Main Piece: The following is transcribed from a conversation between me (LT) and my informant (GK). GK: Every year on your birthday, you eat the same thing, and it’s Seaweed Soup. The Korean name is Miyeok-guk (미역국), which literally translates to “seaweed soup.” LT: I’m assuming there’s something symbolic there, right? GK: You’re supposed to… Continue Reading »
Main Text: HK: “On somebody’s birthday it is tradition to have seaweed soup” Collector: “Can it be any kind of seaweed soup?” HK: “I don’t think it really matters, but there are a lot of traditional recipes for seaweed soup out there” Context: HK moved to the Unites States from South Korea when she was… Continue Reading »
Drinking Seaweed Soup 미역은 피를 깨끗하게 해주니까 먹는거야. 그래서 임신한 엄마들이 먹는거야. 니가 너의 엄마를 기억하기위해 생일날에 매년 먹는거지. 미역은 엄마의 젖도 깨끘해주니까 엄마들은 먹어, 아이를 위해서. You drink miyuk gook (seaweed soup) as a mom while you’re pregnant to give good nutrients to the child. Miyuk is known to cleanse the blood, so… Continue Reading »
In Korea, everyone eats seaweed soup on their birthdays as it brings them a good year and also a long life. My informant stated that ever since she could remember, her mother would make her seaweed soup on her birthday. She stated that when she asked her mother why every year and on everyone’s birthday… Continue Reading »