Celebrate Korean New Year (Seollal) with a delicious round-up of Korean New Year food recipes that are as rich in tradition and meaning as they are in flavor! If you’re looking to add a Korean touch to your New Year’s Eve celebration, you’ve come to the right place. I have carefully selected over 15 iconic dishes that families across Korea enjoy on this special day.
Whether you want to immerse yourself in the festive world of Seollal cuisine or simply explore a new cultural experience, these recipes will make your celebration extra special.
What is Seollal?
Seollal, or Korean Lunar New Year, is one of Korea’s most beloved holidays. It’s more than just welcoming the year ahead: it’s a time to gather as a family, respect ancestors, share meals and pass down traditions. As a child, my favorite thing about New Year’s Eve was definitely receiving monetary gifts from all the relatives I met. 🙂
Some dishes prepared during this celebration carry with them a cultural and symbolic meaning, making the shared table even more significant. If you are interested in learning more about the traditions and customs associated with this special day, check here item.
Save the date! This year, Seollal falls on January 29, 2025, marking the start of the lunar new year.
How to say “happy new year” in korean
To greet someone, say Saehae Bok Mani Badeuseyo (Happy New Year), which means “I wish you lots of luck in the new year!”
Now let’s explore some must-try Korean dishes for New Year that bring luck, prosperity and smiles to every table.
List of Seollal foods
1. Tteokguk (Korean Rice Cake Soup)
A hot and flavorful soup made with thinly sliced rice cakes, Tteokguk is a must-have dish on Korean New Year. Eating it symbolizes aging, welcoming good luck and the desire for wealth in the coming year. The oval shape of the rice cakes is reminiscent of ancient Korean coins, adding a layer of symbolic meaning related to prosperity and wealth. [Get the recipe: Tteokguk]
2. Manduguk (Korean Dumpling Soup)
A hearty alternative to the tteokguk popular in North Korea. This comforting soup features soft dumplings filled with flavorful meat or vegetables. My mother prepares her version, known as “Tteok Manduguk”, by adding rice cakes to the dough, making the dish even more filling and satisfying. It’s a delicious blend that combines the best of both traditions. [Get the recipe: Mandu Guk]
3. Kimchi Mandu (kimchi dumplings)
Many families make their own mandu (dumplings) to add to the soups mentioned above. My family’s version has always been mandu pork kimchi and I must say that the spicy flavor of the kimchi goes very well with the meat. [Get the recipe: Kimchi Mandu]
4. Gematsal Jeon (Crab Stick Omelet)
Jeon (전) is a beloved Korean pancake traditionally served during holidays and celebrations. While there are many varieties, these heart-shaped crab jeon are a creative and modern touch that grab attention. Made from crab sticks and shaped into charming designs, they bring a fun and trendy twist to the table while remaining rooted in the festive spirit. [Get the recipe: Crab Jeon]
5. Pyogo Beoseot-Jeon (Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms)
Stuffed with ground beef, these tasty shiitake mushrooms offer a protein-packed version of the beloved jeon recipe. They’re perfectly hearty and satisfying, making them nutritious and incredibly filling. [Get the recipe: Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms]
6. Hobak Jeon (Stir-Fried Zucchini)
These pan-fried Korean zucchini are a simple but flavorful side dish, loved for its tender texture and delicate, savory flavor. A staple during the holiday season, it is quick and easy to prepare, making it a perfect complement to rich main courses, adding balance with its subtle charm. [Get the recipe: Hobak Jeon]
7. Bindaettok (빈대떡, mung bean pancake)
Bindaetteok is a traditional Korean pancake made with mung beans. Crispy on the outside and nutty, tasty on the inside, it is a dish rich in flavor and tradition, often served during ancestral rites as a significant part of Korean tradition. [Get the recipe: Bindaetteok]
8. Sanjeok (bandit, Meat and vegetable skewers)
Korean skewers, known as Sanjeok, pair colorful vegetables and thinly sliced marinated meat for a visually stunning and satisfying dish. Often served during celebratory occasions, these skewers are lightly coated in flour, dipped in a beaten egg and pan-fried to perfection. Easily customizable, they can be adapted to suit any palate, making them a party favorite. [Get the recipe: Sanjeok]
9. Bulgogi (Grilled Korean Beef)
I don’t know about other Korean families, but growing up we always ate bulgogi at the New Year’s breakfast table. This iconic marinated beef dish, with its distinctive sweet and savory flavours, has become a much-loved part of holiday meals. Although often associated with Korean barbecue, bulgogi is incredibly versatile and makes an excellent side or main dish for any celebration. [Get the recipe: Bulgogi]
10. Galbi Jjim (갈비찜, Korean Braised Short Ribs)
Galbi Jjim, a Korean dish of braised short ribs, is the ultimate comfort food and a real holiday treat. The tender ribs are slow cooked to perfection, smothered in a sticky, sweet, savory, nutty sauce infused with sesame and honey – absolutely addictive with every bite! Check out the traditional Galbi Jjim recipe or try the Instant Pot Galbi Jjim version to enjoy all the amazing flavors in less time.
