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Showing posts with the label royal court dish

Gang Gam-chan and the Battle of Gwiju: A Historic Victory That Preserved the Dignity of Goryeo

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It is unclear whether the Khitan cavalry actually looked exactly like this. However, in ancient warfare, resisting an assault by such a mounted force would have been extraordinarily difficult—much like modern infantry attempting to defend against armored vehicles and tanks. By successfully repelling the attack of 100,000 northern cavalrymen, Goryeo ultimately compelled the Liao dynasty to abandon further invasions for the next hundred years. Gang Gam-chan and the Battle of Gwiju: A Victory That Preserved Goryeo’s Dignity and Reshaped the East Asian Order The Battle of Gwiju was a decisive confrontation in which the Goryeo army, led by General Gang Gam-chan, defeated the Khitan cavalry—the most powerful mounted force of its time. This victory elevated the international standing of Goryeo, founded by Wang Geon, and marked a historic turning point in the East Asian geopolitical order. Introduction: Why the Battle of Gwiju Is Still Remembered Today Dear readers, welcome. In a previous post...

Japchae, Korean Glass Noodle Stir-Fry: A Dish Loved Worldwide

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Japchae, a traditional Korean glass noodle stir-fry Introduction: Hello, dear readers! Have you decided on your dinner menu for tonight? If not, how about trying a Korean dish called Japchae? If this is your first time hearing about Japchae, don’t worry — today, I’d like to introduce it to you. Let’s get started! Japchae (잡채) is one of Korea’s most representative traditional dishes. It is made by stir-frying glass noodles (sweet potato starch noodles) with a variety of vegetables, meat, and mushrooms, then seasoning the mixture with soy sauce and finishing it with fragrant sesame oil. Unlike greasy or heavily seasoned foods, Japchae is known for its light yet profound harmony of flavors . It is a staple on festive occasions in Korea—such as holidays, family celebrations, and birthdays—symbolizing abundance and togetherness. For Koreans, Japchae evokes the feeling of a “special day’s dish,” while for foreigners, it often feels like a unique version of “Korean pasta.” In particular,...