When you visit Korea, you will inevitably have many opportunities to taste sundae. You can often see sundae being sold in traditional markets or street restaurants. However, the majority of foreigners may not eat sundae due to concerns about its appearance or contents, and it is believed that their understanding of sundae is very low.
However, sundae is a traditional Korean food and is loved by many Koreans. So when you visit Korea, you can find many sundae shops on the streets. Are you curious about the history of sundae and why it is popular in Korea? I believe that in order to enjoy the unique taste of sundae, you need to have a good understanding of sundae, so this time, I would like to introduce you to sundae, a traditional Korean food.
Introduction to Sundae
Sundae is a Korean food, made by stuffing the intestines of pigs or cows with various ingredients. Sundae is a popular food in both South and North Korea, and is also a street food. Sundae has been made since the Goryeo Dynasty and was a food eaten on special days or festivals.
There are many different types of sundae. Depending on the filling, there are glass noodles sundae, glutinous rice sundae, and blood sausage sundae, and depending on the outer ingredients, there are pork sundae, beef sundae, lamb sundae, squid sundae, and pollack sundae. The taste and shape of sundae varies depending on the region, and there are unique sundaes such as Abai sundae, Gaeseong sundae, Byeongcheon sundae, and Jeju sundae.
Sundae is usually eaten steamed, and is also eaten with internal organs such as liver and lungs. Sundae is eaten dipped in special seasonings from each region. For example, in Seoul, a seasoning mixed with salt and pepper is used, in Jeolla-do they use chojang, in Gyeongsang-do they use soybean paste, and in Jeju-do they use soy sauce. Sundae can be easily found at soup restaurants, snack bars, food stalls, and traditional markets.
Sundae is a traditional and popular Korean food that is delicious and nutritious.
The history of sundae
The history of sundae is not exactly known, but it is presumed that it was introduced by Asian nomads as a food made by filling animal intestines with various ingredients. The word sundae comes from the Manchu word ‘senggi-duha’, which means sundae. Sundae has been made since the Goryeo Dynasty and was a food eaten on special days or festivals.
Sundae has various types and flavors depending on the region, and is loved as a traditional and popular food in Korea.
Source: Sundae seasoning by region and history of Sundae (tistory.com)
If you look at the history of sundae, you can learn the following interesting facts.
Sundae is a food made from the blood and intestines of animals, and a similar food is mentioned in the ancient Chinese text “Shijing”.
There is a theory that sundae was introduced to Korea due to the Mongol invasion. It is claimed that the origin of sundae is a food called 'Kedes', which the Mongolian army ate as combat rations, which was a food made by putting vegetables and rice in pig intestines.
Source: Sundae - Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (aks.ac.kr)
Sundae is mainly made from pig intestines, but intestines and bladders from cows, sheep, dogs, and fish have also been used. In particular, in Hamgyeong Province, sundae is made with pollack because it is an area rich in pollack.
Sundae is eaten dipped in special seasonings from each region. For example, in Seoul, a seasoning mixed with salt and pepper is used, in Jeolla-do they use chojang, in Gyeongsang-do they use soybean paste, and in Jeju-do they use soy sauce. This reflects the taste and characteristics of each region.
Reason for popularity
First, sundae is a traditional and popular Korean food that is both delicious and nutritious. Sundae has been made since the Goryeo Dynasty and was a food eaten on special days or festivals. Sundae has various types and flavors depending on the region, and is loved as a traditional and popular food in Korea. Sundae is a blood sundae made by filling the intestines of a pig or cow with various ingredients. It contains meat, grains, vegetables, nuts, etc., so it is rich in protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and minerals.
Second, sundae is a food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Sundae is usually eaten steamed, and is also eaten with internal organs such as liver and lungs. Sundae is eaten dipped in special seasonings from each region. For example, in Seoul, a seasoning mixed with salt and pepper is used, in Jeolla-do they use chojang, in Gyeongsang-do they use soybean paste, and in Jeju-do they use soy sauce. Sundae can be easily found at soup restaurants, snack bars, food stalls, and traditional markets. Sundae can also be cooked in stews, stir-fries, fried foods, steaks, etc. Sundae is popular because it is a food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways depending on individual tastes and situations.
Third, sundae is an inexpensive and plentiful food. Sundae is relatively inexpensive because it is made from by-products of pigs or cows. Sundae contains a lot of food in one bowl, so it makes you feel full. Many people like sundae because it is an inexpensive yet plentiful food.
