By Honorary Reporter Alexandra Kyriazi from Greece
Photos = Korea.net, Kang Minsik

Autumn is Korea's harvest season. The following are three leading fall foods in Korea each with its own appeal to the palette.

Blue crab marinated in soy sauce 
Korean blue crab is great for stews and chewing and eating it is easy because of its soft texture. Full of nutrients and with a distinctive fresh smell, this is the perfect meal for autumn. Since this crab is in season in fall, Korean markets have fresh and plump specimens in stock. Steamed crab is delicious but raw food lovers must try Korean blue crab marinated in soy sauce (ganjang gejang), which has an amazing flavor. Its nickname "rice thief" originates as eating this dish often spurs diners to eat several bowls of rice.

Ganjang gejang (Korean blue crab marinated in soy sauce)

Grilled jeoneo
Jeoneo (gizzard shad) is also in season in autumn. The name literally means "money fish," showing how precious it is to Koreans. The savory dish is usually eaten as hoe (raw fish) or grilled, and its bones are soft enough to chew and eat. Grilled jeoneo has an amazing smell mentioned in a Korean proverb: "Even a runaway daughter in law returns home when he smells grilled jeoneo." The dish's taste is even better than its smell.

Grilled jeoneo (gizzard shad)

Braised galchi 
Galchi (cutlass fish) is mostly eaten braised in Korea. This fatty fish is both delicate and tender and can also be grilled. Koreans love grilled galchi but the braised variety is a Korean trademark with the mandatory use of radish, onions and gochugaru (red chili pepper powder). The fish seems to soak up all the flavor of the ingredients. 

This dish is packed with flavor as one bite contains the taste of autumn. Galchi on Jeju Island is famous, so don't forget to try it if visiting the island in fall.

Grilled galchi at a restaurant on Jeju Island

Dried persimmon
Gotgam (dried persimmon) is a leading Korean dessert in autumn and great for those who love sweet flavors. Koreans dry permission in fall, and gotgam is much sweeter than regular persimmon. The color of this fruit suits fall's aesthetic hue and characteristic scent. 

In Korea, mountains and trees are colored orange and red in autumn, so gotgam's orange color is a perfect match with the season. Its flavor will serve as a reminder of the beauty of autumn in Korea.

Gotgam (dried persimmon)

Fall in Korea is full of fresh fish and fruit with rich golden and orange colors. Related dishes are nutritious and help keep people warm in chilly weather. 

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.