Soybean paste has been widely known as a health food for its nutritive value.
It has a long history as an excellent national food which characterizes the outstanding wisdom, creativity and unique dietary culture of the Korean nation.
Inscriptions on Koguryo tomb murals say that a large number of people were mobilized to carry out a huge project during which they consumed all of jang (soy sauce and soybean paste) in a store, as well as white rice and meat.
As can be seen through such proverbs as “Though the appearance of earthen bowl is poor, the taste of jang is good” and “Sweet jang , sweet home,” the Korean ancestors regarded jang as an important thing vital to the rise and fall of a family.
As each family prepared its own jang , the methods and tastes differed, and a family’s nobility depended on the taste of jang .
It is said that there were so many jang -making methods that a girl in Kaesong had to master scores of methods before she got married.
The traditional method is as follows:
At around Ripttong (the beginning of winter according to the lunar calendar that falls on November 7 or 8), well-ripened beans are put in water for a day before boiling them hard and pounding them in a mortar. Then, make them into balls 10 to 15 cm in diameter. The ball is called meju (soybean malt).
Wrap them in rice straws and hang them for a few months in a well-ventilated place at certain temperatures to dry with maltase growing in them.
In March of next year, crush the dried balls, put them in a sterilized jar, pour salt and water there in the 3-1 ratio, and leave the jar open to clean air and sunlight every morning.
Two or three months later, there comes black liquid in the jar. Pour it in a saucepan and boil it to make soy sauce, and ferment the leftover to make paste.
As seen above, the Koreans have long since made soy sauce, bean paste and red-peppered paste with bean and salt as the basic ingredients and developed them into a unique fermented food peculiar to the nation.
Red-peppered paste was made in any regions of the country and, in particular, the one from Kaesong was most famous.
The jang -making custom has been registered on the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
Jo Il Gyong, head of the Intangible Cultural Office of the Korean National Heritage Preservation Agency
More From Naenara (En)
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea attended a crash course in Pyongyang on
May 14, 2026
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea attended a crash course in Pyongyang on
Today, monumental structures are mushrooming across the DPRK. This proves the validity and vitality of the construction policy of
May 14, 2026
Today, monumental structures are mushrooming across the DPRK. This proves the validity and vitality of the construction policy of
The Ninth Congress of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea was held in Pyongyang on May 11 and 12. The congress
May 14, 2026
The Ninth Congress of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea was held in Pyongyang on May 11 and 12. The congress
The 23rd May 21 Architectural Festival opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex in the DPRK on May 12 under the
May 14, 2026
The 23rd May 21 Architectural Festival opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex in the DPRK on May 12 under the
DPRK weightlifter Pang Un Chol won gold medals at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships which is being held in India. The
May 14, 2026
DPRK weightlifter Pang Un Chol won gold medals at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships which is being held in India. The
The Kangso Mineral Water Bottling Factory in the DPRK specializes in the production of the Kangso mineral water which contributes
May 14, 2026
The Kangso Mineral Water Bottling Factory in the DPRK specializes in the production of the Kangso mineral water which contributes
Among the past crimes committed by Japan against humanity is its plundering of the marine resources in Korea.Japan, which had alre
May 14, 2026
Among the past crimes committed by Japan against humanity is its plundering of the marine resources in Korea.Japan, which had alre
Le Hoai Trung, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and foreign minister of
May 14, 2026
Le Hoai Trung, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and foreign minister of
A granite tower built in the early period of the Koryo dynasty (918-1392) stands in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province. The tower
May 13, 2026
A granite tower built in the early period of the Koryo dynasty (918-1392) stands in Haeju City, South Hwanghae Province. The tower
From olden times Koreans have extensively used spas containing sulphur and salts in promoting their health and preventing and
May 13, 2026
From olden times Koreans have extensively used spas containing sulphur and salts in promoting their health and preventing and
The botanical institute of the State Academy of Sciences in the DPRK has recently established a red oak cultivation technique that
May 13, 2026
The botanical institute of the State Academy of Sciences in the DPRK has recently established a red oak cultivation technique that
A South Phyongan provincial friendship delegation of the DPRK led by Ri Song Bom, chairman of the South Phyongan Provincial
May 13, 2026
A South Phyongan provincial friendship delegation of the DPRK led by Ri Song Bom, chairman of the South Phyongan Provincial
The quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup were held between DPRK and Thai teams on May 11.The DPRK team succeeded i
May 13, 2026
The quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup were held between DPRK and Thai teams on May 11.The DPRK team succeeded i
Last year, a man who sustained multiple injuries in an accident was admitted to Pyongyang University of Medical Sciences Hospital.
May 12, 2026
Last year, a man who sustained multiple injuries in an accident was admitted to Pyongyang University of Medical Sciences Hospital.
One day in July 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un convened the 22nd emergency enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of
May 11, 2026
One day in July 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un convened the 22nd emergency enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of
Established on November 10, 1945, the Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Complex is a leading rolling stock producer and a parent
May 11, 2026
Established on November 10, 1945, the Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Complex is a leading rolling stock producer and a parent
A military parade was held at Red Square in Moscow on May 9 to celebrate the 81st anniversary of Russia’s victory in the Great
May 11, 2026
A military parade was held at Red Square in Moscow on May 9 to celebrate the 81st anniversary of Russia’s victory in the Great
The Eighth Congress of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea is to be held in Pyongyang in mid-July 2026. The 15th Plenary
May 10, 2026
The Eighth Congress of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea is to be held in Pyongyang in mid-July 2026. The 15th Plenary
The Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factory has been remodelled in Jangphung County, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK. Its
May 10, 2026
The Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factory has been remodelled in Jangphung County, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK. Its
The 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup is under way in China.The DPRK team belonging to Group C beat the Chinese Taipei team 10-0 and
May 10, 2026
The 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup is under way in China.The DPRK team belonging to Group C beat the Chinese Taipei team 10-0 and
More Articles
