[Food] Dak-Gangjeong (닭강정, Sweet and sour chicken)

[Food]

[Food] Dak-Gangjeong (닭강정, Sweet and sour chicken)

It is an undeniable fact that famous deep-fried chicken originates from the U.S.A through the tragic history of slavery. Nevertheless, when deep-fried chicken flowed into Korea, Korean-style deep-fried chicken became more famous globbally than the original. (However, it doesn't mean Korea didn't have any deep-fried chicken recipe. Korea had traditional deep-fried chicken recipe called 'Pogye', which is soy-sauce and vinegar-based deep-fried chicken.).

Today's dish, 'Dak-Gangjeong (닭강정, Sweet and sour chicken)', is a very modern Korean dish that appeared from 1970s; the era when Korea was massively industrialized and started to develop its culture, quality and diet. In 1993, dak-gangjeong was introduced in a newspaper as a good dish to cook when deep-fried chicken is left over at home, which means dak-gangjeong was a beloved and popular recipe for the public.

A dak-gangjeong shop in a market of Gangneung Central Market

Dak-gangjeong originated in two cities, Incheon in western Korea and Sokcho in eastern Korea. Several dak-gangjeong shops claim that they have the original dak-gangjeong with 40 years of tradition but no one knows who the original really is.

Dak-gangjeong slightly differs from 'Seasoned spicy chicken' through some of its features, though it is similar. Its seasoning is less watery, more viscous, and fully coated fried-chicken, not 'poured' on chicken. It is usually spicier than seasoned spicy chicken because of garlic and spicy chili, and a bit more crunchy with more nuts.

Western dak-gangjeong from Incheon features bigger chunks of chicken which is very similar to seasoned spicy chicken. On the other hand, eastern dak-gangjeong from Sokcho has smaller pieces of chicken and is usually boned. To me, they are all nice and delicious anyway.

The recipe is very similar to seasoned spicy chicken.

1. Deep-fry chicken pieces.
2. Stir-fry them on a wide and round pan with sliced garlic and spicy chili.
3. Add soy-sauce, starch syrup and water. (Here you can add more seasoning such as chili paste, chili powder etc.)
4. Add starch water and nuts, boil down.

'Dak' means chicken and 'gangjeong' means traditional Korean crunchy crackers with rice, sesame, beans, nuts etc. in Korean. I think that its name suits it very well with its crunchy and sweet features. Dak-gangjeong is one of my favorite dishes, and it is also very popular to many tourists who visit Korea because....I mean, who dare hates deep-fried chicken?! You look at the photos in this article. Don't you see that crunchy, crispy-fried chicken with lip-smacking seasoning?

A dak-gangjeong from Shinpo Market, Incheon, western South Korea

A dak-gangjeong from Sokcho Central Market, Sokcho, eastern South Korea

Nowadays, you can find dak-gangjeong very easily in any market in Korea because it is popular to Koreans and non-Koreans alike. Once I saw tourists from the U.S.A trying some sample of dak-gangjeong at a market in Busan (when I visited Busan), then they bought 2 boxes of dak-gangjeong per person.

A dak-gangjeong with fried rice cake pieces

If you are sick of 'normal' fried chicken, try dak-gangjeong. It will open your door to a new world of deep fried chicken :)

Bon Appétit!

[HWPL] The 1st HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp in Korea

[HWPL]

[HWPL] The 1st HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp in Korea

Original Article : HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp was Held for the First Time in Korea

HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light. Chairperson: Man Hee Lee) reported that, alongside IPYG (International Peace Youth Group), it hosted its HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp for the first time in Korea from June 22nd-23rd under the title 'HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp for the Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula' to raise youth awareness of religious conflicts and wars at Ulsan Hyanggyo (Confucian school) and Shimkye Temple in Gyeongju.

Participants experienced Korean traditional culture such as traditional Korean etiquette, tea ceremony and folk games to learn the culture of virtues, righteousness, courtesy and wisdom.

