10/17/2010

Korean Royal Cuisine

click the picture to see the adequate size
(Sorry I don't know how to resize)



1) The modern restaurant version of Royal Cuisine





2) The duplication of traditional royal cuisine by the scholar associate












Korea has developed very unique cuisine. The royal cuisine requires much effort for cooking, but the result is quite simple and clear. I may say it is a kind of minimalism because it does not include much decoration. As an example, walnut for royal cuisine, they are peeled off not only the hard shell outside, but also the brown inner skin. To do this, they soak the walnut and use tooth-pick. The the remain part of walnut is only white. Only whole walnut can be used for the royal cuisine. If it is broken while processing, then it can not be used.


The picture you see here is one serving for the King in Chosun dynasity. 22 small dishes does not seem fablous enough for the king of a dynasty? But imagine all the ingridient was prepared like the inner-skin removed walnut. A good many cooks in the palace should prepare the royal meal.

We call this "Surasang", literally means King's dinner. In more professional term, it is called "12 chub bansang", literally means 12 special dishes. It is very hard to taste the original royal cuisine. Why? Just imagine people are getting together and use toothpick. 10 people may prepare one day for your beer snack. Expect how much it will be!!

But you can taste similiar food in much reasonable price, reduced a lot of preparation process. Some restaurant offer all 22 dishes together, while others offer each dish in turn. Usually local people prefer all together. (Personally I strongly expect the all-together. You can get a real fun from the cultural shock)

The price ranges are from $10 in local city, $25 in Seoul (Lunch), $50 in Seoul (Dinner). Some restaurant may cost you over $100.

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