How seaweed soup became Korea’s traditional birthday dish?

Birthdays all around the world are celebrated in a similar manner by cutting a cake. But not in Korea where people follow a unique and traditional ceremony of drinking seaweed soup. In Korea, seaweed soup is not only associated with birthdays but is also given to women who have just given birth. If you are a fan of K-dramas, then you must have seen people making this special soup on their birthdays. Read on to know how seaweed soup became synonymous with birthdays in Korea. (image credits- istock)

The consumption of seaweed soup in Korea dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty who started the practice of seaweed consumption after they noticed that whales ate seaweed to recover from childbirth. According to Korean tradition, the soup is dedicated to Samsin Halmoni, the three goddesses of childbirth and destiny in Korean mythology who assists in childbirth and blesses the newborns.

So, consuming seaweed soup on birthdays is a gesture of honouring mothers who not only took pains to bring us to the world but also sacrificed a lot for us. Having seaweed soup is a Korean way of showing respect to a mother’s unconditional love. (image credits- istock)

Seaweed soup was originally a postpartum food for mothers and was said to replenish the nutrients in the body after going through the tiring process of childbirth. Seaweed soup is still a part of the diet of new mothers who usually drink it for days together after giving birth. It is said that seaweed soup not only provides all the essential nutrients but also helps in milk production for breastfeeding. Many people recommend to-be mothers to drink this soup while the baby is still in the womb as the soup is packed with calcium, iodine, fibre, iron, omega acids, vitamin B1 and B3. (image credits- istock)

If you are an avid watcher of K-dramas, then you might know that the famous drama ‘Goblin’ has mentions of seaweed soup in it. In the drama, the lead actress especially prepares seaweed soup for breakfast as it was her birthday.

The main ingredient of the soup is seaweed which is usually used after dehydrating it. Ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, salt and water are added to the preparation. Many people also add meat or seafood of their choice to flavour up the dish. (image credits- istock)

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