By Honorary Reporter Ramona Stefania Tulug from Romania
Photos = Ramona Stefania Tulug

Jeollanam-do Province is celebrated for its stunning landscapes and rich heritage, but its lush farmlands and pristine coastlines are used to produce fresh seafood, fermented delicacies and hearty grains, making the region a culinary gem. The food culture there embodies history, craftsmanship and respect for nature, blending time-honored traditions with modern innovation.

For Christmas, the Jeollanam-do Europe Office in Eschborn, Germany, near Frankfurt held a contest featuring the province's flavors. Announced on Instagram late last month, the contest awarded three winners a box filled with Jeollanam-do's treats and heritage.

As one of the three, I opened the box to find illustrations of the region's iconic locations, including a postcard with the lush green tea fields of the province's Boseong-gun County, known as the home of Korean tea. Paired with the delicious content, this touch offered a true taste of Jeollanam-do's traditions and natural beauty.

Green tea fields of Boseong-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province 

The office staff wrote a heartfelt message was on the back of the postcard. The box also included a scarf inscribed with Hangeul, Jeollanam-do magnet, and two books on the region's cuisine and landmarks.

The postcard had a written message from the office staff.

Also in the box were crispy squid, fried seaweed and those flavored with green tea, kimchi and gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), gim (dried laver) salad, green tea powder, Korean pear juice, calamansi gim ade and Jeollanam-do sea salt. 

While I'd heard of most of the food before, the seaweed salad posed an exciting challenge. My favorites in the box were Korean pear juice and green tea powder, but I was eager to use everything in creating dishes.

The prize box contained these foods and ingredients.

The final treasures were the books "A Journey to Find Your True Self: Templestay" and "Jeollanam-do Halal Gourmet Tour."

The first book detailed stays at Buddhist temples including a chadam (tea chat with monks), reservation guides, and temple types and highlights. My favorite was Seonamsa Temple, a nearly 1,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The second explored attractions and halal-friendly dining in the province's cities of Yeosu, Suncheon and Mokpo and counties of Boseong-gun, Sinan-gun and Damyang-gun, with the latter capturing my interest most.

I received two books in my gift box from the Jeollanam-do Europe Office in Germany. 

The box gave me the chance to savor authentic Korean products thanks to the Jeollanam-do Europe Office. It has made me eager to visit Jeollanam-do and experience its rich heritage. 

msjeon22@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.