"Chusuk" Korean Thanksgiving

 Korean Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays in Korea. There are various foods representing "Chusuk"(Korean Thanksgiving) but out of all "Songpyeon" (rice cake) cannot be missed out!  Families and friends get together and talk with another as they make Songpyeong.

<Songpyeon Recipe>

 After washing the rice thoroughly for 10 minutes, soak it for 12 hours. Afterwards grind the soaked rice from a machine. Add salt and water to make the rice dough.

 The dough can be easily made from a machine. You can add any ingredients to the dough for flavoring. In this dough, ramie leaves were added which is a typical Songpyeon recipe.

 The dough are divided into pieces and made into this shape. Inside of it, there is a ground kidney beans.

 In order to make the shape, each one is made by hands.

 After placing a thin fabric over the steamer, the songpyeon dough is cooked. Pine leaves are also placed on the bottom of the fabric to bring out the fresh fragrance.

 This is the final result of the cooking. Doesn't it look delicious?

Mossi (ramie leaves) Songpyeon
Main ingredients: rice, ramie leaves, ground kidney beans(mixed with sugar), salt

Nokdoo (green gram) Songpyeon
Main ingredients: non-glutinous rice, ground kidney beans(mixed with sugar), green gram

 Green gram from history has never been missed out in feasts. It is a type of grain that is full of important amino acids and is good for growing children.

Sesame Seeds Songpyeon 
Main ingredients: non-glutinous rice, sesame seeds, bean powder, salt

 Sesame seeds consists of good fat, poly unsaturated fatty acids, and has tocophenol which is good for anti-aging.
Bean powder has lots of fiber; therefore, prevents constipation and is good for diet.

 Rice cake has an image of generosity and prosperity to Korean people. How about sharing rice cake with one another this Thanksgiving?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone~!!! 

Gyeongnam News: This Years's Thanksgiving Present?

 Thinking about how to express your gratitude to people around you this Thanksgiving?
In Korean culture Thanksgiving is more than just spending time with your families. It is a time to thank those around you who have shown kindness and love.
How about sharing the fine local ingredients in Gyeongnam?
Check out the eGeyongnam Mall! 

Yangsan Phellinus Linteus Mushroom are even used in herbal medicine with many benefits of health. It is a rare ingredient only grown in high altitude on trees.
It is used to hide unpleasant smell of cooked meat and are commonly used in chicken and pork dishes. Also by adding its broth in Kimchi, it makes it prevents from going bad quickly and maintains its freshness.

Hapcheon Shiitake Mushroom has a compound named lecithin which prevents cholesterol from building up inside your blood vessels. As a result, it has an effect of preventing hypertension. It is also low in calories and high in fiber, great for diet methods. Also it is an highly antioxidant ingredient as well.

Gimhae Saponaria Aloe is well-known for its effectiveness of skin-moisturization and easing skin tone. It is especially effective against constipation and gestational problems. It helps with symptoms as ulcer and reflux esophagitis.
Aloe has a compound that inhibits melanin productions which gives a brightening effect, as well as preventing discoloration, freckles, and acne problems.

 Geochang omiza tea 
Omiza is known to have 5 different tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and spicy.
The sour taste stands out the most and good for boosting energy and dehydration. Overall it is a good food to boost your immune system and concentration.

Uiryeong Acacia and Chestnut Honey 
During early spring, the bees collect honey from pollen/trees which is cultivated as the flowers from chestnut trees are about to bloom during fall.

Sacheon Persimmon Vinegar is fermented using the traditional Korean method and is a great source of Vitamin C. It has the health benefit of burning fat inside the body and is a great food for diet. You can add to drinks or dishes to enhance the flavor as well.

 Uiryeong Hanwoo (Korean beef) Stew is boiled for at least 2 days using pine tree and instantly-frozen down to minus 30 degrees after it is cooked to maintain its flavors before serving.

Hadong marsh snail soup
Marsh snails lives in the most clean waters inside rivers and ponds. It is known to be full of protein and collagen, good for skin and energy.

Hadong shellfish (corbicula fluminea) soup is one of Korean's most enjoyed dish. It has the smell of the sea and its taste is phenomenon. The deeply brewed shellfish broth is miraculous.

 Tongyeong anchovy is divided in different sizes and its price differs. Each size is used for different purpose from use of side dishes to making a broth out of it. They are also eaten dried and is a well-known snack to many Koreans.

 Goseong fish soy sauce and fermented fish sauce is well used in dishes to enhance flavors of soups and stews. It goes very well with any seafood dishes and it balance the flavors.

Gyeongnam Online Mall is an authenticated site that sells 100% Gyeongnam local products. The sale goes on during Thanksgiving Holiday season from September 1st to the 30th. (http://egnmall.net/discountbanner.asp)

Looking for Vacation Spots? Relax your Summers~

You are taking a hike. You look over and see a mountain. Which mountain appears in front of you? 

Answers on the bottom (source: Weekly Gendai Japan) 

 Do you think you need a break? 

Because you might really need it depending on the state you are in.  To search for happiness you must know who you are and what you really wish for in life. How about going on a trip? It might clear your mind to think about yourself for once. 

Here are some places you might be interested. 

