Korean Food: Garnishes with Philosophic Meanings

Gugeolpan @ Korea Brand

Korean dishes are frequently topped with garnishes (Go-myeong). The ingredients used as garnishes in Hansik follow the principle of Five Cardinal Colors, which consist of whites, black, green, red, and yellow. Gujeolpan (platter of nine delicacies: radish, beef, cucumber, carrot, mushroom, red pepper, mungbean sprouts, egg) and Sinseollo (royal hotpot) are composed of color blocks, while Japchae (glass noodles with sauteed vegetables and beef) and Tangpyeongchae (mung bean jelly with vegetables and beef) mix the colors together.

 Sinseollo (royal hotpot)

The multi-colored garnish and natural food colorings show the great care Koreans put into preparing food. Garnishes balance taste and color, and represent the principle of Five Cardinal Colors which correspond to the five cosmic elements.