae, stirred glass noodles from sweet potato starch, likely born in this era
  3. Goguryeo style kimchi
  4. Galbi, grilled & marinated meat dishes common
  5. Barley & Millet based dishes
    1. **SHIKHYE
      1. origins are not specifically known, but since barley and millet were more sought out this era, we attritbute to this era
        
        Wikipedia >
        
        **Sikhye is believed to aid digestion, it contains dietary fiber and anti-oxidants. It was regularly served to royalty after meals to help digestion.3-20(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhye#cite_note-seoul-3)
        
        Sikhye is said to help people who have a “cold” constitution to be warm and also helps those who have too “warm” constitution to be less warm.3-20(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhye#cite_note-seoul-3) It is also believed to be very helpful for relieving hangovers
        
        Sik(or Sak) is related with mature and Hye is making alcohol or sweet juice.
        
        wikiwand
        
        Sikhye is also referred to by the names dansul (단술) and gamju (감주; 甘酒). Both of these names mean “sweet wine.” However, they are also used to refer to a different, slightly alcoholic rice drink called gamju.
  6. bc rice was more rare

Goryeo

(918 - 1392)
1. Founded by King Tea, or Wang Neon
2. last buddhist shaped dynasty in Korea after 1000 years, but Buddhism was still promoted as state religion.
1. rise of buddhist monks, like Jingak & Huiwon
2. Culture was heavily influenced by Buddhism
—

1. Goryeo poetry, famous korean celadon pottery was born  
2. Hanji paper  
3. Lot of scholars and focus on education in this era  
4. Created world’s first metal-based movable type printing press in 1234.  
5. Country was struck by civil war & rebellion, led by Gong Ye, go won, yang gin, and byron won  
6. Established Capital in Gaeseong naming it “Imperial Capital”, and the palace as “Imperial Palace”  
    1. royal terminology like your imperial majesty, prince, empress dowager, shows Goryeo followed title system of an Empire  
7. Gwangjong, 4th supreme king, made series of laws in 958 to free slaves, and created exam to hire civil officials  
8. 5th supreme king, GyoengJong, launched land-ownership reformation  
9. by 11th supreme king, MunJong, central gov. gained complete authority & power over local lords  
10. Lots of Itneral Wars  
    1. Khitan Invasions  
    2. Mongol Invasions, Goryeo eventually submitted in 1259  
11. Goryeo era had lots of advancements in literature, art, tech, governance  
    1. developed unique art forms like Goryeo ceramics, famous literature like Samguk Sagi (Records of the Three Kingdoms) and "Samguk Yusa" (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms)  
12. FOODS  
    1. Goryeo porridge (Juk)  
        1. simmering rice w beans, nuts, dried fruits  
        2. often medicinal, believed to have nourishing & healing properties  
    2. Goryeo Noodles  
        1. various wheat-based noodles, typically in soups or stir fried w veggies & meat  
    3. JEungpyeun  
        1. rice cake, made by fermenting rice batter w/ leavening agent, then steaming  
        2. known for light and fluffy texture, often served in special occassions & festivals  
    4. Ginseng Chicken Soup (samgyetang)  
        1. chicken w ginseng, sticky rice, medicinal herbs, common for hot summer days  
    5. Kimchi  
        1. in this era kimchi may have been less spicy and milder  
    6. Fruits  
        1. persimmons, juubes, chestnuts popular for various sweet treats  
        2. often dried or preserved, used in confections & desserts

