An Imperial Food Adventure: Experiencing the Cuisine of the Korean Empire

👑The number nine is significant in Chinese and Korean culture as it represents longevity, which is why the emperor would have a nine-course meal.

🌟Each dish in the imperial food adventure is meticulously prepared and represents a traditional Korean or imperial dish.

😋The flavors in the imperial dishes are rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, showcasing the culinary skills of the royal kitchen.

👨‍🍳The imperial food tester had the ultimate job - tasting all the delicious imperial dishes, but at the risk of potential poisoning.

🔥The grilled dishes, like the tenderloin and pine mushroom, were cooked on a rock since gas burners were not available back then.

What is the significance of the number nine in the imperial meal?

—The number nine represents longevity in Chinese and Korean culture, and the emperor would want to be the emperor for as long as possible.

Were all the dishes traditionally eaten by the emperor of Korea?

—Yes, each dish in the nine-course meal represents a traditional Korean or imperial dish that the emperor would have enjoyed.

What were the flavors like in the imperial dishes?

—The imperial dishes were rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, showcasing the culinary skills of the royal kitchen.

What was the role of the imperial food tester?

—The imperial food tester had the coveted job of tasting all the delicious imperial dishes, but at the risk of potential poisoning.

How were the grilled dishes cooked without gas burners?

—The grilled dishes, like the tenderloin and pine mushroom, were cooked on a rock, as gas burners were not available in the past.

00:00Introduction to the imperial food adventure in Korea, where the host is infatuated with history and curious about the food of the past.

01:48The host arrives at the Hanmiri restaurant in Seoul, ready to embark on a nine-course imperial food adventure.

02:02The first course is pumpkin porridge, served in traditional brass dishware.

02:51The host tries japchae, a special dish usually only made for holidays, known for its sesame flavor.

03:16Tangpyeongchae, a dish with green bean noodles and preserved veggies, is described as a dish made for a king.

03:59Stewed ribs with radish and other ingredients are served, with a comedic moment involving broccoli.

04:27Grilled tenderloin and pine mushroom are cooked on a rock, showcasing the unique cooking methods of the past.

05:58The host tries Gujeolpan, a dish with nine ingredients, wrapped in crepes and paired with wasabi sauce.