January 1st 2024 Letter
See my recipes for gotgam-danji (Stuffed persimmons) and how I cook and enjoy chestnuts! Plus photos and stories from my readers around the world
Welcome to 2024!
How are you feeling as the new year begins? I wanted to share this special card with you, featuring a photo I took of the 2024 sign in Times Square. Then I came home and put on a shiny dress, and took another photo. Then I combined them in Photoshop to make this! So this was made with very fresh photos.
I sincerely wish you a successful and happy new year, with all my heart. Let’s cook more delicious food together in 2024!🎉
Korean rice cake soup on New Year’s Day
Here’s a short 1 min video of my tteokguk (rice cake soup) recipe. Koreans eat rice cake soup on Jan 1st and also on Korean Lunar New Year’s Day (this year it’s on Feb.10). Of course you can eat rice cake soup anytime, but it’s our way to bring in the new year deliciously! The white rice cakes symbolize purity and fortune (the slices are a little coin-shaped) and the whole family gets together in the morning of new year’s day and enjoys a bowl of soup.
The more detailed rice cake soup recipe plus video is here.
New recipe: Stuffed dried persimmons!
These special treats called gotgam-danji (stuffed persimmon) taste sweet, chewy, and jelly-like on the outside with a sweet nutty filling on the inside. Originally enjoyed by Korean royalty, now you can make them at home and enjoy them just as much!
How I enjoy chestnuts
Every culture has their own way to enjoy chestnuts. I’m a huge fan of chestnuts and eat many pounds of them when they are in season, so I don’t mind being called a “chestnut girl.” : )
This is my usual way of cooking chestnuts. I think it’s the easiest way to remove the skins and enjoy the soft, fluffy flesh inside.
Sayhe’s Korean Xmas dinner party!
Sayhe let me know that all these dishes was made using my recipes! Each one looks amazing: tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), kimchi, bulgogi, spicy pork, japchae, spinach, soybean sprouts, and stuffed cucumber kimchi. And take a look at the big pot of white rice!
Serve some of the rice on individual plates and then let your guests pick and choose from the table. You can easily feed a large group this way. By the way, there are a couple of hidden surprises in this photo - one being someone's foot, and the other is a cute furry creature! : )
Cheryl’s stir-fried pork and kimchi!
What was your last Korean cooking of 2023?
My friend Cheryl Tan said her last cooking for 2023 was Korean dwaeji-kimchi-duruchigi (spicy stir-fried pork and kimchi)! She served it over hot rice. Umm~
Making Makgeolli
Makgeolli (막걸리) is a low-alcohol (5-7%) rice liquor. One of my readers tonimirk on Reddit said his wife made this makgeolli from my recipe! The labels show when they were bottled and how long to serve them, and reflect the preciousness of these creations made with passion. My recipe is here if you want to try!
Spicy pork and vegetables on rice
Candide said she wanted something spicy! Great choice!
She made spicy pork with vegetables on rice, known as jeyuk-deopbap in Korean. To complete this fantastic one-bowl meal, she included a side of mung bean sprouts to this great one bowl meal. It’s a perfect combination!
Jay’s happy holiday jujube ginger tea looks nutritious!
Jay says, “It’s that time of year for jujube tea. My house smells soooooo good. I love this tea, your cooking show, and you!! Lol” My simple answer is: “lol!” Yes, I love the aroma of the tea while preparing it, too.
I had actually forgotten about jujube ginger tea for a bit, but seeing the photo of your tea has inspired me to make it again soon. My recipe is here!
Spicy chicken skewers
Mouthwatering looking spicy dak-kkochi chicken skewers made by Mikkelest! Yummy! But be careful not to hurt your mouth when you take the chicken off the sticks. : )
Messages from my readers and viewers
You guys always make me smile, inspire me, amaze me, and make me think. Here are some of your messages that I chose to share with you!
We're all familiar with the saying “Nothing is forever.” I've been consistently posting my recipes online since 2007 without a break! It’s something I really love to do and I never considered stopping because there are still so many delicious recipes I still want to share.
But when I read Midgie’s comment it made me think: “It’s been so long already, for how much longer will I be able to share my recipes? Nothing is forever…”
Maangchi, I never get tired watching you and want so much from you! I have probably watched all your videos. :) I worry one day you will stop and I get panicked! Please keep doing making the videos for as long as you desire to do them. Your constant fan and admirer! Oh, my husband loves your food. Just made gamjatang (pork bone soup) yesterday. He loved it!
In my recipe for anchovy kelp stock, I showed you 2 other recipes that use the leftover kelp and radish that were boiled to flavor the stock. Ashley’s comment gave me a lot of happiness! “Oh, she must be a frugal foodie just like me!” : )
I Made this today. The side dish with the kelp was 💕💕💕 GREAT.
Jea’s comment warmed my heart deeply. I’m sure her father was delighted to receive kimchi as a special Christmas gift from his family!
I am not Korean, but my father was stationed in Korea with the US Air Force for many years. He misses the traditional kimchi he used to eat there. This year my children (who live very near a Korean market) and I have decided to come together and make him this recipe as a Christmas gift. I am very excited. Thank you so much.
A Korean reader left a touching comment in Korean. It seems that she used my recipes while studying abroad. After returning to Korea, she lost touch with my videos for years until she stumbled upon them again. She's surprised to see that I continue to share my recipes! Check it out.
망치님 유학시절 한국음식이 너무 그리울때 많이 따라했는데 문득 생각나 와보니 여전히 현역이시네요!!! 너무 너무 반갑습니다. 크런치크런치 프라이드 치킨 😊 이 가장 기억이나요. 그리움과 추억의 채널, 종종 들릴께요 감사합니다
Translation: Maangchi, during my time studying abroad, I missed Korean food so much and followed your recipes a lot. Suddenly, the memories came back, and I realized you are still active! It's so, so nice to see you. The “Crunchy Crunchy Fried Chicken” 😊 is what I remember the most. Your channel is a source of nostalgia, and I'll drop by from time to time. Thank you!
Thanks for reading my first letter of 2024! Once again, I wish you all a fantastic, prosperous, joyful, and healthy New Year!
I will see you next month on February 1st. Keep being happy with your delicious Korean cooking!
Happy New Year Maangchi. I arrived in Busan on New Years eve by ferry from Japan. South Korea is amazing. We have been eating beautiful hot dishes washed down with icy cold beer. We also had an earthquake scare from Japan yesrerday but all seems well. Looking forward to making a fresh batchbof your traditional kimchi recipe when I get home. It’s a favourite of my family and friends. Thank you for sharing your recipes, life and kindness. Don’t stop!! ♥️
Can’t wait to see what your cooking up
For 2024, love your channel and your
Constant positive energy. Keep on cooking.