Moreover, they attended a WARP (World Alliance of Religions' Peace) Office meeting - one of HWPL's main initiatives - held at Shimkye Temple in Gyeongju. A panel of Buddhist, Christian, Confucian and Cheondoist speakers discussed about a world of peace and the role of a religious leader.

On June 23rd, participants learned about the Buddhist culture, beginning with a Buddhist service at 5am and a lecture on Buddhism by Monk Geosan who was on the Buddhist panel at the WARP Office meeting on the 22nd. A quiz program under the title "Mission Challenge to Achieve Unification" was given to underline that one must 'move' and 'work' to achieve world peace and unification of the Korean peninsular.

As a member of HWPL Supporters One, I think that this program is as significant as the daily public school curriculum given the many ongoing conflicts and wars in Korea and the world. Young people must learn to understand and tolerate each other beyond race, religion, sex, nationality and ideology. This camp was the first of its kind but I hope more and more students and youth will join HWPL's Religious Peace Youth Camp in the future. They will become messengers and advocates for peace who bring world peace faster and sooner. I really hope so:)



Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

[Peace news] HWPL WARP Office meeting hosted in Daejun and Busan

[Peace news]

[HWPL] HWPL WARP Office meeting hosted in Daejun and Busan

HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light. Chairperson: Mr. Man Hee Lee) WARP Office Daejeon and Busan branches both hosted the WARP (World Alliance of Religions' Peace) Office Interfaith Dialogue in July.

HWPL 대전종교연합사무실, 제16차 경서비교토론회 개최 / Reporter Gunyong Lee / Geumgang Daily / July 22nd 2019 / South Korea

HWPL's WARP Office hosted the meeting under the title 'God's Promise' and 'The Truth' in Daejeon and Busan branches, respectively. Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, and Cheondogyo leaders participated in the panel to discuss the theme.

HWPL 동부지부, 부산서 '경서비교토론회' 개최 / Reporter Gyeongsu Seo / Prime Gyeongje / Juy 21st 2019 / South Korea

Regarding the theme 'God's Promise', Pastor Won (Christian) emphasized the New Testament and coming of God's kingdom while the Buddhist and Muslim leaders talked about 'Self-Realization for salvation' and 'Keeping the words of the Quran', respectively.

Meanwhile, the panel discussed 'The Truth' from each religion's perspective and talked about 'The truth and standard of each scripture' and 'The process and purpose of achieving the truth'. An audience member who participated in the meeting entitled 'The Truth' said, "I don't think that it is easy to perceive the truth in this chaotic world where there is so much falsehood. After listening to each religion's truth, I conclude that the ultimate purpose of truth is love."

HWPL has been hosting WARP Office meetings regularly since 2014 for the harmony of religions. It now has 250 branches in 127 countries.

Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

[Food] Gamjajun (감자전, Korean Potato Pancake)

[Food]

[Food] Gamjajun (감자전, Korean Potato Pancake)

Gangwon province (North-Eastern region of South Korea) has been a solid production region for potatoes since they were imported because more than 80% of the region's terrain consists of alpine zone, highland pasture and several basins, like the Andes.

So Gangwon province is famous for its unique potato cuisines such as Ongsimi (Potato Dough Soup). Today I bring you a very simple Korean dish with a simple recipe, Korean Potato Pancake. It is a traditional and unique dish from Gangwon province that you can easily find in any market in Gangwon province.

A mountain climber brought potato pancake dough for lunch, putting chopped zucchini into the dough

Just go into any market in Gangwon province and you will always find some booths that griddle potato pancakes on an iron plate with surrounding plastic chairs, and Makgeolli (Traditional Korean rice wine). Customers sit around the booth and enjoy pancakes with a bowl of makgeolli.

The recipe is very simple...but it can be very tough and hard work unless you have a good and sharp mandoline.

1. Wash and peel potatoes and onions, then grind them with a mandoline to create a watery dough

2. Mix potato and onion dough into a bowl, adding some salt and pepper as desired

3. Oil any flat and wide pan, and scoop as much dough as you want (the bigger the scoop the bigger the pancake) onto the pan to griddle it.

