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 geo-section of Kat Peak is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The peak is
July 03, 2025
The geo-section of Kat Peak is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The peak is
The harvest of wheat and barley is underway in the rural areas across the DPRK. Around June the harvest of the early crops starts
July 03, 2025
The harvest of wheat and barley is underway in the rural areas across the DPRK. Around June the harvest of the early crops starts
The Chollima era is proudly etched in the course of development of the DPRK replete with creations and transformations. In the
July 03, 2025
The Chollima era is proudly etched in the course of development of the DPRK replete with creations and transformations. In the
A spectacular sight of laughter and optimism has been presented at the 4km-long sandy beach of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist
July 03, 2025
A spectacular sight of laughter and optimism has been presented at the 4km-long sandy beach of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist
Korea’s classic Tangunsegi is known to have been compiled by Ri Am in 1363. The book deals with typical events, facts, language,
July 03, 2025
Korea’s classic Tangunsegi is known to have been compiled by Ri Am in 1363. The book deals with typical events, facts, language,
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the
July 02, 2025
A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the
Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an
July 02, 2025
Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an
Undertakings for improving conditions and environment for education are in full swing in the DPRK. Last year alone, after Songga
July 02, 2025
Undertakings for improving conditions and environment for education are in full swing in the DPRK. Last year alone, after Songga
The Paper Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a technology of making paper by using fallen
July 02, 2025
The Paper Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a technology of making paper by using fallen
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-oriented
July 02, 2025
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-oriented
Talks between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova, minister of
July 01, 2025
Talks between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova, minister of
A delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova on a visit to the DPRK laid a
July 01, 2025
A delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation led by Minister Olga Lyubimova on a visit to the DPRK laid a
The Chollima Steel Complex has newly installed an efficient and advanced curved continuous caster and put it into commission. As a
July 01, 2025
The Chollima Steel Complex has newly installed an efficient and advanced curved continuous caster and put it into commission. As a
Pyongyang Grand Theatre is one of the iconic structures in downtown Pyongyang. It is associated with the wise leadership of the
July 01, 2025
Pyongyang Grand Theatre is one of the iconic structures in downtown Pyongyang. It is associated with the wise leadership of the
Established in November 2004 and located in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the Chongnam Joint Venture Company engages in
June 30, 2025
Established in November 2004 and located in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the Chongnam Joint Venture Company engages in
Lately, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex set up a new technical process for improving the quality of steel by using active
June 30, 2025
Lately, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex set up a new technical process for improving the quality of steel by using active
The Chongnam building-materials manufactory under the Anju Area Coal-mining Complex has developed an ornamental tile made of
June 30, 2025
The Chongnam building-materials manufactory under the Anju Area Coal-mining Complex has developed an ornamental tile made of
At an invitation of the DPRK Ministry of Culture, a delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by
June 30, 2025
At an invitation of the DPRK Ministry of Culture, a delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by
Many scientists in the DPRK put their heart and soul into implementing the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party
June 29, 2025
Many scientists in the DPRK put their heart and soul into implementing the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party
Today the DPRK is greeting a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation. With the appearance changing day by day from downtown
June 29, 2025
Today the DPRK is greeting a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation. With the appearance changing day by day from downtown
More Articles