11. Tteokgalbi (Korean Beef Meatballs)
Tteokgalbi is a traditional Korean dish made with tender beef meatballs marinated in a sweet and savory glaze. Loved for its juicy texture and rich flavor, it is a popular addition to holiday gatherings, adding an extra level of warmth and joy to the celebration. [Get the recipe: Tteokgalbi]
12. Japchae (잡채, stir-fried Korean glass noodles)
Japchae is a traditional Korean dish that combines chewy glass noodles and colorful vegetables, lightly seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. Known for its satisfying texture and amazing flavor, Japchae is often served during festive occasions, making it a timeless favorite on any table. [Get the recipe: Japchae]
13. Samsaek Namul (tricolor herbs)
Samsaek Namul refers to three types of side dishes made from vegetables, herbs or edible greens. Traditionally, these dishes are placed on the charye (차례) table during ancestral rites to honor and pay homage to the ancestors.
Although today “samsaek” is often interpreted as a three-color dish, it originally referred to three different types of side dishes, regardless of their color. The most common combination includes:
Other side dishes, such as [Bean Sprout Salad]sautéed radishes or stir-fried shiitake mushrooms can be used as substitutes.
An important tradition to keep in mind is that green onions and garlic are not used in these side dishes for ancestral rites, as they are believed to chase away the spirits of ancestors.
14. Kimchi
You can’t talk about one of the most important meals of the year without mentioning kimchi!
On New Year’s Day, you’ll likely see a variety of kimchi on the table, from classic Napa Cabbage Kimchi to more delicate options like Baek Kimchi (white kimchi), refreshing Dongchimi (radish water kimchi), and spicy Nabak Kimchi (radish water kimchi). spicy water). ).
Most of these kimchi varieties are prepared during the early winter months, when cabbage and radishes are at their peak. This seasonal timing makes the flavors even more vibrant and delicious!
15. Creamy fruit salad
A nostalgic dish that combines fruits such as apples, tangerines and persimmons with peanuts, hard-boiled quail eggs and a creamy dressing. It’s both sweet and savory: a creative delight from my childhood memories and once a holiday staple, though perhaps less so today. [Get the recipe: Creamy Fruit Salad]
16. Yaksik (약식, Korean sweet rice with dried fruits and nuts)
Sticky rice sweetened with honey and seasoned with chestnuts, jujubes and pine nuts. Traditionally eaten on the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, Yaksik remains a holiday favorite. [Get the recipe: Yaksik]
17. Sujeonggwa (Sujeonggwa, Korean cinnamon punch)
Sujeonggwa, a popular dessert drink, is made with ginger, cinnamon and sugar, offering a slightly spicy sweetness. Known to aid digestion, it is a perfect dessert for special occasions. [Get the recipe: Sujeonggwa]
18. Sikhye (식혜, Korean sweet rice drink)
Sikhye, a must-have dessert drink during Korean holidays, is sweet and nutty with a unique barley flavor. This traditional punch not only balances out a hearty Christmas breakfast, but is also known to aid digestion. [Get the recipe: Sikhye]
Honoring tradition through food
Each of these dishes tells a story: of family, of history and of wishes for health and wealth for the year to come. Whether you make one or all of them, celebrating Seollal with Korean flavors brings comfort and connection to the table.
(This post was originally published in February 2007 and republished in December 2024 with updated information.)
Find out more! If you’re ready to take your Korean cooking to the next level, explore other recipes like Korean barbecue or traditional banchan (side dishes). Don’t forget to toast the new year with your favorite Seollal delicacies.
Good food and… Saehae, don’t be afraid! 🎉
