By Honorary Reporter Putri Siswanto from Indonesia
Photos = Putri Siswanto

From April 1 to May 1, Muslims around the world started fasting for Ramadan. Recently I tried cooking Korean dishes to break my fast. After a day of fasting, the following four foods are perfect for an empty stomach. 

Yuja tea
To break a fast, first drink water and try a sweet beverage afterwards. Yuja (honey citron) tea is an excellent choice and widely available around the world. The type sold in stores is usually sweet. 

Making it is simple. Just put two teaspoons in a glass and mix it with water. For a more refreshing taste, use cold water or add an ice cube. Or use warm or hot water if it's cold. One benefit of this tea is improved bowel movement, something handy if you haven't eaten anything all day when fasting.

Making yuja tea is quick and simple.

Mandu
These Korean-style dumplings frequently appear in Korean dramas. I bought some to fry at home; they're crunchy on the outside yet moist on the inside with vegetable and chicken filling. Since I like my dumplings spicy, I use chili oil as dip. This food is a great appetizer after fasting and can be made at home.

Mandu can be steamed, boiled, or pan and deep fried.

Miyeokguk
This seaweed soup warms and comforts the stomach. Making it for the first time, I used a packet that I bought at the supermarket. This was simple to prepare because I simply sauteed ground beef with sesame oil and added garlic, a pinch of pepper, soy sauce, seasoning and seaweed that I had soaked in water for five minutes.

Miyeokguk is conveniently available in a packet that makes the food easy to cook at home. 

Korean barbecue
Referring to the method of grilling meat like daepae samgyeopsal (thin sliced pork belly), beef or chicken, Korean barbecue, or gogigui, is delicious whether eaten with or without rice. Eating rice after fasting is not good because of the risk of raising one's blood sugar level, which causes the body to become weak. 

Buy slices of the proper meat or chicken and make your own sauce. Mix minced garlic, sodium soy sauce, grated ginger and enough water for marinating. Marinate the meat and chicken for an hour. Afterwards, grill in a pan and serve with vegetables such as lettuce. For a more enjoyable meal, eat it with friends or family like I do.

Korean barbecue refers to the popular method of grilling meat like beef, chicken or pork.

enny0611@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.