The essential condiments of the Korean people’s diet are soy sauce, bean paste and peppered bean paste.
According to historical book Samguksagi, the Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms which was compiled in the period of Koryo Kingdom (918-1392), the soybean malt of Chaeksong was a speciality of Palhae (late 7th century-early 10th century) and bean paste and soya were regarded as one of the wedding presents in Silla (early mid-1st century-935).
Korean ancestors used them as main spices for soup, stew and other dishes and added hot pepper and other materials to use it as side dishes.
According to specialists, soybean well known for its high nutritive value contains the highest percentage of proteins, but its digestibility is only 70 percent when boiled. This will be 90 percent when bean curd is made with it and nearly 100 percent when bean paste and soya are made.
“As they harmoniously contain not only proteins but glucide, minerals, vitamins and various other nutrients, soybean paste and sauce are rated as leading health foods even at present,” said Pae Son Yong, lecturer at Pyongyang Jang Chol Gu University of Commerce.
Here is a basic recipe for bean paste and sauce. First boil soya beans thoroughly, pulp them in a mortar and ball the paste for malt before hanging the balls at the upper part of the pillar or under the eaves for natural fermentation. This process is done around Riptong, the 19th of the 24 seasonal divisions or the beginning of winter which falls in early November.
Three months later, crumble the balls to expose the pieces to the sun, before filling a sterilized earthenware jar with them and salty water.
And two to three months later, pour the black water out of the jar into a pot and boil it to make soy sauce. Leave the remainder in salty water in the jar until it is fermented to become savoury bean paste.
If you add powdered red pepper and various spices to the bean paste and leave it fermenting, you will get hot pepper paste.
More From Pyongyang Times
Russian President Vladimir Putin appealed to all the Russian people to unite in a TV video speech on March 23. Saying that the
March 28, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin appealed to all the Russian people to unite in a TV video speech on March 23. Saying that the
A DPRK government economic delegation led by Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations, left Pyongyang on March 26 to
March 28, 2024
A DPRK government economic delegation led by Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations, left Pyongyang on March 26 to
Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of
March 28, 2024
Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of
The 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival will be held in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, on the occasion of the 112th
March 28, 2024
The 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival will be held in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, on the occasion of the 112th
A delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea headed by Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the
March 28, 2024
A delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea headed by Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation left Pyongyang for home on March 25 after visiting the DPRK on
March 27, 2024
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation left Pyongyang for home on March 25 after visiting the DPRK on
The legislative council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China adopted the national security regulations with
March 27, 2024
The legislative council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China adopted the national security regulations with
Some time ago the State Council of China published the water saving regulations. The regulations reviewed the rich practical
March 27, 2024
Some time ago the State Council of China published the water saving regulations. The regulations reviewed the rich practical
The hexagonal seven-storey pagoda at the Hongbok Temple is a historical relic located in Taesong-dong of Taesong District,
March 27, 2024
The hexagonal seven-storey pagoda at the Hongbok Temple is a historical relic located in Taesong-dong of Taesong District,
Food prices are soaring in the world market and many countries are now facing severe famine, which constitutes a serious problem
March 27, 2024
Food prices are soaring in the world market and many countries are now facing severe famine, which constitutes a serious problem
The Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations appealed to the international community to ease the humanitarian
March 27, 2024
The Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations appealed to the international community to ease the humanitarian
A meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on March 25 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Architects
March 27, 2024
A meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on March 25 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Architects
Jo Yong Won, Pak Jong Chon, Ri Il Hwan, Kang Sun Nam and Choe Son Hui, leading officials of the Central Committee of the Workers'
March 27, 2024
Jo Yong Won, Pak Jong Chon, Ri Il Hwan, Kang Sun Nam and Choe Son Hui, leading officials of the Central Committee of the Workers'
On the occasion of the school-supporting month of March, an educational aid exhibition took place in North Hwanghae Province.
March 27, 2024
On the occasion of the school-supporting month of March, an educational aid exhibition took place in North Hwanghae Province.
Working as the manager of the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory for over 20 years, Kim Hye Yong contributed her knowledge and enthusiasm
March 27, 2024
Working as the manager of the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory for over 20 years, Kim Hye Yong contributed her knowledge and enthusiasm
Player who hardly smiles Kim Il Gyong, who was chosen as one of the top ten players of the DPRK in 2023 again after 2022, is a
March 26, 2024
Player who hardly smiles Kim Il Gyong, who was chosen as one of the top ten players of the DPRK in 2023 again after 2022, is a
On March 20, the State Duma of Russia adopted an appeal of the Russian Federation Council to the UN and international parliamentar
March 26, 2024
On March 20, the State Duma of Russia adopted an appeal of the Russian Federation Council to the UN and international parliamentar
Making the rounds of Changde City of Hunan Province on March 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to ensure food
March 26, 2024
Making the rounds of Changde City of Hunan Province on March 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to ensure food
Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of
March 26, 2024
Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of
The Korean Central News Agency on March 16 released a detailed report on the successful construction of the Kangdong Greenhouse
March 26, 2024
The Korean Central News Agency on March 16 released a detailed report on the successful construction of the Kangdong Greenhouse
More Articles