The important thing is that you manually grind it rather than using an electric blender or grinder because manually grinding helps maintain potatoes' texture, giving you a better taste when you chew the pancake. If not...well, taste it yourself...you will realize what I mean.

Anyway, nowadays you can enjoy potato pancake conveniently at home but people still visit a market in Gangwon province to taste the original recipe. Freshly-fried potato pancake has a crispy edge and soft inside with a savory taste.

If you ever visit Gangwon province in South Korea, try a potato pancake in any market, and indulge in pancake with makgeolli. Savory pancake and sweet rice wine will make you happy. A jolly chat with another visitor is a bonus :)

Bon Appétit!

[IPYG] IPYG Incheon Branch Cleans Up a Park in Incheon

[IPYG]

[IPYG] IPYG Incheon Branch Cleaned a Park in Incheon

According to Sinah Daily, HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light. Chairperson: Man Hee Lee) Incheon branch reported on July 15th that IPYG (International Peace Youth Group) and Korean Environment Protection Hwarang Volunteer Group Incheon Association cleaned up the Culture Park in Yeonsu Gu, Incheon.

From May this year, IPYG has been carrying out an environmental clean-up campaign with the Korean Environment Protection Hwarang Volunteer Group Incheon Association to create more pleasant parks and landscapes for citizens throughout Incheon.

국제청년평화그룹 인천지부, 환경정화 봉사 전개 / Reporter Juyong Park / July 15th 2019 / Sinah Daily

IPYG members who joined in the clean-up picked up littered trash from 3pm-5pm.

Sinah Daily introduced IPYG as a wing of HWPL (an international peace NGO) that has been carrying out a youth peace campaign. The press praised IPYG as a passionate NGO that voluntarily carries out peace campaigns and work in the local community.

Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

[Peace news] Youth's Message to the UN "We care about peace"....How about joining IPYG?

[Peace news]

[Peace news] Youth's Message to the UN "We care about peace"....How about joining IPYG?

UN news reported that Security Council meeting Maintenance of international peace and security was hosted on July 17th 2019. Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, made a few clear points about youth during her speech regarding peace and security.

And, I'd like to emphasize a few main points from her speech.

1. Young people suffer from many things (stereotypes, myths and policies etc.) which harm and hinder their ability to work for peace.

2. Young people are easily framed as "a problem to be solved and a threat to be contained" while they are not actually not involved in violence.

3. Young peacebuilders and human rights advocates are vulnerable to threats, intimidation, violence, arbitrary arrest and retaliation by the State and non-State.

From what I have seen and heard from fellow peace activists and supporters throughout the world, the above 3 points are very true for young people. In this world, youth have to fight ideological, conventional and political problems that lie in their society. Some of them are easily exploited by violent extremists and terrorists for conflicts and wars.

Meanwhile, even though they may desperately want to start and join peace campaigns, doing so is usually restricted to people with political, financial and educational advantage.

Therefore, I want to introduce HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light. Chairman: Mr. Man Hee Lee) and IPYG (International Peace Youth Group) to the world's youth.

Mr. Man Hee Lee's peace organizations have been running a Peace Walk campaign, 'Legislate Peace' campaign and Peace Letter campaign for the enactment of an international law DPCW (Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War), which is the perfect answer for world peace.

It is not hard to work jointly with IPYG. Youth can visit their official homepage or write hand-written peace letters to their state leader urging them to support the DPCW for world peace. Moreover, they can walk with the peace group together for world peace.

So, what would you do? If you really want world peace, become a peace advocate with HWPL and IPYG :) Let's work for peace so that we can achieve peace :)

Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

[Food] Chogyetang (초계탕, Chilled Chicken Soup)

[Food]

[Food] Chogyetang (초계탕, Chilled Chicken Soup)

Once upon a time in Korea, there was a cook in the king's court who always cared about the king's health. One day in summer, the king wanted to eat a chicken dish, but he didn't want Samgyetang because it was too spicy. So the cook invented a cold chicken recipe - Chogyetang - and it became one of the staple cuisines in the king's court in Korea. It was spicy and sour, full of a chicken flavor. Later, its recipe flowed into Pyeongyang (North Korea), making it a typical dish in North Korea. Obviously, this isn't a true story, but the fact is...

