Jeok facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jeok

Jijim-nureum-jeok (egg-washed and pan-fried skewers)
Place of origin	Korea

Jeok (Hangul: 적; Hanja: 炙) is a yummy Korean dish. It often comes served on skewers. Imagine tasty pieces of meat, veggies, and mushrooms all grilled together!

People usually enjoy Jeok on special days. These include important birthdays (like a hwangap) or big family weddings. It's a dish that brings people together for celebrations.

Where Does Jeok Come From?

The story of Jeok goes way back in time. It comes from an ancient dish called Maekjeok (맥적). This dish was mentioned in a very old book. The book, called In Search of the Supernatural, was written in China during the Jin dynasty.

The name Maek (貊) refers to the Yemaek people. These people are thought to be the ancestors of modern Koreans. The old book said that "Yemaek roast" was a special food. Even rich and noble people in China loved it!

Another old record, Shiming, described Maekjeok. It said it was a whole roasted pig. People would slice off pieces of meat to eat. This shows how popular roasted meat dishes were long ago.

Some people think that Maekjeok might have changed over time. They believe it could have eventually become the modern-day Bulgogi. Bulgogi is another famous Korean grilled meat dish. Ordinary people also enjoyed grilled dishes like Bulgogi and Galbi. These were similar to Jeok but often without skewers.

Different Kinds of Jeok

Jeok comes in many exciting forms! The exact name changes based on what's in it. It also depends on how it's made. For example, you might hear of sanjeok or nureum-jeok (누름적).

There are three main types of Jeok:

• Fish Jeok
• Vegetable Jeok
• Meat Jeok

Many different vegetables are used in Jeok. Common ones include spring onions, carrots, and bell flowers. Mushrooms are also a very popular ingredient. These foods were easy to find in the areas where Jeok first became popular.

Jeok is a very healthy dish. It has a good mix of vegetables and meat. This means it offers a lot of different nutrients. Unlike many Korean meals, Jeok usually does not include rice.

See also

In Spanish: Jeok para niños