Joseun

Joseun Dynasty (July 1392 - August 1910)
1. 1. founded by Taejo Lee Sung-gye
2. Turtle Ships
3. FOODS
  1. Bibiimbap
  2. Kimchi
    practice of fermenting veggies with chili became even more popular
    became spicier
    first mention of ggochujjang was in Joseun Era
  3. Japchae
  4. Galbi
  5. Naengmyeon
  6. Gujeolpan
    delicately prepared food items on a round tray
    often for royal banquets
    included meat, seafood, vegetables, pancakes, wrapped in thin wheat crepes
  7. Jeon
  8. HanjeongSik (lol)
  9. Gunning Tteokbookki
    royal tteokbokki, was non spicy version with rice cakes stir fried in soy sauce, veggies, beef, mushrooms, jujubes
  10. GyeongDan — dukk
    small chewy rice cakes from sweet rice flour into small balls
    chatted with sesame, bean powder, or flower petals
    often a snack or dessert
4. HWATU / GO STOP
  1. In 1876, A treaty was made between the Empire of Japan and the Kingdom of Joseon (Korea), which opened Korea to Japanese Trade.
  2. It is said that around that time, Hanafuda from Japan was introduced to the Koreans by Japanese merchants from Tsushima Island. These merchants made settlements in Korea, and the cards spread as many Japanese settlers played hanafuda there. Originally, a different type of card deck called Tujeon (‘battle cards’) was being played in Korea, and so the Koreans refered to Hanafuda as Hwatu, a combination of “Hwa”, the Korean word for flower, and “Tu” (‘battle’) from Tujeon. However, as Hwatu spread, Tujeon fell out of use, and some games originally played with Tujeon cards were adapted to be played using hanafuda instead.
  3. It was associated with gambling, as there is a fair amount of luck involved
    1. can be seen similar to poker

a mixture of homage, nostalgia, what we know to be of korean food culture, while understanding roots and the history of the formation of the country that birthed these foods.

Drinks

“During Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the brewers had developed new and perfected techniques for brewing methods for grain alcohols. Seo Geung, a Sung Dynasty China ambassador mentioned about the trades and characteristics of methods constituents and effects of Sul in his book about Korea. Dongui Bogam and Boncho Gangmok, archived medical texts shows evidence of distillation techniques and practices transferred from outside of Korea.

Buddhist temples had the ability & recourses to make Sul. They served and sold liquors in their inns; state run public drinking houses boosted new currency circulation, haedong tongbo and this in turn contributed to the increase of taverns. Sul of the highest quality for ceremonies, national celebrations were made in Yangonseo, special building in palaces. During the Goryeo Dynasty many types of liquor came into existence, categorised into several groups mainly takju- a thick rice wine, gwasilju-a fruity wine, soju- a distilled spirit and cheongju- a clear rice wine.”

EVENT

Give BOJAGI at start of event, find your name card, in or next to name card there is the Hwatu Card assigned to you
mini presentations for each person
- “hi, my name, one thing i hope to learn in the next year, this is my HWATU CARD”
  - Hwatu card -> has fun fact associated with it
ROLES
- Poison Inspectors
  - 2 for each era, coresponding to the map and which dishes for each era,
  - they taste the foods first

DELIVERABLES

Hwatu card, signed
- I want to mix a bit of what I didn’t know about korean’s history, with what little I did know and did associate positively with my past
  - i played this game and have so much laughter and fun associated w my family and this game
Do-shi-rak, rice bowls given to everyone
- wrapped in cloth, 2 ways from bottom, tied at top
BOLAGI

BIRTHPLACE OF THEMES:

hwatu club
the bojagi intiative, making foods for people, practicing the art of wrapping and holding things sacred
traditional surasang, 3 tables and a hotpot -> respect and royalty
1. **Royal cuisine can be divided into several categories*:**
2. Daily meals_ (일상식, ‘eil-sahng-shik’)
3. Meals for receiving guests_ (영접식, ‘young-juhp-shik’)
4. Food for memorial ceremonies_ (제례식, ‘jeh-ryeh-shik’)
5. Food for official ceremonies of the court_ like weddings, ascensions to the throne, and promotions of its members (가례식, ‘gah-rye-shik’)
6. 5. Feasts for receiving foreign dignitaries (연향식, ‘yuhn-hyang-shik’).
decoration of color: understanding and respecting the powerful meanings of color in korea past
art of fermenting

We ask,
why did we want to learn
what did we learn
what does it mean for us now
has what we learned affected us in the past without our knowing/association?