By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Bardise Eldeeb from Egypt

Koreans this month celebrated Seollal (Lunar New Year) for three days (Feb. 4-6) but also marked Jeongwol Daeboreum, or the first full moon of the lunar new year.

I first knew about Jeongwol Daeboreum while studying Korean at the Sejong Institute in Egypt, and was really surprised because I’d never heard of it before. Since this holiday is not nearly as well-known as Seollal and Chuseok (Full Moon Harvest) to non-Koreans, I will share basic information about the holiday here.

What is the meaning of Jeongwol Daeboreum? It celebrates the first full moon on the lunar calendar. How do Koreans celebrate it? They traditionally practice two customs: cracking nuts and eating ogokbap (five-grain rice).

Cracking nuts with one’s teeth is without a doubt difficult and impossible for some. Koreans, however, tend to perform this tough rite because they believe that this will keep them healthy and their teeth in good shape.

Like many holidays in Korea, Jeongwol Daeboreum has a signature dish: ogokbap. This cooked dish contains five types of grain -- glutinous rice, black bean, glutinous African millet, sweet red bean and glutinous millet -- and is usually served with fried seasoned vegetables.

I’d never celebrated the holiday before but did get the chance to eat ogokbap, but not on Jeongwol Daeboreum. I did so while having lunch with a group of Koreans and it so happened that they prepared ogokbap for lunch. That was the first time I saw the dish and I liked its taste and color. I was also told that the dish is good for health since it contains five types of grain. I will definitely try it again.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.