Daraengi Village in Namhae 

  It is also called the south sea jewel of Namhae and has been selected by CNN as top 100 of most beautiful places to see in Korea.
Koreans call it "treasure island" and not without reason.

The coastal lines here are the most beautiful landscapes of Namhae.

  The Daraengi Village is famous for its terraced rice paddies on a steep hill. The rice paddies are of 108 steps consisting of stones and soil.

 Environment-friendly agriculture is wide spread at this place due to sea breeze preventing insect pests.

Here, it shows traditional Korean farming technique, where a cow is used to turn over the soil in order to plant rice weeds. 

 During festival seasons, visitors are given the chance to experience traditional farming techniques and learn the cultural and historical aspects of Daraengi Village. Villagers are friendly folks as well. 

Windy Hill in Geoje 

     If you stopped by Geoje, you cannot miss this place. The location has been used often for filming films and dramas as well. The name "Windy Hill" was given after fans who have visited this place.

     The sea breeze is marvelous~~!
The wind is cool and the view is even better! It is just the site to feel Mother Nature

 The steps and path to the top has been well built for visitors. There are benches around to take a rest as well.

 It is a wonderful spot. Windy hill is loved by many Koreans to take their summer breaks.

 A great place to take a picture and hang out with your friends and family.

The spot looks just like in your dreams. Forests and sea, with beautiful wind mill on top of the hills. You can smell the pine trees and sea. It is definitely the place to take a break and heal your soul. 

Summer is the time to enjoy the outdoors, warm weather, and spend time with your family and friends.  It is a chance to stop, slow down things, and hopefully explore ourselves with new interests in life. 

 Fulfill your life with happiness you wish for. Life may get better when you slow things down for once. 

Answers: The mountain represents the psychological state you are in aka. stress levels

1.  Stress level 10%. You do not feel anxious at all. You are always confident and have high self-esteem. You have great relationship with your family. Many are optimistic and know how to relax. 

2. Stress level 40%. You like to play it safe, always go for what you can reach for. You subconsciously have the tendency to not over stress yourself.  

 3. Stress level 90%.  You are anxious. You are over stressed and in low self-esteem. You are not pleased with your life. It is highly recommended you take a break. 

[Gyeongsangnam-do Trip] We Recommend a Perfect Beach Spot for You~!

The Prince of Sea “Gyeongnam Beach”

Finally, the summer is here. Even though it may be hot it is still a perfect season to enjoy the sun and play outdoors. Isn’t summer a great season to go camping? Because of the steady increase of campers in Korea there are so many camping attractions formed to allow visitors to enjoy.

The “it” this summer is a “Water Camping Zone” where visitors can enjoy swimming and camping all at once. And to no surprise, Gyeongnam is a perfect place to enjoy all this. We will show you all~!

남해 송정해수욕장 Namhae Songjung Beach

    This beach is well-known mecca for university students to go MT with their colleagues. The beach has another name called “Songjung SolBaram Beach” which has the meaning “windy spine filled beach.” As the name suggest Songjung Beach is well known for its clear water and pine tree forests nearby the beach. 

   The silver tint of the sand beach and wide view of the sea makes your heart go numb and your stress swept away by the sea breeze. The atmosphere can be exotic because you can see many Washington palm trees planted around the area.

There are clean showers and bathroom facilities provided for the visitors and huge camping site for campers. 

거제 명사해수욕장 Geojae Myungsa Beach

Myungsa means “clean sand.” The beach is famous for soft sand and clean waters, but it is well-known for television program, “1night 2days” show location sites. It has a nice path to take a walk with your loved ones and has everything a person needs to release their stress from the city life.

 It does not have full facilities for camping but it there is a fountain, bathroom, shower room, and supermarkets nearby. 

   

Geojae Hakdong Mongdol Beach

  The geological grounds of the shore look as though a crane is about to fly into the air, which gives its name “Hak” meaning crane. It is the biggest mongdol beach in Korea filled with mongdol rocks which emits black pearl like color to the eye. The sound of wave sweeping mongdol rocks sounds so unique and clear. It has been once chosen by the Ministry of Environment as one of the top 100 most beautiful sounding sound in Korea. There are about 174 parking spaces provided for the campers. 

  There are outdoor plugs provided for those needing electricity. Bathroom and shower rooms, outdoor sinks, and fountain are also provided. Wi-fi areas are also provided.

Sacheon Namildae Beach

Namildae beach is known as one of the best beaches in West Gyeongnam. It is well known for its beautiful scenery which has a mesmerizing turquoise colored sea and white sandy beaches.

What attract many visitors to this place are the animal look-alike rocks, which can be seen as you walk along the shores. It kind of reminds us of treasure-hunts. Family-goers will enjoy this place where their kids can have fun finding funny shaped rocks.

Out of many rocks, most well-known is the elephant shaped rock which looks as though elephant is drinking off the sea water with its long nose. The turtle shaped rock also stands on the middle of sea perfectly blending with Mother Nature.

Near the beach there are facilities such as hotels, bathhouse, and parks. The park is full of facilities to enjoy variety of sports so family-visitors should not be hesitant to spend a great weekend with their kids here. There are many festivals and attractions scheduled to be coming since summer is a time for many visitors and vacationer.