A table lined with various banchans, small Korean side dishes, signals my hand to pick up my chopsticks, my mouth dutifully awaiting the taste of happiness and comfort.
From eating my grandma’s miyeok guk (seaweed soup) to devouring a cup of instant udon noodles in the middle of the night, Korean food has always had a significant influence on my upbringing, comforting me in any situation.
At the early age of 5, I began expanding my spice tolerance. I would beg my parents to let me eat spicy ramen, even though my mouth was burned, spiked with a strong flavor not even milk can diminish.
As I grew older, I became nearly immune to spice, happily demolishing a bowl of jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) with just a few sips of water. As a result, spicy foods, especially Korean dishes, have always been able to satisfy my hunger.
Korean food reminds me of my heritage. I remember traveling to Korea to visit my relatives, celebrating our reunion with nothing short of a feast. Displayed on the dining table were dishes of every color, from red kimchi to yellow seasoned bean sprouts to green cucumber salad.
The variety of dishes brings Korean culture together, facilitating community building and unity; one example of this is the Korean holiday known as Chuseok.
Similar to the well-known holiday of Thanksgiving, Chuseok is also a day to give thanks to family, friends and ancestors. Families gather together to eat a multitude of rice cakes and Asian pears, enjoying each others’ company.
In Asian cultures, the act of serving food is most common to show love and affection.
Every night, my parents deliver freshly cut fruit to my room. It could be either mangoes, grapes, or apples, varying day by day. This act of service demonstrates how food is valued in our culture, and given to people you cherish the most.
I am very grateful for Korean food, as it has provided me with endless satisfaction and joy. This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to give thanks to your culture, appreciating the aspects of your heritage that influence you and your life to the fullest.
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