What Do Koreans Eat on Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving?

You may have heard of K-Pop Demon Hunters, BTS, Squid Games and K-BBQ, but do you know what Koreans eat on Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving? Chuseok literally means “autumn eve” and is the biggest South Korean holiday, lasting 3 days. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, when there is a full moon and coincides as a harvest festival. Chuseok is a time when families gather and even go to their ancestral hometowns. 

Photo by Mariah Tauger/Los Angeles Times

I remember waking up to the smell of jeon (savory pancakes), as my grandmother came early to our house to start making it for our multi-family gathering. She even let me try making it and always let me sample a few pieces while she was frying it on a flat pan.

Like Thanksgiving, it was pot luck style in our family, as other relatives brought the chapchae (stir fried glass noodles) and even galbi jiim (short rib braised in sweet and savory sauce), which was considered royal food and reserved for special occasions due to the its premium ingredients and extensive preparation time. Always part of the meal was ssongpyeon (rice cakes with sweet filling), whose shape resembles a half moon and is traditionally eaten during major holidays.

Come join us to celebrate Chuseok on Monday, October 6th in Tustin. Enjoy a dinner with these dishes and learn more about Korean culture with fellow Brunonians. There are still spots left! RSVP on the Brown Club of Orange County website.