- A magnificent feast, appealing to the eyes and the mouthKorean meals vary according to the time of day and the type of gathering they are prepared for. A typical meal normally includes rice and soup, with several side dishes. Special dishes are prepared for particular occasions, including celebration of birthdays, weddings, or religious services. Steamed short ribs, beef and vegetable casserole, pan-fried vegetables, meat and seafood, and rice cakes are just some of the dishes that are prepared for these special occasions. Another specialty in Korea is meat dishes accompanying alcoholic beverages. Dishes such as steamed meat, fish with pan-fried mushrooms, and pumpkins come together to complement the drinks. For the finale, a refreshment table is set, consisting of tea and traditional Korean cookies, along with fresh fruits.

- Holiday foodsThe biggest Korean holidays are the Lunar New Year, Chuseok (Autumn Harvest),and Jeongwol Daeboreum (Full Moon Day). On New Year's and Chuseok, family members get together for a memorial service to their ancestors, and to visit close relatives. The staple holiday foods are usually galbijjim, japchae, rice cakes, and hangwa, all of which are popular among foreigners. Regardless, each holiday has a special food to mark the occasion.

 * Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day, January 1st by the lunar calendar)New Year - "Tteokguk"The first day of the New Year by the lunar calendar is considered the most importantholiday to Korean people. On this day, it is customary to eat tteokguk, a traditional soupmade of rice cake slices (long sausage-like rice cake sliced into ovals), and topped withmarinated ground beef and eggs. It is said that by eating a bowl of tteokguk first thingNew Year's day, you become a year older.

 * Jeongwol Daeboreum (1st Full Moon Day, January 15th by the lunar calendar)Jeongwol Daeboreum - "Ogokbap"On the first full moon day of the year, people perform rites for the community's guardian spirits to help avert disasters and bad luck as well as to greet the coming spring. Marking the first month of the year, this is also when people plan for the yearand also get their fortunes told. The most representative dish for this day is ogokbap, which is rice steamed with sticky rice, millet, red beans, sticky corn, and black beans. Eating ogokbap is thought to bring longevity and good health for the year.

 * Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day, August 15th by the lunar calendar)Chuseok - "Songpyeon"Chuseok marks the day when the moon is at its fullest point of the year. This is theseason when there is an abundant harvest of fruit and grains to prepare a holiday table.A must-have on Chuseok is songpyeon, crescent-shaped rice cakes. Rice harvested that year ispowdered and made into a batter by adding salt water. The batter is shaped into small crescents and filled with various fillings(sesame, chestnuts or beans).

- Dining Etiquette in KoreaIn Korea, you should not pick up your spoon before elders do. It is also rude to talk loudly during meals and make slurping or smacking sounds while eating. After finishing your meal, you should put the spoon and chopsticks back to their original setting. You shouldnot rise from the dining table before other members have finished their meal. After the meal, it is customary to compliment the cook or the host.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Policy Review June 2008