January International Supper Club: South Korea and Lunar New Year

After a much needed break, the International Supper Club is back and well-rested, ready to “travel” around the world in 2025—exploring the food and rich culture of 12 countries or regions of the world. We are kicking off 2025 International Supper Club travels to Korea to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year is celebrated by many Southeast Asian countries, including South Korea. In South Korea, Lunar New Year is known as Seollal and occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice. It’s date varies every year, falling somewhere between end of January and February. This year it falls on January 29th. Seollal has roots in Chinese Confucianism and Chinese traditions, including ushering in a new animal every year representing the order in which the animals were invited in to see Buddha. This year, 2025, is the Year of the Snake.

As with many other cultures there are certain foods that are eaten to celebrate the New Year. In South Korea, one of those dishes is Tteokguk, or rice cake soup. This is a hearty, savory soup made with rice cakes and a meat, usually beef. The whiteness of the soup symbolizes a fresh start to the New Year. Traditionally, on Seollal everyone’s age went up one year but only after you enjoyed your soup. Another Korean dish that is served on special occasions is Galbi-jjim. This dish is traditionally braised beef short ribs in a rich sauce with tender vegetables and flavorful nuts served with steamed white rice.

This month we are adding a special treat to the International Supper Club menu, a dessert, Gochujang caramel cookies. These cookies are not a traditional cookie but a cookie created by a New York Times food critic. Typically, ISC celebrates traditional meals but on the rare occasion we love to celebrate creations that take a unique twist on traditional ingredients. Gochujang caramel cookies are just that, a unique twist on a traditional cookie using Gochujang sauce, a traditional Korean condiment derived from red chili peppers.

So, from our kitchen to yours, Happy New Year. May you enjoy all the delicious food this year and beyond.