Patjuk: Korea's Red Bean Porridge to Ward Off Evil on the Longest Night
🍲 The Power of Red Beans to Ward Off Evil
In Korea, there's an ancient tradition of eating patjuk (red bean porridge) on Dongji (Winter Solstice), the longest night of the year. Our ancestors believed that the vibrant red color of the beans had the power to chase away evil spirits and bad luck.
Families would gather to share a warm bowl of patjuk, wishing for health and blessings for the year ahead. There's also a Korean saying that you must eat patjuk on Dongji to grow a year older!
Patjuk is made by slowly simmering red beans and rice together until they become soft and creamy. It's often enriched with saealsim — small, round rice cake balls made from sweet rice flour — making it even more hearty and delicious.
🌍 Porridge Culture Around the World: From Oatmeal to Congee
Thick, comforting dishes made by simmering grains or rice in water can be found in nearly every culture around the world.
- 🥣 Oatmeal - A beloved breakfast staple in the UK and Scotland, made from oats
- 🥣 Congee - An everyday rice porridge in China and Southeast Asia
- 🥣 Khichdi - A nutritious Indian porridge made with rice and lentils
- 🥣 Okayu - Japan's gentle rice porridge, often eaten as comfort food
📌 What Does Patjuk Taste Like?
Patjuk has a soft, comforting texture with flavors that can be sweetly delicious or subtly savory. The chewy rice cake balls (saealsim) add a delightful textural contrast. If you prefer sweetness, add sugar; for a milder taste, season with salt. Like oatmeal, it's a quintessential Korean winter health food. 😊
🍜 Dongji Patjuk Recipe Video
Ingredients needed: Red beans, rice, sweet rice flour, water, salt or sugar (to taste)
💡 Tips for First-Time Patjuk Eaters
After watching the video, you might find that sourcing ingredients or following the recipe seems more complicated than expected. For those trying patjuk for the first time, here's what I recommend:
- ✔ Try it first at a Korean restaurant
- ✔ Start with a convenient ready-to-eat (retort) product
- ✔ If you love it, then make it from scratch with your family
Making patjuk with your family while reminiscing about your Korean travels will be a special winter experience! ^^