Chogyetang (초계탕, Chilled Chicken Soup)

1. Korean Court Cuisine
2. A typical dish in North Korea

I don't think that Korea is the only country where cold chicken soup is eaten in the summer, but it is true that Chogyetang is a unique Korean food. It is known to be a staple North Korean food that people in Pyeongyang enjoy, but it was one of the Korean court's cuisines. Chogyetang has been a great alternative recipe since its invention for people who don't want to eat hot Samgyetang.

However, the recipe is not that simple. You need to:

1. bone a half chicken to get the meat out, boil it for 20 minutes with green onion, onion and garlic stock.
2. season chicken and put mustard into the stock.
3. slice a cucumber, marinate it with salt, chop a pear and put it into sugary water.
4. make meatballs with seasoned meat, chop sea cucumber coarsely then stir fry it with salt.
5. chop and blanch mung bean jelly and shiitake mushroom and season them each.
6. put every prepared ingredients into a bowl then pour the stock.

You can make a variation of Chogyetang with more ingredients

I remember that Chogyetang became very popular in South Korea 20 years ago. Like many others, I also tasted Chogyetang at chicken restaurants. It was a new way of making chicken. The cool, refreshing sourness and spicy taste with thick savory chicken stock. It is even better with noodles.

Chogyetang with cold noodle

Chogyetang with buckwheat noodle

It is not a common dish that you can find easily in any restaurant, and you are very likely to taste a very stale dish with yucky chicken smell if you order it in a restaurant which does not specialize in Korean chicken dishes. So I recommend you find a restaurant with the 'Chogyetang' name board, if you want to taste good Chogyetang (or you can just cook it at home)

A famous instant spicy cold noodle once released limited 'Chogyetang' edition. I don't know if it was good or not (because I didn't want to taste it), but it surely attracted much instant noodle mania.

Chogyetang is the best menu for people who want a cold, spicy and healthy chicken dish, I think. If you want some exotic and spicy flavor that wakes you up, Chogyetang is here for you :)

Bon Appétit!

[HWPL] The Caribbean's New Coalition Supports DPCW and the World Peace!

[HWPL]

[HWPL] The Caribbean's New Coalition Supports DPCW and the World Peace!

Original Article : New Coalition Aims to Promote Peace in the Caribbean

HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light, Chairperson: Mr. Man Hee Lee) hosted 'Peace in the Caribbean' to support the enactment of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) in the UN with the Caribbean region. More than 25 Caribbean ambassadors and leaders of states including the former Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable Mr. Said Musa, gathered in Washington D.C. for HWPL's peace event.

New Coalition Aims to Promote Peace in the Caribbean / EIN Presswire / July 12 2019 / Nick Soto

HWPL reported that the DPCW is already officially supported in a few islands including Antigua and Barbuda. The DPCW has been presented to the UN for implementation as international law for several years.

At the event, Mr. Said Musa delivered a speech, saying : 

"I want to pledge my support for adoption of the DPCW which I find to be the most comprehensive legal framework that will serve to spread a zone of peace within the Caribbean region and across the world."

In the middle of the event, delegates resolved to advance the enactment of the DPCW through the Caribbean Community's regional organization, Regional Integration (CARICOM) and Coalition of Caribbean Leaders for Peace, which is a new coalition comprised of Caribbean leaders.

Mr. Edwing Charles, Haiti's Minister of Youth, added:

"The DPCW is an invaluable legacy for future generations"

An HWPL representative said that HWPL has hosted peace tours in Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Costa Rica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and St. Lucia. Moreover, other Caribbean islands will join to support HWPL and the DPCW.




Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

[IPYG] Peace Walk and Letter across the World

[IPYG]

[IPYG] Peace Walk and Letter across the World

The world has been suffering from war and conflict since the beginning, and it continues. HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light, Chairperson: Mr. Man Hee Lee), IWPG (International Women's Peace Group) and IPYG (International Peace Youth Group) has been carrying out their main initiatives for world peace such as the Peace Walk campaign since 2013. 

Today I bring you pictures from global Peace Walk Festivals :) Let's check them out.

Peace advocates of HWPL and IPYG held the 6th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and the Peace Walk Festival on May 26th at Gangaramaya Temple, Sri Lanka. Given that tragic Sri Lanka Easter bombings happened because of religious and ethnic problems, this Peace Walk Festival was very significant.

100s of youth from IPYG held the 6th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and the Peace Walk Festival in Delhi Public Library in New Delhi, India. Participants wrote peace letters to Ram Nath Kovind, the president of India.

IPYG, Çanakkale Bicycle Platform and Çanakkale Koza Youth Association co-hosted 'Cycle for Peace' to promote the importance of peace.

IPYG members in Gabon hosted the 6th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and the Peace Walk with youth and students. Lebissa Eliol Trancy, the director of Jaeunesse D'abord GABON, participated in the event. He encouraged the work of peace-building together with IPYG.

IPYG members in Mali hosted the 6th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and the Peace Walk at Ecole Fondamentale Lafia De Kalaban-Koro in Bamako, Mali. IPYG Mali branch reported that VIPs from various sectors and 300 youth participated in the event. Given that the Malian civil war broke out a few months ago, the event showed their desperate will for peace.

IPYG hosted the 6th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and the Peace Walk with 100 students including Isiam Imeri, President of Student Parliament of Tetova University at Tetova University in Tetova, North Macedonia.

Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

[Food] Korean Pumpkin Soup (호박죽, Hobakjook)

[Food]

[Food] Korean Pumpkin Soup (호박죽, Hobakjook)

Korean Pumpkin Soup

I remember when I first tasted western-style pumpkin soup. I was in an international school in southern China (when I was a teenager). The school had a really good cafeteria with nice chefs who could cook both western and eastern gourmet for school employees and teachers.

One day, I saw 'Pumpkin Soup' on the cafeteria lunch menu and thought:

'Wow, the cooks can even cook pumpkin soup? I can't wait for lunch!'

Because the only pumpkin soup I knew of was 'Korean Pumpkin Soup', which is mild, chewy when with rice cake balls, and sweet. However, the pumpkin soup of the cafeteria turned out to be savory, creamy and mild.

I didn't know there was also pumpkin soup in the western culture, which is very different from the Korean one because they use different pumpkin and different recipe. Western pumpkin soup uses chicken or vegetable stock, western pumpkin and cream. To me, it tasted more like soft pumpkin cream than soup.

Western pumpkin

Then, what's Korean pumpkin soup? What's so different from the western one?

Sweet pumpkin

Korean pumpkin soup uses sweet pumpkin, rice cake balls, sticky rice powder and some sugar. Most Koreans love it because it is sweet, soft and chewy.

The recipe is easy but it isn't easy to peel the tough and hard skin of a sweet pumpkin. Sweet pumpkin has to be peeled and chopped into small cubes to be boiled in a pot until it becomes pulpy and mushy. Then you have to mix sticky rice powder and sugar into the soup to give it additional sweetness. Moreover, you can add rice cake balls to make a more delightful pumpkin soup.

Korean pumpkin soup with red beans

Korean pumpkin soup with rice cake balls

Nevertheless, there is always an exception :) Korean pumpkin soup can also be savory and mild in some regions in Korea. In this case, they put sticky rice (not powder) and lots of kidneys or red beans without sugar.

If you are looking for a sweet and healthy organic snack or light meal, how about a bowl of sweet pumpkin soup? :) It will surely satisfy you with its sweet and mild pumpkin flavor.

Bon Appétit!