“Korean Cuisine: A Cultural Journey” has recently been published, in conjunction with the Publication Support Program of the Korea Foundation.
This book, written by Dr. Chung Haekyung (Hoseo University), is clearly distinctive from other English-language cookbooks on Korean cuisine. In particular, it explains how Korea’s food culture is infused with the history, culture, everyday perspectives, and sentiments of Korea and its people. Indeed, beyond simply combining various ingredients and applying certain methods of preparation, the food of Korea is also a rich source of intriguing stories as well as a reflection of the Korean people’s beliefs and psyche.
For example, Koreans have long believed that “food is medicine,” which is expressed in Korea’s age-old principle of yaksikdongwon, under which healthy food and sources of traditional medicine are said to have common roots. In addition, Korean food embraces diversity together with harmony, like a blending of the five basic tastes (omi: sour, bitter, sweet, hot, and spicy) and Korea’s five basic colors (red, blue, yellow, white and black).
Although interest in Korean cuisine has been growing steadily around the world, there remains a serious lack of English-language materials to help non-Korean people understand the cultural aspects of Korea’s food and its dietary practices. Fortunately, “Korean Food: A Cultural Journey” serves to address this situation. Based on the author’s extensive research of the historical and cultural influences behind the development of Korea’s food culture, this book is an ideal resource for anyone with an interest in Korean cuisine.
For additional information, please contact the Foundation’s Media Department or Thinking Tree Publishing Co., Ltd, the book’s publisher. This book is now available for purchase at local bookstores for a price of 28,000 Korean won (ISBN 978-89-956091-7-0).
Media Department
-email: publication@kf.or.kr
-Phone: (82-2) 2151-6542
Thinking Tree Publishing Co., Ltd
-email: bombam11@hanmail.net
-Phone: (82-2) 3141-1616
