Morkovcha facts for kids

Morkovcha, a tasty carrot salad.

Morkovcha (which sounds like "mar-KOV-cha") is a super popular and spicy carrot salad. It's also known as Korean-style carrots or Korean carrot salad. This yummy dish is a special version of kimchi made by a group of people called the Koryo-saram.

History of Morkovcha

You can find Morkovcha and other salads at markets like Tolkuchka Bazaar in Turkmenistan.

Morkovcha was created by the Koryo-saram. These are ethnic Koreans who live in countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union. They came up with this dish because they didn't have Napa cabbage, which is the main ingredient for traditional kimchi.

Many Koryo-saram moved to Central Asia after being deported in 1937. In places like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, this carrot salad became very popular. The name "Morkovcha" comes from two words: "morkov," which is Russian for "carrot," and "cha," which means a "salad-type side dish" in the Koryo-saram language.

For a long time, Morkovcha wasn't well-known in South Korea. But recently, as more Koryo-saram and people from Russia and Central Asia have moved there, the salad has become more common. Now, it's a favorite in many cafeterias and supermarkets across countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. People often enjoy it as a starter or a side dish at meals and holiday parties.

What's in Morkovcha?

This delicious salad uses simple ingredients. The main one is finely cut carrots, often sliced into long, thin strips.

Here are the typical ingredients you'll find:

• Carrots (cut very thin)
• Garlic
• Onion
• Ground red pepper (for that spicy kick!)
• Ground coriander seeds
• Vinegar
• Vegetable oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Sometimes, people also add sesame seeds for extra flavor.