Janchi-guksu facts for kids
A bowl of janchi-guksu
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| Alternative names | Banquet noodles |
|---|---|
| Type | Guksu |
| Place of origin | Korea |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
잔치국수
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|---|---|
| Revised Romanization | janchi-guksu |
| McCune–Reischauer | chanch'iguksu |
| IPA | [tɕan.tɕʰi.ɡuk̚.s͈u] |
Janchi-guksu (Korean: 잔치국수) is a popular Korean noodle dish. It is also known as banquet noodles. This tasty meal has wheat flour noodles served in a light, clear soup. The soup is often made from anchovys and sometimes dasima (a type of kelp). Sometimes, a rich beef broth is used instead.
To add more flavor, janchi-guksu comes with a special sauce. This sauce is made from sesame oil, ganjang (Korean soy sauce), a little bit of chili pepper powder, and fresh scallions. The dish is topped with colorful garnishes. These often include thinly sliced jidan (fried egg), gim (dried seaweed), and zucchini. The word "Janchi" means "feast" or "banquet" in Korean. This name shows that the dish is traditionally eaten at happy celebrations, like weddings or big birthday parties.
History of Janchi-guksu
The name janchi-guksu comes from the Korean word janchi (잔치). This word means "feast" or "banquet." People have eaten this noodle dish at special events for a long time. These events include wedding parties, birthday celebrations, or a hwangap (a 60th birthday party). The word guksu means "noodles" in Korean. Noodles are a symbol of a long life and a long, happy marriage.
Noodles in Ancient Korea
Records show that guksu (noodles) were eaten as far back as the Goryeo period. This was a kingdom in Korea that lasted from 918 to 1392. A book called Dongguk Isangguk Jeonjip mentions guksu in a poem. Another book, Goryeo Dogyeong, was written by a visitor from China's Song Dynasty. It says that guksu was a special dish for important occasions. This was because wheat was rare and very expensive in Goryeo. Most noodles back then were made from buckwheat or starch.
Janchi-guksu in Popular Culture
Because janchi-guksu is a traditional wedding food, there is a common saying in Korea. People might ask, "When are you going to feed us guksu?" This is a friendly way of asking someone, "When are you going to get married?" Sometimes, a wedding day itself is even called "a day to eat guksu."
After a big political event in Korea, many people celebrated by eating fried chicken and janchi-guksu. This even became a popular topic on Korean Twitter.
See also
In Spanish: Janchi guksu para niños
